[SOLVED] The roles of theories and research methods in International Relations

Content:
The block seminar focuses on the roles of theories and research methods in International Relations.
Students are introduced to basic ontological and methodological concepts and major contending
epistemological perspectives on theories and approaches in the field. Furthermore, students will be
acquainted with the background debates in the philosophy of the social sciences that undergird different
methodological approaches.
The primary aim of the block seminar is to provide an up-to-date overview of the main contemporary
debates in the field of international relations theory and methodology against the background of a
number of paradigmatic examples. We will contrast the traditional perspectives of Idealism and Realism
and their underlying methodological orientations of understanding and explaining with more recent (and
more critical) perspectives of Constructivism, Postmodernism, Critical Theory, and Feminism. We will
then open a vista on two subjects not generally dealt with in the context of an IR theory seminar: Theories
of European Integration (with their emphasis on transnational and supranational politics, functional
interlocking, and multilevel governance), and theories of Development, with an emphasis on nonWestern, centre-periphery, unequal exchange, dependency, and neo-imperialism critical, and
postcolonial orientations.
The secondary aim of the block seminar is to assist students in the choice of the appropriate theoretical
techniques as such. At the end of the preparatory week the block seminar will contain, therefore, a
session on how to construct a research proposal for a Bachelor and/or Master thesis.
The theoretical and methodological knowledge acquired during the seminar week will form the basis for
a praxis-orientated conflict management/resolution role game on the last day of the block, started off by
a short overview of principal conflict resolution approaches during the preparatory week and assisted
by some introductory reading for self-study. On that basis, the format, roots, and history of a fictitious
conflict situation will be set up. Following this, at least two, perhaps also three competing groups of
students will be asked to formulate, on the basis of different ontological views of the world introduced
during the preceding seminar week itself, a number of proposals covering the aims, objects, actors, and
processes of the management/resolution of that conflict situation. The premises and assumptions of the
attempted conflict resolution proposals will have to reflect different theories; the definition and choice of
agendas, outcome options, and implementation tools will also have to take into account different
methodologies; and the provision of resources as well as the generation of political support will be an
outcome of a genuine political debate. At the end of the game, the different proposals should be
presented by one or more group speakers to the auditorium total of the seminar, who will then vote on
the best proposal.
Competencies to be acquired:
– Acquaint yourself with and understand the research field of International Relations (I.R.)
– Formulate an ontological/epistemological framework to sort and order I.R. theories
– Learn how to apply different theories and models of I.R.
– Identify the scope and limits of different I.R. theories and models
– Learn how to analyze the actors, structures, and processes of international politics with the help
of different I.R. theories
– Learn how to develop a project in a team, how to structure the development process, and how
to present its results to an auditorium
– Last but certainly not least: improve your English conversation, reading, and writing skills
Write essay about :
1-Seminar paper on the premises, assumptions, characteristics, performance, achievements,
and consequences of a particular theory/approach/method for I.R. analysis – 80%

Introductory literature:
• For a very brief, classical overview: Stephen van Evera: Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science.
Ithaca: Cornell U.P.1997
• More extensive, deeper-going analyses in Vivien Lowndes/David Marsh/Gerry Stoker (eds.): Theory and
Methods in Political Science. 4th ed., Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan 2018.
• First Aid Conceptual Toolbox: Robert L. Miller/John D. Brewer (eds.): The A – Z of Social Research. A
Dictionary of Key Social Science Research Concepts. London: Sage 2003
Perspectives on and Theories of International Relations:
– Robert Jackson/Georg Sorensen: Introduction to International Relations. Theories and Approaches. 7th ed.
Oxford: Oxford UP 2019.
– Tim Dunne/Milja Kurki/Steve Smith: International Relations Theories. Discipline and Diversity. 4th ed. Oxford:
Oxford UP 2016. [5th ed. announced for December 2020]
– Knud Erik Jorgensen: International Relations Theory. A New Introduction. 2. Aufl. London: Palgrave Macmillan
2018.
– Additional material to cover the individual syllabus sections mentioned above will be presented to participants
in electronic form in the cloud or on the seminar stick.
And for German Speakers:
– Gert Krell/Peter Schlotter: Weltbilder und Weltordnung. Einführung in die Theorie der Internatio-
nalen Beziehungen. 5.Aufl. Baden-Baden: Nomos 2018.
Cf. also
– Nicole Deitelhoff/Michael Zürn: Lehrbuch der Internationalen Beziehungen. Per Anhalter durch die IBGalaxis. München: C.H.Beck 2016.
– Frank Sauer/Carlo Masala (Hrsg.): Handbuch Internationale Beziehungen. 2. Auflage Wiesbaden:
Springer VS 2017 [Springer Reference Sozialwissenschaften, 1172 S. !!]
Conflict Management/Conflict Resolution:
– Oliver Ramsbotham/Tom Woodhouse/Hugh Miall: Contemporary Conflict Resolution. The prevention,
management and transformation of deadly conflicts. 4th ed. Cambridge: Polity Press 2016
– Hugh Miall/Tom Woodhouse/Oliver Ramsbotham/Christopher Mitchell (eds.): The Contemporary Conflict
Resolution Reader. Cambridge: Polity Press 2015
– Jacob Bercovitch/Richard Jackson: Conflict Resolution in the Twenty-first Century. Principles, Methods,
and Approaches. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press 200