2024-2025 / ERAS0001-1

International Relations Organizations

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Master in political sciences : general, professional focus in European policies - Euro-Mediterranean relations (CATANE (OUT))5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general, professional focus in European policies - Euro-Mediterranean relations (CATANE (IN)), 1st year5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general (60 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...) (Faculty of Law, Political Science and Criminology)5 crédits 
 Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Madeleine-Marie Hubin

Language(s) of instruction

English 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

In order to understand the evolution of the globalised economic environment and help future executives make the right decisions it is necessary to figure out how international organisations work, what their role is in global governance and how they impact international relations. The objective of this course is to present, analyse and understand the working of international organisations, of their bodies and of the actors taking part in the decision-making process, all of this in the framework of the international legal system.

The following topics are covered:

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

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 learning unit

 Learning outcomes:
- Analysis of power, administration and organisational stakes of our globalised society in order to be able to propose appropriate solutions.
- Use of an applied scientific approach.
- Development of critical mind to operational and strategic ends.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

There is no prerequisite for this course but a strong interest in international relations and globalisation.Students must have a good level of English (B2) that will allow them to participate actively in class activities and make presentations.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Ex-cathedra course. The student is given questions on the topic of the day and is invited to reflect and take an active part in class. A group research project is also proposed to the students in which the team members must do some research on an organisational problem encountered by an international organisation (name drawn in class). The findings of this case study, requiring the use of the Internet and other media, are then presented to the class.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face teaching.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège
- LOL@


Further information:

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, 42nd edition, 2017.
  • BAYLIS J., SMITH S. and OWENS P., The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations, 9th edition, OUP, 2022.
  • HURD I., International Organizations, Politics, Law, Practice, 5th edition, Cambridge University Press, 2024.
  • LAGANE G., Questions internationales en fiches, Ellipses Editions, 2014.
  • ROBERT A-C, SCIORA R., Qui veut la mort de l'ONU?, Editions Eyrolles, 2019.
  • PARK S, International Organisations and Global Problems, Cambridge University Press, 2018.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire )


Further information:

  • Case study (25%): Team analysis of an organisational issue faced by an international organisation and presentation of the findings in class.
  • Group report (25%): based on the critical analysis of the issue will be handed in by the team at the end of the semester.
  • Multiple-Choice Questions test (50%): will take place on 12 December 2024.
 












  • Re-sit in August: Multiple-Choice Questions test (50%) and 5-page report on the working of an international organisation (50%).

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

  • Slides and all information available on Lol@.
  • The course is taught on Thursdays from 1:00 to 3:00 N1d 0/86 starting 19 September 2024.

Contacts

Madeleine- Marie Hubin

office 2/17 in N1a

Tel: 04/ 232 72 86 (office)

Mobile: +32 (0) 495 230 572

Email: mmhubin@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs