EPOKA UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF LAW AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE INFORMATIONCourse Title: INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS |
| Code | Course Type | Regular Semester | Theory | Practice | Lab | Credits | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIR 131 | B | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) | NA |
| Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: | Islam Jusufi , . Please request appointment by email: ijusufi@epoka.edu.al (Room: E-101) |
| Second Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: | NA |
| Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: | NA |
| Language: | English |
| Compulsory/Elective: | Compulsory |
| Classroom and Meeting Time: | |
| Course Description: | This is an introductory level course on the international relations’ study. It contains theoretical and practical approaches employed by scholars and international relations expertise to learn greater understanding of world politics. The course focuses on international politics since the First World War, because since then academics, political and bureaucratic experts have spent great amount time to learn and explain how international relations are interact between key agents of world politics. This is not a course about current events, but about cause and effect in world affairs. |
| Course Objectives: | This is an introductory level course on the study of international relations. This course is a core course in the International Relations and provides a general introduction to the discipline of International Relations. This course will explore the origins of the modern international relations and provide students with historical background on the international relations. The course will introduce students to different types of concepts and of actors that populate the international relations field. This course will offer students a range of different perspectives on the international relations. The course will be offered under four distinct sections: 1. On international relations; 2. Origins of the international relations. 3. International relations' key actors. 4. International relations' key concepts. This course aims to introduce students to the international relations field and familiarise them with basic ideas about it. The course also aims to develop key academic writing skills and equip students with a range of important skills, including working independently and as part of a team; managing a varied workload; and preparing written reports and verbal presentations. |
|
COURSE OUTLINE
|
| Week | Topics |
| 1 | a. Course introduction, overview of texts, and expectations. b. Introduction to International Relations. |
| 2 | "What is the international relations?". Must readings: Devetak: Pages: 1-14. |
| 3 | "Origins of the international relations". Must readings: D’Anieri: pages: 24-27. Nye: pages: 1-29; 33-58. |
| 4 | "European origins of the international relations: The Concert of Europe and the Balance of Power". Must readings: D’Anieri: pages: 28-37. Nye: pages: 59-84. |
| 5 | "American origins of the international relations: Wilson and the leagues of nations". Must readings: D’Anieri: pages: 38-44. Nye: pages: 87-112. |
| 6 | "Cold War". Must readings: Devetak: pages: 281-292. Kegley: 100-112. |
| 7 | "States as actors in the international relations". Must readings: Devetak: pages: 134-159. |
| 8 | MID-TERM EXAM |
| 9 | "International and regional institutions". Must readings: Kegley: 171-198. Optional: Review a website of a major international and regional organization, such as the UN, EU, Council of Europe, NATO, World Bank, RCC, IMF, WTO. |
| 10 | "Non-state Actors". Must readings: Devetak: pages: 310-321. D’Anieri: pages: 354-360. Optional: Review a website of a major non-state actor. |
| 11 | "Security and Conflicts". Must readings: Devetak: pages: 160-198. |
| 12 | "Globalisation". Must readings: Devetak: pages: 386-397. Nye: pages: 204-218. |
| 13 | "Third world or Global South". Must readings: Kegley: 123-166 |
| 14 | "Post-Cold War (and concluding review of the course)". Must readings: Nye: pages: 261-282. |
| Prerequisite(s): | Class attendance and participation; advance reading of textbooks; timely delivery of the assignments. |
| Textbook: | Must readings (Textbooks): D’Anieri, P. 2012. International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning: Boston. (Available online). Devetak, R., Burke, A., George, J. 2013. An Introduction to International Relations. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge. (Available in the Library of the Epoka University). (Also, available online). Kegley, C.W., Blanton, S.L. 2011. World Politics: Trend and Transformations. