Entry requirements

Political Science BA level or equivalent education. Students within the Master Programme in Politics and International Studies, the Master Programme in Development Studies or the Master Programme in Political Science, admitted to the third semester, are required to have obtained at least 45 credits within the programme.

Learning outcomes

The goal of this course is to introduce MA students to selected parts of the contemporary theoretical literature on International Relations (IR) by focusing on research based monographs written primarily for professional academics within the field. Its main aim is not to cover all sub-disciplines of IR, such as security studies, foreign policy analysis, international political economy, international organisations, etc. Rather, the seminar tries to introduce students to the different ways theories are used for explaining and understanding international affairs. In the most common sense, theories are used as ‘tool-boxes’, instruments to be applied to solve already given research problems or empirical questions. But theories have also a constitutive role, in that they provide us with the concepts and assumptions which guide us when we are deciphering the empirical world. Theories are there to help us answering research questions, but also to identify significant research questions in the first place. This latter function is crucial for the very beginning of any research and any major seminar paper or MA thesis.

By the end of the seminar, students are expected to be able to:

1. Understand, summarise and discuss a selection of the main approaches to theorising in international relations;
2. Evaluate these approaches with regards to the methodologies they employ and the particular problems of international politics for which they may be most appropriate;
3. Analyse a particular problem of international theorising from the perspective of one or more of these approaches
4. Present and discuss scholarly work in the field of IR with their peers

Content

Seminar content, teaching and organisation

Every week is dedicated to a different approach to theorising in International Relations. We have two sessions (see below). At the end of the seminar block, one session will be dedicated to the individual discussion of the preliminary ideas on the final papers. Students will then have almost three weeks seminar-free time to write their final paper. The final papers are presented at a common 2-3 day workshop (depending on numbers) in which students will also discuss a final paper of one of their fellows.

The teaching itself has two central components. On the one hand, it focuses around the seminar proper, in which students present the weekly readings (with a handout) which are then discussed and/or explained. The week starts with a lecture and discussion session in which the type of theorising is introduced and contextualised. On the other hand, the teaching also includes a tutorial component. Every week, students write a critical review of the week’s readings for which they receive individual (and graded) feedback. Here, the seminar follows a strategy of continuous assessments, where the main purpose is not the grade as such, but the attempt to respond to the specific needs and interests of individual students.

Instruction

The course will be based on seminars, which in addition to active participation includes the writing of a short weekly paper, an oral presentation, as well as a longer term paper. The language of instruction will be English.

Assessment

1. Seminar presentation and participation (20%)

Every student will introduce one seminar. Presenters should make a written outline (for everyone) which summarises the key points of their presentation and the main questions on which to lead the discussion. Presentations should not make chapter per chapter summaries of the books, since everyone has read them, but directly tackle the main issues and problematise them.

2. Readings and book reviews (40%)

Students are expected to read the assignments for individual sessions and to prepare a book review on the week’s readings. These reviews should ideally include a succinct summary of the main theses of the text as well comments and questions about the reading. It is important to articulate one’s own opinion and judgement about a book and not just a summary of the reading. The further we advance into the seminar, the more comparisons with former readings would be helpful. Please make also clear what you did not understand. These book reviews serve as an important feedback. Some of the points that were not understood can then be explained during the next session.

3. Final essay (40%)

(For more details, consult the complete course syllabus)

Other regulations

This MA/PhD seminar is open to students enrolled in the MA programme in Political Science and International Studies or for exchange-students at an equivalent level (e.g. ERASMUS). In order to guarantee a tutorial and seminar environment, the number of students can be limited.