Introduction. Rules and requirements. Warm-up discussion

Introduction to the discipline of international relations, history of international relations.

Realist theory – key figures, concepts and principles

Neorealism – key figures, concepts and notions, debate on international system and its stability vs. polarity.

Liberalism – key figures, concepts and notions, debate on international, subnational and transnational organizations and their cooperation.

The English school of IR – key figures, concepts and notions.

What is the concept of soft power? soft power and cultural relations, soft power in diplomacy.

The midterm test will consist of short essay questions to be answered independently in class. Midterm: the midterm is based on the required readings for sessions 2-7. It will consist of 15 short essay questions to be answered independently in class. The exam will take approximately 90 minutes and will be taken in the class from 11:15 – 12:45.

Discussion on sociological institutionalism and the concepts of sovereignty and decolonization.

What is social constructivism? Discussion on the key figures, concepts and notions.

Post-structuralism: key figures, concepts and notions, the concept of “othering” in IR.

Marxism in IR theories: key figures, concepts and notions.

In their group research project, the students will apply a theory or concept they learned about in order to analyze a specific IR phenomenon. The research project should have a clearly identified research question or argument. It must have both a theoretical and an analytical component and it cannot be a descriptive presentation of theories or of facts alone. The students will deliver a presentation of their group research project in class. The topics and research questions should be consulted with the lecturer in the course of the semester.

The final exam is an oral exam based on the required readings as selected by the lecturer. The exam is a discussion of the required readings: the main concepts and points of a theory as selected by the lecturer. The exam will be taken individually. Each student will have 20 minutes to answer/discuss the question/topic. The exam will start at 11:15 and each student will be given their own timeslot.