MVZb1005 Theories of International Relations

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 10 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Kateřina Fridrichová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
PhDr. Michal Kořan, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Denis Janšta (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Michal Kořan, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! MVZ105 Theories of International Rel. && !NOW( MVZ105 Theories of International Rel. ) && !SEMESTR(1) && !SEMESTR(2)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 23 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This course aims at introducing main theories developed during the existence of the discipline of IR. It starts with basic survey of the issues and theories, followed by detailed study of those theories that are most important for the discipline. It goes through liberalism, realism, neoliberalism, neorealism, critical theories and marxist variants (world system theory, feminism), and social constructivism. Students are expected to do assigned readings (and encouraged to read the recommended texts); they are also expected to know content presented during lectures. The lituraure consists of chapters from textbooks and primary texts. Good knowledge of English is required for passing this course.
Learning outcomes
Students will get a good grasp of classical theories of international relations in a historical perspective, supplemented by contemporary issues and debates. Students will strenghten their soft-skills - team work, public speaking and critical thinking.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to the course, requirements, and content. 2. Classical liberalism 3. Classical realism 4. Neoliberalism 5. Neorealism 6. Neo-neo synthesis, marxism 7. Reading week 8. Post-positivism 9. Constructivism 10. Post-modernism, post-structuralism 11. Historical sociology 12. Reading week
Literature
    required literature
  • International relations theories : discipline and diversity. Edited by Steve Smith - Timothy Dunne - Milja Kurki. Fifth edition. Oxford: Oxford university press, 2021, xxiv, 396. ISBN 9780198814443. info
  • BAYLIS, John, Steve SMITH and Patricia OWENS. The globalization of world politics : an introduction to international relations. 9th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2023, xxiii, 623. ISBN 9780192898142. info
  • The Oxford handbook of international relations. Edited by Christian Reus-Smit - Duncan Snidal. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008, xiii, 772. ISBN 9780199585588. info
    recommended literature
  • PŠEJA, Pavel, Petr SUCHÝ, Oldřich KRPEC and Zdeněk KŘÍŽ. Moc a zájmy v mezinárodním systému. Procesy, aktéři a problémy v mezinárodních vztazích (Power and Interests in the International System. Processes, Actors, and Issues in the International Relations). Brno: CDK, 2015, 368 pp. ISBN 978-80-7325-409-4. info
  • PŠEJA, Pavel. Přehled teorií mezinárodních vztahů (Theories of International Relations: An Overview). Brno: MPU MU, 2005, 160 pp. Studie 36. ISBN 80-210-3837-3. info
  • HOLLIS, Martin and Steve SMITH. Mezinárodní vztahy: výklad a porozumění : Explaining and understanding international relations (Orig.) : Teorie mezinárodních vztahů : interpretace a porozumění (Variant.). 1. vyd. Brno: Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury, 2000, 248 s. ISBN 80-85959-64-X. info
    not specified
  • DRULÁK, Petr. Teorie mezinárodních vztahů. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2003, 220 s. ISBN 80-7178-725-6. info
  • FUKUYAMA, Francis. Konec dějin a poslední člověk. Translated by Michal Prokop. Vyd. 1. Praha: Rybka Publishers, 2002, 379 s. ISBN 80-86182-27-4. info
  • HUNTINGTON, Samuel P. Střet civilizací :boj kultur a proměna světového řádu. Vyd. 1. Praha: Rybka Publishers, 2001, v, 447 s. ISBN 80-86182-49-5. info
Teaching methods
Due to the character of the contents of the course, the class takes place mainly in the form of lectures. Readings serve to broaden and deepen the spectrum of knowledge students acquire during lectures. Reading and lectures are supplemented with group work that helps students to absorb the readings and be able to apply them.
Assessment methods
Requirements of the Course: Students are required to fill out ten short multiple-choice and open-question quizzes on reading assigned for the lecture, work on group assignment and presentation and undertake an exam in the form of open questions which covers both assigned literature for the lecture and exam and the lecture materials.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
Teacher's information
This course is not suitable for first and second semester students.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/MVZb1005