Analysis in International Relations, Security and Development
Code: 42986 ECTS Credits: 15| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| International Relations, Security and Development | OB | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Eduard Soler Lecha
- Email:
- eduard.soler@uab.cat
Teachers
- Maria Ester Barbe Izuel
- Rafael Grasa Hernández
- Ana Ayuso Pozo
- Carlos Martin Faus
- Sergio Maydeu Olivares
- Oriol Costa Fernandez
- Eduard Soler Lecha
- Juan Pablo Soriano Gatica
- Blanca Camps Febrer
- Lluc Vidal López
- Oriol Barba Suñol
- (External) Laia Serra
- (External) Martijn Vlaskamp
- (External) Pol Bargués
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
In order to lay the foundations of the course and homogenise the starting level of the group, before the start of the sessions students should read the book by Esther Barbé (2020), Relaciones Internacionales, 4th edition, Madrid: Tecnos. It is also advisable to read, during the course, the book Del Arenal, Celestino and Sanahuja, José Antonio (2015), Teorías de las Relaciones Internacionales, Madrid: Tecnos. For the methodological sessions, the support book is the following one: Zapata Barrero, Ricard and Sánchez Montijano, Elena (2011), Manual de investigación cualitativa en la ciencia política, Madrid: Tecnos. This handbook might be useful for students who prefer to read in English: Dunne, T., Kurki, M., & Smith, S. (Eds.). (2021). International relations theories: Discipline and diversity. Oxford University Press, USA.
Objectives and Contextualisation
This course provides an introduction to some of the main theoretical perspectives on the study of international relations and their research methods. Students will learn new ways of thinking about and analysing international society, increase their ability to evaluate the main theoretical ideas and apply these perspectives to analyse specific issues in contemporary international politics. The course also aims to provide conceptual and methodological tools and guidelines to enable students to better prepare their final master's thesis.
Learning Outcomes
- CA01 (Competence) To apply the knowledge acquired to potentially solve an issue related to the analysis of international relations in broad contexts and little-known or multidisciplinary environments.
- CA02 (Competence) To independently design a research project in the field of international relations, security and development that meets the criteria of rigour and academic excellence.
- CA03 (Competence) To take part in the development of projects related to international relations, security and development with ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights and duties, diversity and democratic values, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals.
- CA04 (Competence) To discuss the main issues on the international agenda while promoting cooperation.
- KA01 (Knowledge) To recognise the main theoretical and conceptual perspectives for analysing international relations, as well as the various thematic areas of international activity and the main geographical regions, identifying the authors and reference sources.
- KA02 (Knowledge) To approach and contextualise a research topic by incorporating relevant information from specialised documentary and bibliographic resources on matters of international relations, security and development.
- KA03 (Knowledge) To categorise the main actors within the international systems in a particular thematic area.
- SA01 (Skill) To use analytical constructs to understand international relations, particularly with regard to issues associated with security and development.
- SA02 (Skill) To apply the methodological instruments necessary for systematically and rigorously analysing international relations (observation, comparison, formulation of hypotheses, etc.), as well as intervention tools.
- SA03 (Skill) To assess the application of intervention tools (policymaking, strategy development, planning, negotiation and mediation techniques, etc.) in managing interdependencies and their suitability for local and international contexts.
Content
BLOCK I: FOUNDATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Session 1 Welcome to MURISD and introductions
Eduard Soler i Lecha
Session 2: Opening lecture
Julien Barnes-Dacey (Director of the Middle East & North Africa Programme, ECFR), introduced by Eduard Soler i Lecha
Session 3: How we research, how we write, how and why we cite
Eduard Soler i Lecha
Session 4: The discipline of IR: emergence and evolution
Esther Barbé
Session 5: Analytical frameworks in IR: structures, actors, processes and levels of analysis
Eduard Soler i Lecha
Session 6: Foreign policy analysis + practical exercise
Juan Pablo Soriano
Session 7: Public international law: the language of international order
Anna Ayuso
BLOCK II: THEORETICAL APPROACHES IN IR
Session 8: Block I exam and introduction to BlockII<brdata-start="3522" data-end="3525" /> • Block I exam – Eduard Soler
• Why do we need International Relations theories and how do we use them? – Oriol Costa
Session 9: Liberalism(s) and institutionalism(s)
Esther Barbé
Session 10: Realism(s)
Lluc Vidal
Session 11: Constructivism(s)
Oriol Costa
Session 12: Critical, feminist and postcolonial theory I
Blanca Camps-Febrer
Session 13: Critical, feminist and postcolonial theory II + practical exercise
Blanca Camps-Febrer
BLOCK III: DEVELOPMENT THEORY AND PRACTICE
Session 14: Block II exam + introduction to Block III
• Block II exam – Eduard Soler
• From growth to development(s): emergence and evolution of the concept and practice – Rafael Grasa
Session 15: Development, environment and North-South relations
Laia Serra
Session 16: Introduction to the logical framework + practical exercise
Carlos Martín
BLOCK IV: SECURITY THEORY AND PRACTICE
Session 17: Security: concepts, approaches, trends and challenges
Juan Pablo Soriano
Friday, 28 November 2025
Session 18: Human security, peace and post-conflict
Pol Bargués
Monday, 1 December 2025
Session 19: Practical exercise to be determined
Sergio Maydeu
BLOCK V: METHODS
Session 20: Block III & IV exam + Introduction to Block V
• Block III & IV exam – Eduard Soler
• The first step: identifying and defining your research topic – Martijn Vlaskamp
Session 21: Research question, variables and hypotheses
Martijn Vlaskamp
Session 22: Research methodologies and techniques + practical exercise
Martijn Vlaskamp
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Lectures and exercises at class | 75 | 3 | |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Reading and study of basic texts | 300 | 12 |
Use of Artificial Intelligence
Restricted use. In this course, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed only for very limited purposes, such as performing grammar and style corrections, or making translations.
