6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1019961BER for all students in the 1st semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Possible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Students who want to enroll for this course, must have passed 'History of International Relations' and must have obtained at least 30 ECTS-credits on bachelor level.
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Political Science
Educational team
Jonathan Holslag (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
33 contact hours Lecture
117 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

This course provides an opportunity to gain a refined understanding and a critical reflection in the context of contemporary issues of international politics. It revolves around four important objectives. First of all, you will deepen your understanding about the actors in international politics, the importance of international organizations, the drivers of international politics, the attributes of power, the use of military force, and the impact of diplomacy. Second, it will increase your knowledge of and insight into important contemporary issues of international politics, as there are: the impact of transnational companies, the return of economic nationalism, the struggle for raw materials, environment and climate change, the rise of China, instability in the Middle East, the quest for peace in Africa, international terrorism, the challenge of nuclear proliferation, migration and refugees and so forth. Third, this course seeks to strengthen the skill to apply concepts, definitions, and hypotheses to different cases. Fourth, it encourages you to keep yourself posted of important news, to select relevant news media, and to trace relevant off-campus seminars, conferences, simulations, etc. 

Course material
Handbook (Required) : World Politics since 1989, Holslag, Polity, 9781509546725, 2021
Additional info

This course builds on the "History of International Relations", "European History," and "Theory of International Relations". Students have to be passed for these three courses. In addition, students are expected to have a strong command of English (TOEFL 75+). Students should also be able to summarize text into schemes. Students should be able to read academic texts and to have a conversation in English. They should have the attitude to avidly follow news about international politics and to independently attend off campus events related to politics. 

 

Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

  1. The students understand the importance of the main actors in international politics, the importance of international organizations, the drivers of international politics, the attributes of power, the use of military force, and the impact of diplomacy,
  2. The students have knowledge of and insight into important contemporary issues of international politics,
  3. The students can apply concepts, definitions, and hypotheses to different cases,
  4. The students are well informed on international political issues. 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral Exam with a relative weight of 70 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Oral closed book exam.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Social Sciences: Political Sciences
Bachelor of Political Science and Sociology: - afstudeerrichting politieke wetenschappen (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Political Science and Sociology: Political Science Minor Minor Education (only offered in Dutch)