International Relations
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and tools necessary to understand the international political situation and identify the most relevant tendencies which characterise international relations nowadays.
It will cover a review of the main foundational theories of international relations (idealism, realism, radicalism, institutionalism, constructivism).
In this theoretical framework, the course will also outline the main features of the international system and the differences with internal political systems, with a focus on the importance of the authoritative, geographical, ideological and institutional dimension of international relations.
Attention will be paid to foreign policy and its determining factors.
This conceptual background will enable students to analyse the current international political situation.
It will cover a review of the main foundational theories of international relations (idealism, realism, radicalism, institutionalism, constructivism).
In this theoretical framework, the course will also outline the main features of the international system and the differences with internal political systems, with a focus on the importance of the authoritative, geographical, ideological and institutional dimension of international relations.
Attention will be paid to foreign policy and its determining factors.
This conceptual background will enable students to analyse the current international political situation.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students are expected to understand how the international system specifically works and to identify the main qualitative differences between internal and international political life.
They will retrace the history of the current system and identify the structural features of the international arena, so as to grasp the main tendencies of the current international situation and understand the rationale behind the actions taken by the relevant actors.
This conceptual background, together with interpretation skills acquired in other courses, will provide students with the ability to make autonomous analyses and judgements on international affairs, as well as with an appropriate vocabulary in order to express trustworthy opinions on global political events in the different professional contexts where they will operate.
They will retrace the history of the current system and identify the structural features of the international arena, so as to grasp the main tendencies of the current international situation and understand the rationale behind the actions taken by the relevant actors.
This conceptual background, together with interpretation skills acquired in other courses, will provide students with the ability to make autonomous analyses and judgements on international affairs, as well as with an appropriate vocabulary in order to express trustworthy opinions on global political events in the different professional contexts where they will operate.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
A-K
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
The course aims to offer the main methodological as well as conceptual tools of International Relation Theory, both in interstate and in transnational dimension.
The first part will analyse systems theory; the debate between neorealism and neoliberalism, and between rationalist and cognitivist approaches.
The second part will focus on the relationship between international system and international society; the role of ideologies and the difference betweem homogeoneous and heterogeneous international systems; the importance and the transformation of international institutions; the foreign policy analysis.
The third part will focus on the ongoing transformation of the international context.
The first part will analyse systems theory; the debate between neorealism and neoliberalism, and between rationalist and cognitivist approaches.
The second part will focus on the relationship between international system and international society; the role of ideologies and the difference betweem homogeoneous and heterogeneous international systems; the importance and the transformation of international institutions; the foreign policy analysis.
The third part will focus on the ongoing transformation of the international context.
Prerequisites for admission
Political science. A good historical background in both Contemporary and Modern History is also required.
Teaching methods
Lectures
Teaching Resources
Compulsory:
For attendant students, the lectures' notes.
For non-attendant students: F. Andreatta, A. Colombo, M. Clementi, M. Koenig Archibugi, V.E. Parsi, Relazioni Internazionali, Il Mulino, Bologna 2007.
For both attendant and non-attendant students, two books among the following:
H. Bull, The Anarchical Society. A Study of Order in World Politics, New York, 1977; trad. it. La società anarchica, Vita e pensiero, Milano 2005
G. Arrighi, Il lungo XX secolo, Il Saggiatore, Milano
C. Schmitt, Der Nomos der Erde im Voelkerrecht des Jus Publicum Europaeum, Köln, 1950; trad. it. Il Nomos della Terra, Adelphi, Milano 1991.
K.N. Waltz, Theory of International Politics, Reading, 1979; trad. it. Teoria della politica internazionale, Il Mulino, Bologna 1987.
For both attendant and non-attendant students, for the last part the required reading will be available at the beginning of the course
For attendant students, the lectures' notes.
For non-attendant students: F. Andreatta, A. Colombo, M. Clementi, M. Koenig Archibugi, V.E. Parsi, Relazioni Internazionali, Il Mulino, Bologna 2007.
For both attendant and non-attendant students, two books among the following:
H. Bull, The Anarchical Society. A Study of Order in World Politics, New York, 1977; trad. it. La società anarchica, Vita e pensiero, Milano 2005
G. Arrighi, Il lungo XX secolo, Il Saggiatore, Milano
C. Schmitt, Der Nomos der Erde im Voelkerrecht des Jus Publicum Europaeum, Köln, 1950; trad. it. Il Nomos della Terra, Adelphi, Milano 1991.
K.N. Waltz, Theory of International Politics, Reading, 1979; trad. it. Teoria della politica internazionale, Il Mulino, Bologna 1987.
For both attendant and non-attendant students, for the last part the required reading will be available at the beginning of the course
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam aimed at making sure that the student has a deep understanding of IR theory. The exam is also aimed at assessing whether the student can express himself/herself with a correct terminology and apply the information and methodology acquired during the course.
