Course teacher(s)
Andrew NORRIS (Coordinator)ECTS credits
5
Language(s) of instruction
english
Course content
An introduction to International Relations as a diiverse filed of knowledge cutting across a number of academic disciplines. Specific considerations of a number of key thematics and questions within the field.
Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)
To develop a knowledge of International Relations as an academic discipline, and a mastery of its terminology and conceptual approaches. To encourage the capacity to articulate an argument around a given theme, to research propositions and prioritize sources of information.
Teaching methods and learning activities
Presentation of key thematics and ideas, research tasks organised around the explication of these, transversal reflection on the objectives of International Relations and the evolving nature of its scope and assumptions.
Contribution to the teaching profile
Seminar-based sessions will explore diverse aspects of International Relations as an academic discipline. An emphasis will be placed on the concepts and theories of IR and their application to the dominant themes of IR today. The aim is to develop analytical skills which can be used to probe and critique assumptions concerning world events. Similarly, global events and situations will be used to illustrate and concretize the dominant theoretical approaches to IR.
This double movement between theory and information will aid in the development of critical skills in relation to sources and styles.
Other information
Contacts
Andrew Norris : andrew.norris@ulb.ac.be
Evaluation
Method(s) of evaluation
- Other
Other
Assessment in two parts : an oral exam which counts for 40% of the final mark; and a written paper (minimum 4000 words) on a topic chosen in collaboration with the professor, which counts for 60% of the final mark.
Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)
40% for the oral exam and 60% for the written paper.