(in Polish) Introduction to International Relations

obligatory courses

Introduction to Politics 2102-ANG-L-D1ITPO

Classroom

The course is designed to acquaint students with institutions and issues surrounding the international system from the political, economic, social and security perspective, with special emphasis on the European dimension.

The program consists of three main modules divided into specific topics. In the first module students will discuss the current state of international relations and gain a thorough knowledge of theoretical approaches in IR/European studies. The second module will concentrate on political, economic, social and security aspects of international relations with the special focus on foreign policy, international security, international political economy and cultural aspect of international relations. The third module will deal with the process of globalization.

This course enables a basic study of International Relations. The purpose of this course is to provide a theoretical basis for understanding and analyzing contemporary international relations. The course is created to acquaint students with institutions and issues surrounding the international system from the political, economic, social and security perspective.

The program consists of three main modules divided into specific topics.

In the first module students will discuss the current state of international relations and gain the thorough knowledge (theoretical and practical) of

theoretical approaches in IR and in addition in the European studies taking into account that the theories of European integration are based on the IR theories.

The second module will concentrate on political, economic, social and security aspects of international relations with the special focus on: foreign

policy issues and foreign policy analysis, international security (the causes and effects of international conflict, regional security), international political economy with particular emphasis on the international trade and the WTO regime and cultural international relations.

The third module will deal with the process of globalization including the question of the role of state in the current international affairs, the institutional aspect (global governance and global civil society) as well as the challenges connected with the globalization.

During the course students discuss the aforementioned issues mainly with reference to the cases within the current world affairs. Full student’s input of work within the course: 125 hrs.

Basic literature:

1. Diez, Thomas, Bode, Ingvild and Fernandes da Costa Aleksandra ed., Key Concepts in International Relations, SAGE 2011.

Other literature

2. Alden, Chris and Aran Amnon, Foreign Policy Analysis. New Approaches, Routledge 2012.

3. Biscop, Sven, European Defence and PESCO: Don't Waste the Chance, IAI, 05/05/2020.

4. Burchill, Scott et al., Theories of International Relations, Palgrave Macmillan 2009.

5. Buzan, Barry and Lawson, George, The Global Transformation: History, Modernity and the Making of International Relations, Cambridge University Press 2016.

6. Carlsnaes, Walter, Risse Thomas and Simmons, Beth A. (eds.), Handbook of International Relations, 2nd Edition, SAGE 2012.

7. Cimino-Isaacs Cathleen D., Fefer Rachel F., Fergusson Ian F., World Trade Organization: Overview and Future Direction, Congressional Research Service, 2020.

8. Dryzek ,John S., Global Civil Society: The Progress of Post-Westphalian Politics, Annual Review of Political Science, Vol. 15, pp. 101-119.

9. Fox, Jonathan, The Multiple Impacts of Religion on International Relations: Perceptions and Reality, Politique étrangère, 4/2006.

10. Hill, Christopher, Foreign Policy in the Twenty-First Century, Palgrave Macmillan 2016.

11. Koenig-Archibugi, Mathias Is global democracy possible? European Journal of International Relations, Vol. 17, no. 3, 2011.

12. Lehne, Stefan, Is There Hope for EU Foreign Policy?, Carnegie Europe, December 2017.

13. NATO 2030: United for a New Era, 25 November 2020, www.nato.int

14. Reus-Smit, Christian and Snidal Duncan (eds.), Oxford Handbook of International Relations, Oxford University Press 2010.

15. Saurugger, Sabine, Theoretical Approaches to European Integration, Palgrave McMillan 2014.

16. Woolcock, Steve, The Role of the European Union in the International Trade and Investment Order, Dahrendorf Forum IV Working Paper No. 10, 11 April 2019

Student

Knowledge:

- Has a basic knowledge of IR as the academic discipline and IR theories

- Has a basic knowledge of determinants of events and processes within the international relations

- Has a basic knowledge of rules of functioning of the international system as well as the organizations being its part – in comparative perspective

- Has a basic knowledge of decision-making processes in international relations

Skills:

- Has the skill to understand reasons and course of phenomena in world affairs and to predict the international developments as well as to explain the role of social, economic and cultural structures at the international arena

- Has the skill in assessment of effectiveness of activities in international relations

Social competences:

– Is able to observe and interpret critically events and processes within the international relation as well as see relationship between them

The students will be assessed the basis of their whole semester performance. The final grade will be based on combination of factors that include (however students can not complete the course without passing the final exam):

1. Class participation - 25% of the grade. This includes regular attendance as well as meaningful participation in class discussions. No more than two unexcused absences will be allowed in this course.

2. Group project - 25% of the grade

3. Final test - 50% of the grade (the test will require to demonstrate knowledge of all material covered during the course – readings, lectures and class discussions; the structure of exam will involve a combination of multiple choice questions and essay questions)