International Politics

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. Being the only MA course in IR, it in particular addresses students who wish to write their MA thesis in International Relations. Its main aim cannot consist in covering the many sub-disciplines of IR, such as security studies, foreign policy analysis, international political economy, international organisations, international political sociology, peace and conflict studies, etc., although it strives for a certain variety. Rather, the course uses this variety as a backdrop for introducing different types of theorising and research styles in classical and contemporary IR. On the undergraduate level, such teaching often focuses on a comparison of different 'isms' in international relations. Such general knowledge of the 'isms' is helpful, albeit not formally mandatory, since it structures many theoretical debates in IR. However, at the MA level, it does not make much sense to repeat it. Therefore, this course focuses on different levels and kinds of theories and their operationalisation. It will cover approaches informed by the English school, meta-theory, postcolonial theory, social theories of recognition and of discursive practices. Doing this, it relates to social constructivism, practice theory and feminism.

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

1. Understand, summarise and discuss a selection of the main approaches to theorising international relations, i.e. the way theories frame the very understanding of international relations and the way they can be used to explain them.
2. Evaluate these approaches to international theory with regards to the theoretical assumptions and methodologies they employ, as well as the particular problems of international politics for which they may be most appropriate;
3. Present and discuss scholarly work in the field of IR with their peers.

Content

Course content, teaching and organisation

Every week is dedicated to a different theoretical approach represented by one book for which you write a book review. We have two sessions. On Mondays, we would typically have the seminar presentations of a book, and on Tuesdays the introductory lecture for the coming week's reading. 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 workshop (during one or two days depending on enrolment 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). As a background, the weekly reading is introduced by a lecture and discussion session in which the type of theorising is presented. On the other hand, the teaching includes also 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 course follows a strategy of continuous assessments, where the main purpose is an attempt to respond to the specific previous knowledge, 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 problematize them. The grade is combined with a participation grade to assess the oral component of the seminar. Absences must be communicated beforehand and have a valid justification. 
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 but still substantial summary of the main theses of the text as well comments and questions about the reading. It is important to articulate one's own thoughts about a book, assessing its theoretical coherence. The further we advance into the course, the more comparisons with former readings would be helpful. Please make also clear what you did not understand. Asking at least two-three questions is mandatory. These book reviews serve as an important feedback. They are due the day of the seminar, i.e. before the seminar.
3. Final essay (40%)

Absence from one of the seminars must be communicated beforehand and have a valid justification. Unjustified absences will diminish the seminar participation grade. All components of the course need to be passed to qualify for passing the course. 

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.