77976 - Evolution of The international System

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide an advanced knowledge and understanding of the evolution of the international system since the modern era and of the main theories of international relations (constructivism, liberalism, realism). At the end of the course, the student knows the main events which have shaped international politics, the most important theoretical interpretations and the debates within the discipline, as well as the analytical instruments necessary to interpret the contemporary international system.

Course contents

The course is organized into lectures and seminars, as detailed in the following program. The lectures, which will be had online on the Teams platform, will look at the role of power, security, interests, institutions and ideas in understanding international politics, through the lenses of the main theoretical traditions of IR: realism, liberalism and constructivism. Throughout the course, the main theories in the discipline will be illustrated: balance of power. hegemonic stability, institutionalism, democratic peace and capitalist peace as well as constructivist and English school approaches. The seminars, which will take place in class, will be introduced by students’ presentations and will be conducted on various historical international systems applying to each the various theoretical interpretations. For this purpose, it can be recommended to refer to theories exposed in the recommended section of each topic. In particular, the systems which will be taken into consideration are: the Westphalian system (1519-1659), the Ancient Regime and Revolutionary system (1660-1815), the Long Peace in the XIX Century (1815-1885), the First World War system (1885-1918), the Second World War system (1919-1945), the Cold War system (1946-1991).

The course adopts innovative teaching and is organized in lectures and seminars. Students are expected to read the required materials BEFORE the relevant lecture, according to the principles of the flipped classroom. In the seminar part, students are expected to participate actively and to show their ability to independently apply theoretical interpretations to case studies. Artificial Intelligence can be useful for bibliographic research, to ask questions to better understand the material and for studying in general. However, AI is not allowed for the exam, which assesses student’s ability to autonomously apply theoretical interpretations to historical case studies. The University’s policy on AI can be found at: https://www.unibo.it/en/university/statute-standards-strategies-and-reports/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence

The course is open exclusively to UNIBO students. Exchange students are NOT entitled to take the course.

Readings/Bibliography

Below is a reading list of the required material for each of the sessions. Students are expected to have read the required materials before each class. A list of recommended readings will be uploaded on Virtuale (Moodle) and demonstrating knowledge of them in the exam and/or in seminar discussions may improve the grade.

The following two books are required:

- Andreatta, F. (2017) Classic Works in International Relations, Bologna, Il Mulino (available on PandoraCampus);

- Kennedy, P. (1987) The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, New York, Random House (also available as an e-book), any edition.

The other required articles will be made available, as well as the slides of the lectures, on the course page on Virtuale (Moodle).

Recommended materials are available on the electronic resources of the university, https://sba.unibo.it/it/almare.

 

Lecture 1: Introduction: International Relations between Theory and History

- Snyder, J. (2004) «One World, Rival Theories», Foreign Policy, 145, 52-62

 

Lecture 2: The Three Traditions: Realism, Liberalism, Reflectivism

- Andreatta, F. (2017) Classic Works in International Relations, Il Mulino, Introduction

 

Lecture 3: The Balance of Power

- Andreatta, Classic Works, chapp. III (Morgenthau), VIII (Waltz) (required)

- Waltz, K. (1988) «The Origins of War in Neorealist Theory», Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 18:4, 615-628

 

Lecture 4: Hegemonic Stability and Unipolarity

- Andreatta, Classic Works, chap. IX (Gilpin)

- Gilpin, R. (1988) «The Theory of Hegemonic War», Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 18:4, 591-613

 

Lecture 5: International Institutions

- Andreatta, Classic Works, chap. X (Keohane)

- Axelrod, R. and R. Keohane (1985) «Achieving Cooperation under Anarchy: Strategies and Institutions», World Politics, 38:1, 226-254

 

Lecture 6: Domestic Regimes

- Andreatta, Classic Works, chap. XIV (Russett and O’Neal)

- Doyle, M. (1986) «Liberalism and World Politics», American Political Science Review, 80:4, pp. 1151-1169

 

Lecture 7: Economic Interdependence

- Andreatta, Classic Works, chap. I (Angell)

- Gartzke, E. (2007) «The Capitalist Peace», American Journal of Political Science, 51:1, 166-191

 

Lecture 8: Ideational and reflectivist interpretations

- Andreatta, Classic Works, chapp. XIII (Wendt) and VII (Bull)

- Wendt, A. (1992) «Anarchy is what States Make of it: The Social Construction of Power Politics», International Organization, 46:2, 391-425

 

*** SEMINAR SECTION ***

 

Seminar 1: The Westphalian System

- Kennedy, P. (1987): The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, Chapp. 1-2

 

Seminar 2: Ancien Regime and Revolutionary System

- Kennedy, P. (1987): The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, Chap. 3

 

Seminar 3: The Long Pece in the XIX Century

- Kennedy, P. (1987): The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, Chap. 4

 

Seminar 4: The First World War

- Kennedy, P. (1987): The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, Chap. 5

 

Seminar 5: The Second World War

- Kennedy, P. (1987): The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, Chap. 6

 

Seminar 6: The Cold War

- Kennedy, P. (1987): The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, Chap. 7

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars.

Assessment methods

One in class presentation applying one of the theories to one of the historical periods (1/3 of the grade). One in class exam composed by a test (6 multiple choice on required readings) and a critical assessment of a paper written by Generative Artificial Intelligence (1/3 of the grade). One short in class paper answering one question out of three applying one of the theories to one of the historical periods (1/3 of the grade). The exam will take place on the EOL platform so you are required to bring a writing device.

Assignments will be evaluated on: 1) historical and theoretical accuracy, 2) coherence in the theory’s application to the historical event in question (beware not to mix different theories), 3) theoretical breadth (you should mention recommended literature not in the required readings), 4) quality of the (oral or written) presentation. It is advised to start with the theory and then move to the historical interpretation, in order to minimize risks of inconsistency.

Non attending student may take the exam during the university's exam session. The exam involves one in class exam composed by a test (6 multiple choice on required readings) and a critical assessment of a paper written by Generative Artificial Intelligence (1/2 of the grade) and one short in class paper answering one question out of three applying one of the theories to one of the historical periods (1/2 of the grade).

Final grade: 30 Excellent knowledge of the theories and ability to apply them originally; 27-29 Very good knowledge of the theories and ability to apply them; 24-26 Good knowledge of the theories and ability to apply them; 21-23 Average knowledge of the theories and ability to apply them; 18-20 Sufficient knowledge of the theories and ability to apply them.

In terms of security, all students must attend Modules 1 and 2 on Health and Safety procedures [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas]

Students with DSA or temporary or permanent disabilities: It is recommended to contact the responsible University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ): it will be their responsibility to propose any adaptations to the students concerned, which must however be submitted, with a 15-day notice, to the approval of the teacher, who will evaluate the opportunity also in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Virtuale (Moodle) Platform.

Office hours

See the website of Filippo Andreatta