Modulo
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Modulo
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Modulo
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
L-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
The first part of the course will focus on IR theory; the following topics will be addressed:
- the main theoretic traditions in the study of world politics: idealism, realism, radical theories, institutionalism, constructivism.
- the structure of the international system
- anarchy and the security dilemma
- war and alliances in world politics
- polarity in the interntional system: multipolar, bipolar and unipolar systems
- the geographical and spatial dimension of international politics (geopolitics)
- the ideological and cultural factors of international politics
- international institutions and their role in world politics
- the international society
- from international politics to foreign policy: foreign policy analysis
The second part of the Course will illustrate the main tendencies which characterize the current (i.e. post Cold War) interntional system:
- the State and its changing role in world politics
- globalization and regionalization in world politics
- the changing form of violance and war
- the foreign policy of the main actors, beginning with the United States
- the main theoretic traditions in the study of world politics: idealism, realism, radical theories, institutionalism, constructivism.
- the structure of the international system
- anarchy and the security dilemma
- war and alliances in world politics
- polarity in the interntional system: multipolar, bipolar and unipolar systems
- the geographical and spatial dimension of international politics (geopolitics)
- the ideological and cultural factors of international politics
- international institutions and their role in world politics
- the international society
- from international politics to foreign policy: foreign policy analysis
The second part of the Course will illustrate the main tendencies which characterize the current (i.e. post Cold War) interntional system:
- the State and its changing role in world politics
- globalization and regionalization in world politics
- the changing form of violance and war
- the foreign policy of the main actors, beginning with the United States
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of political science and contemporary history is presumed
Teaching methods
Lectures
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
1. Lecture notes
2. One text of student's choice among the following:
- K.N. Waltz, Teoria della politica internazionale, Il Mulino, Bologna 1987.
- J. Mearsheimer, La grande illusione. Perché la democrazia liberale non può cambiare il mondo, Luiss University Press, Roma, 2019
3. One text of student's choice among the following:
- H. Bull, La società anarchica, Vita e pensiero, Milano 2005.
- C. Schmitt, Il Nomos della Terra, Adelphi, Milano 1991.
4. A. Carati, Giusto e impossibile. I dilemmi dell'intervento umanitario nella società internazionale, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2004.
Not attending students:
1. B. Andreatta, A. Colombo, M. Clementi, M. Koenig Archibugi, V.E. Parsi, Relazioni Internazionali, Il Mulino, Bologna 2007.
2. One text of student's choice among the following:
- K.N. Waltz, Teoria della politica internazionale, Il Mulino, Bologna 1987.
- J. Mearsheimer, La grande illusione. Perché la democrazia liberale non può cambiare il mondo, Luiss University Press, Roma, 2019
3. One text of student's choice among the following:
- H. Bull, La società anarchica, Vita e pensiero, Milano 2005.
- C. Schmitt, Il Nomos della Terra, Adelphi, Milano 1991.
4. A. Carati, Giusto e impossibile. I dilemmi dell'intervento umanitario nella società internazionale, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2004.
1. Lecture notes
2. One text of student's choice among the following:
- K.N. Waltz, Teoria della politica internazionale, Il Mulino, Bologna 1987.
- J. Mearsheimer, La grande illusione. Perché la democrazia liberale non può cambiare il mondo, Luiss University Press, Roma, 2019
3. One text of student's choice among the following:
- H. Bull, La società anarchica, Vita e pensiero, Milano 2005.
- C. Schmitt, Il Nomos della Terra, Adelphi, Milano 1991.
4. A. Carati, Giusto e impossibile. I dilemmi dell'intervento umanitario nella società internazionale, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2004.
Not attending students:
1. B. Andreatta, A. Colombo, M. Clementi, M. Koenig Archibugi, V.E. Parsi, Relazioni Internazionali, Il Mulino, Bologna 2007.
2. One text of student's choice among the following:
- K.N. Waltz, Teoria della politica internazionale, Il Mulino, Bologna 1987.
- J. Mearsheimer, La grande illusione. Perché la democrazia liberale non può cambiare il mondo, Luiss University Press, Roma, 2019
3. One text of student's choice among the following:
- H. Bull, La società anarchica, Vita e pensiero, Milano 2005.
- C. Schmitt, Il Nomos della Terra, Adelphi, Milano 1991.
4. A. Carati, Giusto e impossibile. I dilemmi dell'intervento umanitario nella società internazionale, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2004.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final evaluation is based on a written exam aimed at assessing the student's ability to present and apply the key concepts of International Relations Theory. In the written exam the students are asked to answer to 3 open questions based on the texts in the program within one hour and half.
Modulo
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Stefanachi Corrado Salvatore
Modulo
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Stefanachi Corrado Salvatore
Modulo
SPS/04 - POLITICAL SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Carati Andrea