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning: Boston. (Available in the Library of the Epoka University). (Also, available online). Nye, J. Jr. 2007. Understanding International Conflicts. Longman: New York. (Available online). Optional readings: Baylis, J., Smith, S. 2001. The. Globalization of World Politics. Oxford University Press, Oxford. (Available online). Brown, C., Ainley, K. 2005. Understanding International Relations. Palgrave Macmillan: Basingstoke, New York. (Available online). Mansbach, R. W., Taylor, K.L. 2012. Introduction to Global Politics, Routledge: New York. (Available online). Mazower, M. 2013. No Enchanted Palace: The End of Empire and the Ideological Origins of the United Nations. Princeton University Press: Princeton. (Available online). Mazower, M. 2013. Governing the World: The History of an Idea, 1815 to the Present. Penguin: London. (Available with the lecturer). Mazower, M. 2004. Salonica, City of Ghosts Christians, Muslims and Jews. Harper Collins: London. (Available online). Reus-Smit, C., Snidal, D. 2008. The Oxford Handbook of International Relations. Oxford University Press: Oxford. (Available online). Shimko, K.L. 2010. International Relations Perspectives, Controversies & Readings. Wadsworth: Boston. (Available online). Snow, D.M. 2012. Cases in International Relations. Longman: Boston. (Available online). Steans, J., Pettiford, L., Diez, T., El-Anis, I. 2010. An Introduction to International Relations Theory: Perspectives and Themes. Pearson: Essex. (Available online). Simulations on International Relations: http://www.statecraftsim.com. Quizes: www.cengage.com/politicalscience/kegley/worldpolitics13e. Websites of major international and regional organizations, such as the UN, EU, Council of Europe, RCC, NATO, World Bank, IMF, WTO. Websites of major non-state actors. Websites of major international newspapers and journals, such as Economist, New York Times, Le Monde Diplomatique (English version). - Reference sources on Albania and in Albanian: Mingst, Karen A. Bazat e marredhenieve nderkombetare. AIIS, Koha Library, Tirana. Bashkurti, Lisen. Negociatat. Koha Library. Tirana. |
| Other References: | |
| Laboratory Work: | |
| Computer Usage: | |
| Others: | No |
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COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
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| 1 | To demonstrate a knowledge of major issues and concepts in the discipline of International Relations, |
| 2 | To demonstrate an ability to use these concepts in particular circumstances, |
| 3 | To demonstrate an ability to present an argument in both oral and written forms, |
| 4 | To demonstrate basic understanding of the major international and regional institutions in world politics as well as significant developments in world politics. |
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COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution) |
| No | Program Competencies | Cont. |
| Bachelor in Political Science and International Relations (3 years) (Old) Program | ||
| 1 | Having and using advanced knowledge and comprehension supported by textbooks including actual knowledge in political sciences and international relations literature, materials and the other scientific resources | 5 |
| 2 | Analyzing data, ideas and concepts of current political issues and international relations, determining complex events and topics, making discussions and developing new suggestions in accordance with researches | 5 |
| 3 | Having knowledge and thought about actual topics and problems together with their historical, social and cultural aspects. | 4 |
| 4 | Introducing those who are interested in politics and international events with the topics of Political Science and IR and teaching clearly the problems and the types of solutions | 5 |
| 5 | Improving skills of working together with the main social science disciplines and other disciplines which are related to Political Science and International Relations | 3 |
| 6 | Improving critical thinking and skills in making research independently | 5 |
| 7 | Developing solutions about the problems and conflicts which are common in national and international arena. | 5 |
| 8 | Improving skills for leadership and research and analyze capacity of those who is responsible with national and international ones | 3 |
| 9 | Knowing any foreign language enough to communicate with colleagues and understand actual researches and articles | 4 |
| 10 | Gaining IT skills to use computer and technology) in order to reach actual knowledge | 1 |
| 11 | Gaining skills to follow societal, scientific and ethic values during collecting, interpreting, conducting of data related to social and political developments | 5 |
| 12 | Having consciousness about human rights and environment | 5 |
| 13 | Gaining the skills to follow actual developments and pursue long-life learning | 5 |
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COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
|
| Method | Quantity | Percentage |
| Midterm Exam(s) |
1
|
40
|
| Presentation |
1
|
15
|
| Lab/Practical Exams(s) |
1
|
5
|
| Final Exam |
1
|
35
|
| Attendance |
5
|
|
| Total Percent: | 100% |
|
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
|
| Activities | Quantity | Duration(Hours) | Total Workload(Hours) |
| Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) | 16 | 3 | 48 |
| Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) | 16 | 2 | 32 |
| Mid-terms | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Assignments | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Final examination | 16 | 1 | 16 |
| Other | 17 | 1 | 17 |
|
Total Work Load:
|
125 | ||
|
Total Work Load/25(h):
|
5 | ||
|
ECTS Credit of the Course:
|
5 | ||