Theory and History of International Relations / International Law

22M1128

Master

English

5.0

only winterterm

1 semester

The module provides a comprehensive overview of the main features of the history and key theories of international relations, current issues in international relations, and international law.

The “Theory and history of international relations and international law” module is the first module of the specialisation in “Development Cooperation”.

It is divided into the areas

1. Theory and history of international relations: - the history and structures of international relations - traditional theoretical approaches and their evolution - the European world of states, colonialism, nationalism, and imperialism - world politics, international system - many current issues in international relations as well as
2. International law 2.1. Concept and history of international law 2.2. Legal sources of international law (treaties, customary law, general principles of law, resources) 2.3. Subjects of international law (states, international organizations, individuals, NGOs) 2.4. International legal responsibility and international criminal law 2.5. Subject areas of international law relevant to NPOs (e.g. human rights protection, peacekeeping, and law of war, international business law, environmental protection in international law, culture in international law)

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Homework / Assignment or
• Oral presentation, with written elaboration or
• Presentation

Written assignment: between 10 and 20 pages
Report: between 10 and 30 minutes with a written paper between 5 and 15 pages long 
Presentation: approx. 30 minutes including moderated discussion

The requirements are specified in the relevant class.

none

Students who have successfully completed this module possess knowledge related to the subject area of the historically relevant development contexts and the key theories explaining the structures of the international political and legal system.

Students are able to classify theories of international politics in their historical frame of reference and to critically reflect on their patterns of interpretation. They also acquire knowledge on current issues in international relations.

Students are proficient in the relevant techniques of information procurement, preparation, and critical interpretation of texts and documents relevant to this area.

Students learn theories and concepts of international relations researchand international law, and use them specifically to explain current conflicts and phenomena. The aim is always to transfer findings from the state of research in this field to application scenarios of particular relevance to international development cooperation.

Students are encouraged to innovatively use and critically question established theories and concepts of international relations. In addition, they should be able to understand and critically scrutinise the legal side of international cooperation. On this basis, students should arrive at innovative patterns of explanation and interpretation that enable them to independently continue the disciplinary as well as interdisciplinary debate.

The forms of work in the module enable students to hone their communication and collaboration skills. They take into account different perspectives, especially in controversial areas of conflict in international politics and law.

By referring back to disciplinary debates as well as to theories and concepts of political science research, students can further develop their scientific competences. At the same time, they know and understand the framework conditions of international law in order to use them for the international actions of non-profit organisations. In this way, they expand their theoretical and methodological knowledge, which they can use profitably in professional and interdisciplinary discourse as well as in social debates.

This module is related to the modules of the specialisation Development Cooperation.

• Management in Nonprofit-Organisations M.A. (01.09.2024)

• Loer, Kathrin

• Loer, Kathrin