|
Instructors: Prof. Dr. Lisbeth Zimmermann
Event type:
Seminar / exercise
Org-unit: Politics, Administration & International Relations
Displayed in timetable as:
Internat, Relation
Hours per week:
3
Credits:
6,0
Location:
Campus der Zeppelin Universität
Language of instruction:
Englisch
Min. | Max. participants:
5 | 30
Priority scheme: Standard-Priorisierung
Course content:
Why are IR scholars so obsessed with theory? What are they talking about when they refer to realism, liberalism, constructivism, critical theory or practice theory? Why are European Union scholars talking about spill-over, diffusion, or multi-level governance? And why should any of this matter to you?
This class helps you orient yourself in the muddle of IR theories! It discusses why “theory” is so important in shaping our thinking about policy options. It also uses a host of empirical examples to apply and critically discuss these theoretical tools.
Educational objective:
Students should be able to
- discuss the role of theory in understanding international and European politics;
- apply theoretical assumptions to empirical problems and cases;
- critically analyze the limits of specific theoretical schools.
Further information about the exams:
30% history of reception of one theoretical school (group presentation); 20% book review; 50% Essay applying one theory/author to a current political event/a current political situation.
Mandatory literature:
Dunne, Tim / Kurki, Milja / Smith, Steve (2013, eds.): International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity, Oxford: Oxford University Press
|
