International Relations I

Course Code: IR101E

Institution:

Department of Global Political Studies

Revision:

6

For students admitted fall 2012   spring 2012   fall 2011  

Other set versions

Approval

The course was established 02 March 2007.
This course syllabus (version 6) was approved 09 March 2011 by the Board of Studies at Faculty of Culture and Society.
The syllabus is valid from 01 September 2011. Replacement for course syllabus ratified 09 January 2011.

Education level

Entry requirements

Learning outcomes

• can show knowledge and understanding of the key issues within the subject International Relations;
• can show knowledge and understanding of the principal theoretical perspectives within the subject;
• can show knowledge and understanding of the key development features within contemporary international relations;
• can show knowledge and understanding of how political and economic processes affect one another in world politics and
• can show knowledge of Malmö University’s perspective: environment, gender, migration and ethnicity.

• can show the ability to identify, formulate and solve fundamental 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 or collectively, to assemble, 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.

• 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.

Assessments

The student’s performance is evaluated through a combination of home assignments, exams, and oral and written group assignments.

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 examinations have the minimum of two re-sit opportunities. Re-sits normally take the same form as the original exams but may vary where student work is to be specifically supplemented and in re-sits for group work, which take the form of individual written and oral assignments.


Course content

The general theme of the course is theoretical development within the subject international relations.

The course consists of the following four modules:

• **Liberalism (7.5 credits)**
• **Realism (7.5 credits)**
• **Alternative Perspectives (7.5 credits)**
• **International Political Economy (7.5 credits)**

In the respective modules, a number of theoretical perspectives that are connected to the central processes, events and actors in world politics are presented.

The first module focuses on idealism, liberalism and neo-liberalism along with more specific theoretical endeavours such as the theory of integration and the theory of government. The second module addresses realism, neo-realism, and the English School. The third module opens with a series of lectures on theoretical perspectives such as constructivism, Marxism, critical theory, postmodernism, feminism/gender studies and green theory; thereafter the students will specialise in one of aforementioned theoretical perspectives. The fourth module focuses on the analytical perspective of international political economy (IPE).


Learning activities

Modules 1, 2 and 4 consist of self-studies of course literature, lectures, discussion seminars and individual assessed home assignments. In addition to self-studies of course literature, module 3 consists of a series of lectures and of specialised group work to be presented both orally and in writing.
Attendance is obligatory for the presentation seminars during module 3. Course council meetings are held with the purpose of maintaining continual dialogue between teaching staff and students with regards to aspects of the course.


Grading system

Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). ECTS grading system can be used on students demand.


Reading list and other media


Liberalism, Realism, and Alternative Perspectives

Baylis, John, et al. (eds.) 2011. The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations. Fifth edition. New York: Oxford University Press. (636 pages)
Dunne, Tim, et al. (eds.) 2010. International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity. Second edition. New York: Oxford University Press. (365 pages)
Williams, Phil, et al. (eds.) 2006. Classic Readings and Contemporary Debates in International Relations. Third edition (or later). Belmont: Thomson learning. (512 pages)

International Political Economy

Balaam, David and Bradford Dillman (2010). Introduction to International Political Economy. Fifth edition. Boston: Longman (Pearson). (500 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 on the school’s web-pages. The students are also given a possibility to offer feedback for each module.

Student participation takes place through the course council.