Introduction to International Relations (5 op)

Arviointiasteikko

0-5

Tavoitteet

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

Sisältö

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

Oppimateriaalit

Course materials will be provided by the course lecturer

Toteutuksen valinnaiset suoritustavat

• Active Participation – including punctual and consistent attendance, evidence of good team working skills, active discussion in class (25%) • Group Debate - based on one of the themes covered during this course (15%) • Argumentative Essay - based on one of the themes covered during this course (20%) • Pair Presentation - comparing and analysing a selection of news sources on the same topic (15%) • Final Exam - covering a variety of the themes covered during this course (25%)

Arviointikriteerit, tyydyttävä (1)

5 (Excellent), 4 (Very Good), 3 (Good), 2 (Satisfactory), 1 (Sufficient)

5: The student evidences a solid understanding of the topics covered and consistently shows an ability to prepare and deliver well-structured and logical arguments to the topics discussed, both in written and oral form. They consistently engage with their fellow students in class and group activities in a meaningful and productive way. They complete all assignments and tasks on time and to a high academic standard.
4: The student evidences a good understanding of the topics covered and often shows an ability to prepare and deliver well-structured and logical arguments to the topics discussed, both in written and oral form. They often engage with their fellow students in class and group activities in a meaningful and productive way. They complete all assignments and tasks on time and to an appropriately academic standard.
3: The student evidences a reasonable understanding of the topics covered and shows an ability to prepare and deliver well-structured and logical arguments to the topics discussed, both in written and oral form. They engage with their fellow students in class and group activities in a meaningful and productive way at least some of the time. They complete all assignments and most of the tasks on time and to a reasonably academic standard.
2: The student evidences a basic understanding of most of the topics covered and shows an ability to prepare and deliver appropriately structured and logical arguments to the topics discussed, both in written and oral form. They engage with their fellow students in class and group activities in a somewhat meaningful and productive way at least some of the time. They complete all assignments and most of the tasks, and to an acceptably academic standard.
1: The student evidences a basic understanding of some of the topics covered and shows an ability to prepare and deliver somewhat logical arguments, though not necessarily well-structured, to the topics discussed, both in written and oral form. They engage with their fellow students in class and group activities in a somewhat meaningful and productive way, though rarely. They complete all the assignments and most of the tasks, although the academic standard is basic.

Esitietovaatimukset

B1 Level of English or higher