International Relations II
The courses in international relations provide knowledge of the political, economic and historical conditions for current international problems such as the consequences of globalization, international security, as well as cooperation and integration both at regional and global level.
The course provides in-depth knowledge within the three areas of the subject of international relations (IR): international security, international institutions and international political economy. In particular, it provides a deeper understanding of the increasing international cooperation, both economic and political, after 1945. Different types of global challenges and solutions are discussed. The course provides skills in conducting research work and academic writing, as well as in-depth knowledge of theory and method within the subject of international relations. The course ends with the student writing an IR-relevant minor essay that is presented orally.
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Course structure
The course consists of 4 sub-courses:
Module 1: International cooperation around global challenges (7.5 credits)
The course aims to provide deeper knowledge of how states cooperate around complex challenges beyond national solutions. Based on a problem-oriented focus, the course deals with: different types of global challenges related to cooperation,
security and political economy; what cooperation problems states face due to these challenges; as well as which solutions they chose to deal with them. The involvement of non-governmental actors is also addressed. The course combines traditional theories of international cooperation with modern organizational theories and provides training in applying the theories to historical and current debates within the course's theme.Module 2: Advanced studies in IR (7.5 credits)
On this sub-course, you choose one of several courses to immerse yourself in different specializations. The optional sub-courses have in common that they are based on current issues within the specialisations, and discuss these from an IR perspective. The range of optional sub-courses may vary from semester to semester. For the current offer, see the website https://www.ekohist.su.se/utbildning. The course also trains the student in a critical academic approach and writing, as well as oral presentation.Module 3: Research skills (7.5 credits)
The course provides a basic introduction to how relevant methods, research material and literature are selected. The course aims to introduce basic scientific theoretical concepts and to sharpen skills for conducting research (research design, research question, approach), searching for relevant literature, and academic writing. This is done by providing a deeper knowledge of and ability to easily use theories and central methods in the study of international relations (quantitative and qualitative), and present a proposal for a minor undergraduate thesis on a specific IR-relevant topic.Module 4: Independent work (7.5 credits)
The course consists of group supervision and peer review and is focused on writing a shorter individual scientific essay. The course aims to give the student the necessary tools to be able to formulate a research problem in international relations, and at a basic level relate this research problem to previous research, as well as apply a theoretical framework to the problem and examine the research question with appropriate methods and materials, as well as the ability to keep to the established schedule. Furthermore, the course provides knowledge in how the essay is defended, and how an opposition is carried out.Assessment
Module 1: International cooperation around global challenges
Examination takes place through mandatory seminars, written submissions, oral presentations, a mid-term examination and a written final exam in the form of a take-home exam.Module 2: Advanced studies in IR
Part course is examined through ongoing oral and written examination, as well as a written final assignment. All course alternatives are examined through: (i) two or more shorter written assignments, and (ii) a final written assignment.Module 3: Research skills
Examination takes place through a final oral presentation of a proposal for a minor undergraduate thesis. The presentation shall include the purpose of the proposed investigation, research question/s, theory, method, and suggestions for empirical material. The examination also includes a short opposition of another student’s proposal and a written test about social science methods.Module 4: Independent work
Examination takes place in connection with the final seminar. The sub-course is examined both through written submission and oral presentation. When grading independent work, the following assessment bases and weighting are used: scope and treatment of previous research, choice of theory, justification of method, empirical investigation, interpretation and analysis of the results, ability to keep the established schedule for the work, and ability to defend one's own the essay and perform an opposition on a fellow student's essay. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course. -
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