IREb1010 Theory of International Relations and European Integration.

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Monika Brusenbauch Meislová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Vladan Hodulák, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Monika Brusenbauch Meislová, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! IRE110 Theory of IR+EU integration && !NOW( IRE110 Theory of IR+EU integration ) && !SEMESTR(1) && !SEMESTR(2)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The module is conceived to give the students a basic insight into the main theories that emerged during the development of the discipline of International Relations. After the basic introduction to the main concepts in theories of international relations the attention is drawn to those that are embraced as the most important within the discipline of International Relations. Within the lectures, the students are given examples that demonstrate the applicability of the discussed theories to the recent events. The module also presents an overview of both traditional and critical theories and approaches to European integration and their intellectual history. In order to demonstrate today’s relevance of European integration theories, it applies these theories and approaches to current developments, challenges and crises of the European Union. At the same time, the module points out to how these theories and approaches are interrelated with general IR theories.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students should be able to: understand and be able to explain the theoretical background of the International Relations discipline and EU studies and to use acquired knowledge for further analysis of any problem that could be encountered within the discipline.
Syllabus
  • 1) Introduction (Vladan Hodulák)
  • 2) Realism (Vladan Hodulák)
  • 3) Liberalism (Vladan Hodulák)
  • 4) Constructivism (Vladan Hodulák)
  • 5) Federalism, Functionalism and Neofunctionalism (Monika Brusenbauch Meislová)
  • 6) Liberal Intergovernmentalism (Monika Brusenbauch Meislová)
  • 7) Economic structuralism and Marxism (Vladan Hodulák)
  • 8) Introduction to postpositivist theories (Vladan Hodulák)
  • 9) Institutionalist Approaches (Monika Brusenbauch Meislová)
  • 10) Governance Approaches and Discursive Approaches (Monika Brusenbauch Meislová)
  • 11) Students' presentations I (Vladan Hodulák)
  • 12) Students' presentations II (Vladan Hodulák)
  • 13) Students' presentations III (Monika Brusenbauch Meislová)
Literature
    required literature
  • BAYLIS, John, Steve SMITH and Patricia OWENS. The globalization of world politics : an introduction to international relations. 9th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2023, xxiii, 623. ISBN 9780192898142. info
  • International relations theories : discipline and diversity. Edited by Steve Smith - Timothy Dunne - Milja Kurki. Fifth edition. Oxford: Oxford university press, 2021, xxiv, 396. ISBN 9780198814443. info
  • European integration theory. Edited by Antje Wiener - Tanja Anita Börzel - Thomas Risse-Kappen. Third edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2019, xvi, 336. ISBN 9780198737315. info
  • SAURUGGER, Sabine. Theoretical approaches to European integration. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014, x, 294. ISBN 9780230251434. info
Teaching methods
Due to the character of the module’s content, the class takes place mainly in the form of lectures. Readings serve to broaden and deepen the spectrum of knowledge students acquire during lectures.
There is no attendance policy for the lectures. The students are, however, encouraged to actively participate in the lectures by asking questions since the information delivered there serves as a basis for seminar discussions.
The students have to be present at the seminar during which they are expected to deliver their presentation and peer review. Students are required to a) write a paper and give a presentation on a given topic and b) write a peer review of another group’s paper. This should be done in groups of 2-3 people. The detailed information including the dates, topics and specific instructions on the content of the papers, presentations and peer reviews will be made available in a dedicated document in the study materials of the course in the information system (IS) of the university during the first week of the semester.
Assessment methods
1. Group paper and presentation (15 points) and peer review of another group’s paper (5 points)
2. The final written examination, maximum 30 points.
The final grade will be determined by the result of the written exam (max 40 points):
“A” grade 46-50 points
“B” grade 42-45 points
“C” grade 38-41 points
“D” grade 34-37 points
“E” grade 30-33 points
“F” grade fewer than 29 points
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
Teacher's information
The detailed syllabus will be available in the course-related instructions in the IS of the university.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/IREb1010