02493 - International Relations

Learning outcomes

An introductory course to the analysis of international politics and of foreign policy, 'International relations' provides the students with the basic knowledge and skills to investigate international relations at both the theoretical and empirical levels. At the end of the course, students are expected to be familiar with the current debates in IR theories; to have acquired core skills to intepret key political processes at the international, supranational and transnational levels; to have developed the ability to apply such knowledge towards the understanding of selected outcomes in international politics, also in conjunction with concepts derived from other subjcet matters in their curricula.

Course contents

A two-module course (pls. see below), 'International Relations' introduces the students to the analysis of international politics and foreign policy. Based on the conceptual lenses of the main approaches in the different IR research traditions, the course focuses on the reciprocal interactions between security dynamics, integration and dis-integration economic processes, normative and institutional evolution in the relations among the different actors on the international scene.

 

PART I

1. Introduction to the study of IR: Research traditions and evolution of the discipline

2. Classic Realism

3. Neorealism

4. Classic Liberalism

5. Contemporary Liberalism

6. English School

Readings:

Andreatta et al. Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 (222-234), 8 (245-246, 247-251);

Jackson & Sørensen Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

FIRST ASSESSMENT TEST

 

PART II

7. Constructivism

8. IPE and Globalization.

9. The role of International financial institutions and the problems of global governance.

10. Foreign policy analysis

11. Security. Violence, diplomacy, democratization and development in a global world.

12. The future of IR

 

Readings: Andreatta et al: Ch. 5,7 (209-222; 234-237), 8 (except pp.245-246 (2.1), and pp. 247-251 (2.3, 2.4, nuclear deterrence)), 9, 10;

Jackson e Sørensen: Ch. 6,7,8, 9,10, 11, 12.

Journal Article: Baroncelli (2008) or Baroncelli (2011).

Article: Baroncelli (2019)

SECOND ASSESSMENT TEST

Readings/Bibliography

REQUIRED READINGS

1) F. Andreatta, M. Clementi, A. Colombo, M. Koenig-Archibugi, V. E. Parsi «Relazioni Internazionali», Bologna, Il Mulino, 2nd edition, 2012.

1) R. Jackson & G. Sørensen (eds): «Relazioni internazionali», Milano, Egea, 4th edition, 2018.

3) Baroncelli, E. (2008) “Globalizzazione, violenza, democratizzazione e sviluppo negli studi di IPE: spunti di riflessione e prospettive di ricerca”, in Rivista Italiana di Scienza Politica, n. 2, agosto, Il Mulino, Bologna, pp. 275-298. OR Baroncelli, E. (2011) ‘The EU at the World Bank: Institutional and Policy Performance’, Journal of European Integration, 33, pp. 637 - 65

4) Baroncelli, E. (2019) ‘Le organizzazioni multilaterali e la cooperazione per lo sviluppo nell’era della globalizzazione 4.0: Il caso dei rapporti tra l’Unione Europea e la Banca Mondiale’ in Oltremare, Rivista Online della Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo, 31.01.2019, accessibile a:

https://www.aics.gov.it/oltremare/rubriche/dal-mondo-accademico/le-organizzazioni-multilaterali-e-la-cooperazione-per-lo-sviluppo-nellera-della-globalizzazione-4-0-il-caso-dei-rapporti-tra-lunione-europea-e-la-banca-mondiale/

 

NB: Further readings or changes -relative to the Programme for those students who choose to attend the course- may be suggested during classes.

Students who choose not to attend classes, in addition to the readings indicated above, will have to read ONE additional book of their choice among the the following:

a) L.Dehio, Equilibrio o Egemonia (1948), Il Mulino, 1988.

b) A.Hirschman, Potenza Nazionale e Commercio Estero (1945), Il Mulino, 1987

c) K. Waltz, Man, the State and War, 1959 (ed. it.L'uomo lo stato e la guerra, Giuffrè).

d) K. Waltz, Theory of International Politics, 1979 (ed. it. Teoria della politica internazionale, Il Mulino).

e) R.Gilpin, Guerra e mutamento nella politica internazionale (1981), Il Mulino, 1988

f) S.Huntington, Lo scontro delle civilità (1997), Garzanti, 2000.

g) A. Wendt, Social Theory of International Politics (ed. it. Teoria sociale della politica internazionale, Vita e Pensiero).

h) V.E. Parsi Titanic. Il naufragio dell’ordine liberale, Il Mulino, 2018.

Teaching methods

Taught classes are complemented with Lectures by sectoral experts on topics of interest, as well as by structured class discussions-debates on selected footage-movies shown in class, along the guidelines posted by the Instructor through IOL (Insegnamenti Online). The course is divided in 2 modules, with a written test at the end of each module.

Assessment methods

ATTENDING STUDENTS

For students who attend classes there will be TWO in-class tests at the end of each module: the first one on Realism, Liberalism, and the English School, the second one on Constructivism, IPE, Globalization and global governance, FPA and new issues in international politics and IR. Finally, there will be also an oral exam on the lectures and all the readings. To be admitted to the final oral exam, students must have obtained an average passing grade (18/30 or higher) on the two intermediate tests (overall). Attending students will have to sit the oral exam in one of the THREE SESSIONS offered between JUNE AND JULY 2020.

Students who have obtained a failed average grade in the 2 tests (overall), have to make up for up to ONE intermediate test (the one where they obtained the lower grade), by sitting the corresponding make-up test in the FIRST or in the SECOND EXAM DATE OFFERED IN JUNE 2020. No further make-up dates for a written test will be available, so attending students are encouraged to plan their exam schedule ahead of time. Students who do not pass the two intermediate written tests with an average passing grade (18/30 or higher, overall) on the make up session will have to re-sit the exam as non-attending students (pls.see dedicated section).

ALMAESAMI SYSTEM: To sit the intermediate tests students will have to sign up through their Unibo credentials via AlmaEsami. Enrollment is mandatory for those students who intend to take the intermediate tests during the semester. The same procedure applies to enrollments for make-ups (students will have to register separately for both the make-up test and final oral exam). The instructor is not responsible for late or incomplete enrollments by the students, and will neither handle cases of improper use/malfunctioning of the digital AlmaEsami system. Should any of the above occur, students are advised to refer to the Segreteria or Cesia IT services.

NON ATTENDING STUDENTS

The exam for those students who choose not to attend the lectures is based on a written test (10 short answer questions each worth 3 pts) on the whole required readings (handbooks, articles and chosen monograph) and an oral exam, equally on the whole set of required readings. Exams for non attending students are offered across the full set of available dates during the Academic Year.

ALMAESAMI SYSTEM: To take the exam, non attending students will have to sign up through their Unibo credentials via AlmaEsami. Enrollment is mandatory for both the oral and written tests (2 separate lists). The instructor is not responsible for late or incomplete enrollments by the students, and will neither handle cases of improper use/malfunctioning of the digital AlmaEsami system. Should any of the above occur, students are advised to refer to the Segreteria or Cesia IT services.

STUDENTS ENROLLED IN PAST YEARS AND WORKING STUDENTS

Students enrolled in past years and working students who do not wish to opt for the autonomous exam preparation as Non Attending Students may choose to attend the Tutorial Track that is offered to meet their specific needs, by contacting the IR Course Tutor. For more information, it is advised to come to Class 1 (Introduction to the discipline) and/or contact the Professor shortly before the beginning of classes. The Academic Tutor for AY 2019-2020 is Dr. Ervjola Selenica.

Teaching tools

Visual tools (ppt, web and non-web resources, movies-selected footage), interactive web resources, inclusive teaching to enhance class participation.

Office hours

See the website of Eugenia Baroncelli