Students must clearly indicate which parts of their work were generated using AI tools, identify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on the role and impact of these technologies on the learning and evaluation process.
Failure to disclose AI use will be considered a breach of academic integrity and will result in a failing grade for the activity, or other academic sanctions, as appropriate.
Students are strongly advised to consult with the instructor before submitting any work involving AI. The instructor has full authority to determine whether there has been inappropriate use of AI.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Five practical exercises | 50% | 0 | 0 | CA01, CA02, CA03, CA04, KA01, KA02, KA03, SA01, SA02, SA03 |
| Four partial examen | 50% | 0 | 0 | CA01, KA01, KA02, KA03, SA01 |
The course is divided into five blocks. A practical exercise (individual or group, depending on the session) will be completed in each block and will count toward the final grade. There will also be three partial exams throughout the course. If a student fails any of the exams, they will have the opportunity to retake them at the end of the course. Practical exercises, however, cannot be retaken.
The final grade will be weighted as follows:
-
Block I exam: 10%
-
Block II exam: 20%
-
Block III & IV exam: 20%
-
Block I practical: 10%
-
Block II practical: 10%
-
Block III practical: 10%
-
Block IV practical: 10%
-
Block V practical: 10%
Bibliography
Adler, Emanuel (2002), “Constructivism and International Relations”, In Carlsnaes, W., Risse, T. y Simmons, B.A. (eds) Handbook of International Relations, London [etc.]: Sage Publications, pp. 95 –118
Del Arenal, Celestino y Sanahuja, José Antonio (2015), Teorías de las Relaciones Internacionales, Madrid: Tecnos.
Barbé, Esther (2020), Relaciones Internacionales, 4ª edición, Madrid: Tecnos
Bauböck, R., della Porta, D., Lago, I. y Ungureanu, C. (2012) “¿De las ‘guerras’ metodológicas al pluralismo metodológico?”. Revista Española de Ciencia Política. N. 29, Julio 2012, pp. 11-38.
Bull, Hedley (1977), The Anarchical society: a study of order in world politics, New York: Columbia University Press.
Carlsnaes, Walter, Risse, Thomas y Simmons, Beth A. (eds.) (2002), Handbook of International Relations, London [etc.]: Sage Publications.
Corbetta, P. (2003) “Investigación Cuantitativa e Investigación Cualitativa”. Metodología y Técnicas de Investigación social. Madrid: McGraw-Hill, pp. 33-68.
Goetze, Catherine, and Khushi Singh Rathore, eds. 2025. The Contemporary Reader of Feminist International Relations. Routledge.
Keohane, Robert O. y Nye, Joseph (1971), Transnational Relations and World Politics, Cambridge (MA): Harvard University Press.
Keohane, Robert O (1984), After hegemony: cooperation and discord in the world political economy, Princeton: Princeton University Press.
King, Gary, Keohane, Robert O y Verba, Sidney (1994),Designing social inquiry: scientific inference in qualitative research, Princeton: Princeton University Press (versión en castellano editada en el 2000 con el títlo El Diseño de la investigación social: la inferencia científica en los estudios cualitativos, Madird: Alianza)
Lago, I. (2008) “¿Qué se debe evitar en los diseños de investigación?”. La lógica de la explicación en las ciencias sociales. Alianza Editorial, pp. 75-111.
Rengger, Nicholas, y Thirkell-White, Ben (2007), “Still critical after all these years? The past, present and future of Critical Theory in International Relations”, Review of International Studies, 33(1), 3-24.
Ritchie, J. y Lewis, J. (ed.)(2003) “Design issues”. Qualitative Research Practice. A guide for social science students and researchers. London: Sage, pp. 47-76.
Smith, S., Hadfield, A., & Dunne, T. (Eds.). (2008, 2012 y 2016). Foreign policy: theories, actors, cases. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Tickner, J. Ann. (2005), “What Is Your Research Program? Some Feminist Answers to International Relations Methodological Questions”, International Studies Quarterly, 49(1), 1-22.
Thomas, Risse (1995), Bringing Transnational Relations Back-in, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Waltz, Kenneth N. (1979), Theory of International Politics, Reading [etc.]: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.
Wendt, Alexander (1999), Social theory of international politics, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Wight, Martin (1991), International theory: the three traditions, edited by Gabriele Wight and Brian Porter, introductory essay by Hedldy Bull, Londres: The Royal Institute for International Affairs
Software
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Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 1 | Spanish | first semester | afternoon |