The course aims to introduce students to the basic notions, theories, and components of today’s world politics. Through a comprehensive approach to the subject, we will come across with the fundamental issues of global affairs: its concepts (e.g. war and peace, sovereignty, power, national interest, alliances, collective security, interdependence), its actors (states, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations), its schools of thought (Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism, Marxism), and its political and economic processes (foreign policy, great power rivalries, imperialism and underdevelopment, democratization, globalization). By the same token, we will cover the most relevant themes characterizing the global stage at the beginning of the 21^st century (global and local conflicts, terrorism, economic crisis, demographic growth, promotion of human rights, peacekeeping interventions).
A GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF 19^TH AND 20^TH CENTURY HISTORY IS FUNDAMENTAL.

1. Explaining and Understanding International Affairs: Realism, Liberalism, Marxism.

2. Global Actors and Their Relations: War and International Change, Colonialism and the Developing World, Non-State Actors, Foreign Policy Making.

3. The Many Aspects of Globalization: Realist Roads to Security, Liberal Paths to World Order, Economic Globalization, Further Dimensions of Globalization.

4. Case Studies from Today’s International Affairs.

Students are strongly encouraged to be informed about news and events affecting international affairs by regularly reading newspapers and journals like, for instance, “The New York Times” (www.nytimes.com), “The Economist” (www.economist.com), and “BBC News” (www.bbc.co.uk/news).

1. Good command of differences and similarities between the main theoretical and methodological schools of thought of international relations.

2. Knowledge of major events of past as well as contemporary international affairs.

3. Ability to identify the main actors of international affairs, their short-term policy choices, and their cooperative and conflicting long-term strategies.

4. Understanding of the key processes at work in the 21^st century international system.

5. Capability to frame a personal critical evaluation towards facts and processes at the global stage.

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.

B:  This 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.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This 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.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

1. Regular attendance is required. Late arrivals and unexcused absences affect the grade.

2. Active participation in class is fundamental. Students must do the readings in advance. Scarce preparedness and consequent poor contribution in class discussion will negatively affect the grade.

3. The class format is a combination of structured lectures and group discussions based on the assigned readings. Lectures do not simply explain the readings, but complement them: readings and lectures are equally important.

4. Make-up classes are always mandatory.

5. All mobile phones and laptop computers must be switched off during class and exams.

PART ONE: EXPLAINING AND UNDERSTANDING INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

WEEK 1

January 16                    Interpreting World Politics
Readings: Kegley 1

January 18                     The Evolution of the International System
Readings: Kegley 3 (pp. 66-67)

WEEK 2

January 23                     Classical Realism: Carr and Morgenthau
Readings: Kegley 2 (pp. 30-37), and Williams 7 and 8

January 25                     Neo-Realism: Waltz and Gilpin
Readings: Williams 9, 13, and 25

WEEK 3

January 30                    Classical Liberalism: Kant and Wilson
Readings: Kegley 2 (pp. 37-45), and Williams 2 and 3

February 1                    Neo-Liberalism: Keohane and Nye
Readings: Williams 17 and 32

February 3 (make-up class)     Foreign Policy Making
Readings: Kegley 6 and Williams 20

PART TWO: GLOBAL ACTORS AND THEIR RELATIONS

WEEK 4

February 6                     Great Powers Conflicts: World War I and II
Readings: Kegley 3 (pp. 67-80)

February 8                     Great Powers Conflicts: the Cold War
Readings: Kegley 3 (pp. 80-99) and Williams 48

WEEK 5

February 13                   Colonialism, Decolonization, and Dependency
Readings: Kegley 2 (pp. 51-53) and 4 (pp. 102-117), and Williams 12

February 15                   Global Development in the 21^st Century
Readings: Kegley 4 (pp. 117-134)

WEEK 6

February 20                   Review session
Readings: all the above

February 22                   First mid-term exam


WEEK 7

February 27                   International Organizations: the United Nations (UN) 
Readings: Kegley 5 (pp. 137-162)

February 29                   International Organizations: the European Union (EU) 
Readings: Kegley 5 (pp. 137-162)

PART THREE: THE MANY ASPECTS OF GLOBALIZATION

WEEK 8

March 5                         Changes in Contemporary Warfare
Readings: Kegley 7 and Williams 45

March 7                         Alliances
Readings: Kegley 9

March 9 (make-up class)                   Demography and Collective Identities
Readings: Kegley 14 and Williams 52

WEEK 9

March 12                       International Law and Courts
Readings: Kegley 10

March 14                       Collective Security and Peacekeeping Missions
Readings: Kegley 11 and Williams 30

March 19 and 21            Spring break, no class

WEEK 10

March 26                       International Finance
Readings: Kegley 12

March 28                       International Trade
Readings: Kegley 13

WEEK 11

April 2                           Review session
Readings: all the above

April 4                           Second mid-term exam