IRE106 Global Politics: Current Issues

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2019
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Barbora Halašková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Kateřina Fridrichová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, 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
Mon 14:00–15:40 P24
Prerequisites
You are expected to have a good command of English – a minimum of B2 level (CEFR) or equivalent – in order to follow the course. You should be able to understand oral presentations as well as the main ideas of academic texts on different topics. You are encouraged to engage in class activities and discussions. Throughout the semester you will be asked to produce three position papers on an assigned topic.
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 50 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/50, only registered: 0/50
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course is designed to provide you with an understanding of the key dynamics, most essential topics and fundamental debates in the contemporary Global Politics. This means looking at the broad range of actors, structures, and issues on the international scene. The main objective of this course is to acquire empirical knowledge about Global Politics and to provide a solid, elaborate picture of forces at play in the global context.
Part I will provide you a basic introduction to Global Politics and how the current international system came into being. This part presents a conceptual and theoretical framework about how to study global politics. In Part II we will look at the effects of globalization and different actors on the world stage, in particular states, international organizations, and non-state actors. You will explore the political aspects and logic behind the creation of alliances and relations among them. In Part III we will study the problems connected to energy security, climate, environmental issues and role of gender. It will also look at the effectiveness of soft power in world politics. Part IV will look at economic aspects and explore the major trends in the contemporary world, such as international trade, population growth, migration, development, and debt crisis. You will also get familiar with the challenges connected to global peace and conflicts. In Part V you will get familiar with the ethics in International Relations and the role of religion in IR.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
• define the theories, concepts, and approaches employed in the study of Global Politics and International Relations to both historical and contemporary events and processes
• discuss the major historical developments in Global Politics and International Relations
• explain the role of important actors and their influence on the economic, political, cultural and security dimensions of the international system
• identify relevant forces which defines the dynamics of Global Politics
• interpret contemporary issues and concerns of modern life
Syllabus
  • 1) Introduction to the course: The nature of Global Politics
  • 2) Post-Cold War order
  • 3) Globalizatization
  • 4) Actors in World Politics
  • 5) Human security and environmental issues
  • 6) Gender in World Politics
  • 7) Effectiveness of Soft Power
  • 8) International development
  • 9) Population growth and migration
  • 10) READING WEEK, NO LECTURE
  • 11) Peace and conflict in Global Politics
  • 12) Religion in IR
  • 13) International ethics in IR
Literature
    required literature
  • LAMY, Steven L. Introduction to global politics. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013, xxxiii, 51. ISBN 9780199934072. info
    recommended literature
  • HEYWOOD, Andrew. Politics. 3rd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007, xvii, 478. ISBN 9780230524972. info
  • • Richard J. Payne. 2011. Global issues : politics, economics, and culture. Boston: Longman.
  • • Paul Collier and David Dollar. 2002. Globalization, Growth and Poverty. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • • Daniel W. Drenzer. 2008. All Politics Is Global : Explaining International Regulatory Regimes. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press.
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures by the course lecturers, class discussions, readings and written assignments (position papers). Students are expected to actively participate in the lectures: do the required readings for each class; come with notes and questions for the lecturer and other students; actively engage in the class activities.
Assessment methods
To complete the course and be eligible for a grade, you are required to:
1) Submit three position papers (PP) on the given text from the provided list. Each PP needs to have a length 2200-2400 words without literature. Submit the PP to the given folder in IS (Study Materials/Homework Vaults). You will receive a constructive feedback on all PPs. No late submissions. A supporting document “How to write a position paper” will be Available in IS.
2) Pass a Midterm written exam. The exam will be composed of multiple-choice questions from the lectures and required readings. In order to be accepted for the Final exam, you need to pass a Midterm exam. If necessary, you will have a chance to repeat the Midterm exam.
3) Pass a Final written exam. The exam will be composed of open questions from the lectures and required readings.

GRADING
• Position papers (3 x10 points, max. 30 points): evaluation A-F.
• Midterm written exam (max. 30 points): evaluation A-F.
• Final written exam (max. 30 points): evaluation A-F.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2018, Spring 2020, Spring 2021.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2019, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2019/IRE106