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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 209-2"
COURSE NAME: "World Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2026
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Giulia Daga
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the theory and practice of international affairs, this course discusses the main schools of world politics as well as actors, structures and institutions of international relations. Through this framework the course explores key conflicts and issues in the post-World War II era, including problems of war, armed conflict, and peace, and the impact of recent trends in globalization on world politics.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is structured along two macro-sections:

The first part of the course introduces the main historical turning points of international history, with a focus on how the current international system has been constructed and evolved until today, and on the evolution of the principles that govern international relations. It introduces the plurality of actors that operate in the international system, and it discusses the challenges and tensions that derive from the interaction between the structure of the current international system and the evolving dimensions of an increasingly globalized world, by looking at specific case studies.

The second part introduces and discusses the main traditional and critical International Relations theories, by addressing some of the most important current transnational and international issues through an interactive approach.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will learn the basic theoretical and historical notions that are essential to pursue a more advanced academic path in international relations. It integrates frontal lectures with discussions that seek to encourage the student's critical thinking, and it also seek to provide the students with a more practical understanding of how international organizations work through a mock simulation of a UN organ on one of the issues dealt with during the course.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Diplomacy: Theory and PracticeG. R. BerridgePalgrave Macmillan Cham978-3-030-85930-5     
The Globalization of World Politics John Baylis, Steve Smith, and Patricia Owens Oxford University Press 9780192898142     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance and Class discussion This includes active participation in class, reading and discussion of weekly assigned chapters/articles. 20
Mock debate Students will be asked to represent a state or a non-state actor in a mock debate about a current or historical international topic. 15
Oral group presentation Students will be asked to present a historical or contemporary event by comparing the interpretations of at least two IR theories 30
Final exam The final exam consists of written open-ended questions. 35

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance and participation to discussions are mandatory for this class. You have 3 excused absences. Each extra absence will lower your final attendance grade by 10%. In some cases, there will be the possibility of cancelling out your unexcused absences by writing an extra assignment. However, more than 13 absences may result in failure to pass the course.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

N.B additional required readings will be assigned during the course and uploaded on moodle

The book "Diplomacy: Theory and Practice" needs to be finished before the mock debate

PART I: INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

 The ‘construction’ of the international system

Required reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 1 (Introduction:from international politics to world politics), Chapter 3 (The rise of the modern international order)

Suggested reading: Chapter 2 - Globalization and Global Politics

The post-WWI system

Required Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 4 (pp. 54-58), International History of the twentieth century; Chapter 31, Nationalism, national self-determination and international relations

The Cold War system

Required Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 4 (pp. 59-69), International History of the twentieth century; Chapter 21, The United Nations

Suggested reading: chapter 20, International Organizations in world politics; Chapter 30, Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

The post-Cold war system 

Required Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 5, From the end of the Cold War to a new world dis-order?; Chapter 6, Rising powers and the emerging global order

 Contemporary case study 

Required Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 15 - International and global security,

Suggested reading: Chapter 29- Terrorism and globalization

Mock debate (UN Security Council) 

 

PART II: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY

Realism(s)

Required Readings: Baylis et al, Chapter 9 - Realism; Chapter 14 - War and World politics

Liberalism(s) 

Required Readings: Baylis et al, Chapter 7 - Liberal Institutionalism; Chapter 33, Humanitarian intervention in world politics; Chapter 24- Environmental issues

Constructivism(s) 

Required Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 13- Social constructivism, 

Marxism(s) /  Poststructuralism(s)

Required readings: Chapter 8 -Marxist theories of international relations; Chapter 12 - Poststructuralism

Postcolonial and feminist approaches

Required Readings: Baylis et al, Chapter 11- Postcolonial and decolonial approaches, Chapter 10- Feminism; chapter18, Race in world politics; Chapter 17, Gender

Oral presentations

Review / Final exam