Introduction to International Relations (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

By the end of the course, you 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

Materials

J. C. W. Peevehouse and J. S. Goldstein, International Relations

Teaching methods

During the course you will follow introductory lectures, give and assist to student group presentations, and write an individual assignment. The teaching methods emphasize critical thinking, classroom activities and students learning from one another.

Employer connections

You will improve your skill set particularly in the areas of group work, analytical thinking and critical thinking. You will also gain a clearer understanding of the major institutions that govern (or fail to govern) global society at large.

Exam schedules

While certain individual classroom exercises may be evaluated by the teacher, these do not affect the students' grades. There are no exams in this course properly speaking.

International connections

The course gives an overview of some of the most important international institutions such as the United Nations Security Council and NATO as well as principles governing specific policy areas such as the Responsibility to Protect doctrine. This is intended to also assist students in navigating the global labor market.

Completion alternatives

There are no alternative completion methods, being present in campus is necessary.

Student workload

The full hours corresponding to 5 ECTS are expected from the student. Most of the work outside of classroom is making sure the student understands the basic concepts and categories we use to analyze the world of international relations, preparing a presentation with a group of students, as well as researching and writing the individual assignment.

Further information

The course is assessed in terms of active participation and the quality of the presentation together with the discussion that follows it (40%), and the individual written assignment (60%). Following instructions and paying close attention in class are required. Using AI for any purpose during the course is strictly prohibited, since it has proven to give poor and unreliable results in this area.