SFS20119 International Relations and Comparative Politics (Autumn 2019)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Mandatory course within the Political Science Extension Course.

Compulsory course of 30 stp for students in the Bachelor program in society, language and culture (applies to class 2018 and earlier years).

Lecture Semester

Political Science Extension Course: 1st Semester (Autumn).

Bachelor programme in society, language and culture: 3rd or 5th Semester (Autumn).

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge

The student is aware of current theoretical debates on the political development of democratic and authoritarian states, and power relations in international politics, particularly in the Middle East region.

Skills

The student is able to understand, use and apply central concepts and theoretical models in understanding foreign policy of states as well as interaction between states and organizations in the study of international relations. Skills in understanding and conflict, war and conflict resolution in different states in the Middle East region.

General competence

The student has obtained a general analytical competence.

Content

The international relations part builds on central theoretical approaches towards describing, understanding and analyzing power relations between small and big powers in the international system. The Middle East is the main geographical center of the course. The comparative politics part presents an introduction to methodological approaches towards comparing democratic and authoritarian states, climate politics, cooperation among states in different policy fields such as human rights, including women's rights at the domestic and international Levels.

Forms of teaching and learning

Lectures, seminars and discussions. Teaching is mainly conducted as lectures. Supervision of the essay will be provided at seminars. Students are encouraged to form colloquium groups.

Workload

Approximately 280 hours.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

Individual presentation of essay outline and the topic must be approved.

Examination

Individual written essay

Essay consisting of 10 pages where the student shows competence in analyzing international politics from a comparative perspective.

The essay can be written in English or Norwegian. A final mark is given according to a five-point scale, A to F.

Examiners

External and internal sensors or two internal sensors.

Course evaluation

Student evaluations will be carried out according to the routines for quality work at Østfold University College.

Feedback from our students is essential for us to offer the best possible topics and study programs. This topic is evaluated in the following way:

• Mid-term evaluation
• Continuous evaluation / Final evaluation

Results are processed by:

• Teacher group
• Head of study
• local quality assurance committee

Literature

The readinglist was last updated June 17th 2019.

Angrist, Michele Penner (ed.). (2013). Politics and Society in the Contemporary Middle East.  2nd ed. (300 s.)

Jackson, Robert, & Sørensen, Georg. (6th ed.) (2016). Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (300 s.)

Hague, R., Harrop, M., & McCormick, J. (2016). Comparative Government and Politics. An Introduction. London: Houndmills: Palgrave.(250 s.)

Maktabi, Rania (2015). Female Citizenship in Syria: Framing the 2009 Controversy over Personal Status Law. Syria from Reform to Revolt: Vol. 1: Political Economy and International Relations. New York: Syracuse University Press. (25 s.). (Canvas)

Morgenthau, Hans. J. (1985, 2009). Six principles of political realism. In Robert J. Art, & Robert Jervis (Eds.), International Politics: Enduring concepts and contemporary Issues. (pp. 15 – 27). New York: Pearson Longman. (8 s.). (Canvas).

Simmons, Beth A. (2009). Why International Law? The Development of the International Human Rights Regime in the Twentieth Century. Mobilizing for Human Rights: International Law in Domestic Politics. (pp. 23 - 56). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (33 s.). (Canvas).

Tickner, J. Ann (1991, 2009). A Critique of Morgenthau’s Principles of Political Realism. In Robert J. Art, & Robert Jervis (Eds.), International Politics: Enduring concepts and contemporary Issues. (pp. 15 – 27). New York: Pearson Longman. (12 s.). (Canvas)

Suggested literature:
Enloe, Cynthia (2004). The Curious Feminist: Searching for Women in a New Age of Empire. University of California Press. (300 s.)

Maktabi, Rania (2016). Female citizenship and Family Law in Kuwait and Qatar: Globalization and Pressures for Reform in Two Rentier States. Nidaba, vol. 1 issue 1. Centre for Middle Eastern Studies, Lund University. (20 s.).

Rokkan, Stein. (1975). Dimensions of State Formation and Nation-Building: A Possible Paradigm for Research on Variations within Europe. The Formation of National States in Western Europe. Princeton: Princeton University Press. (30 s.)