International politics
- Credits: 6
- Ending: Examination
- Range: 2P + 2C
- Semester: summer
- Year: 1
- Faculty of International Relations
Teachers
Included in study programs
Teaching results
The aim of the course is to understand the main trends in the development of international politics with the impact of socio-political, economic, legal, cultural and military factors on the system of international relations. The main task of the course is to master the relevant facts and database. The course contributes to the expansion of knowledge of students of international economic relations and will provide a quality portfolio of knowledge for experts in the field of economic diplomacy.
Knowledge: mastering the peculiarities and specifics of the functioning of key actors in international politics, their position on the world stage, interactions, interests, resources and influence in world politics, understanding the key trends of international politics, which is perceived as interaction between states and other entities.
Competences: ability to systematically assess the development and current state of the world political system with emphasis on the interaction of the main actors, understanding of political specifics within the international environment.
Skills: to orient, analyze and work with relevant resources, the ability to monitor and understand the logic and dynamics of changes in the political and economic characteristics of the current system of international relations at the global and regional level, to analyze current trends in world politics.
After completing the course, the student should:
- identify and understand key concepts and terminology associated with actors in international relations,
- be able to analyze the dynamics of international relations, taking into account the principles and mechanisms of operation of international relations actors,
- master the specifics of the foreign policy of global and regional powers, selected states in the European area, to understand the domestic political factors of its formation,
- analyze and critically evaluate the relevant scientific literature,
- be able to critically discuss general trends in international politics.
Indicative content
Introduction to international politics. Actors of international politics. Foreign policy of the state. The United Kingdom of Great Britain as an actor in international politics. The USA as a global player in international politics. Germany as a key EU power. France as an actor in international politics. Italy as an actor in international politics. Russia as an actor in international politics. Ukraine and its influence on international politics. Slovak Republic as an actor in international politics. Switzerland in the system of international politics. Cooperation in international politics.
Support literature
McGLINCHEY, S. (2017) International relations. Bristol, England: E-International Relations Publishing, 2017. 238 p. ISBN 978-1-910814-17-8
Waltz, K. Theory of International Politics. Waveland Press; 1st edition, February 5, 2010, 256 p. ISBN-10: 1577666704
Bradford, A. (2020) The Brussels Effect: How the European Union Rules the World. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2020. 424 p. ISBN 9780190088583
Syllabus
1. Introduction to international politics. The nature of international politics and its significance for the theory of international relations. The interdisciplinary nature of international politics. International politics as the core of international relations. 2. Actors of international politics. The state as a key player in international politics. Developmental stages of state formation. The current political system of the state. External and internal sovereignty of the state. 3. Foreign policy of the state. The link between the domestic and foreign policy of the state. State foreign policy: doctrines, strategies and techniques. State institutions and their influence on the formation of foreign policy. 4. The United Kingdom of Great Britain as an actor in international politics. Key milestones in the formation of statehood. Establishment in the system of international relations. Foreign policy priorities and their development. 5. The USA as a global player in international politics. Peculiarities of statehood formation. Specifics of functioning in the current system of international relations. Foreign policy priorities and their development. 6. Germany as a key EU power. Key milestones in the formation of statehood. Position in the system of international relations. Foreign policy priorities and their development. 7. France as an actor in international politics. Key milestones in the formation of statehood. Establishment in the system of international relations. Foreign policy priorities and their development. 8. Italy as an actor in international politics. Specifics of statehood formation. Establishment in the system of international relations. Foreign policy priorities and their development. 9. Russia as an actor in international politics. Russia as the successor state of the USSR. The special place of the RF in the system of international relations. Foreign policy priorities and their development. 10. Ukraine and its influence on international politics. Formation of statehood in the post-Soviet period. Establishment in the system of international relations. Change of foreign policy direction and its consequences. 11. Slovak Republic as an actor in international politics. Key milestones in the formation of statehood. Establishment in the system of international relations. Foreign policy priorities and their development 12. Switzerland in the system of international politics. Peculiarities of statehood formation. Position in the system of international relations. Foreign policy priorities and their diplomatic dimension. 13. Cooperation in international politics. Diplomacy as a means of cooperation. Institutions of the international political system. Principles and ways of cooperation in international politics.
Requirements to complete the course
The final grade is based on the continuous control of the study during the teaching part of the semester and the oral exam as follows: 40% of the total course evaluation consists of continuous control during the study (participation 10%, activity / control questions 10%, presentation (20%). The final evaluation is in the form of an oral exam (60% of the total evaluation of the course).
Student workload
Participation in lectures 26 h, participation in seminars 26 h, preparation for seminars 13 h, elaboration of a semester project 13 h, preparation for the exam 78 h.
Language whose command is required to complete the course
Slovak
Date of approval: 10.02.2023
Date of the latest change: 20.12.2022