Important notice
The course guide is provisional.
The PDF version of the course guide may take a few days to become available in the DDD.
Analysis in International Relations, Security and Development
Code: 42986Credits: 15
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| International Relations, Security and Development | OB | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Eduard Soler Lecha
- Email :
- eduard.soler@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Rafael Grasa Hernández
- Eduard Soler Lecha
- Juan Pablo Soriano Gatica
- Dúnia Camps Febrer
- Ana Ayuso Pozo
- Sergio Maydeu Olivares
- Oriol Costa Fernandez
- Carlos Martin Faus
Teaching staff (external to UAB)
- Óscar Fernández
- Martijn Vlaskamp
- Laia Serra
- Pol Bargués
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the 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
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 (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.) 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 (To independently design a research project in the field of international relations, security and development that meets the criteria of rigour and academic excellence.) 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 (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.) 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 (To discuss the main issues on the international agenda while promoting cooperation.) To discuss the main issues on the international agenda while promoting cooperation.
- KA01 (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.) 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 (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.) 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 (To categorise the main actors within the international systems in a particular thematic area.) To categorise the main actors within the international systems in a particular thematic area.
- SA01 (To use analytical constructs to understand international relations, particularly with regard to issues associated with security and development.) To use analytical constructs to understand international relations, particularly with regard to issues associated with security and development.
- SA02 (To apply the methodological instruments necessary for systematically and rigorously analysing international relations (observation, comparison, formulation of hypotheses, etc.), as well as intervention tools.) 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 (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.) 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.
Contents
BLOCK I: FOUNDATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Topic 1: Basic conceptual framework of International Relations — Eduard Soler i Lecha
Topic 2: How we research, how we write, how and why we cite — Eduard Soler i Lecha
Topic 3: Public international law: the language of international order — Anna Ayuso
Topic 4: Foreign policy analysis — Juan Pablo Soriano
BLOCK II: THEORETICAL APPROACHES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Topic 5: Why do we need International Relations theories and how do we use them? — Oriol Costa
Topic 6: Realisms — Juan Pablo Soriano
Topic 7: Liberalisms and institutionalisms — Óscar Fernández
Topic 8: Constructivisms — Dúnia Camps-Febrer
Topic 9: Critical, feminist, and postcolonial theory — Dúnia Camps-Febrer
BLOCK III: THEORIES AND PRACTICES OF DEVELOPMENT
Topic 10: From growth to development(s). Emergence and evolution of the concept and the practice — Rafael Grasa
Topic 11: Development, environment, and North-South relations — Laia Serra
Topic 12: Introduction to the logical framework — Carlos Martín
BLOCK IV: THEORIES AND PRACTICES OF SECURITY
Topic 13: Security: concepts, approaches, trends, and challenges — Juan Pablo Soriano
Topic 14: Human security, peace, and post-conflict — Pol Bargués (to be confirmed)
Topic 15: The practical study of the security agenda — Sergio Maydeu
BLOCK V: METHOD
Topic 16: The first step: identifying and delimiting the research topic — Martijn Vlaskamp
Topic 17: Research question, variables, and hypotheses — Martijn Vlaskamp
Topic 18: Research methodologies and techniques — Martijn Vlaskamp
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures and exercises at class | 75 | 3 | |
| 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.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four partial examen | 50% | 0 | 0 | CA01, KA01, KA02, KA03, SA01 |
| Five practical exercises | 50% | 0 | 0 | CA01, CA02, CA03, CA04, KA01, KA02, KA03, SA01, SA02, SA03 |
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 two 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 & II exam: 30%
- 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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Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 1 | Spanish | first semester | afternoon |