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 literature on International Relations (IR) by focusing on research-based texts. 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 does not 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. 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. Instead, the course focuses on different types of IR theories and how these can be operationalised.

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. Discuss scholarly work in the field of IR with their peers.

Content

Course content, teaching and organisation

The course consists of lectures, seminars, and writing assignments. 

Instruction

The course consists of lectures and seminars, which in addition to active participation includes oral presentation and a longer paper. The language of instruction is English.

Assessment

To pass the course, seminar attendance, active participation, the completion of all seminar requirements, and a passing grade on the final essay is required. 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.