INT1015 International Politics

    • Course code
      INT1015
    • Number of credits
      10
    • Teaching semester
      2024 Spring
    • Language of instruction
      English
    • Campus
      Lillehammer
    • Required prerequisite knowledge

      None

Course content

The course introduces theories and relevant themes in international politics.

  • Theoretical traditions on how states and other actors, including international organizations and interest groups, shape international policy.
  • Discussions about the importance of structures and institutions in international politics.
  • The structure of theories of international politics, what and who international politics study, as well as use of evidence and sources.
  • Application of theory to analyse and discuss developments in international politics, including analysis and assessment of current events.
  • International risk and security, as well as the challenges and development of international cooperation to manage risk and security.
  • The defence of universal human rights and protecting state sovereignty as a constant dilemma in international politics.
  • What is legitimate in international politics in the management of risks, humanitarian crises, and violent conflict?

Learning Outcome

Having passed the course, the student has gained the following learning outcome:

Knowledge

The student

  • knows central perspectives and concepts within the study of international politics.
  • knows the significant actors and institutions in international politics.
  • knows relevant sources for the study of international politics.
  • knows how to update their knowledge within the subject.
Skills

The student

  • can outline theoretical perspectives in international politics and the differences between them, especially regarding the relations between actor and structure.
  • can analyse international politics applying using concepts such as sovereignty, power, interests, identity, risk and security.
  • can evaluate different interpretations of events in international politics.
  • can critically assess sources of information on international politics and be updated on recent developments.
  • is aware of and can discuss the significance of their own values regarding choice of analytical perspective.
  • can critically evaluate their own views on international politics, which is a basic competence for further studies. 
  • can apply their knowledge of international politics to other (professional and public) debates.
  • can orient themselves in the relevant literature, both primary and secondary, and follow standard professional norms of attribution and reference.
  • can write an academic essay about a chosen topic in international politics.
  • can adjust their professional practice in response to feed-back and supervision.
General competence

The student

  • can plan and complete team-based academic projects.
  • can both individually and in a team develop and deliver efficient presentations on complex topics and address challenging oral questions at short notice.
Teaching and working methods

The course comprises lectures and seminars.

  • The lectures summarize concepts, theories and developments in key institutions, supplemented with selected cases for discussion.
  • Topics from lectures are elaborated in the seminars through active student participation, such as oral or written presentations and discussions.
  • The syllabus literature includes textbooks, supported by selected articles and book chapters. 
Required coursework

There are two coursework requirements, both written assignments based on previous group presentations at seminars:

  • A short essay.
  • Short answers to a set of questions covering relevant topics.
Assessments
Form of assessmentGrading scaleGroupingDuration of assessmentSupport materialsProportionComment
Written examination with invigilation
ECTS - A-F
Individual
4 Hour(s)
  • No support materials
100
Form of assessment

4-hour on-site written exam.

Professional overlap
NameCreditsDateComment
SHI1004 Internasjonal politikk
10
Course name in Norwegian Nynorsk: 
International Politics
Course name in Norwegian Bokmål: 
International Politics
Faculty
Inland School of Business and Social Sciences
Department
Department of Law, Philosophy and International studies with history
Area of study
Samfunnsvitenskapelige fag
Programme of study
Bachelor of international studies
Course level
Foundation courses, level I (100-LN)