Actors in International Political Relations

The aim of the course is to acquaint students with theory and praxis of the activity of various kinds of actors in international political relations

1. Determinants and evolution of international political relations (IPR).

2. IR theories and actor’s agencies.

3. A state as a main actor of IPR.

4. Governmental and non-governmental international organizations.

5. Transnational movements. Multinational corporations. Liberation movements. Terrorist groups. Religious movements. Individuals.

Presence during the classes is obligatory. Student cannot have more than 3 absences. In case of more absences student is obliged to pass them during the office hours.

Class assignment outline (30% of grade).

1. Students form groups between 4 and 6 people each

2. Each group chooses an existing, contemporary issue in international relations and prepares an diagnosis thereof

3. Each group selects a presenter who presents this analyses to the class

4. Each group assigns to its remaining members particular roles of different actors; each member of a group presents during the class the functions it would play and action it would undertake in order to solve (or aggravate) the problem in line with the character of the actor it plays

5. The group prepares and presents in class a final report including suggestions for a resolution of the problem

6. The class discusses the credibility of the diagnosis, performance of particular actors and quality of the solutions suggested.

7. The final report of group’s work is handed over to the lecturer.

Final exam (test – 70% of grade).

McGlinchey, Stephen (ed.) International Relations (E- International Relations: Bristol 2017)

J. K. Cogan, I. Hurd, I. Johnstone, The Oxford Handbook of International Organizations (Oxford 2017)

Handbook of International Relations (SAGE 2002)

P. Wijninga, W. T. Oosterveld, J. H. Galdiga, P. Marten, 4 state and non-state actors: beyond the dichotomy, strategic monitor 2014: four strategic challenges, Jan. 1, 2014, https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep12608.8.