02493 - International Relations (A-L)

Learning outcomes

An introductory course to the analysis of international politics and of foreign policy, 'International relations' provides the students with the basic knowledge and skills to investigate international relations at both the theoretical and empirical levels. At the end of the course, students are expected to be familiar with the current debates in IR theories; to have acquired core skills to intepret key political processes at the international, supranational and transnational levels; to have developed the ability to apply such knowledge towards the understanding of selected outcomes in international politics, also in conjunction with concepts derived from other subjcet matters in their curricula.

Course contents

The course is organized in a common institutional part (below called "lectures") and a seminar part. For the seminar part, students are divided into 4 groups, two held by Prof. Lucarelli and two by Dr. Fasola.

The institutional part is mainly based on the textbook and will consist of lectures by the teacher and discussion of short articles. At the end of this part, the first partial exam will be held, consisting of two long questions (short essays) and two short ones, to be held in the presence of all (except for the exceptions provided for by University regulations).

The seminar part is organized in meetings on specific topics for which compulsory readings are assigned to be done before the lesson and on the basis of which students are expected to participate in the classroom. The program of the modules of Prof. Lucarelli and Dr. Fasola are partially different, so that students can choose based on their interests. Each group of the modules has a limited capacity. At the end of the seminar there will be a second intermediate test, at a distance, open books.

 

PART I - LECTURES

THEMES, DATES AND CHAPTERS/TEXTS OF STUDY

Thought traditions and debates (18-19/2) (J&S 1, 2)

Realism (20-25-26/2) J&S 3

Liberalism (27/2, 4-5/3) J&S 4

English School, Guest Lecture, Prof Chiaruzzi (unified classes) (6/3) J&S 5

Constructivism (11/3) J&S 8

Post-positivism (12/3) J&S 9

Foreign Policy (13/3) J&S 10

Identity and Foreign Policy, guest lecture, Prof Matteo Dian (18/3)

International Political Economy (19/3) J&S 6, 7

Q&A (25/3)

1st midterm (27/3, 1pm - LABIC)

 The “Strongman Leader” and the End of International Order: Trump, Putin and Gangster Diplomacy, Guest Lecture of Prof Richard Higgot (1/4, 13:00-15:00)

 

PART 2

(A) SEMINARS PROF. LUCARELLI

This part of the course takes place in seminar format: students are asked to read the readings carefully and prepare to interact in class and carry out the homework/exercises assigned in class. In-class guiding questions serve to indicate where to focus attention, but do not exhaust the range of topics to be covered.

The last two lessons will begin with the presentation of papers by groups of students on the assigned topic.

 

CALENDAR and reading:

Realisms (2 and 3 April)

classroom activities: brainstorming in groups

Having discussed the general themes, the class is divided into groups, which are assigned the task of discussing a question assigned at the time.

Guiding questions for reading the assigned articles:

• What is the main thesis of each of the three articles?
• What is the difference between the different realist approaches to analysing the Chinese rise?
• How do the different theoretical assumptions influence expectations?
• What makes the approaches analysed, however different, all realist?

Required reading:

• John J Mearsheimer, “China's Unpeaceful Rise”, Current History; Apr 2006; vol. 105, n. 690, pp. 160-162, available at: https://www.mearsheimer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/A0051.pdf. PER UNA TRATTAZIONE PIù COMPLETA, VEDERE QUESTA INTERVISTA: (FINO AL Q&A)

• Schweller, Randall. “Opposite but Compatible Nationalisms: A Neoclassical Realist Approach to the Future of US–China Relations.” The Chinese Journal of International Politics, vol. 11, no. 1, 2018, pp. 23–48. consultabile tramite proxy Unibo: https://www.jstor.org/stable/48615995

• IR Theory Interview Series - On Neoclassical Realism, Interview with Obert Hodzi (part 1) https://youtu.be/yg-t-bXCIp4?si=1S7xEj2nC1gP4dGh

 

 

Security: the transformation of a concept (9 and 10 April)

classroom activities: book club

The students, divided into four groups, will briefly present one of the compulsory readings to the class. Each group will present, in a maximum of 10 minutes, the following key points from the assigned reading

• how has the concept of security evolved?
• what is meant by security in different areas such as human security or migration?

Required readings:

ALL:

- Paul D. Williams and Matt McDonald (eds) Security Studies, an Introduction, 3rd edition, 2018: Introduction. (on virtual)

- Hirsch Ballin, E., Dijstelbloem, H., de Goede, P. (2020). ‘The Extension of the Concept of Security.’ In: idem (eds). Security in an Interconnected World: A Strategic Vision for Defence Policy. Springer, pp. 13-40. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-030-37606-2.pdf

GROUP 1: Kaldro, M., Martin, M., Selchow, S. (2007). ‘Human security: a new strategic narrative for Europe.’ International Affairs, vol. 83, no. 2, pp. 273-288.

