MVZ182 The Contemporary Transformation of the International System

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2008
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
John Frederick Wilton, B.A. (Hons), M. Soc Sc, Ph.D. (lecturer), PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Timetable
Tue 14:00–15:40 P22
Prerequisites (in Czech)
MVZ105 Theories of International Rel.
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 35 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/35, only registered: 0/35
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 9 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Within the context of a period of great change the course focuses on the history and contemporary transformation of the international system, as well as on debates in the discipline of International Studies about the character of international order within that transformation. Questions will be addressed about how international order can be understood, whether it is changing and, if so, in what ways and by whose agency. In addressing these questions the course will analyse the international system through: a) study of the states-system and its emergence; b) the application of conceptual and theoretical models in an attempt to define how the states-system operates, the nature of world order and whether it is changing, and the role of the United States in those processes; c) the impact of contemporary global questions of culture, human rights and justice upon the states-system and the contemporary international system; d) the role of technological change, contemporary international inequality, and social and technological networks in shaping new forms of agency in the international system. Students will further improve their analytical and writing skills and their orientation in the field of study of International Relations.
Syllabus
  • 1. The states-system and its emergence 2. Models of ‘world order’ – realism and liberalism 3. Models of ‘world order’ – constructivism and Marxism 4. The transformation of the states-system: liberal international order and the role of the United States 5. Culture, human rights and justice in the contemporary international system 6. The impact of the global network society on the contemporary international system: technology, inequality and social networks 7. Evaluation of the models of world order within the context of the contemporary international system, and the challenges from other theoretical constructions. 8. Reading Week 9. Worskshop 1 10. Seminar 1 11. Workshop 2 12. Seminar 2 13. Wrap up of the course
Literature
  • Fry, M.G. Goldstein, E. Langhorne, R. (2002) Guide to International Relations and Diplomacy, London, Continuum.
  • Fawcet, L. (2005) International Relations of the Middle East, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
  • Brown, C. (2005) Sovereignty, Rights and Justice. International Political Theory Today, Cambridge, Polity.
  • Buzan, B. (2004) The United States and the Great Powers, Cambridge, Polity Press.
  • BURCHILL, Scott. Theories of international relations. 3rd ed. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005, x, 310. ISBN 1403948666. info
  • Globalization of world politics : an introduction to international relations. Edited by John Baylis - Steve Smith. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001, xxx, 690. ISBN 0198782632. info
Assessment methods
Assessment will be through a combination of one 2,000 word (maximum) essay, one seminar presentation (individually or as part of a group), and an attendance level requirement at lectures, seminars and workshops.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2008, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2008/MVZ182