Curricula

Objectives

By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
• Understand the core principles and some of the key themes related to International Relations (IR)
• Discover, compare, and evaluate appropriate journalistic and academic sources related to IR
• Analyse current issues in IR and consider various points of view
• Produce analytical and coherent argumentative texts related to IR
• Develop skills to debate current issues in IR in a logical and coherent manner
• Use the key vocabulary of IR in an appropriate context
• Apply the key concepts of IR to their own academic and professional contexts

Competences:
Critical Thinking Skills
Internationality Skills
Communication Skills
Negotiation Skills
Team Working Skills

Content

The contents of the course include:

• Learning about the core principles of International Relations (IR) and associated topics including: Globalisation, Forming Alliances and Making Strategies, Decision Making, Crisis Management, Theories of War and the Role of International Organisations, and Theories of Trade
• Researching and analysing a chosen topic of IR, then preparing for and delivering a group debate on that topic
• Examining real cases of strategic decision making and crisis management in IR, and producing an evaluative essay on a chosen case study
• Comparing and evaluating different news sources (e.g. BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, YLE) to verify fact and identify media/national bias in the reportage of current affairs, and presenting these findings to the group

Learning materials and recommended literature

The textbook for the course is John C. W. Pevehouse and Joshua S. Glodstein, International Relations, 11th edition, ISBN 0-134-40476-9. Copies of the book are available at the JAMK library in Rajakatu.

As a reference for the language of international relations scholarship and practice, we use G. R. Berridge and Alan James, A Dictionary of Diplomacy, 2nd edition, ISBN 1-4039-15369. Any other such reference books can also be used by students.

For some of the theoretical concepts, we will rely on certain entries in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: https://plato.stanford.edu/

Teaching methods

The course is organized as a series of face-to-face classroom or auditorium sessions. According to the availability of the teacher's contacts, sessions with special visiting guests will are organized online on platforms such as Zoom.

The teaching methods include lectures on the more theoretical and historical aspects of international relations as well as student presentations and group work covering case studies and other more specific themes.

Practical training and working life connections

You will have the opportunity to exchange with visiting lecturers with experience in IR scholarship or international diplomacy according to their availability.

Exam dates and retake possibilities

There is no exam for this course.

International connections

The student body of this course is always highly international. This provides many opportunities to look at the topics discussed from various angles, and exchanges beyond your own language group are encouraged.

Alternative completion methods

You have the right to apply for recognition of your studies if you have prior learning (e.g. university studies completed elsewhere) that can be accredited towards the degree you are currently completing.

The recognition of prior learning is possible in three primary ways: accreditation (replacement or inclusion), recognition of informal learning and studification. More precise info: JAMK Degree Regulations, section 17.

Student workload

Completing this course, you will get 5 ECTS. This corresponds to
135 hours of expected work.
Attendance to the teaching sessions is obligatory (with force majeure exceptions of course) and active participation is an important part of your work. You should participate in discussions, and bring your own thoughts, questions, doubts and observations to the discussion.
During the semester, you will give a presentation together with other students. An individual written essay, called assignment, will also be required. The topics for the assignments will be given throughout the course, following the thematic development of the lectures.

Further information for students

Exchange and Study Abroad students: 20 (included in the total capacity)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Further information

Lecturer Tuomas Parsio
tuomas.parsio@gmail.com