GROUP 2: Browning, C.S. (2017). ‘Security and migration: a conceptual exploration.’ In: Bourbeau, P. (ed.). Migration and Security. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 39-59. https://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/83323/7/WRAP-security-migration-conceptual-exploration-Browning-2017.pdf

 

Strategic culture: the concept and case studies (joint classes, lecture with Dr. Nicolò Fasola) (16 April 2025, 3pm)

 

The Crisis of the Liberal Order (23 and 24 April)

Classroom activity: Oxford-style debate:

students, divided into two groups, will debate providing arguments for or against the thesis that the liberal order has finally come to an end.

Format: 3 minutes group for + 3 minutes group against + questions followed by a rebuttal from each group.

Guiding questions for reading the assigned articles:

• What is the liberal order?
• How has it evolved?
• Why is it considered to be in crisis?
• What is the main thesis of each of the three articles?
• What are the different expectations about the future of the order?
• What is the main thesis of each of the three articles?
• What are the different expectations regarding the future of the international order?

Required reading:

G John Ikenberry, Liberal statecraft and the problems of world order, Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Volume 40, Issue 2, Summer 2024, Pages 234-245, available via Ruffilli proxy: https://academic-oup-com.ezproxy.unibo.it/oxrep/article/40/2/234/7691466?searchresult=1

Amitav Acharya ‘After Liberal Hegemony: The Advent of a Multiplex World Order’ September 8, 2017, Ethics and International Affairs, available at:https://www.ethicsandinternationalaffairs.org/2017/multiplex-world-order/

Rita Abrahamsen and Michael C. Williams, The Global Rise of the Radical Right: Transnational Alliances. About the book World of the Right: Radical Conservatism and Global Order (Cambridge University Press 2024), December 2024

https://politicsrights.com/rise-radical-right-transnational-alliances/

 

Identity, Culture and International Relations (29 and 30 April)

Classroom activities.... surprise!

Guiding questions for reading the assigned articles:

• What is meant by ‘Orientalism’?
• What is meant by ‘clash of civilisations?
• What criticisms can be made of the two concepts?

Required reading:

On Orientalism - video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVC8EYd_Z_g

Huntington, S. (1993) ‘The Clash of Civilizations?,’ Foreign Affairs. 72, no. 3, available in this collection:https://www.foreignaffairs.com/system/files/c0007.pdf

 

Gender and International Relations (5 May, 3pm - joint classes, guest lecture: Dr Clara della Valle). Readings indicated on Virtual.

 

The European Union and International Relations (7 and 8 May)

classroom activity: brainstorming in groups

Once the general topics have been discussed, the class is divided into groups that are given the task of discussing a question assigned at the time.

Guiding questions for reading the assigned articles

• What actor is the European Union?
• How do we think about the role of the EU in the context of the BRs?
• What are the greatest challenges to the EU and its international role today?

Required reading:

Sjursen, H. (2023), ‘Principles in EU Foreign Policy: How distinctive?', in Hill, C., Smith, M. and Vanhoonacker, S. (2023) (eds), International Relations and the European Union, Oxford University Press.

Hill, C., Smith, M. and Vanhoonacker, S. (2023), ‘Acting for Europe: Reassessing the European Union's role in International Relations', in Hill, C., Smith, M. and Vanhoonacker,S. (2023) (eds), International Relations and the European Union, Oxford University Press.

Lucarelli, S. (2019), ‘The EU in the Post-Liberal Era: A Challenge with Global Roots', in A. Colombo and P. Magri,The end of a World. The decline of the Liberal Order, Milan LediPublishing, 2019, available at: https://www.ispionline.it/it/pubblicazione/end-world-decline-liberal-order-22545

 

Future Scenarios (14 and 15 May)

classroom activities: round table

classroom activity: round table

5 students will have to prepare interventions in a round table discussion on what international political scenarios are conceivable, discussing elements of continuity and transformation.

No readings are assigned, but each student is to do his or her own background research and write a page on what he or she thinks are the most plausible elements of transformation and scenarios.

 

(B) SEMINARS DR FASOLA

 

Students are invited to read the syllabus on Virtuale for more precise information on the content and dates of the seminars.

 

Topics

1. The transformation of security
2. The multiple facets of Realism
3. Grand Strategy, war, and the use of force
4. Praktikum
5. International regimes and organisations
6. The crisis of the Liberal International Order
7. Joint seminars (A-L + M-Z classes together): (i) Gender and International Relations; (ii) Strategic culture: concepts and case studies

 

Readings

 

i. The transformation of security

Baldwin, D.A. (1997). “The concept of security.” Review of International Studies, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 5-26.

