Introduction to International Relations

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:1.00

Study Course Accepted:05.03.2024 15:02:48

Study Course Information
Course Code:		SZF_003		LQF level:		Level 6
Credit Points:		2.67		ECTS:		4.00
Branch of Science:		Politics; International Politics		Target Audience:		Political Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Edijs Bošs
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		10	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		20
Classes (count)		10	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		20
Total Contact Hours								40
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Basic knowledge of politics.
Objective:
The course aims to develop students’ understanding of international policy guidelines and scientific aspects of research of international relations.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	What is the science of “international relations”? How did it appear and what does it study?			Lectures		1.00	other
2	Introductory discussion in theories of international relations; watching video material.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
3	Theoretical guidelines of international relations: realism and liberalism.			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
4	Great powers of different ages and their meaning in the international system.			Lectures		1.00	other
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
5	United Nations, its structure, functions and powers. Meaning of international organisations in international relations.			Lectures		1.00	other
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
6	International law and diplomacy.			Lectures		1.00	other
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
7	World economic institutions.			Lectures		1.00	other
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
8	Global poverty, inequality and development policy.			Lectures		1.00	other
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
9	Environmental policy and climate change.			Lectures		1.00	other
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
10	Latvian foreign policy directions and latest developments.			Lectures		1.00	other
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
11	Exam.			Classes		2.00	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Work with required readings of the course; preparation for seminar discussions. To assess the overall quality of the study course, the student must complete the course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
Assessment Criteria:
Examination: 50% (multiple-choice online test on required readings and lecture material). Informed participation in seminars: 50%.
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Will know international policy developments and basic concepts of the academic discipline of international relations.
Skills:		Ability to analyse developments in international relations at a fundamental level.
Competencies:		To be able to conceptualise information about developments in international relations and use them to analyse in a structured way.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Visa literatūra ir angļu valodā un piemērota gan latviešu, gan angļu plūsmas studentiem
2	Joseph Grieco, G. John Ikenberry and Michael Mastanduno. Introduction to International Relations. 3rd ed. Bloomsbury, 2022.
Additional Reading
1	Angela Stent, Jo Inge Bekkevold, Kristi Raik, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, et all. "Two Years On, What’s Next in Ukraine?". Foreign Policy, FEBRUARY 19, 2024.
2	Stephen M. Walt. "NATO Should Not Accept Ukraine—for Ukraine’s Sake". Foreign Policy. MARCH 5, 2024.