Scheda insegnamento

Basic knowledge of the topics covered in the three-year degree courses Comparative Politics (Democratic Regimes and Autocracies, Institutions and Levels of Government, Political Systems and Decision Making), International Relations (Traditions of Thought and Methodological Debates, International Institutions and Regimes, International Security) and Contemporary History (a clear understanding of the main events in international history since the 19th century to be familiar with the vocabulary and main interpretative theories of contemporary history). Students lacking this knowledge may use courses’ textbook (the instructors are available for any suggestion regarding the choice of the textbooks). Comprehension of oral and written English at least at CEFR level B2. Students may make use of the English language tutoring service offered by the University for the RICS students.

The course aims to: • provide the theoretical basis for the analysis of international politics; • develop a solid background on the political institutions of the major countries operating on the international scene, delving into their foreign policies, problems related to economic and financial crises, global security issues and the role of the European Union; • enhancing the terminology for analysing international policy; • give specific skills on democratization processes and global politics, with specific reference to conflict risks and opportunities for cooperation, in order to develop a critical and autonomous capacity; • giving the tools to carry out autonomous research on areas of crisis and development in international relations. The course also aims to provide participants with an in-depth knowledge of the main events and processes in international relations, improving their ability to critically analyse international relations in their historical evolution and to master the different theories interpreting the history of relations between states and other relevant actors in international relations. In particular, participants will enhance their knowledge of the role of international diplomacy in the political, economic and cultural spheres. Through historical case studies, the course will provide students with the ability to understand current international political phenomena and international diplomatic dynamics in different fields. Participants will improve their ability to analyse complex dynamics relating to international relations and to be able to investigate cases relating to specific countries/areas or to analyse the interplay between political, economic and cultural factors.

T• Traditions, frameworks, models, and theories of international politics; • International security from the Cold War to the present time; • International political economics from the liberal world order to today; • The European Union in the post-bipolar world. Seminar-based geopolitical analyses of specific regional systems and international topics.

The course also examines the evolution of international politics from the formation of contemporary international community up to the present days. Starting from European centrality, it aims to explain the emergence of the new poles of international relations and the way in which the global balance has been defined in the different epochs. The course is devoted to analysing the factors and actors that have defined the international order in the various epochs. The analysis is developed starting from the centrality of Europe in the 19th century by the propulsive role played by the idea of the national. Drawing on the consequences that the First World War had on European hegemony, it will then introduce the new actors in 20th century international relations, namely the United States and Russia. In-depth meetings will also be devoted to the emergence of Asia and Latin America. The course will discuss the different weight that various factors (political, economic, cultural) have in defining the interaction and power relations between states. Particular attention is paid to the emergence of international organisations as major players in international relations. From the crisis of 'Fortress Europe', we will then move on to an analysis of the process of redefining the international balance that began during the war and led to the emergence of the United States as a major world power. It will then go on to interpret the complex phenomenon of the bipolar system in the years between the outbreak of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Finally, an overview of international relations over the last three decades will be provided, in an attempt to show how, with the end of bipolarity, new factors other than political and military ones have assumed an increasing role in defining the new balance of international power. The course also includes a monographic section devoted to the history of Italian foreign policy, with particular reference to the history of the republican age.

For "attending" students:

Lectures and seminar meetings. Lessons of 2 hours will take place five days a week. Seminar meetings will take place in the second part of the course. They provide for the active participation of students by sharing readings, presenting projects on specific topics, and conducting simulations of international negotiations and political debates. The lectures will be also supplemented by testimonies and meetings with experts. Students are expected to carry out group work consisting of organising a simulation of one or more historical cases, in order to put into practice the knowledge acquired in the lectures and through the reading of the indicated texts.

For "non-attending" students: On request, a presentation of the course will take place via Teams. For non-attending students, learning will take place through the study of the teaching material indicated and through the writing of the paper defined in agreement with the lecturer. Non-attending students will also be able to use the materials and indications uploaded on the LOL platform for their learning.

The LOL and Teams digital platforms will be used for distance teaching according to the indications drawn up by the “Consiglio di Corso”.

Students who have filed disability or DSA certifications with the Secretariat are advised to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course, also through the Commission for Differences and Inclusion (https://www.unistrapg.it/it/vivere-il-campus/servizi/servizi-per-studenti-con-dsa-e-disabilita) (differenze-inclusione@unistrapg.it), which can authorize compensatory and/or dispensatory measures.

Active participation is subject to assessment during the course, particularly for the acquisition of the international lexicon and specific skills. Attending students also have to choose a topic of global politics, with specific reference to the risks of conflict and opportunities for cooperation, and to engage in class in debates/interactive discussions in order to prove their critical and independent ability. The final exam will be carried out, both for attending and non-attending students, in a single session in written form, during which both the study of the texts in the program and the materials offered on the LOL platform will be verified and, for attending students, the understanding of the topics covered in the classroom and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to concrete cases. For students with disability or DSA certifications, the exam methods will be agreed in relation to the specific needs, after hearing the opinion of the Commission for differences and inclusion.

For attending students:

Jackson, Robert, Sørensen, Georg, Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches, ‎Oxford University Press, 2021

A. Best et al. International history of the twentieth century and beyond, Routledge (last edition).

For non-attending students: Jackson, Robert, Sørensen, Georg, Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches, ‎Oxford University Press, 2021 A. Best et al. International history of the twentieth century and beyond, Routledge (last edition).

E. Diodato and F. Niglia, Italy in international relations. The foreign policy conundrum, Palgrave Macmillan, 2017

During the course period, students will find additional materials on LOL.

Regular class attendance is required for full-time students.