Entry requirements

Political Science advanced course or equivalent education.

Content

The main purpose of this course is to penetrate selected parts of the contemporary theoretical literature on International Relations broadly defined, i.e., the area within Political Science which encompasses both the systemic and actor-oriented analysis of inter-state and other inter-national interactions.

Instruction

The course will be based on the seminar form, which means that all participants are expected to have read the assigned literature each week and are prepared to discuss and debate actively the issues raised in it. In addition, all participants are expected each week to write a short paper (around 3 pages) on the volume in question, giving a very precise synthesis of the main argu-mentation presented in the book, as well as some personal reflections on one or more of the issues raised. Each participant will also have the chance of initiating the seminar discussions once by (i) giving a short oral presentation of the assigned literature and (ii) by presenting a written list of questions or issues for discussion.

Assessment

The course paper which each participant must write in order to pass this course should have the form of a comparative, analytical and/or critical discussion of one or more the themes raised in the literature studied. Course grades will be based on the weekly papers/presentations (25%), seminar participation (25%) and the course paper (50%).

Other regulations

The course is taught for exchange students only.