INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Instructional goals
The aim of the course is to provide the student with the basic theoretical and empirical tools to analyze international politics both from a systemic-global level and an individual states' foreign policies level.
Throughout the course, basic conceptual and analytical tools will be discussed – as well as historical development of the IR discipline, main paradigms of interpretation (Realism, Liberalism, Marxism, etc.), the approaches of analysis of international politics, the key issues of current global politics.
Intended learning outcomes
At the end of the course of International Relations, the expected learning outcomes will be the following:
1) Knowledge and understanding: the student will have acquired the necessary analytical tools and basic concepts (power, sovereignty, etc.) to discuss the most relevant issues of the current international political-economic system. The student will also have acquired critical knowledge about the role and relevance of state and non-state actors(international organizations, civil society, the private sector) in the globalized world.
2) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the student will be able to gradually apply the knowledge in relation to the international political and economic context through the practical activities foreseen during the on-campus lectures, such as participation in the working groups, classroom debates, seminars and expert guest speakers; the student will also be able to develop analysis and synthesis skills related to international politics issues.
3) Autonomy of judgment: the student will be able to critically discuss the most important international politics phenomena; their relevance in relation to the foreign policy decision-making processes of individual states. The student will also have developed the necessary critical awareness to differentiate the most appropriate sources in the international politics debate by distinguishing between academic, policy-oriented and journalistic sources.
4) Communication skills: the student will have gained the ability to communicate the notions learned thanks to the transversal skills (critical analysis skills, synthesis skills, ability to organize team work and team building) acquired during the course.
5) Learning skills: the student will be able to conduct his / her own activity by putting into practice the techniques acquired during the lectures and during regular on campus activities carried out individually, in the classroom and at home.
Course Contents
FIRST PART
1. Introduction to the study of international relations: traditions of research and evolution of the discipline
2. Realism
3. Liberalism
4. Marxism
5. Constructivism
SECOND PART
7. IPE and Globalization
8. International Security Studies-ISS
9. Foreign Policy Analysis and Diplomacy -FPA
10. Regionalism
11. Global Politics
12. The future of IR Theory (non-Western IR)
** ITALIAN FOREIGN POLICY MODULE **
In collaboration with channel A, the International Relations course includes a module dedicated to Italian foreign policy held by On. Latorre. Further information will be provided at the beginning of the course.
Reference Books
TEXTBOOKS
1) Marchetti, R. & Menegazzi, S. (2022). Manuale di Relazioni Internazionali. Teorie, modelli, analisi. Luiss University Press
2) Menegazzi, S. (2022).La Cina e la Politica Globale. Tra cambiamento e continuità. Mondadori Università.
ARTICLES
3) Readings and articles indicated by the teacher (TBC).
Teaching Methods
The didactic activities will use practical activities held on campus, theoretical lessons and conversations in virtual classrooms, visual support (power point and web resources, watching selected films and videos), inclusive didactics to stimulate participation in classroom and remotely. The participation of external guest speakers and experts in the field is also foreseen.
Assessment Method
1)MIDTERM EXAM 1 during the course (20%)
Reference textbook: Marchetti/Menegazzi (2022). The intermediate exam will take place on the E-learning platform. Structure: multiple choice questions Duration: 45 minutes
1)MIDTERM EXAM 2 during the course (20%)
Reference textbook: Marchetti/Menegazzi (2022). The intermediate exam will take place on the E-learning platform. Structure: multiple choice questions Duration: 45 minutes
2) GROUP PROJECT WORK (20%)
This will consist of an oral presentation (team presentation) online.
Readings: Articles available on Learn platform
3) Final WRITTEN EXAM (40%)
Reference texts:
a) Marchetti/Menegazzi (2022)
b) articles analysed in class during group discussions
c) text C (TBA)
N.B: The final exam consists of 4 open questions on the ENTIRE exam program; Sufficiency in both tests is mandatory to pass and record the final grade. It is not possible to record the final grade with grades <18.
Thesis assignment criteria
Interest in the discipline; active participation during the course; topic chosen for the final paper's assignment.
Week 1 Contenuto sessioni on line e on campus
Session 1 on campus (1h30’)
Introduction to the study of international relations: traditions of research and evolution of the discipline / Realism 1
Session 2 on campus (1h30’)
Realism 2
Session 3 online (45’)
Introduction to face-to-face activities / Orientation to international professions
Week 2 Contenuto sessioni on line e on campus
Session 1 on campus (1h30’)
Realism 3
Session 2 on campus (1h30’)
Liberalism 1
Session 3 online (45’)
International affairs/group project work
Week 3 Contenuto sessioni on line e on campus
Session 1 on campus (1h30’)
Liberalism 2
Session 2 on campus (1h30’)
Thematic Workshop
Session 3 online (45’)
Focus Current Affairs/group project work
Week 4 Contenuto sessioni on line e on campus
Session 1 on campus (1h30’)
Marxism
Session 2 online (1h30’)
Thematic Workshop
Session 3 on campus (45’)
Focus Current Affairs/group project work
Week 5 Contenuto sessioni on line e on campus
Session 1 on campus (1h30’)
Constructivism
Session 2 online (1h30’)
Thematic Workshop
Session 3 on campus (1h)
Focus Current Affairs/group project work
Week 6 Contenuto sessioni on line e on campus
Sessione 1 on campus (1h30)
FPA
Sessione 2 on campus (1h30’)
Thematic workshop
Sessione 3 online (45’)
Focus current affairs/group project work
Week 7 Contenuto sessioni on line e on campus
Session 1 on campus (2h)
Diplomacy
Session 2 on campus (1h30’)
Thematic Workshop
Session 3 online (1h)
Focus Current Affairs
Week 8 Contenuto sessioni on line e on campus
Session 1 on campus (1h30’)
IPE
Session 2 on campus (1h30’)
*Foreign and Defense Policy Module*
Session 3 on line(45’)
Focus Current Affairs/group project work
Week 9 Contenuto sessioni on line e on campus
Session 1 on campus (1h30’)
ISS
Session 2 on campus (1h30’)
*Foreign and Defense Policy Module*
Session 3 online (45)
Focus Current Affairs/group project work
Week 10 Contenuto sessioni on line e on campus
Session 1 on campus (1h30’)
Regionalism and Globalization
Session 2 on campus (1h30’)
*Foreign and Defense Policy Module*
Session 3 online (45’)
Focus Current Affairs/Group project work
Week 11 Contenuto sessioni on line e on campus
Session 1 on campus (1h30’)
Global Governance
Session 2 on campus (1h30’)
*Foreign and Defense Policy Module*
Session 3 online (45’)
Focus current affairs/Group project work
Week 12 Contenuto sessioni on line e on campus
Session 1 on campus (1h30’)
Global Politics
Session 2 on campus (1h30’)
Conclusions
Session 3 online (45’)
Q&A final exam