MVZ426 Realism in IR

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2011
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 9 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Pavel Pšeja, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Timetable
Mon 28. 2. 18:00–21:15 U42, Mon 7. 3. 18:00–21:15 U42, Mon 14. 3. 18:00–21:15 U42, Mon 28. 3. 18:00–21:15 U42, Mon 4. 4. 18:00–21:15 U42, Mon 18. 4. 18:00–21:15 U42
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 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of this course is to provide students with a detailed knowledge of realism, which is the key theory of the discipline of international relations. The emphasis is given to both significant contributions by major authors and issues mainly associated with realism. The course also seeks to introduce the position of realism vis-a-vis the other important theories, focusing primarily on recent development. This course has an interactive form. Every session will start with a short outline of the issue done by the lecturer and the main focus will then be given on discussion about topics accented in compulsory readings.
At the end of this course, students should be able to: understand and be able to explain in detail the development of realism; assess the significance and position of the theory within the discipline; assess the significance and contribution of the main issues, concepts and authors within realism.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Realism as a key theory, its role, historical origin and development
  • 3. Max Weber and Reinhold Niebhur as two main sources of ideas
  • 4. E. H. Carr - the founder of realism
  • 5. H. Morgenthau - the major proponent of realism
  • 6. G. Kennan and H. Kissinger - realism in practice
  • 7. K. Waltz - turning point in realism
  • 8. Human nature, anarchic structure of international enviroment - two basic cornerstones of realism
  • 9. System, state and power.
  • 10. Prospects and changes of realism at the and of 20th century
  • 11. Realism and practise - case study I.
  • 12.Realism and practise - case study II.
  • 13. Wrap-up session
Literature
  • GUZZINI, Stefano. Realismus v mezinárodních vztazích a mezinárodní politické ekonomii. Translated by Pavel Pšeja. 1. vyd. Brno: Barrister & Principal, 2004, 299 s. ISBN 8085947846. info
  • DONNELLY, Jack. Realism and international relations. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000, vii, 231. ISBN 0521597528. info
  • MORGENTHAU, Hans J. Politics among nations : the struggle for power and peace. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 1993, xvi, 419. ISBN 0070433062. info
  • WALTZ, Kenneth Neal. Theory of international politics. 1st ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 1979, 251 s. ISBN 0075548526. info
Teaching methods
The course relies upon the presentations prepared by the students, and upon subsequent in-class discussion of the opinions expressed in these presentations.
Assessment methods
During this course students' active participation is required. Students have to elaborate two reports and an essay. At the end of the course students have to pass a short final written examination.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2011/MVZ426