Introduction to International Relations

Analysing international relations supposes to study the way the different units of the international system interact. In this introductory course the main issues which are tackled concern the status and nature of the different actors, their objectives and the means they use to attain their goals. Besides, the structuring principles of the international system (like sovereignty and non-interference) are questioned in order to shed a light on the recurrent tensions underpinning the international system.

To provide students with a basic knowledge in international relations for better understanding the political game at the international level when the power is at stake.

The goals can be further detailed as follows :

1. Introducing and analysing the main issues tackled in the field of IR

2. Presenting the major debates taking place within the field

3. Raising awareness regarding the complexity of today's international stakes and initiating the students to the conceptual tools enabling them to reflect autonomously upon those stakes

4. Familiarizing the students with the relevant IR literature and giving them the leads to further their knowledge on the issues of particular interest to them.

Ex cathedra course. The students are invited to read additional materials for deepening certain aspects of the course.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

Compulsory readings

• Guillaume DEVIN, Sociologie des relations internationales, Paris, La Découverte, seconde édition, 2007.

• Jean-Christophe GRAZ, La gouvernance de la mondialisation, Paris, La Découverte, 2004.

Additional references :

• Marie-Claude SMOUTS, Dario BATTISTELLA,Pascal VENESSON, Dictionnaire desrelations internationales, 2^ème éd., 2006.

• Alex MACLEOD, Evelyne DUFAULT, F. GuillaumeDUFOUR (sous la dir. de), Relations internationales. Théories et concepts, Athéna, Outremont, 2002.

• Graham EVANS et Jeffrey NEWNHAM, The Penguin Dictionary of International Relations, Penguin Books, 1998.

Contacts

Institut d'études européennes 39, Av. F. Roosevelt 1050 Bruxelles

bdelcou1@ulb.ac.be

elena.aoun@ulb.ac.be

Method(s) of evaluation

• Other

Other

Written examination at the end of the term

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

The grade will be based only on the exam