MVE141 Introduction to the Study of World Politics: Basic Theories and Debates

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2003
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Gergana Císařová Dimitrova, M.A. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Markéta Pitrová, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Timetable
Mon 12:00–13:30 J.516
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
Aims of the Course. The purpose of this course is twofold. First, students will be introduced to important concepts and theories in the study of world politics and will discuss their strengths and weaknesses. The course will cover both traditional and non-traditional modes of thinking about world politics. Particular emphasis will be put on identifying the underlying assumptions on which the different ways of theorizing international relations rest. Second, the course aims to help students think critically about the possibilities and limits of theoretical research in international relations. It should not only show how these theories can be used to analyze 'given' events but also how the understanding of these very events is itself constructed by different theories. The idea is to develop and enhance students' abilities to detect implicit methodological, theoretical, and normative assumptions in academic texts. In order to achieve this second goal of the course, students will be encouraged to critically apply the concepts and theories we are discussing to the analysis of current international affairs. The course has been designed so that it could be of interest to both beginners and more advanced students who want to brush upon their knowledge of the 'classics' in international relations and get acquainted with new theoretical projects such as constructivism and poststructuralism. The course consists of seminars based on students' presentations followed by discussions involving everyone. Presentations are of two types: (1) a summary of the required readings and (2) two or three critiques of the readings. Readings, presentations and discussions are in English; hence, students are expected to have good knowledge of the English language.
Syllabus (in Czech)
  • The syllabus will be distributed during the first class.
Assessment methods (in Czech)
Course Requirements 1. Students are expected to read the required reading(s) for each seminar. The suggested reading is only for those who have special interest in the topic and is completely optional. Please note that if there are two or three shorter required readings rather than one long, you are expected to read all of them. 2. Seminar participation. This is not a course consisting of lectures. The seminars will be in the form of discussions involving everyone. Students are expected to actively participate in these discussions. 3. Seminar presentations. Every student is expected to have two presentations during the semester. Each student can choose one of the following combinations: (1) once present a summary of the class's readings and once make a critique of the readings for another class. (2) twice present critiques of the readings. Presentation Guidelines will be distributed during the first class. N.B. The two combinations are necessary because the number of students in the class for now is around 30, while there can be only 10 summaries. However, please note that it is necessary to have a summary in each class. Therefore, if the number of students is diminished later on, you might be asked to have a summary and a critique rather than two critiques. 4. Final Paper. Students are expected to submit a 7 to 10-page long final paper after the end of the course. Papers should be submitted in printed form. Final Paper Guidelines will be distributed during the first class. Evaluation Students who want to get a passing grade should fulfill all of the following: have two acceptable presentations; submit an acceptable final paper before the specified deadline but no earlier than the end of the course; be frequently present in the classes; regularly read the required readings; make a fair effort to participate in in-class discussions.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2003/MVE141