Postgraduate Course at University of Niigata Prefecture
〇 Course Objectives
This course aims to provide a fundamental introduction into conceptual and theoretical frameworks for understanding contemporary international organizations (hereinafter: IO). On this bases, it finally provides significant insights into IO’s contemporary roles in global politics. On completion of this course, students will gain familiarity with IO’s functions as a law-politics-interface and acquire analytical skills for considering political contestation in and/or around IOs.
〇 Course Summary
This course is divided into three parts: (1) conceptual frameworks of international organizations; (2) theories of International Relations for understanding international organizations; (3) a concept of the Third United Nations.
〇 Teaching and Learning Methods
(1) The course language is Japanese and/or English. This depends on participating students.
(2) The course will be comprised of a mixture of mini-lectures and student presentations.
(3) A week by week reading list will be offered. Students are required to read it in advance.
〇 Class Schedule
The following week by week schedule is subject to change if needed.
Week 1: Introduction: definition and history: Barkin (2013) , Hurd (2021)
Week 2: Sovereignty and Globalization (Barkin, Chapter 1)
Week 3: Obligation, Compliance and Enforcement 1 (Hurd, Chapter 1)
Week 4: Obligation, Compliance and Enforcement 2 (Hurd, Chapter 1)
Week 5: Power and Interdependence 1 (Barkin, Chapter 2)
Week 6: Power and Interdependence 2 (Barkin, Chapter 2
Week 7: Theory and Methods 1 (Hurd, Chapter 2)
Week 8: Theory and Methods 2 (Hurd, Chapter 2)
Week 9: Regimes and Institutions 1 (Barkin, Chapter 3)
Week 10: Regimes and Institutions 2 (Barkin, Chapter 3)
Week 11: Efficiency and Ideas 1 (Barkin, Chapter 4)
Week 12: Efficiency and Ideas 2 (Barkin, Chapter 4)
Week 13: The “Third” United Nations 1 (Carayannis & Weiss, Chapter 1)
Week 14: The “Third” United Nations 2 (Carayannis & Weiss, Chapter 1)
Week 15: Student Presentation
〇 Required Readings
- Barkin, J. Samuel. (2013) International Organization: Theories and Institutions. Second Edition. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Hurd, Ian. (2021) International Organizations: Politics, Law, Practice. Fourth Edition. Cambridge University Press.
- Carayannis, Tatiana. and Weiss, Thomas G. (2021) The “Third” United Nations: How a Knowledge Ecology Helps the UN Think. Oxford University Press.
〇 References & Course Materials
The following literature is recommended for course participants.
- United Nations, UN System
- Hedley Bull. The Anarchical Society: A Study of Order in World Politics. Fourth Edition.
- David Held. Democracy and the Global Order: From the Modern State to Cosmopolitan Governance.
- Kenneth W. Abbott, et als. ‘The Concept of Legalization.’ International Organization, Volume 54, Issue 3, Summer 2000, pp.401-419.
- Kennet Lynggaard. Discourse Analysis and European Union Politics.
- Peter M. Haas. Introduction: ‘Epistemic Communities and International Policy Coordination.’ International Organization, Volume 46, Issue 1, Winter 1992, pp.1-35.
- Ian Manners. ‘Normative Power Europe: A Contradiction in Terms?.’ Journal of Common Market Studies, Volume 40, Issue 2, June 2002, pp.235-258.
- Robert Keohane and Joseph S. Nye, Jr. Power and Interdependence. Fourth Edition.
- Tom Delreux and Johan Adriaensen. The Principal Agent Model and the European Union.
- Stephen D. Krasner. International Regimes.
〇 Assessment
- Presentation：50%
- Final Essay ：50%