International Relations

Year
0
Academic year
2019-2020
Code
01013304
Subject Area
Área Científica do Menor
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Elective
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

Lectures and debate classes.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the semester the student must be able to:

 

- Understand how the International System has evolved and how important are the new actors in the international arena

- Identify accurately the main theoretical approaches to International Relations and understand their relevance to the analysis of World Politics

- Identify the problems that dominate the Global Agenda and the obstacles that prevent their resolution

- Apply the theoretical framework to the analysis of case-studies.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I. Introductory concepts

1.1 International System 

1.2 Power; Polarity; Polarization

1.3 The levels of analysis

 

II. Historical Systems

2.1 The modern state system

2.2 The balance of power system in the XIX century

2.3 The system between wars

2.4 The Cold War bipolar system

2.5 Which system is emerging?

 

III. Theories of international relations

3.1 Realist Theory

3.2 Liberal Theory

3.3 Radical or Critical Perspectives

 

IV. Global Security Policies

4.1 Managing insecurity: Realist vs. Liberal approach

4.2 Types of wars

4.3 The new threats to international security: the globalization of terrorism

 

V. Foreign policy decision-making

5.1 Global determinants

5.2 Domestic determinants

5.3 Individual determinants

 

VI. Non-state actors and the challenge of global governance

6.1 Types of non-state actors

6.2 Non-state actors’ role

 

VII. Global Agenda

7.1 The globalization of world politics

7.2 The new issues on the global agenda.

 

Head Lecturer(s)

Vanda Rafaela Amaro Dias

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Resolution Problems: 20.0%
Synthesis work: 30.0%
Frequency: 50.0%

Bibliography

Bueno de Mesquita, Bruce. 2014. Principles of International Politics. 5th ed. London: Sage.

 

Handler, Scott P., ed. 2013. International Politics: Classic and Contemporary Readings. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage CQ Press.

 

Kegley, Charles and Shannon Blanton. 2013. World Politics Trends and Transformation 2012-2013 ed. Boston: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

 

Mingst, Karen, and Ivan Arrequín Toft. 2010. Essentials of International Relations. 5th ed. New York: W. W. Norton.

 

Nau, Henry R. 2012. Perspectives on International Relations: Power, Institutions, Ideas. 3rd ed. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press. 

 

Rourke, John. 2013. Taking Sides: Clashing Views in World Politics. Dubuque, Iowa: McGrow-Hill