Hirsch Ballin, E., Dijstelbloem, H., de Goede, P. (2020). “The Extension of the Concept of Security.” In: idem (eds). Security in an Interconnected World: A Strategic Vision for Defence Policy. Springer, pp. 13-40.

 

ii. The multiple factes of Realism

Glaser, C.L. (2011). “Will China's Rise Lead to War? Why Realism Does Not Mean Pessimism.” Foreign Policy, vol. 90, no. 2, pp. 80-91.

Mearsheimer, J.J. (2021). “The Inevitable Rivalry: America, China, and the Tragedy of Great-Power Politics.” Foreign Affairs, November/December 21.

Zakaria, F. (2020). “The New China Scare. Why America Shouldn’t Panic About its Latest Challenger.” Foreign Affairs, January/February 20.

 

iii. Grand Strategy, war and the use of force

Finney, N.K. & Park, F.J.H. (2020). “A Brief Introduction to Strategy.” In: Finney, N.K. (ed). On Strategy: A Primer. Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: US Army University Press, pp. 1-14.

Gray, C.S. (2000). “Deterrence and the nature of strategy.” Small Wars & Insurgencies, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 17-26.

Henke, M. (2022). “The ‘do’s and don’ts’ of strategy making.” NDC Policy Brief, no. 06/22. Rome: NATO Defense College (NDC).

 

iv. Praktikum (mock exam)

 

v. International regimes and organisations

Checkel, J.T. (2005). “International Institutions and Socialization in Europe: Introduction and Framework.” International Organization, vol. 59, no. 4, pp. 801-826.

Young, O. (1982). “Regime Dynamics: The Rise and Fall of International Regimes.” International Organization, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 277-297.

 

vi. The crisis of the International Liberal Order

Acharya, A. (2017). "After Liberal Hegemony: The Advent of a Multiplex World Order.” Ethics and International Affairs (blogpost).

Deudney, D. & Ikenberry, J.G. (2018). “Liberal World: The Resilient Order.” Foreign Affairs, vol. 97, no. 4, pp. 16-24.

Lucarelli, S. (2019). “L’Unione Europea nell’era post-liberale: una sfida esistenziale dalle radici globali.” In: Colombo, A. & Magri, P. (eds). Rapporto ISPI 2019 - La fine di un mondo. La deriva dell'ordine.

 

+ seminars with joint classes:

• Gender and International Relations (Dr della Valle)
• Strategic Culture: concept and cases (Dr Fasola)
  
  

Readings/Bibliography

ATTENDING STUDENTS

The course evaluation consists of three components:

- participation in the classroom

- the outcome of the two intermediate tests *

- an overall final oral


NON ATTENDING STUDENTS

The course evaluation consists of two components:

- the outcome of a written test to be held on the day of the oral exam

- an overall final oral


* RULES OF INTERMEDIATE TESTS:

- tests are compulsory.

- if a test cannot be taken, a written justification and medical report or document of the case must be sent to the teacher.

- if you want to recover one of the tests in the summer session, you must have obtained a sufficient mark in the other.

Teaching methods

Classes and seminar

Assessment methods

ATTENDING STUDENTS
The course evaluation consists of three components:
- participation in the classroom
- the outcome of the two intermediate tests *
- an overall final oral

NON ATTENDING STUDENTS
The course evaluation consists of two components:
- the outcome of a written test to be held on the day of the oral exam
- an overall final oral

* RULES OF INTERMEDIATE TESTS (27 March and 28 May):
- tests are compulsory.
- if a test cannot be taken, a written justification and medical report or document of the case must be sent to the teacher.
- if you want to recover one of the tests in the summer session, you must have obtained a sufficient mark in the other.
- to re-take a mid-term, a single appeal is held in the summer session.

Teaching tools

Tutor of the course:

Dr Gaetano Giancaspro

sito web: https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/gaetano.giancaspro2/

e-mail: gaetano.giancaspro2@unibo.it

The tutor will be available to assist students in solving problems - practical and intellectual - related to the course. In addition, the tutor will deliver an evening course reserved for working and out-of-school students; information on this can be found at this link: https://corsi.unibo.it/laurea/ScienzeInternazionaliDiplomatiche/corsi-tutoriali


Virtuale Platform:

All students should register for the course page on Virtual: https://virtuale.unibo.it/. There, course materials, partial exam results and other information will be available; urgent communications will be sent via that platform.

Office hours

See the website of Sonia Lucarelli

See the website of Nicolò Fasola

See the website of