International relations

Teacher(s)

Bled Amandine; Brogna Valentina (compensates Bled Amandine);

Language

English

Prerequisites

The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

This course provides the knowledge and competences needed for the understanding and the analysis of international phenomena. More precisely, the course aims at making students: 1. Gain knowledge of the main actors and stakes of international relations. 2. Understand the main concepts and theories used in international relations. At the end of the course, students should: 1. be able to associate each concept/theory to at least one concrete example; 2. have developed analytical skills and a critical mind with regards to the ideas produced by observers and practitioners on the international scene; 3. be able to discuss in detail the information contained in short publications dealing with international relations.

Content

Each class can be understood individually. Put together, all classes follow the evolution of the discipline. They are organized as follows:

I. From international relations to International Relations: history and definition;
II. Analysing war and peace after World-War I: the classical theories of international relations;
III. Cold-War dynamics: the opening to the neo-classical debates;
IV. Questioning the importance of war and peace: when the economy shapes international relations;
V. Questioning the State as unit of analysis;
VI. Questioning the premises of IR theory.

Teaching methods

Description of the ex-cathedra lectures:
Each class starts with a common activity (role-playing, games, videos, etc.). It then exposes particular theories/concepts of international relations and gives concrete illustrations. The course rests on three teaching methods: active learning during the introductory activities; lectures that are given by the professor; several readings associated to the classes.

Description of the additional activity (AA impliquante):
Each student has to submit a research paper by the end of the semester.

Evaluation methods

The evaluation of the course is done in two steps:
- A research paper (10/20)
- A written exam (10/20) made of :
• one question on the course and on the compulsory readings (5/10)
• a MCQ (multiple-choice questionnaire) (5/10)

Other information

Face-to-face, first term, 30 hours of theory.
The slides are given to the students right after each session

Bibliography

Outre les quelques lectures obligatoires, une liste de références utiles au cours est fournie.

Faculty or entity

ESPB