Theories of International Relations and European Integration

obligatory courses

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the different ways of theoretical explanation of international relations and European integration. The lecture will be dedicated to international relations theories (realism, liberalism, structuralism, the English school, constructivism, feminism, poststrukturalism) and to theories of European integration (functionalism, federalism, transactionism, neofunctionalism, liberal intergovernmentalism. Lecture will be supplemented by classes, during which the most representatives texts concerning theories of International relations and theories of European Integration theories will be discussed.

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the different ways of theoretical explanation of international relations and European integration. The lecture will be dedicated to international relations theories (realism, liberalism, structuralism, the English school, constructivism, feminism, poststrukturalism) and to theories of European integration (functionalism, federalism, transactionism, neofunctionalism, liberal intergovernmentalism.

Realist theorists discern the roots of European integration in the havoc wreaked in European societies by the II World War, and Europe's particular geopolitical position after 1945. Liberalism takes a more favourable position towards integration. It concentrates on the explanation of cooperation between states. Structuralism explains relations between centre and periphery whereas the English School brings in the idea of international society. Our understanding of integration is broadened by dynamically developing constructivism, concentrating on actors' identities and interests.

Early European integration theories, such as functionalism and federalism started to develop already in the interwar period. Established in 1960., neofunctionalism is characterised by the aspiration for scientific precision and objectivity through isolating variables and putting forward hypotheses. Liberal intergovernmentalism concentrates on internal decision-making processes, negotiation and coalition formation, importance of relative power and the role of national leaders.

The lecture presents premises of international relations and European integration theories. The themes of lectures cover:

1. International relations as a disciplines of social science

2. Taxonomy of international relations theories

3. Classical Realism

4. Neorealism and Neoclassical realism

5. Liberalism and neoliberalism

6. Functionalism, Transactionism and Neofunctionalism,

7. Liberal intergovernmentalism and its critics

8. Structuralism (neo-Marxism) and center-periphery relations

9. The English School of International Relations. Normative theories

10. Constructivism

11. Feminism in International Relations

12. Poststructuralism, postcollonial theory

13. Summary and conclusions

Classes will be focused on the discussion of main works of international relations and European integration theorists in historical perspective.

WYKŁAD:

- Jacek Czaputowicz, Teorie stosunków międzynarodowych. Krytyka i systematyzacja, Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa 2008,

- Jacek Czaputowicz, Teorie integracji europejskiej, WN PWN Warszawa 2018,

After the course a student:

• has broad knowledge concerning theories of international relations and European integration

• knows and can properly use theoretical concepts of International Relations

• is able to interpret, in theoretical terms, processes within the European Union

• comprehends scientific literature and can relate to the arguments presented within it during discussions

• can prepare and present a presentation on the subject of a scientific article

• can write a short scientific essay on a subject concerning international relations and European integration theory.

Classes (no more than three absentions):

• preparation to classes and active participation in discussions on prescribed readings

• presentation on a chosen scientific article from the supplementary readings and a synthetic note (or slideshow presentation) on the presented scientific article

• written assignment in a form of 4-5 pages long scientific essay

Lecture:

• oral examination