Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The objective of this course is to familiarize students with the major paradigms of international relations. The course will focus on the dominant (orthodox) theories of international relations, including realist and neorealist approaches, as well as the liberal interdependence paradigm, constructivism, and will also address critical, alternative, and perspectivist (heterodox) theories. The sub-discipline of International Relations which is international political economy, and the theories emphasizing the importance of the weight of internal state factors on international politics will also be analyzed. Furthermore, 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,...). Finally, the course aims at analyzing 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 theoretical debate and the reality of international relations.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
To enable students to acquire a solid understanding of the conceptual tools available for a better critical understanding of international relations and the foreign policy of states, and to develop the ability to apply these theories and concepts in practical analyses
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
This course includes several learning methods:
- lectures
- readings sessions
- flipped classroom
- Viewing and analysis of documentaries or TV series on International Relations topics and concepts
- Guest speaker
- short weekly assessments on wooclap
Regarding the short weekly assessments on Wooclap, they will focus on the readings of the day.
There will be a total of 10 quizzes throughout the semester, each consisting of approximately half a dozen questions.
Students must complete all 10 quizzes to be eligible for the 2-point bonus. To receive this bonus, they must achieve at least 60% correct answers across all quizzes.
Students are allowed up to two absences from the 10 quizzes. Beyond these two absences, they will no longer be eligible for the bonus.
The assessment will start from the second live class via the WOOCLAP application. It is therefore strongly recommended to have a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to connect with your ULiège credentials.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège
Further information:
Obligatory readings for the exam:
- Alex Macleod « La théorie des RI » dans Thierry Balzacq et Frédéric Ramel, Traité de Relations internationales, Paris, Science po, 2013, pp. 989-1018;
- Tim Dunne et Brian C. Schmidt, « Le réalisme » dans John Baylis, Steve Smith et Patricia Owens, La globalisation de la politique mondiale, Montréal, Modulo, 2012, pp. 87-103
- Stéphane Roussel, « Libéralisme. Projet théorique et doctrine normative », dans Dario Battistella, Relations internationales. Bilan et perspectives, Paris, Ellipses, pp. 93-111.
- Steven L. Lamy, « Les principales théories contemporaines : le néoréalisme et le néolibéralisme », dans John Baylis, Steve Smith et Patricia Owens, La globalisation de la politique mondiale, Montréal, Modulo, 2012, pp. 122-138.
- Stephen Hobden et Richard Wyn Jones, « Les théories marxistes des relations internationales » dans John Baylis et all. La globalisation de la politique mondiale, Montréal, Modulo, 2011, pp. 139-156.
- Dan O'Meara, « Le constructivisme », dans Axel Macleod et Dan O'Meara, Théories des relations internationales. Contestations et résistances, Québec, Athéna Éditions, 2010, pp. 243-266.
- Tickner J. Ann, « L'identité de genre en politique mondiale », dans John Baylis, Steve Smith et Patricia Owens, La globalisation de la politique mondiale, Montréal, Modulo, 2012, pp. 271-286
- Benessaieh Afef, « La perspective postcoloniale », dans Axel Macleod et Dan O'Meara, Théories des relations internationales. Contestations et résistances, Québec, Athéna Éditions, 2010, pp. 365-375.
- Alex Arnoldy, « Genre versus néolibéralisme ? Une lecture post-coloniale de l'intégration
du genre dans les politiques de la banque mondiale », CEFIR Working Paper, N° 15,
Septembre 2024, pp. 1-27.
- Santander Sebastian, « Économie politique internationale », dans Mario Telò, Relations internationales : une perspective européenne, 2013, pp. 69-76 (Chapitre III).
- Mario Telò, « Les théories de la politique étrangère. L'impact des facteurs internes », dans Mario Telò, Relations internationales. Une perspective européenne, Bruxelles, éditions de l'université de Bruxelles, 2013, pp. 141-156 (Chapitre IX).
- Vincent Bricart, « Le Congrès américain et les pouvoirs de guerre : de la théorie à la pratique », CEFIR Working Paper, N° 3, Novembre 2017, pp. 1-19.
The readings are available in paper version at the "Point de vue" or in digital version by clicking on the following link : https://hdl.handle.net/2268/322119
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Further information:
The evaluation consists of a written exam with open-ended questions covering the material addressed through all course activities: lectures, texts, documentary and TV series viewings, guest lectures.
Since the questions will cover all the pedagogical activities, it is strongly advised for students to attend classes to ensure adequate preparation for the exam.
The written exam will take place on January 2025.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Relevance and Accuracy: Answers must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the concepts covered in the course.
- Critical Analysis: Ability to analyze and critique information from lectures, readings, and other activities.
- Application of Theories: Ability to apply the theories and concepts learned to practical situations or case studies.
- Clarity and Organization: Answers should be clearly structured and well-argued.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course has been significantly modified.
The course is now organized around the logic of learning objectives (Bloom's taxonomy), a framework that classifies levels of learning from simple memorization of facts to more complex levels such as analysis and evaluation.
With this approach, the course adopts a progressive structure aimed at achieving increasingly complex levels of understanding and competency.
To reach these objectives, various educational activities have been incorporated, such as lectures, flipped classroom sessions, guest speaker presentations, text readings, documentary analyses, and short assessments.
The course also places a strong emphasis on student participation.
Contacts
- Holder: professor Sebastian Santander, Center for International Relations Studies (CEFIR), B31, niveau 0, Bureau R.71 ; Tel. : 043 66 30 46, sebastian.santander@uliege.be
- Assistants:
Vincent Bricart, CEFIR, B31, level 0, Office R.73; Tel. : 043 66 42 59, v.bricart@uliege.be
CEFIR, B31, niveau 0, Bureau R.73 ; Tel. : 043 66 42 59, Alex.Arnoldy@uliege.be