SFB55022 International Relations (Spring 2026)

Facts about the course

ECTS Credits:
10
Responsible faculty:
Faculty of Computer Sciences, Engineering and Economics
Campus:
Halden
Course Leader:
Franck Orban
Teaching language:
English
Duration:
½ year

Table of contents

The course is affiliated to the following study programme

Mandatory course for Bachelor in International Communication with a specialisation in political communication.

Required prerequisite knowledge

Students must have passed an introductory course in international politics.

Teaching semester

6th semester (spring)

Content

International Relations is a course that is centred on the most central theories, models and concepts to analyse and understand how states and organisations interact on the international level. The course provides knowledge and tools to understand and analyse how states and organisations interact from various perspectives. As such, the course seeks to provide the student with a holistic approach to relations between states and organisations.

The student's learning outcomes on passing the course

Knowledge

The student has

  • a thorough understanding of the key assumptions, claims, and modes of reasoning that distinguish traditions of thought
  • advanced knowledge of variety of theoretical traditions in IR to identify and discuss in detail key contemporary debates in IR
  • advanced knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of individual approaches, this both theoretically as when applied to particular contexts in international politics

Skills

The student is able to

  • Demonstrate a critical knowledge of major concepts, themes and questions relevant to the study of international politics
  • Demonstrate an ability to use key concepts in particular circumstances and refine and/or critique them according to context

General competence

The student can

  • Demonstrate an ability to write an appropriately presented and referenced piece of coursework.
  • Demonstrate an ability to present a coherent argument in written form

Teaching and learning methods

A combination of seminars, lectures, videos and online activities.

Workload

approx. 280 hours

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

One written assignment. Students shall choose a relevant international event and analyse it by using one theory of international relations. Coursework requirements must be accepted to qualify for the exam.

Exam

Individual written assignment and individual oral exam

Individual written assignment:

48 hours, 1500 words ±10%, title page, table of contents and bibliography not included. Students can choose to answer one of two presented tasks.

The assignment is graded on the A-F grading scale. It is given a tentative grade on the assignment. This grade can be adjusted at the oral exam.

Individual oral exam:

The individual oral exam consists of a discussion of the assignment. Duration approx. 15 min with questions from the examiners. Except the assignment, no supporting materials are allowed.

An overall individual grade is given, grading scale A - F.

Examiners

External or internal examiner.

Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams

A new and postponed exam is conducted simultaneously with the next regular exam. However, the department management may decide to arrange a postponed exam in the following semester for students with valid absence from the regular exam.

Course evaluation

This course is evaluated by a

  • End-term evaluation (compulsory)

The responsible for the course compiles a report based on the feedback from the students and his/her own experience with the course. The report is discussed by the program committee at the Department of Computer Science and Communication.

Reading list

  • Baylis, John, Steve Smith og Patricia Owens. (2016). (7.edition): The Globalization of World Politics: An introduction to international relations. Oxford.
  • Wendt, Alexander. (1995).Constructing International Politics. International Security Vol. 20, No. 1 (Summer, 1995), pp. 71-81
  • Drezner, Daniel. (2015). Theories of International Politics and Zombies. Princeton University Press
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 2:26:54 AM