SCIENCE OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

The course 'Science of International Politics' introduces students to political science and to the main theories and issues of international politics.

This seminar aims to introduce Master’s students to international negotiations by developing a theoretical and practical understanding. The seminar is divided into three parts. The first part of the seminar will focus on approaches and theories. The second part of the seminar will analyse the major aspects and steps of the negotiation process. The third part of the seminar will focus on specific issues - security, human rights and environment.

After this class, students should have an improved ability to read political science papers. They should also be more familiar with international politics and international negotiation theories and be able to apply their knowledge to the understanding of historical and present events. Finally, they should have developed their analytical skills through the case-study.

A basic knowledge of International Relations Theories would be useful.
Students who have never attended a class in International Relations are advised to read Baylis, John, Patricia Owens, and Steve Smith, eds. The globalization of world politics: An introduction to international relations. Oxford University Press, 2017.

PART 1: APPROACHES AND THEORIES.1. Introduction. 2. What does bargaining mean. 3. Different Types of Negotiation. PART 2: THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS. 4. Strategy. 5. Coalitions. 6. Two-Level Games. 7. The Role of the Chair and of the Mediator. 8. Deadlock. 9. Back-Channel Negotiations. PART 3: ISSUES. 10. Security. 11. Human Rights. 12. Environment.

Available on Moodle (https://moodle.unive.it/course/view.php?id=2085 ).

Before each session, students should read one article (see the file 'Compulsoy readings' on Moodle). The compulsory readings are available on Moodle.

Final written exam; duration: three hours.

First part of the final written exam: questions on the compulsory readings (15 points; duration: one hour).

Second part of the final written exam: during the semester, students will have to select and to study two cases of international negotiation (the guidelines for the selection and the study of the cases will be available on Moodle). During the written exam, they will have to answer two questions on the selected cases (15 points; duration: two hours).

The exam will be the same for all students (attendant, non attendant, Erasmus, international students in exchange).

For the second part of the exam, students will have access to all the materials (readings, notes, internet, etc.) they wish to use.

In December, there will be a mid-term exam. The date of the mid-term exam will be published on the webpage of the teacher at least one month before the exam. This exam is not compulsory. The pattern of this exam will be the same as the pattern of the first part of the final exam. Students will be able to keep or to reject the grade received for this mid-term exam. If they decide to reject their grade, they will have to do both the first part and the second part of the final exam. If they accept their grade, they will have to do only the second part of the final written exam. If their final grade is inferior to 18/30, they will have to do the exam again (both part one and part two). If they had accepted the grade received for the mid-term exam, they will not be able to keep it.

Lectures and compulsory readings before the lectures.

English

For this class, there is no distinction between attendant students and non attendent students. The same evaluation criteria apply to all students and the programme for the exam is the same for all students.

A more complete syllabus is available on Moodle. Students should also read this more detailed syllabus.

For questions, students should consult the teacher during her office hours (the schedule of the office hours is published on the webpage of the teacher).

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development