IRE101 Introduction to IR and EP

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2021
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Kateřina Fridrichová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. PhDr. Petr Kaniok, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Lenka Martínková (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, 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
Timetable
Tue 14:00–15:40 P52
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 40 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/40, only registered: 1/40
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
At the end of the course:
The students should acquire solid command of major concepts and issues of International Relations and European Studies.
The students should understand the logics of the operation of the international system in general, and of the European Union in particular.
The students should possess basic skills and competences to apply the historical and conceptual knowledge on the contemporary processes in the world and in the EU.
Learning outcomes
Students will gain appropriate understanding of major events, processes, and actors in international and European politics;
Students will understand the most important concepts and issues in the International Relations that constitute the underlying structure of modern international system;
Students will be able to explain key milestones of the integration process;
Students will be able to provide basic overview of EU decision making system, and content of the most important policies
Syllabus
  • 1) Introductory Session: International Relations as an Academic Discipline.
  • 2) History of International System
  • 3) The International System and its Actors
  • 4) Power and Security
  • 5) Conflict and Co-operation
  • 6) Foreign Policy and Decision-Making
  • 7) Mid-Term Exam
  • 8) Key milestones of the process of European integration
  • 9) Introduction to the European Studies
  • 10) EU Institutions and EU decision making system
  • 11) Key EU policies
  • 12) Challenges of recent development of the EU
  • 13) Semester-End Exam
Literature
    required literature
  • The globalization of world politics : an introduction to international relations. Edited by John Baylis - Steve Smith - Patricia Owens. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005, xxxvii, 81. ISBN 0199271186. URL info
    not specified
  • BUONANNO, Laurie and Neill NUGENT. Policies and policy processes of the European Union. Basingstoke, Hampshire [U.K.] ;: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013, xviii, 356. ISBN 9781403915146. info
  • NYE, Joseph S. Power in the global information age : from realism to globalization. London: Routledge, 2004, viii, 231. ISBN 0415700175. info
  • MCCORMICK, John. Understanding the European Union : a concise introduction. 2. ed. New York: Palgrave, 2002, xvi, 237 s. ISBN 0-333-94868-8. info
Teaching methods
Lectures combined with class discussions.
Assessment methods
The grading is based on the following assignments: Class essays: Each student is required to submit 6 short essays referring to the sessions 2-6 and 8-12 respectively, and dealing with the essay topics/questions assigned to each session. Please note there are ten sessions available, so out of these you can choose six to which you wish to submit your essay. Each essay must conform to formal requirements (font size 12, one-and-half spacing, appropriate referencing, and at least one additional resource beyond the assigned reading), and consist of two parts: summary of the readings (half a page), and your own views/criticism (up to 1 page). Essays must be uploaded into IS two days before the respective session is held. For each essay you can get up to 2 points; therefore, the overall value is up to 12 points. Mid-term exam: Students will receive two questions out of which you can respond to the one you prefer. The questions will be focused on topics included in the assigned readings/class sessions. Overall value up to 10 points. Final exam: The exam will consist of six questions (two at 6 points each, four at 4 points each). The questions will be focused on topics included in the assigned readings/class sessions. Overall value up to 28 points. The grading scale is as follows: F 0-29, E 30-32, D 33-35, C 36-38, B 39-42, A 43-50.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2022.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2021/IRE101