International Affairs

Objectives

The objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of world events, encouraging analytical and critical thought and examining the causes and consequences of interlinked processes in an international context. In an increasingly globalised world, international events have a greater impact on many areas of society, and the objective is for students to be able to apply some of the knowledge gained on this course in their future working and academic lives.

Learning outcomes

• Students are expected to develop a full understanding of the dynamics of the international system and to process knowledge and critically analyse world events.
• Students are expected to gain and show advanced knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects and of the work methodology in the fields of communication and international business.
• Students are expected to analyse their field of knowledge in the national and international context.
• Students will be asked to link disciplines traditionally central to the study of international affairs: economy, history, geography, economics and political studies for a better understanding of the past, to analyse the present and prepare for the future.
• Students will develop communication skills and improve debating skills.

Competencies

General skills

• Develop interpersonal skills and be able to work under pressure.
• Show motivation for personal improvement, concern for quality and ethical commitment.
• Use analysis and synthesis strategies in the treatment of information and in professional practice.

Specific skills

• Transfer the values ​​of equality, respect for human rights and social or personal diversity in all its dimensions to different contexts of professional practice.

Basic skills

• Students can communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialists and non-specialists.
• Students have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in a field of study that builds on general secondary education with the support of advanced textbooks and knowledge of the latest advances in this field of study.
• Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their field of study) in order to make judgements that include reflection on relevant social, scientific and ethical issues.

Core skills

• Become the protagonist of one's own learning process in order to achieve personal and professional growth and acquire all-round training for living and learning in a context of respect for linguistic, social, cultural, gender and economic diversity.
• Interact in international and worldwide contexts to identify needs and and new contexts for knowledge transfer to current and emerging fields of professional development, with the ability to adapt to and independently manage professional and research processes.
• Use oral, written and audiovisual forms of communication, in one's own language and in foreign languages, with a high standard of use, form and content.

Content

1. Course profile
2. Key concepts in International Relations
3. Theories: Realism, Liberalism, Critical approaches (Marxism, poststructuralism, feminism, ...)
4. Mapping conflicts: geography and levels of spatial analysis
5. Major actors in IR: states, intergovernmental organizations, transnational organizations
6. Identity and culture
7. War, peace and terrorism
8. Global challenges

Evaluation

• Participation in class and seminars: 20%
• Presentation 1 (in groups): 20%
• Final project (in groups): 30%
• One written test: 30%

At the end of the course, it is necessary to obtain a minimum of 5 out of 10 to pass the course. All the activities that have not been done or have not been turned in on the due date cannot be repeated and will count 0 points.

In the event that a student fails the course, the student will be able to repeat the written test and resubmit the Final project.

Methodology

The course consists of lectures, seminars and students' oral presentations. In lectures the teacher will give background knowledge and theory, and in the seminars the students will apply the knowledge gained in the lectures to real cases. Students will be given articles and exercises to prepare for the seminars and are expected to actively participate in seminar debates. The course will be conducted in English but students will not be assessed on their English ability but rather the content, analytical quality and originality of their work and contributions.

Bibliography

Bibliography

• Harari, Yuval Noah (2014). Sapiens: A brief history of humankind. London.
• Heywood, Andrew (2014). Global Politics (2 ed.). Palgrave MacMillan.
• Kaplan, Robert D. (2013). The Revenge of Geography: What the map tells us about coming conflicts and the battle against fate (2 ed.). Random House Trade Paperbacks.
• Marshall, Tim (2016). Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need To Know About Global Politics. Eliot & Thompson Ltd.
• Reus-Smith, Christian; Snidal, Duncal (ed.) (2010). The Oxford Handbook of International Relations. OUP.

Reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.