Programma

This course provides an in-depth study of fundamental dynamics in international politics. Following an introduction on the history and historiography of IR, the course gives an overview on the main theories of international relations: from realism, institutionalism, and liberalism, through the English school and constructivism, to critical, feminist, post-structuralist, and post-colonial theory. Other approaches to IR - International Political Economy (IPE, including from a green perspective) and Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA) - are also introduced. The theories are applied in class through methods of deep learning and reflected upon in two in-class debates. The first debate focuses on cooperation and competition in international politics; the second on dynamics in a multipolar and multiplex world.
The internalization and applications of these theories is further supported through two modules. The first module on methodologies in IR introduces key methodological approaches in the discipline and showcases their uses with examples of research. The second module on emerging topics in IR focuses on key topics in international politics analyzed through IR theories.
The course is designed to accommodate both students for whom IR theories are new, as well as those who have already taken an IR course. In this respect, it combines frontal lectures on theories and approaches supported through manuals, didactic methodologies of deep learning used in class, as well as student presentations on key readings in IR which gives students the possibility to directly engage with paradigmatic readings and deepen their understanding of them.

Testi Adottati

Required textbooks:
• Textbook 1: Dunne, Tim, Milya Kurki, and Steve Smith (eds), International Relations Theories. Discipline and Diversity. Oxford: Oxford University Press (4th edition, 2016)
• Textbook 2: Georg Sørensen, Jørgen Møller, Robert Jackson (eds.), Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches. Oxford: Oxford University Press (8th edition, 2021).

Modalità Frequenza

Minimum Attendance Requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 70%; if further absences are recorded, grade penalties will be applied. Students who attend less than 50% of the course are not considered eligible for a passing grade. Not attending a class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally not be counted as an absence. Students who will need to miss class in order to observe religious holidays must notify me beforehand to make up for the work missed.

Modalità Valutazione

Assessment for the course will be based upon: a) In-class debates and class participation (30%) b) Group presentation (20%) c) Final research paper (50%) Grading criteria for each of these components are as follows: a) Class participation and debate: regular participation in class and an ability to critically analyze the required readings count for 15%, whilst the in-class debate counts for another 15%. Two debates will be organized, one for the Erasmus and one for the MAIS Students (the first debate focuses on cooperation and competition in international politics; the second on dynamics in a multipolar and multiplex world). In the debates the ability to analyze key topics through IR theory will be assessed. b) The group presentations focus on key works in the IR literature. Students should present the assigned article only (not the related book chapter in the manual). Presentations need to have a well-organized and clear structure, should introduce the author(s) of the article/book chapter, demonstrate an ability to summarize the argument and main ideas presented in the respective assigned reading, illustrate it with a case study of their choice, raise critical comments to the argument, and introduce related questions to be discussed in class. They also need to respect the given time constraints. c) The final research paper is graded according to the following criteria (see also separate handout with more detailed instructions, including also the deadlines of the final research paper): - Focus: Is there a clear purpose, research question, and argument which is then supported throughout the paper? - Originality: Does the paper have an original argument or approach? - Organization: Is the paper organized well in introduction, analytical sections and conclusions? Is the analytical section well organized in empirical and theoretical parts? - Research: Is the claim well supported through research of sufficient primary and secondary sources? Are the sources well integrated? - Content: Is the content well presented and argued? Are ideas detailed, well-developed and supported with specific evidence and facts, as well as examples and specific details? - Style: Is the paper written in an academic tone? Is it suited to the audience it aims to address? Is a coherent referencing style used? Grammar/spelling/syntax/punctuation?