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BA § 5 (1) 8.b  PS International Relations - Introductory Level (2/ 5)

Students understand the principles and connections of international relations and national foreign policy, and they are able to analyse them under supervision. Students know the basic elements of classical international law and are able to reproduce them. Moreover, they acquire the ability to present the main historical developments in the state system of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Proseminar introduces the political science sub-discipline of international relations. In the first part, the central theories of international relations are discussed and illustrated with concrete examples. The aim of the Proseminar is to acquire basic knowledge of the relevant IB theories and to learn how to read even challenging texts in an understandable way. In the second part, individual policy areas of international relations (e.g. security, trade and finance, environment, human rights) will be examined. The emphasis is on applying the theories discussed in Part I to concrete subjects of investigation. In particular, the aim is also to ensure that students understand the foundations of international relations and national foreign policy and are able to analyze these under guidance. 

Text analysis, group work, open discussion and lecture

Term paper

Baylis, John/ Smith, Steve/ Owens, Patricia (2010): The Globalization of World Politics. An Introduction to International Relations, 5th Edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Schimmelfennig, Frank (2010): Internationale Politik, 2nd Edition, Stuttgart: UTB.

successful completion of compulsory module 1