6168 - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
CLEAM - CLES - CLEF - BIEM - CLEACC
Department of Social and Political Sciences
Course taught in English
CARLO SECCHI
Course Objectives
This course provides models and tools to understand the dynamic of international politics, with particular reference to the transition from the late twentieth century to the current international context. The course is organized in three parts. The first part is a general introduction to the fundamental features of the international political system, as well as to the main approaches to International Relations Theory. The second part provides the criteria to understand the single historical international contexts and, therefore, the present one. The last part focuses on European Union as an international political actor.
Course Content Summary
SECTION ONE- Introduction: the fundamental features of international politics
- The historical anomaly of modern international politics. Towards the decline of inter-state politics?
- A theoretical framework for International RelationsTheory. Idealism and realism
- The contemporary replies to realism: Neo-marxism, liberal institutionalism and constructivism
SECTION TWO
- How to understand an international context. The distribution of power
- The geographical dimensions of the international arena
- Culture and ideology: homogeneous international systems and heterogeneous international systems
- The degree of institutionalization
- From international politics to foreign policy. Do different political regimes pursue different foreign policies?
SECTION THREE
- Power allocation and decision making in the European Union
- The European Union as an international actor
- The Euro, European integration and International Relations Theories
- The future of the EU
Detailed Description of Assessment Methods
Esame in forma scritta a fine corso, con una prova intermedia in forma scritta a metà corso.
For information on recognition of exchange courses please contact prof. Paolo Graziano
Textbooks
Per le prime due parti
- R. JACKSON, G. SORENSEN, Introduzione alle Relazioni Internazionali, Milano, EGEA, 2008
or
- R. JACKSON, G. SORENSEN, Introduction to International Relations, Oxford University Press, 2009.
Per la Terza Parte:
Gruppo 51
- S. GIUSTI, A. LOCATELLI (a cura di), L’Europa sicura, Milano, EGEA, 2008
- Altre letture verranno indicate all'inizio del Corso.
Gruppo 52
- COURSE PACK
A more detailed reading list is distributed at the beginning of the course and published on the YOU&B
Course Objectives
This Course provides models and tools to understand the dynamic of international politics, by analyzing the evolution of international relations since the end of Second World War. The Course is organized in two parts. The first part is a general introduction to the main theories of international relations. The second part concerns the emergence of new global players, with focus on power relationships between People's Republic of China, United States, and Europe.
Course Content Summary
SECTION ONE
- Introduction; how to define International Relations
- A theoretical framework for International Relations
- The Liberalism, the Realism, the Interdependence theory
- The Foreign Policy
- New global players in International Relations
SECTION TWO
- The emergence of the People's Republic of China (PRC) as a regional power
- The relationship between the PRC and the US; the Taiwan issue
- Implications for the US foreign policy; a different power balance between the PRC and the US?
- The relationship between the PRC and Europe
The integration of the PRC in East Asia and worldwide; alliances in Africa and Latin America; towards a dialogue between the PRC and India.
Detailed Description of Assessment Methods
Written exam. There are two options. Students may take the exam in two written parts: a 1st partial exam and a 2nd partial exam which will cover the first half and the second half of the course respectively. In this case, the exam will be considered as passed only if both exams are graded at least 18/30. Alternatively, students may take a general exam covering the entire course material.
For information on recognition of exchange courses please contact prof. Paolo Graziano
Textbooks
- R. JACKSON, G. SORENSEN, Introduction to International Relations, Oxford University Press, 2007.
A more detailed reading list will be distributed at the beginning of the course.