|
Lehrende: Dr. phil. Max Lesch
Veranstaltungsart:
Seminar / Übung
Orga-Einheit: Politics, Administration & International Relations
Anzeige im Stundenplan:
Internat, Relation
Semesterwochenstunden:
3
Credits:
6,0
Standort:
Campus der Zeppelin Universität
Unterrichtssprache:
Englisch
Min. | Max. Teilnehmerzahl:
5 | 30
Prioritätsschema: Standard-Priorisierung
Inhalte:
How can we explain political dynamics between and beyond states? In this module, students get introduced to key concepts of International Relations and European Integration theories. It discusses why “theory” is important in shaping our thinking about policy options. We discuss the concepts of anarchy, sovereignty, institutions, weapons, law, integration, diplomacy, human rights and normativity through different theoretical lenses. Students apply these concepts and theoretical insights to current issues in international and European politics. Are we facing a new nuclear arms race? How can we make sense of the Brexit saga? Is diplomacy a peaceful means of world politics or does it facilitate armed conflict? Can international law constrain state behaviour? In discussing these questions students learn how to use theoretical tools for the analysis of world politics and how to criticise theoretical claims and political events.
Lernziele:
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 analyse the limits of specific theoretical schools.
Weitere Informationen zu den Prüfungsleistungen:
30% student presentation on a current issue in international or European politics
70% research paper applying one concept/theory to a recent event or current situation
Literatur:
Dunne, Tim / Kurki, Milja / Smith, Steve (2013, eds.): International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Wiener, Antje / Börzel, Tanja A. / Risse, Thomas (2019, eds.): European Integration Theory, 3rd Edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Modulbeschreibung:
This class is based on the close reading and discussing of central texts in International Relations and European Integration as well as student presentations on current issues in world politics.
Each session features two (sometimes three) texts as essential reading obligatory for all students. Part of the obligatory reading is one feedback paper each student writes in the course of the term for one class (not the session she or he is presenting in). Feedback papers are 1-2 pages long and discuss all of the essential texts: What are the questions the authors address? How understand they the key concept? What is your opinion on the different takes? In class, the feedback givers should be able to provide a short comment (2-5 minutes) on the readings.
Examination for this class is based on (1) a student presentation in one of the sessions (30%) and (2) a research paper at the end of term (70%).
1) Student presentation
Students (one to two) prepare a presentation (20 min) on the current issue listed in each session. The objective is to 1) present the central aspects of this issues and 2) to link it to the key concept of the session by relating it to the main theoretical claims and controversies. Please use PowerPoint. The last page of your PowerPoint should include the references you used. Please send the PowerPoints at least two days before the presentation date to max.lesch@zu.de!
2) Research paper
In the research paper (10-12 pages), students apply one of the key concepts and the theoretical approaches to a current political event/or to the current international/European system. Ideally, students follow up on their presentations in class. Students develop a research question and answer it in the paper. The research paper should summarise the main conceptual issues and theoretical claims and justify why it chooses a specific event/aspect. It should also explain the method and empirical material used. Students apply the theoretical concepts to the event/chosen aspects in an empirical analysis. In a last step, they should critically discuss the findings. The papers engage with the literature discussed in class and further material.
Include a references list with all sources (original texts) and literature used (referenced) in the paper at the end of the text (at least ten academic references: handbooks, textbooks, reviews, books/journal articles). Please discuss your abstract/outline beforehand with me!
Wenn Sie E-Learning Funktionalitäten nutzen möchten, tragen Sie bitte "Ja" ein.:
Ja
|
