Class day/time Fall semester 2022, Thursday
12:00–13:40 (P21b)
Number of credits 8
Class type lectures and seminars
Lecturer Mgr. Petr Ocelík, Ph.D.
Mgr. Johan Bartoš
Contact person Petr Ocelík (ocelik@mail.muni.cz)
Contact person for seminars Johan Bartoš (bartos.johan@mail.muni.cz )
Office Hours See teaching tab
1. Course description
The course introduces students to the main theoretical approaches within the field of International Relations (IR) with an emphasis on security and energy-related issues. Each class is built around the main concepts of a given approach. The class is followed by a seminar where the students debate and explore introduced concepts in the context of required literature. The course starts with traditional approaches to the study of International Relations (IR), specifically realism, liberalism, and Marxism with emphasis on key concepts of balance of power, interdependence, and core-periphery. The course continues with an exposition of three distinct revisionist schools, namely: the Welsh School, Copenhagen School, and Paris School, where securitization theory, structural violence, and Bourdieusian concepts of field and habitus are introduced. Social constructivism is introduced as a social theory with application in IR. The last three classes cover a multilevel perspective on transition and governance as well as theories of the policy process with a focus on the Advocacy Coalition Framework. The seminar starts with a student presentation on one of the introduced approaches. Upon successful completion of the course, the students will have a complex understanding of the issue and will be able to use this knowledge in an informed and creative way.
At the end of this course, the student should be able to:
- identify the general characteristics of various approaches to security within the IR theory as well as their underlying social theories;
- assess the viability of various approaches in the contemporary world and the changing domestic and international environments;
- apply approaches to critically reflect and analyze particular issues of today's domestic and international politics and policies related to energy issues.
The course will be held in an in-person regime unless the change in epidemiological regulation prohibits it. In that case, students will be informed about the continuation of the hybrid formation or transition to the online format in advance.
2. Course requirements
The attendance of lectures is not compulsory but strongly advised. Students are expected to read the required readings for each class. The required readings for the course will be available in the interactive syllabus as well as in the Study Materials folder in Information System.
2.1 Position papers (30%)
The students will submit a position paper of required readings for classes 3 to 9 and 11 to 13 (i.e. ten papers in total). The paper discusses all required readings for the class except for the readings indicated as "only read". The paper consists of three parts: (1) critical reflection on the compulsory readings with a focus on the most important concepts and ideas mentioned; (2) questions (at least three) for the seminar; and (3) references. The paper cannot be written as a summary of the literature.
The length of part 1 needs to be 3600 characters (including spaces) at least without (2) questions and (3) references sections. The maximum length of part 1 is 4500 characters including spaces. The file will be titled: Surname_NumberOfSummary (e.g. Johnson_1). The position papers are to be submitted via Information System to Homework Vaults in Study Materials at least 1 day before the class (i.e. till Tuesday midnight).
Students submit a position paper for each class with a seminar except for the class where they deliver a presentation (see below). Thus, students are expected to submit 10 position papers in total.
The papers are graded between 0 and 3 points. The two papers graded with the least points will not be included in the evaluation. In other words, only 7 best-graded papers are taken into account for final grading. Students can thus obtain up to 24 points throughout the semester. Please, familiarize yourself with position paper writing guidelines as well as model position papers uploaded in the Course-related Instructions folder.
2.2 Seminar discussions (25%)
Seminar discussions are aimed at sharing students' ideas and reflections on the readings with their colleagues as well as developing their analytical skills. The seminar activity is graded between 0 and 2 points. The student is graded for up to two original contributions to the debate (i.e. contributions such as "I wanted to say the same thing, I think you're spot on" are not graded). The students can thus obtain up to 20 points for this activity throughout the semester.
2.3 Student presentation (13%)
The students are expected to deliver an oral presentation focusing on one of the introduced approaches to security in one of the seminars. The presentation should have a form of mini-case study where the introduced framework is applied. The students are encouraged to interlink used theories/concepts with additional data, such as speeches, official documents, interviews, etc. The syllabus literature may not be used as the only source for the work.
However, the presentation must also be submitted as a paper. The length of the paper should be between 5400 and 7200 characters. The students are expected to submit their presentation papers at least one day before the presentation (Tuesday) to a dedicated Homework Vault folder.
The vault will be opened to the rest of the class. All students are then expected to read the presentation paper and prepare questions and comments for the speakers. The presentation can be aided by PowerPoint slides or any other visual presentation software only if graphic material, such as charts, maps, pictures, etc., is vital for the presentation. The duration of the presentation shall be around 7 minutes, leaving room for seminar discussion. This activity is graded between 0 and 10 points.
The paper will be evaluated according to the following criteria: 1) application of the given framework (4 points), 2) added value of the paper compared to the assigned readings (4 points), 3) presentation of the paper and fulfilment of formal requirements (2 points).
Students choose the presentation topic from an online list that will be sent via email during the second week of the semester.
It is recommended to consult the concept of the presentation with the course instructors in advance. The presentation(s) will take place at the beginning of the seminar.
2.4 Final exam (32%)
The final written exam is an examination that consists of 5 open questions (0-5 points each) that cover the required readings and content of the lectures. The duration of the exam is 60 minutes. The exact date and time of the examination will be specified during the last week of the semester.
If a student receives more than 20 points from the exam, the student's grade is increased by one level - unless the student already has an A OR the sum of the total points is less than 48, which is required to pass the course.
If a student receives less than 7 points from the exam, the final grade will be F regardless of the total sum of points.
The exam dates will be announced during the last week of the semester.
Model question: Please explain the concept of securitization and apply it to energy-related issues.
2.5 Grading
The final grade will be calculated as a sum of points gained from the position papers (0 to 24 points), seminar activity (0 to 20 points), student presentation (0 to 10), and final exam (0 to 25 points). The maximum is 79 points; the minimum to complete the course is 47 points.
A 71-79 points
B 65-70 points
C 59-64 points
D 53-58 points
E 47-52 points
F less than 47 points
Cheating and plagiarism
Cheating on a written exam or in any other part or aspect of the course will result in the reduction of the final grade to an F. Plagiarism is the use of material written by another person without referencing the source. Plagiary will receive no points and the final grade will be an F. The Disciplinary Commission will be notified about any cases of plagiarism.
In case of uncertainty about how to avoid plagiarism, please follow the instructions mentioned on this link. In case you still have questions, please consult Petr Ocelík.