Study Programmes 2015-2016
ERAS0001-1  
International Relations Organizations
Duration :
30h Th
Number of credits :
Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...)5
Lecturer :
Madeleine-Marie Hubin
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
Introduction: international law.
1. Definition of international law 2. National sovereignty 3. Quality of international law 4. Respect of international law 5. Origin of international law 6. International law and international organizations
Chapter I: treaties
1. Definition of treaties 2. Elaboration of treaties 3. Problems linked with the entry into force of treaties 4. Effects of treaties 5. Termination of treaties
Chapter II: the means of international organizations
1. Legal status 2. Financial means 3. International civil servants
Chapter III: the United Nations
1. History 2. Composition 3. Structures 4. Main UN bodies and their working 5. Powers of the U.N.
Chapter IV: specialized organizations of economic nature
1. The World Bank (IBRD, IFC, IDA, MIGA, ICSID) 2. The International Monetary Fund 3. The World Trade Organization 4. Overview of other economic organizations (UNOID, ILO, WOIP, ITU, etc.)
Chapter V: the European Union
1. History and objectives of the European construction. 2. Institutions of the European Union. 3. Latest developments
Learning outcomes of the course :
In order to understand economic developments and for managers to make the right decisions it is necessary to understand the working of international organisations, their role in global governance and their impact on international relations. Presentation of the political and institutional framework of globalization.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
There is no prerequisite for this course but a strong interest in international relations and globalisation, as well as a good level of English that will allow students to participate actively in class activities and make presentations.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Ex-cathedra course and student research project. Use of the Internet, and exchange of information in class through a weekly press review.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face teaching.
Recommended or required readings :
Required:
  • Slides available on Lol@
  • Graphs and geo-strategic maps.
  • Press, the Internet, websites of International Organisations, etc.
For more information:
  • The United Nations Today, Basic facts about the UN, 2008.
  • BAYLIS J., SMITH S. and OWENS P., The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations, 6th edition, OUP, 2014.
Assessment methods and criteria :
  • Case study (50%) Team analysis of a current issue faced by an international organisation and presentation in class. A written report on the issue will also be handed in by the team at the end of the semester.
  • Multiple-Choice Questions test (15 December 2015) (50%)
  • Re-sit in August: Multiple-Choice Questions test (50%) and 5-page report on the working of an international organisation (50%).
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Slides and all information available on Lol@. Course taught every Tuesday from 13:30 to 15:30 in 126 (N1) starting on 22 September 2015.
Contacts :
Madeleine Hubin office 207 in N1 (second floor, street-side). Tel: 04/ 232 72 86 Mail: mmhubin@ulg.ac.be