Checking date: 20/06/2025 09:11:09


Course: 2025/2026

World Politics
(16620)
Bachelor in International Studies (2014 Study Plan) (Plan: 329 - Estudio: 305)


Coordinating teacher: GALANO TORO, PAOLA

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:

Branch of knowledge: Social Sciences and Law



Objectives
This course serves as an introduction to the study of international relations. The objectives of the course include the analysis and evaluation of the main theories (traditional and more recent) for understanding international politics; the evolution of the structure of the international system during and after the Cold War; the emergence of new powers and new economic and political actors; and the main challenges to the stability of the international system in the 21st century.
Learning Outcomes
K1: Acquire the knowledge, techniques and terminology specific to the field of economics, politics and international relations. K3: To know basic humanistic contents, oral and written expression, following ethical principles and completing a multidisciplinary training profile. K4: Acquire knowledge of the economic, legal, political and social reality from a comparative perspective. K9: To know the relevant political and sociological theories to understand the structure and functioning of the main socio-political systems. S1: Be able to debate and formulate critical reasoning, using precise terminology and specialized resources, on international and global phenomena. S3: Plan and organize team work making the right decisions based on available information and gathering data in digital environments. S4: Use information interpreting relevant data avoiding plagiarism, and in accordance with the academic and professional conventions of the area of study, being able to assess the reliability and quality of such information. S5: Apply knowledge to identify with rigor, precision and scientific objectivity the social processes and possible solutions. S7: Be able to identify, access and manage sources of information relevant to comparative analysis in the field of politics, economics and international relations. S10: Ability to gather and interpret relevant data and knowledge for the elaboration and defense of arguments on topics in their area of study. C1: To know how to analyze, elaborate and defend individually a problem of interdisciplinary field of the Degree applying the knowledge, skills, tools and strategies acquired or developed in it. C3: Ability to establish good interpersonal communication and to work in multidisciplinary and international teams. C4: Be able to engage in lifelong autonomous learning, enabling them to adapt to new situations.
Description of contents: programme
1. International politics during the Cold War. 2. Traditional theoretical approaches: realism; neo-realism; liberalism; neo-liberalism; Marxist theories. 3. Other theoretical approaches: social constructivism and feminism. 4. Changes in the international system after the Cold War. 5. The United Nations and the problems of global governance. 6. Main debates on the causes and consequences of globalisation. 7. Developments in the global economy in the 21st century. 8. Emergence of new powers and new political and economic actors in the 21st century. 9. Challenges for the stability of the international system in the 21st century.
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/test 50
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 50

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.
  • Steve Lamy, Steven L. Lamy, John Masker. Introduction to Global Politics. Oxford University Press. 2016
  • Steve Lamy, Steven L. Lamy, John Masker. Introduction to Global Politics. Oxford University Press. 2016
  • 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.