2019-2020 / SPOL0011-1

Theories of the international relations

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Master in political sciences : general (120 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general (120 ECTS) (CATANE (OUT))5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general (120 ECTS) (en Science, Technologie et Société (STS))5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general (120 ECTS) (CATANE (IN)), 1st year5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general (60 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...) (Faculté de Droit, de Sciences politique et de Criminologie)5 crédits 
 Master in population and development studies (120 ECTS)6 crédits 

Lecturer

Sébastian Santander

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

THE COURSE IS NOT ORGANIZED DURING THE YEAR 2019-2020. THE COURSE IS HELD EVERY EVEN YEAR (2020-2021, 2022-2023...).
HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE A COUPLE READING SESSIONS OF THE OBLIGATORY BOOK (SEE BELOW) FOR THE STUDENTS WHO MUST TAKE THE EXAM. THIS SESSION WILL BE ORGANIZED DURING THE QUADRIMESTER, SOMEWHERE IN OCTOBER.

THE EXAM WILL TAKE PLACE SOMEWHERE IN MAY OR JUNE 2020.

The course aims at analysing major theories of international relations and its criticisms: realism and néorealism, liberal and neoliberal, structuralism and constructivism. It also aims to introduce the students to the international political economy approach, which represents an important sub-discipline of International Relations. It also aims to study the effect of domestic politics on foreign policy decision making and on international relations. Futhermore, the course tackles a large amount of key concepts in international relations (balance of power, soft power, smart power, security dilemma, global governance, democratic peace, hegemony,...).  The course aims also at analysing major theories of international relations after the Cold War. Its objective is to introduce students to a conceptual approach to international relations in order to better understand both the current theoratical debate and the reality of international relations.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

To provide students a sound knowledge of what is going on the international stage and invite them to develop a critical view of things on the basis of the various theories we will consider.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Students need to have followed the course about "Introduction to international relations" (SPOL1203-1) or a similar course.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is Ex Cathedra one. The students are warmly invited to participate.
Furthermore, coaching is provided in smaller groups. This coaching will review the most difficult parts of the course.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

The presence of the students is important because a lot of case studies will be analysed in order to illustrate the theory. So the mode of delivery is a "face-to-face" one.

Recommended or required readings

The course is mostly based on notes prepared by the responsable of the course.
 
Obligatory reading for the exam:

TELO, Mario, Relations internationales. Une perspective européenne, Bruxelles, éditions de l'Université de Bruxelles, 2013.
Required reading chapters for the exam: from the introduction to chapter IX (156 pages).
The reading is available at "Point de Vue" (Campus: Sart Tilman) and at the libreray Graulich (Building B31).
 
Recommended reading:
BATTISTELLA, Dario, Théories des relations internationales, Paris, Presses de Sciences Po, 4e éditions, 2012, 760 p. SMOUTS, M-C, Les nouvelles relations internationales. Pratiques et théories, Paris, Presses de Sciences Po, 1998, 409 pages.

Assessment methods and criteria

WRITTEN EXAMINATION both in the first and second session (Open questions and may be Multiple Choice) for students who got the oral course..
ORAL EXAM only for students who dind't get the oral course (both in the first and second session).
The sutends who decided to take the exam during the academic year where the course is not given, must just study the following book:
- TELO, Mario, Relations internationales. Une perspective européenne, Bruxelles, éditions de l'Université de Bruxelles, 2013.
- Required reading chapters for the exam: from the introduction to chapter IX (156 pages).
 

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

To succeed the exam it is highly recommended to attend the course. In order to illustrate the theory, a lot of exemples are mentionning during the course.
So it is highly recommended to follow international news by reading the newspapers, listening to the radio, looking at television,...
It is also recommended to attend the coaching sessions organized in small groups.


The slides of the courses are put online as and when classes are held.
The document will be available on MyULg.

THE COURSE IS NOT ORGANIZED DURING THE YEAR 2019-2020. THE COURSE IS HELD EVERY EVEN YEAR (2020-2021, 2022-2023...).

Contacts

- Professor: Sebastian Santander (Office: R71, niveau 0 - tel. 04 366 30 46)

- Assistants:


Liridon Lika (Office R77, level 0 - tel. 04.366.42.59, Liridon.Lika@uliege.be)
 
Vincent Bricart (Office R77, level 0 - tel. 04.366.42.59, v.bricart@uliege.ac.be)
 

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

This is a biannual course which is not given this year.

Assessment subjects

The material is fully available in the following book: TELO, Mario, Relations internationales. Une perspective européenne (Bruxelles, éditions de l'Université de Bruxelles, 2013). Of the 242 pages, students need only study 150 pages (from the introduction to Chapter 9).

Assessment methods

Oral examination through the Lifesize videoconferencing platform recommended by the University of Liège.
August session: if the containment conditions require a remote evaluation in the 2nd session, an oral examination will be organized in place of the written examination through the Lifesize videoconferencing platform recommended by the University of Liège.

Contacts

Sebastian Santander
sebastian.santander@uliege.be
04/366 30 46

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

The material is fully available in the following book: TELO, Mario, Relations internationales. Une perspective européenne (Bruxelles, éditions de l'Université de Bruxelles, 2013). Of the 242 pages, students need only study 150 pages (from the introduction to Chapter 9).

Assessment methods

Oral examination through the Lifesize videoconferencing platform recommended by the University of Liège.

Contacts

Sebastian Santander sebastian.santander@uliege.be 04/366 30 46