Dr Ulrich Sedelmeier CLM.5.06

This course is compulsory on the BSc in International Relations, BSc in International Relations and History and BSc in Politics and International Relations. This course is available on the BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

Students should have solid foundations in International Relations (including international relations theory).

The course draws on theories of international institutions to explain comparatively key aspects of the role of International Organisations in international politics. These questions include why states create International Organisations, why states transfer certain powers to them, and what impact they have on the practice of international cooperation with regard to matters of concern to international society such as the maintenance of international peace and security, the management of international economic relations, the promotion of international environmental standards, or the protection of human rights. International organisations to be discussed include the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, NATO, and regional organisations like the European Union.

10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the MT. 10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT. 2 hours of classes in the ST.

Students on this course will have a reading week in Week 6, in line with departmental policy. 

Students are expected to write three essays of a maximum length of 1,500 words each in addition to at least one presentation (introduction to discussion) given in class. Class teachers will set and mark the essays and provide feedback on student presentations.

Ian Hurd (2013): International Organizations: Politics, Law, Practice, 2nd edition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press);

Volker Rittberger, Bernhard Zangl and Andreas Kruck, International Organization: Polity, Policy, Politics, 2nd ed. (Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2012.

Exam (100%, duration: 3 hours) in the main exam period.