Course 2011-2012 a.y.

Go to class group/s: 31

CLEAM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - CLEF (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - CLEACC (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - BESS-CLES (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04) - BIEMF (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  SPS/04)

Course Director:
PAOLO ROBERTO GRAZIANO

Course Objectives

The Course provides models, tools and insights to understand the international context by integrating economic analysis with the major theories of International Relations (IR). The Course is organized in two parts. The first part focuses on the contribution of IR theories to the understanding of the European integration process, the functioning of the European Institutions, and the foreign policy of the European Union and its member States. Specific attention will be also devoted to the impact of the crisis on the EU (and the Euro in particular) and to the current transatlantic relations. The second part will deal with the emergence of a new global player, the People's Republic of China, and her impact on bilateral and multilateral relations both from a political and economic perspective. This part will also provide the instruments to understand China’s increasingly assertive behaviour on the international scene.

Course Content Summary

SECTION ONE - Europe in the world: a declining power?

• Understanding International Relations: complementarity of the economic and political approach
• The European Union as a global actor: the Realist and Liberal views
• Functioning, voting system, and power distribution in the EU
• The P(I)IGS crisis: a political approach
• The contribution of IR theories to energy security in Europe
• The fight against climate change: the EU and the unequal international burden-sharing
• The EU and the US: the future of the transatlantic relations

SECTION TWO China in the world: the emerging power

• China’s development model amid growing integration into the world economy
• The evolution of China’s foreign policy: from ideology to pragmatism
• China’s relations with the US and the EU between interdependence and competition
• Integration in East Asia: relations with Japan, North Korea, and ASEAN
• China’s global reach: alliances in Africa and Latin America

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 covers the first half and the second half of the course respectively. In this case, the exam is 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.
Students who have NOT passed the exam yet for the previous year have to prepare the current program.

For information on recognition of exchange courses please contact prof. Paolo Graziano

Textbooks

• R. JACKSON, G. SORENSEN, Introduction to International Relations, Oxford University Press, 2010, fourth edition (chapters 2, 3, 4).
• D. GUTHRIE, China and Globalization, Routledge, 2009, Revised Edition
• A selection of articles and book chapters which will be made available as Coursepack at Mastercopy before the beginning of the course.

Exam textbooks & Online Articles (check availability at the Library)

Last change 13/05/2011 16:41