International Relations of Resilience (10cr)

Objective

After completion of the course the student is able to
- engage in critical analysis of conceptual, theoretical and debates concerning resilience
- recognize ontological and epistemological premises of the theory of resilience and reflect on its implications for theories and debates concerning the state of international relations today
- demonstrate independent judgment and communication at a level commensurate with master’s degree studies.

Content

International Relations are saturated today by demands for ‘resilience’; of states, of societies, of groups and individuals. Likewise non-human systems, especially the environment, are increasingly understood as inherently resilient yet also vulnerable. Scholars of International Relations argue that this represents a dramatic shift in the building blocks of international order and that resilience has effectively replaced security as its guiding principle. This course will investigate the significance of this development in the world of international relations. What is resilience and why has it become so central to policies and practices internationally? Does it represent progress in international relations or a setback? What help can different theories of international relations provide in enabling our understanding of it? How does the emergence of this discourse of resilience change our understandings of the limits of international relations theory?

Qualifications

BA Studies

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Fail: Performance is highly deficient or erroneous. The work may be based on serious misunderstandings.

Sufficient and satisfactory (1-2): Performance is lacking in scope, superficial, or corresponds poorly to the assignment. The author merely lists things out of context or addresses them one-sidedly. The work may contain errors or obscurities.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good and very good (3-4): Performance corresponds to the assignment, manifesting comprehension and a skill to analyse and justify. The author has addressed the issue comprehensively. The work may contain some deficiencies.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5): Performance delineates an extensive whole and the author can apply knowledge in a multifaceted way or place it in various contexts. The work manifests independency and insight, and it is a flawless entity that involves justified thinking or critical contemplation. The work is well written and implemented.

Materials

To be distributed at the beginning of the course.

Execution methods

Lectures and seminars (14 h). Independent work.

Accomplishment methods

Participation in lectures and seminars, including a seminar presentation (5 op), and a written assignment (5 op).