International Politics / International Politics

Academic Study Board of Political Science, Journalism, Sociology and European Studies, Sønderborg
Teaching activity id: 8550601.
Teaching language: English.ECTS / weighting: 10 ECTS / 0.167 full-time equivalent.
Examination language: English.
Exam activity id: 8550602, 8550601.Approved: 19-09-17.
Period: Spring 2018.
Grading: Internal grading.
Assessment: 7-point scale.
Offered in: Sønderborg.

Subject director:
Associate Professor Jaume Castan Pinos, Department of Political Science and Public Management.

Prerequisites:
Students should be acquainted with Political Science concepts and theories as well as with political philosophy.
Students are also expected to communicate orally with proficiency.

Purpose:
The aim of the course is to provide the students with an understanding of contemporary international politics. Students will be introduced to various International relations theories. International Politics will also focus on relevant actors in the international arena, scrutinising their aims, interests and capabilities. The course will provide students with substantial analytical competences that will enable them to work in public institutions (national, supranational and international), private consultancies as well as Non-Governmental organizations.  

Content - Key areas:
The course is divided into four sections:

  • Theories: Realism, Liberal-Institutionalism, Social Constructivism and other approaches.
  • Actors: governmental (states and Intergovernmental Organizations) and non-governmental (Multinational Corporations, international non-governmental organizations, etc.).
  • Regions: Europe, the Americas, Asia (with a special focus on the Middle East) and Africa.
  • Current international issues: war, terrorism, environmental issues, oil and energy etc. 

Goals description (SOLO taxonomy):
By the end of the course, the students shall be able to:

  • Evaluate the different approaches and theories to international relations and relate these theoretical approaches to contemporary issues and developments in world affairs.
  • Critically follow world affairs and appreciate the historical background to contemporary developments.
  • Describe the different groups of actors in the international arena and analyse and compare their capabilities, aims and interests.
  • Pursue intellectual questions in a rigorous and academic manner, employing analytical skills and critical thinking.
  • Understand, summarize and analyse the variety of materials (i.e. political agreements, treaties, international court judgments, policy documents…).
  • Interpret and examine critically academic literature in the field of International Relations.
  • Demonstrate ability to reason critically and independently.
  • Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
  • Structure and comprehensively present a given topic in an oral presentation.

Literature:
Textbook: John Baylis, Steve Smith & Patricia Owens (2017) The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations. Oxford: Oxford University Press.


Time of classes:
Spring.
Form of instruction:
4 hours of lectures per week. During the lectures, there will be classroom discussions, student presentations, analysis of contemporary problems using IP theories, work in groups and analysis of relevant academic articles.

Time of examination:
Ordinary examination in June. Re-exam in August.

Registration for the course is automatically a registration for the ordinary examination of the course. Cancellation is not possible. If the student does not participate in the examination, the student will use an examination attempt.
The university may grant an exemption from the rules in case of exceptional circumstances.

Please note that the type and form of the re-examination may differ from that of the ordinary examination.

Examination conditions:
In order to be able to take the final exam, students should submit at least 80% of the weekly assignments (9850132) .
In addition, students should pass the compulsory oral presentation, which will be evaluated on a pass/not pass basis.


Fulfillment of the examination condition is only possible prior to the ordinary examination.
Participation in the re-exam thus requires that the examination condition is met prior to the ordinary examination.

Form of examination for the certificate:
4-hour written examination.

Supplemental information for the form of examination:
4-hour written open-book examination with student’s own pc. Students are not allowed to communicate.
Electronic hand in via SDU-Assignment in Blackboard


Please note:
Examination is not for students who have passed 9072301.

Comments:
The number of students enrolled may be restricted by the Study Board.  If the enrolment limit is exceeded preference is granted to full degree students following a compulsory course on a SDU programme. Within the limit, full degree students having selected the course as an elective, guest and exchange students are offered enrolment on a first come first served basis. 
Exchange students, if any: Internal grading. Assessment as for ordinary students.

Programmes:
BSc in European Studies, Culture and Politics Track
4th semester, mandatory. Offered in: Sønderborg