EPOKA UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF LAW AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
COURSE SYLLABUS
2021-2022 ACADEMIC YEAR
COURSE INFORMATIONCourse Title: THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS |
| Code | Course Type | Regular Semester | Theory | Practice | Lab | Credits | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIR 331 | A | 5 | 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 |
| Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: | M.Sc. Dea Haxhiu dbashkurti@epoka.edu.al , Monday 10:30-12:30 |
| Second Course 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: | Elective |
| Study program: (the study for which this course is offered) | Bachelor in Political Science and International Relations (3 years) |
| Classroom and Meeting Time: | |
| Code of Ethics: |
Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline" |
| Attendance Requirement: | |
| Course Description: | - |
| Course Objectives: | This course offers training in Theories of International Relations. It will consider the development of international relations theory and the main approaches and theories to international relations. It will provide understanding of the development and content of the theoretical perspectives. The course will link the content of each theory to a contemporary problem and issue in international relations. Each week, a different theory of the international relations will be examined. The course aims to provide students with understanding of International Relations theories. It aims to introduce students to core of the international relations theories. It also aims to equip students with ability to consider insights afforded by these theories when considering contemporary international issues. By learning on the theories, the course will aim to assist students in preparing for further study in the specialized courses in international relations. |
|
BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
|
| 1 | Balance of power |
| 2 | Collective security |
| 3 | Foreign policy |
| 4 | Human equality |
| 5 | Liberalism and idealism |
| 6 | Institutionalism |
| 7 | International system |
|
COURSE OUTLINE
|
| Week | Topics |
| 1 | a. Course introduction, overview of texts, and expectations; b. Vocation of an IR theorist. |
| 2 | "Introduction to International Relations Theory". Must readings: Devetak: pages: 22-34. Walt (The Relationship): pages: 23–43. Waltz (Theory): pages: 1-17. |
| 3 | "Classics". Must readings: Knutsen: pages: 11-54. |
| 4 | "Realism and Neo-realism". Must readings: Devetak: pages: 35-46. D’Anieri: pages: 61-73. Kegley: pages: 31-38. Optional: Mearsheimer (Conversations with History: John Mearsheimer - youtube). Walt (Conversations with History: Stephen Walt - youtube). Waltz (Conversations with History: Kenneth Waltz - youtube). |
| 5 | "Liberalism and Neo-Liberalism". Must readings: Devetak: pages: 48-60. D’Anieri: pages: 74-84. Kegley: pages: 28-31; 38-43. |
| 6 | "Constructivism". Must readings: Devetak: pages: 103-118. D’Anieri: pages: 94-101. |
| 7 | "Institutionalism". Must readings: Reus-Smit: pages: 201-221. Optional: Keohane (Conversations with History: Robert Keohane - youtube). Nye (Conversations with History: Joseph Nye - youtube). |
| 8 | "The English School and Copenhagen School of international relations". Must readings: Buzan (An introduction to the English school of international relations): pages: 5-26. Buzan (Security: A New Framework for Analysis): pages: 1-15. |
| 9 | MID-TERM EXAM |
| 10 | "Marxism, Critical Theory, Socialism and Social democracy". Must readings: Devetak: pages: 62-75. Text on Political Ideologies provided by the Lecturer. |
| 11 | "Feminism in the study of International Relations and Multiculturalism". Must readings: Devetak: pages: 76-90. Text on Political Ideologies provided by the Lecturer. |
| 12 | "Political Conservatism, Nationalism, Fascism and Anarchism". Must readings: Text on Political Ideologies provided by the Lecturer. |
| 13 | "Europeanisation". Must readings: Elbasani (Europeanization Travels to the Western Balkans). Grabbe (How does Europeanization affect CEE governance?). |
| 14 | "Foreign aid (and concluding review of the course)". Must readings: Morgenthau (A Political Theory of Foreign Aid). Hattori (Reconceptualizing Foreign Aid). Radelet (A Primer on Foreign Aid). |
| Prerequisite(s): | |
| Textbook(s): | Must readings: D’Anieri, P. 2012. International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning: Boston. (Available online). Buzan, B. 2014. An introduction to the English school of international relations: The Societal Approach. Polity Press. (Available online). Buzan, B., Wæver O., and de Wilde, J. 1998. Security: A New Framework for Analysis. Lynne Rienner Publishers: London. (Available with the lecturer). 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). Elbasani, A. 2013. Europeanization Travels to the Western Balkans: Enlargement Strategy, Domestic Obstacles and Diverging Reforms. European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies. (Available online). Grabbe, H. 2001. "How does Europeanization affect CEE governance? Conditionality, diffusion, diversity", Journal of European Public Policy (6): 1013-1031. (Available online). Hattori, T. 2001. “Reconceptualizing Foreign Aid,” Review of International Political Economy (4). (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 with newer edition). Knutsen, T. 1997. A history of International Relations theory. Manchester University Press: Manchester. (Available in the Library of the Epoka University). Morgenthau, H. 1962. A Political Theory of Foreign Aid. American Political Science Review, 56, 2, 1962: 301-309. (Available online). Morgenthau, H. 1962. A Political Theory of Foreign Aid. The American Political Science Review (2): 301-309 (Available online). Radelet, S. 2006. “A Primer on Foreign Aid,” Center for Global Development Working Paper 92. (Available online). Reus-Smit, C., Snidal, D. 2008. The Oxford Handbook of International Relations. Oxford University Press: Oxford. (Available online). Walt, S. 2005. "The Relationship Between Theory and Policy in International Relations." Annual Review of Political Science (8): 23–48. (Available online). Waltz, K. 2010. Theory of International Politics. Waveland Press Inc. (Available online). |
| Additional Literature: | |
| Laboratory Work: | |
| Computer Usage: | |
| Others: | No |
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COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
|
| 1 | To demonstrate knowledge on the key theories of IR. |
| 2 | To demonstrate ability to reflect on key theories and concepts to case studies. |
| 3 | To demonstrate ability to identify differences among the theories. |
| 4 | To demonstrate ability to apply the theories to current developments. |
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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) 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. | 5 |
| 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. | 5 |
| 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. | 4 |
| 9 | Knowing any foreign language enough to communicate with colleagues and understand actual researches and articles. | 2 |
| 10 | Gaining IT skills to use computer and technology) in order to reach actual knowledge. | 2 |
| 11 | Gaining skills to follow societal, scientific and ethic values during collecting, interpreting, conducting of data related to social and political developments. | 4 |
| 12 | Having consciousness about human rights and environment. | 4 |
| 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
|
30
|
| Presentation |
1
|
5
|
| Case Study |
1
|
10
|
| Term Paper |
1
|
10
|
| Final Exam |
1
|
45
|
| 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 | ||
|
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER
|
|
International relations theory is very complex discipline. To understand it comprehensively and deeply we have to read a lot of authors. Of course the selection should be done in order to have one main focus – the study of theory and theoretical approaches in large extend based on history, generalized theoretical concepts, analyzing innumerable case study and considering all in dynamic and developing during the different international political system and international relations. |