98865 - INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Learning outcomes

The course provides students with the basic knowledge to analyse international relations at both the theoretical and empirical levels. By the end of the course, students should be able to be familiar with the current debates in IR theories; to have developed the ability to apply such knowledge towards the understanding of selected outcomes in international politics; to use International Relations conceptual tools and theoretical insights in approaching the EU’s role in the world interpret and explain the most relevant issues on the EU’s role in the world.

Course contents

This course is part of the BAES program (UnaEuropa) and is not open to Erasmus (or other) students.

Introduction to International Relations is one of the compulsory common courses of the Bachelor of European Studies (BAES). The course is designed to familiarise students with the IR field, through the introduction to the main concepts and theories as well as the most significant issues studied within IR, with particular attention to the role of Europe and the European Union (EU) in contemporary IR.

Introduction to International Relations is a 4 ECTS course, which consists of 26 contact hours – 14 lectures and 12 seminars. The topics covered during the lectures and the seminars are the following:

 Part I: Introduction, key concepts and theories

1. Introduction to the course and to IR basic concepts
2. History of IR
3. IR theories: Realism
4. IR theories: Liberalism
5. IR theories: Constructivism
6. IR theories: Post-positivist approaches
7. Non-traditional actors in IR
   

 Part II: Specific issues on the EU's role in the world

1. International security
2. The EU as an international security actor
3. Foreign Policy
4. The EU and its foreign policies
5. Gender
6. The EU and its gender policies

A detailed syllabus will be available on Toledo: https://toledo.kuleuven.be/portal/#/home

Readings/Bibliography

The main textbook is G. Sørensen, J. Møller, and R. Jackson (2022), Introduction to International Relations, Theories and Approaches, 8th edition, Oxford University Press.

Other readings are specified in the syllabus for each lecture/seminar and will be made available on Toledo: https://toledo.kuleuven.be/portal/#/home

Teaching methods

Language of teaching: English.

Teaching methods: lectures and interactive seminars.

Assessment methods

Students are expected to attend every session regularly and participate in class debates. To this end, they are advised to do the compulsory readings indicated in the syllabus for each lecture. For seminars, students are required to do the mandatory readings in order to participate in critical discussions and activities. Students will be evaluated during a written final exam (multiple choice and open questions) in the examination period on the topics of the course.

Teaching tools

Course material includes presentation slides, book chapters, academic articles, documents, and other materials. These will be made fully available to students via Toledo: https://toledo.kuleuven.be/portal/#/home

Office hours

See the website of Clara della Valle