Course 2015-2016 a.y.

30196 - INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS


CLEAM - CLEF - CLEACC - BESS-CLES - BIEMF

Department of Social and Political Sciences

Course taught in English

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:
MASSIMO MORELLI

Classes: 31 (II sem.)
Instructors:
Class 31: MASSIMO MORELLI



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 single currency also in light of the impact of today's economic crisis. The second part deals with the global challenges to international relations related to conflict. We will analyze the incentives to enter conflict of various kinds by State and non State actors, and the necessary modification of our perspective after the end of the cold war and the growing role of China.

Course Content Summary

SECTION ONE - Europe:

  • 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.
  • From the introduction of the Euro to today's economic crisis: the contribution of IR theories.

SECTION TWO - Conflict, trade and development

  • From Hobbes to Kant and the democratic peace school of thought.
  • Democratization, decolonization and the consequences on civil war onset.
  • From the deterrence of balanced powers to local threats.
  • The impact of geography and natural resources on modern international relations and conflict potential.

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

Students must take a general written exam covering the entire course material. Students who have NOT passed the exam yet for the previous year have to prepare the current program.

Gli studenti dovranno sostenere una prova finale generale che coprirà l’intero programma del corso. Gli studenti che non abbiano ancora superato l’esame dell’anno scorso dovranno preparare il programma attuale.


Textbooks

Textbooks to be defined
Exam textbooks & Online Articles (check availability at the Library)
Last change 27/03/2015 12:44