Checking date: 19/05/2023


Course: 2024/2025

World Politics
(16620)
Bachelor in International Studies (Plan: 504 - Estudio: 305)


Coordinating teacher: RICHARDS , ANDREW JOHN

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Basic Core
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:

Branch of knowledge: Social Sciences and Law



Objectives
- Understanding of the principal theories of, and approaches to, international relations - Analysis of the principal contrasts between world politics of the Cold War era and that of the contemporary period - Understanding of the prinicipal changes in the institutional structure of world politics in the 21st Century - Understanding of the evolution of the international balance of power in the 21st Century and the emergence of new powers - Analysis of the various aspects, causes and consequences of Globalization - Understanding of the nature and dynamics of the contemporary international economy and the problems of economic underdevelopment - Understanding of the principal problems of international cooperation with respect to global challenges, including terrorism and climate change - Via group presentations, encouraging students to study international problems in an interactive and pluralist way
Skills and learning outcomes
Description of contents: programme
The course is divided into the following topics: 1. Main theories and approaches to international relations - Classic approaches - Realism - Liberalism - Neo-realism and neo-liberalism - Marxist theories - Social constructivism - Other approaches 2. From the international system to the globalized world - Evolution of international society - Processes of recent decades - Key features of the new world order 3. The international system - Types of actors - Structure of the international system - Dynamics of cooperation and conflict 4. Problems, dynamics and challenges on the international agenda - Crisis of world governance - The emergence of the BRIC countries - Global terrorism - Nuclear proliferation - Globalization and the international economic system - Environmental change and international relations - Power and Information society - Other
Learning activities and methodology
Lectures given by the teacher and activities done by students who will apply the knowledge acquired and develop their skills. The training activities aim to involve students in the learning process. To this end, the teacher will provide basic knowledge and tools needed to strengthen their analytical ability and encourage their critical spirit. In this regard, the reading of selected materials, viewing of documentaries and films, and essays written by students will be fundamental. Likewise, the professor will encourage discussions on current topics, presentations and role play so that students develop their communication and interpersonal skills. 6 ECTS credits, 150 hours approximately. Lectures and other activities in class: 42 hours Study of the subject by students: 56 hours Preparation of presentations and essays by students: 42 hours Make-up classes, office hours, hand-in of papers, etc.: 8 hours Exam: 2 hours
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 35
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 65

Calendar of Continuous assessment


Extraordinary call: regulations
Basic Bibliography
  • Attina, F.,. El sistema político global. Introducción a las relaciones internacionales. Paidós. 2003.
  • Barbé, E.,. Relaciones internacionales, 3ª ed.. Tecnos. 2007.
  • Baylis, J., S. Smith y P. Owens (eds.),. The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations, 4ª ed.. Oxford University Press, . 2008.
  • Brewer, A.,. Marxist Theories of Imperialism. A Critical Survey (Second Edition). Routledge. 1990.
  • Keohane, R. O., . Poder e interdependencia: la política mundial en transición. Grupo Editor Latinoamericano. 1988.
  • Mearsheimer, J.,. The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, updated ed.. W. W. Norton & Company. 2014.
  • O'Neal, J. R. y B. Russett,. Triangulating Peace: Democracy, Interdependence and International Organizations. W. W. Norton & Company. 2001.
  • Pearson, F. S., y J. Martin Rochester,. Relaciones internacionales. Situación global en el siglo XXI, 4ª ed.. McGraw- Interamericana . 2003.
  • Peñas Esteban, F. J., . "¿Es posible una teoría de Relaciones Internacionales?". Revista Académica de Relaciones Internacionales, nº 1. 2005.
  • Salomón González, M., . "La teoría de las Relaciones Internacionales en los albores del siglo XXI: diálogo, disidencia, aproximaciones". Revista CIDOB d'afers internacionals, nº 56. 2001-2002.
  • Snyder, J., . "Un mundo, teorías rivales" . Foreign Policy, ed. española. diciembre 2004/enero 2005.
  • Tannenwald, N.,. "The Nuclear Taboo: The United States and the Normative Basis for Nuclear Non-Use". International Organiztion. nº 53, pp. 433-468.
  • Viotti, P. R. y M. V. Kauppi, . International relations theory. Longman. 2011.
  • Walt, S. M., . "International Relations: One World, Many Theories". Foreign Policy, nº 110. primavera 1998, pp. 29-46.
  • Waltz, K., . "El hombre, el Estado y la guerra" . Revista Académica de Relaciones Internacionales, nº 6 . 2007.
Additional Bibliography
  • Castells, M.,. Comunicación y poder. Alianza. 2009.
  • Cox, R., . "Las fuerzas sociales, los Estados y los órdenes del Mundo. Más allá de la teoría de las relaciones internacionales" . en J. Vasquez, Relaciones internacionales. El pensamiento de los clásicos, Limusa. 1994.
  • Held, D.,. La democracia y el orden global: del estado moderno al gobierno cosmopolita. Paidós. 1997.
  • Ignatieff, M., . Guerra virtual: más allá de Kosovo. Paidós. 2003.
  • Kagan, R.,. Poder y debilidad. Estados Unidos y Europa en el nuevo orden mundial. Taurus. 2003.
  • Kaldor, M.,. Las nuevas guerras. Tusquets. 2001
  • Keohane, R. O. y J. S. Nye Jr.,. "Globalization: What's New? What's Not? (and So What?)". Foreign Policy, nº 118. primavera, 2000, pp. 104-119.
  • Laqueur, W., . La guerra sin fin: el terrorismo en el siglo XXI . Destino. 2003.
  • Mariscal, N., . Teorías políticas de la integración europea. Tecnos. 2003.
  • Morillas i Bassedas, P., . "Génesis y evolución de la expresión de la seguridad humana: un repaso histórico". Revista CIDOB d'afers internacionals, nº 76. 2007.
  • Nye, J. S.,. La paradoja del poder americano. Taurus. 2003.
  • Nye, J., . "Prefacio y Capítulo 5 "El poder blando y la política exterior americana". Revista Académica de Relaciones Internacionales, nº 14. 2010.
  • Ruiz-Giménez Arrieta, I., . La historia de la intervención humanitaria: el imperialismo altruista. Los libros de la Catarata. 2005.

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.