Year  2009-10

  

Introduction to International Relations

  

Qualification: Degree in Political and Administration Sciences

Year: 1st

Term: 1^st  

Number of ECTS credits: 3.2 credits

Hours of student dedication: 80

Teaching language: Catalan (lectures), Spanish (seminars)

Course teachers: Josep Ibáñez (lectures) and Matilde Pérez (seminars)

 

1. Introduction to the course

 

The course Introduction to International Relations provides and introduction to the study of international life and is dedicated to studying the main concepts and theories of international society.  These basic tools will then be applied within the framework of the course Contemporary International Relations, to the study of international society and the main institutions in the current international order.  The course focuses on setting out and analysing the main concepts and theories on the international society: the theoretical currents since the creation of the discipline, anarchy and order, international security, power and structure, international actors (states, international organisations, international actors, etc.) and dynamics (conflict, armed conflicts and war, cooperation and integration).

 

2. Competencies to be achieved

 

Generic competences: knowledge acquisition of ideas, authors and approaches; understanding and analysis of events and ideas; pertinent use of concepts and theories; decision taking and practical problem resolution; argumentative capacity; correct and pertinent oral and written expression; management of information (researching sources, evaluating and selecting information); interpersonal coordination within the context of group work; personal initiative and group leadership.

 

Specific competences: acquisition of specialised knowledge on concepts and theories; understanding and critical analysis of the events and ideas in international relations; pertinent use of international theory making reference to the contemporary international order; reflect on the most appropriate decisions needed for solving specific problems in international politics; managing specific IR-related information.

 

  

3. Contents

 

PART I. MAIN CONCEPTS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Topic 1. International relations as an academic discipline.

Topic 2. The international society.

Topic 3. Power and security.

PART II. ACTORS AND STRUCTURE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Topic 4. The state. The structure of the interstate system.

Topic 5. International organisations as international actors.

Topic 6.  Other international actors.

PART III. THE DYNAMICS OF INTERANTIONAL RELATIONS

Topic 7. Conflict, armed conflict and war in IR.

Topic 8. Cooperation and integration in international relations.

 

4. Assessment

 

The assessment of this course will combine continuous assessment and a final exam. The final mark will be a combination of both.  Continuous assessment will consist of a series of activities and tests throughout the term following the calendar and instructions set out by the course teachers.  The marks obtained in these will make up 40% of the final grade.  The activities and tests, individual and in groups, classroom based and otherwise, will mean students obtain three marks during the course.  Together they will make up the mark for continuous assessment.   The final exam will cover the contents of the course; the mark for the exam will count for 60% of the final grade.  Students must get at least a 3 in the final exam in order for it to be counted towards the final grade.  Students have the option to increase their grade by up to 10% by completing an exercise on one of the readings set by the teachers at the start of the course.

 

5. Readings and resources

  

5.1. Basic reading

 

Selection of texts on IR schools of thought, collection proposed by UPF international relations  

staff, 2009.

Selection of texts on theoretical approaches (or paradigms) to the discipline of international

Relations, collection proposed by UPF international relations staff, 2008

Esther Barbé, "Hechos e ideas: los paradigmas y mapas mentales del teórico"; "El proceso

del sistema internacional", Relaciones Internacionales; Madrid: Tecnos, 2007 (1st ed. 1995), p. 50-65, 217-234.

Hedley Bull, "El concepto de orden en la política mundial"; "¿Existe el orden en la política

mundial?", La sociedad anárquica. Un estudio sobre el orden en la política mundial, Madrid: Los Libros de la Catarata, 2005 (1st ed. In English, 1977), p. 55-104.

Caterina García Segura, "La evolución del concepto de actor en la teoría de las relaciones

internacionales", Papers, nº 41, 1993, p. 13-31.

Caterina García and Ángel J. Rodrigo, "La necesidad de redefinir la seguridad", in Caterina

García and Ángel J. Rodrigo (eds.), La seguridad comprometida. Nuevos desafíos,

amenazas y conflictos armados, Madrid: Tecnos, 2008, p. 205-228.

Manuel Gómez Galán, "Introducción: la nueva sociedad global y sus necesidades. ¿Un

cambio de rumbo en la cooperación al desarrollo?", in Manuel Gómez Galán & José

Antonio Sanahuja (coord.), La cooperación al desarrollo en un mundo en cambio, Madrid:

CIDEAL, 2001, p. 13-46.

Rafael Grasa, "Las organizaciones internacionales y los nuevos desafíos globales", Papers, nº

41, 1993, p. 55-84.

David Held, "La soberanía y la estructura cambiante del derecho internacional", Un pacto

global. La alternativa socialdemócrata al consenso de Washington, Taurus:

Barcelona, 2005 (1st ed. In English, 2004), p. 157-176.

Mary Kaldor, "Introducción", Las nuevas guerras. Violencia organizada en la era global,

Barcelona: Kriterios/Tusquets Editores, 2001 (1st ed. In English, 1999), p. 15-28.

Mary Kaldor, "Movimientos sociales, ONG y redes", La sociedad civil global, Barcelona:

Kriterios/Tusquets Editores, 2005 (1st ed. In English, 2003), p. 107-143.

Marcel Merle, "Los Estados", Sociología de las relaciones internacionales, Madrid: Alianza,

2ª ed. rev., 1997, p. 343-383.

Francesc Serra, ¿Qué es una potencia?, Rusia: la otra potencia europea, Barcelona, Fundació

CIDOB, 2005, p. 29-54.

Susan Strange, "Los patrones del poder", La retirada del Estado, Barcelona: Icaria

ed./IntermónOxfam, 2001 (1st ed. In English, 1996), p, 37-55, 73-101.

 

5.2. Educational resources

  

Internet links, annual reports, atlas, specialist dictionaries and other reference works, specialised journals, and some audiovisual materials (documentaries and films).

 

 

6. Methodology

 

The course follows a methodological model that combines learning based activities in the classroom and at home.  There are two types of classroom based activities: theory sessions (lectures) and seminar session.  Home activities refer to students' preparation for seminars, completing the required and recommended reading and an optional piece of work on the readings set by the teachers. 

 

7. Programme of activities

  

Week 1: Lecture. Topic 1. Explaining the programme.

 

Week 2: Lecture. Topic 2-3. Explaining the programme.

 

Week 3: Seminar I: seminar and discussion. Written test in class

 

Week 4: Lecture: topic 3-4

 

Week 5: Lecture: topic 5

 

Week 6: Seminar II: simulation. Individual exercise at home: reading summaries 800-1000 words.  Individual classroom based exercise.

 

Week 7: Lecture: topic 6

 

Week 8: Seminar III: seminar and discussion, group work.  Making a synoptic diagram.  Classroom based group exercise

 

Week 9: Lecture: topic 7

 

Week 10: Lecture: topic 8