Syllabus, valid from 2013-01-21
Syllabus, valid from 2013-01-21
Title
International Relations II
Swedish title
International Relations II
Course code
IR102L
Credits
30 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Board of Studies at the Department of International Migration and Ethnic Relations
Syllabus approval date
2012-08-30
Syllabus valid from
2013-01-21
Level
Basic level
Entry requirements
International Relations, 1-30 hp.
Main field
International Relations
Progression level
G1F
Course contents
The main theme of the course is the evolution and further development of the international system. The course consists of four modules (7,5 credits each):
Module 1 – The evolution of the international system (7,5 credits)
This module focuses on the origin, evolution and nature of the international system, covering historically specific as well as conceptual and principal aspects. Theories about international systems and different kinds of actors are presented and critically analyzed. The module also relates the issue of the international system to other issue-areas and theoretical strands of International Relations. The module aims at providing the student with preconditions for evaluating and critically discussing different theories about international systems and relating these theoretical approaches to current developments in world politics.
Module 2 – Globalization and regionalization (7,5 credits)
This module analyses two prevalent phenomena in contemporary international relations – globalization and regionalization – and the linkages between them. The phenomenon and concept of ’global governance’ is critically discussed, from theoretical as well as empirical angles. The evolution, pattern and nature of global and regional authoritative governance of international relations, primarily in the form of international organizations, form one central aspect of the module. The module also contains analyses of the phenomenon of regionalization in different issue-areas of international relations, both from conceptual aspects and pertaining to central empirical examples, primarily the European Union.
Module 3 – Methodology (7,5 credits)
The module seeks to provide the student with fundamental knowledge in methodology. A number of central principal approaches and methods for the study of international relations are presented. The module also contains practically oriented parts pertaining directly to project work and thesis writing. The different parts of the research process are discussed in this context, with specific focus on the importance of research questions and different kinds of methodological designs and strategies, such as case studies, comparative method and quantitative method. The module aims at providing the student with preconditions for evaluating and critically discussing different methodological designs, but also tools for formulating his/her own research questions and strategies.
Module 4 – Minor thesis (7,5 university credits)
The module consists of the writing of a minor thesis as a small-group assignment. The general theme of the thesis is “comparative perspectives on international relations”, but the group chooses its own specific topic in collaboration with the supervisor.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
After finishing the course, the student:
- can show knowledge and understanding of how the current international order has evolved;
- can show knowledge and understanding of what kinds of historical processes that drive large-scale changes in world politics;
- can show knowledge and understanding of how regional and global actors interact within the international system;
- can show knowledge and understanding of how theoretical approaches within International Relations can be related to current developments in world politics, and
- can show knowledge and understanding of basic methodological concepts in and techniques for social science research.
Applying knowledge and understanding
After finishing the course, the student:
- can show the ability to identify, formulate and solve basic problems and assignments concerning international relations, within agreed timetables;
- can show the ability to argue and account for his or her assessment and analysis of problems using theories and concepts, both orally and in writing;
- can show the ability, individually and collectively, to gather, treat and align information on international relations, and account for it in a logical and coherent manner;
- can show the ability to identify future labour markets within areas where international relations is a central organisational aspect;
- can apply knowledge of Malmö University’s perspectives to issues pertaining to international relations.
Making judgments and communication skills
After finishing the course, the student:
- can show the ability to critically reflect upon key issues of contemporary international relations;
- can show the ability to critically reflect upon the subject’s central theoretical perspectives and the relationship between them, and
- can independently evaluate his or her knowledge of international relations and identify his or her need for further knowledge and competency within the subject.
Learning activities
Modules 1 - 3 consist of lectures, discussion seminars and presentation seminars. Module 4 contains supervision and a research plan seminar.
Assessment
Students’ performance is evaluated by means of take-home examinations, oral examination and a research paper conducted as a group project. With regards to examination of the modules, the student is partly judged on his or her knowledge and understanding of the issues within the field of international relations covered by the particular module, and partly on his or her ability to analyse, evaluate and solve problems within international relations, according to agreed timetables and examination requirements.
Re-sit examinations
Students who do not pass the regular course exams have the minimum of two re-sit opportunities. Re-sits follow the same form as the original exams, apart from re-sits for group work, which take the form of individual written and oral assignments.
Course literature and other study material
The evolution of the international system (7,5 credits)
• Abu Lughod, Janet L. (1991), Before European Hegemony. The World System A.D.1250-1350. New York: Oxford University Press (460 p)
• Buzan, Barry and Little, Richard. 2000. International Systems in World History: Remaking the Study of International Relations. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (452p)
Gobalization and regionalization (7,5 credits)
• Breslin, Shaun, Hughes, Christopher W. Phillips, Nicola and Rosamond, Ben. 2002. New Regionalism in the Global Political Economy: Theories and cases. London: Routledge. (Paperback. 272 p)
• Held, David and McGrew, Anthony G. 2007. Globalization Theory. Approaches and Controversies. Cambridge: Polity Press (Paperback. 288 p)
Methodology (7,5 credits)
• Halperin, Sandra & Heath, Oliver. 2012. Political Research. Methods and Practical Skills. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Selected journal articles, 200 pages.
Course evaluation
All students are offered an opportunity to give oral and written feedback at the end of the course. A summary of the results will be made available in the school’s web-pages. The students are also given a possibility to offer feedback for each module.