DAFF 25A97 - Critical Theories of International Relations. The making of the Modern World Order

This is an undergraduate module that covers advanced theories of International Relations. The course explores central questions of international politics by examining the different traditions of thought about the character and nature of ‘the international'. Each week, we will engage directly with key thinkers who represent these traditions. The course situates each theory in its historical context, reflecting on the conditions of its emergence and development. You will therefore learn how ‘the international' was constructed as a field of study throughout capitalist modernity, and how these theories are connected to the practice of international relations. The course begins with the emergence of our contemporary system as such, asking how politics went global, what philosophical traditions underpinned that transformation, and how the modern state became the primary way of organizing social life. We then explore how the dominant theories of the twentieth-century conceptualized ‘the international' — from early Marxist theories of imperialism, to the anti-colonial movements of the mid-century, through to feminist theory and poststructuralism. The course ends by relating international theory to contemporary events, such as the global war on terror and the rise of the far-right.

Javier CARBONELL,Carlos CORROCHANO,Bernardino LEON REYES,Itxaso DOMINGUEZ

Séminaire

English

Spring 2022-2023

1°) Weekly summaries (30%): Each week you will have to write a 500-word-long summary that must critically engage with the TWO core readings for that week. Due date: every week, the day before the session. Mark : they will not have a numerical mark, only a PASS or FAIL. 2°) Research proposal (25%): You will write a one-page long research proposal outlining the topic, relevance and methods of your final paper. Deadline: Session 6 3°) Final paper : « special issue » (45%): The final assignment will be a final research paper on a topic discussed during the course. This paper will be between 2,000 and 2,500 words. 4º) EXTRA: Participation (10%):