MVZ127 Introduction to the Study of World Politics: Basic Theories and Debates

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2003
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Gergana Císařová Dimitrova, M.A. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Markéta Pitrová, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Timetable
Tue 16:00–17:40 J22
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 21 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives (in Czech)
Aims of the Course: The purpose of this course is twofold. First, students are introduced to important concepts and theories in the study of world politics and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. The course covers both traditional and orthodox and non-orthodox theories of international relations. Particular emphasis is put on identifying the underlying assumptions on which the different theories of International Relations rest. Second, the course aims to help students think critically about theoretical analysis in International Relations. The course demonstrates not only how theories can be used to analyze events in world politics but also how the meaning and understanding of these events is itself constructed by different theories. The idea is to develop and enhance students' abilities to detect methodological, theoretical, and normative assumptions in academic analyses. Students will be encouraged to apply the concepts and theories we are discussing to the analysis of current international affairs. The course has been designed so that it could be of interest to both beginners and more advanced students who want to brush upon their knowledge of the 'classics' in international relations and get acquainted with new theoretical projects such as constructivism and poststructuralism.
Assessment methods (in Czech)
Course Requirements 1. Students are expected to read the required reading(s) for each seminar. The suggested reading is only for those who have special interest in the topic and is completely optional. Please note that of there are two or three shorter required readings rather than one long, you are expected to read all of them. 2. Seminar participation. This is not a course consisting of lectures. The seminars will be in the form of discussions involving everyone. Students are expected to actively participate in these discussions. 3. Seminar presentations. Every student is expected to have one or two presentations during the semester (the number of presentations depends on the number of students in the class). The presentations are of two possible kinds: (1) summary of the required readings (2) critique of the readings. Presentation Guidelines will be distributed during the first class. 4. Final in-class written exam. The exam will consist of questions based on the required readings and the discussions in class. A threshold for a passing grade will be set. Evaluation Students who want to get a passing grade should fulfill all of the following: - have all the required presentations in the specified seminars and ensure acceptable quality of the presentations - pass the final exam - be frequently present in the classes - regularly read the required readings - make a fair effort to participate in class discussions Thematic Organization of the Course. Required and Optional Reading: to be distributed in a printed form during the first class.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2004, Spring 2006.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2003, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2003/MVZ127