EDS203 Introduction to International Relations

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Kirsti Stuvøy

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:125 hours.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in August block. This course has teaching and evaluation in the August block.

About this course

This course introduces students to the fascinating field of International Relations, emphasising the importance of concepts and theories as essential analytical tools. Theories help us understand and analyse global affairs, offering different perspectives on how the world works. Students learn about various theories, from those that focus on states and strategic security, to those that include a range of actors, including civil society, businesses, criminal or terrorist organisations, and individuals. The course covers conventional security paradigms, highlighting state interests and actions such as deterrence and alliance-building, and constructivist theory, which sees state interest as shaped by interaction and emphasises historical identity formation, worldviews and ideas that draw attention to various perceptions of security.

The course delves into core concepts central to the study of International Relations, such as global order, institutions, identity, war and violent conflict, security, diplomacy, and global governance. Students familiarise themselves with and deepen their understanding of realist, liberalist, constructivist, and critical theories of international relations, including feminist and de-colonial perspectives.

To support students in navigating the theoretical plurality in International Relations, the introductory course explores fundamental questions such as: the interplay of structure and agency; the flexibility in the interests and identities of state and non-state actors; how to approach analysis using different frameworks in International Relations. Students engage with key contemporary issues concerning security, war, and geopolitical uncertainty, and are introduced to basic research skills relevant to studying international relations, including how to search for sources, assess sources, apply academic reference technique, and follow academic writing conventions.

Learning outcome

After completing this introductory course, students can describe International Relations as a diverse field that encompasses a multitude of actors, events, and processes. Students can explain why there is a diversity of theoretical perspectives in the discipline.

Students are able to explain selected concepts in International Relations and relate them to theories such as realism, liberal-institutionalism, constructivism, and critical theory. Students recognise that academic concepts are often debated and evolve through continuous assessment of their relevance in explaining and understanding the world. Students are familiar with this as a typical feature of the field of International Relations and the social sciences.

Students can apply concepts and theories in empirical analysis of developments in international relations. They have acquired a basic understanding of relevant research techniques, can identify relevant sources, show good referencing skills, and make use of various theoretical perspectives. Students can express their expectations regarding collaboration and support from fellow students and actively participate as team players in the classroom, demonstrating their academic understanding both orally and in writing

Learning activities
A variety of learning methods are used, including lectures, discussions, group work, oral presentations, role play-exercises, and consultations with the academic advisor. Students are expected to engage with course readings prior to class sessions, ensuring they are prepared to contribute meaningfully to discussions. Class activities are designed to facilitate discussion, reflection, and the development of understanding regarding core concepts and theories in international relations. Group work serves multiple purposes, including fostering connections among students and promoting collaborative skills - attributes highly valued by employers. In group settings, students can process more information than in individual work, stimulating creativity, and often leading to better solutions and enhanced learning results. The overarching aim of group work is to deepen conceptual comprehension and apply theoretical approaches to empirical analysis in International Relations.
Attendance: Generally speaking, and across academic disciplines, there is a strong correlation between lecture attendance and a student's final mark for any given course. With few exceptions, poor attendance usually results in lower grades due to missing opportunities for idea exchange and guidance provided during lectures. Students are strongly recommended to attend all lectures and organise colloquies - discussion groups where they explore ideas related to concepts, theories, and empirical developments in international relations.
Part-time Students & Attendance: To support part-time students, lectures are recorded, and seminar questions are posted for individual study and for collaboration in colloquies. Lectures are 45 Minutes and usually once daily during this introductory course.
Independent study is crucial. Students should dedicate approximately two hours per day to self-study, engaging in extensive reading to prepare thoroughly for the written school exam. Active class participation will further strengthen the preparation for the exam and solidify their understanding for further studies.
Additionally, the course includes sessions focused on developing essential academic skills. Students are introduced to the NMBU Learning Centre, the NMBU library, as well as the university regulation on plagiarism and other study specific questions regarding studies at NMBU.
Teaching support
Students are introduced to a detailed course outline (syllabus) for the course at the beginning of the term. This course outline is presented in the digital learning platform Canvas, and shows the day-to-day plan for the course, its activities, and relevant reading for each class/day. Students have access to Canvas once they have registered for studies at NMBU, usually early in August. Information about time and place of classes in EDS203 is available in Time Edit, accessible on NMBU's website.
The course reponsible is available for supervision during class and in individual sessions. Office hours are presented at the beginning of the course.
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree
Assessment method
Evaluation will be based on two assignments graded pass or fail:
1. Group work: Students work in groups on an assigned topic and prepare a delivery (for instance, an oral presentation, podcast, etc.). The group distribution will be selected by the module convener and the group self-organises its collaboration, when to meet and how to work.
2. Written School Exam: A 3,5 hours school exam on concepts, theories and empirical developments in International Relations covered in the course.
Exam only in English.
Examiner scheme
External evaluation shall be used in connection with the assessment arrangements.
Mandatory activity
Compulsory attendance in workshop on academic referencing (Introduction to library).
Notes
Exchange students/Erasmus-students are welcome!
Teaching hours
This course has teaching activities daily during the August-block (before or after lunch), and includes one excursion (long day).
Preferential right
M-IR
Admission requirements
This course is for students with admission to the NMBU master's program in International Relations. Students on exchange, such as Erasmus-students, are welcome to attend, and to do so, exchange students can contact the course responsible on e-mail.