98865 - INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Learning outcomes

The course provides students with the basic knowledge to analyse international relations at both the theoretical and empirical levels. By the end of the course, students should be able to be familiar with the current debates in IR theories; to have developed the ability to apply such knowledge towards the understanding of selected outcomes in international politics; to use International Relations conceptual tools and theoretical insights in approaching the EU’s role in the world interpret and explain the most relevant issues on the EU’s role in the world.

Course contents

The course provides students with the analytical toolkit to examine the main concepts and theories within the discipline of IR. The course will also introduce students to the empirical analysis of IR phenomena by delving into debates surrounding trade and finance, climate, and human rights, among others. In doing so, particular attention will be devoted to exploring the role of the European Union in the contemporary global system.

The course is organised into two sections: 1) a front lessons section and 2) a seminar section. The contents are provided below:

PART I: Lessons

1. What is IR and why to care?

2. How to study IR?

3. Globalization and global politics

4. Global (dis)orders

5. Global actors: International Organizations and NGOs

6. Trade and finance

7. Climate and environment

8. Gender and race

9. War and security

10. Human rights

PART II: Seminars

1. The EU global role in the making of globalization

2. The EU global role in setting the climate agenda

3. The EU global role as as normative power

Readings/Bibliography

John Baylis, Steve Smith, and Patricia Owens (2023), The Globalization of World Politics. An Introduction to International Relations. Ninth Edition. Oxford University Press (only the chapters indicated below)

1. What is IR and why to care?

2. How to study IR? - Chapter 1

3. Globalization and global politics - Chapter 2

4. Global (dis)orders - Chapter 5 and Chapter 6

5. Global actors: International organizations and NGOs - Chapter 20 and 22

6. Trade and finance- Chapter 28

7. Climate and environment - Chapter 24

8. Gender and race - Chapter 17 and Chapter 18

9. War and security - Chapter 14 and Chapter 15

10. Human rights - Chapter 32 and Chapter 33

Teaching methods

Lessons and seminars

Assessment methods

Students are expected to attend every session regularly and participate in class debates.

Students will be evaluated through a final exam (100% of the grade) on the topics of the course. The final written exam will consist of multiple choice questions.

Office hours

See the website of Manuela Moschella

See the website of Claudio Christopher Passalacqua