Introduction to International Organizations

Course code:                  IRS 101       

Term and year:               Fall 2024

Day and time:                 Monday 815-1100   

Instructor:                     PhDr. Ing. Radka Havlová, Ph.D.  

Instructor contact:         radka.havlova@aauni.edu

Consultation hours:        Monday 1430-1530 upon prior agreement with the instructor

 

Credits US/ECTS	3/6	Level	Introductory
Length	15 weeks	Pre-requisite	None
Contact hours	42 hours	Course type	Bachelor

1.    Course Description

The world faces increasingly complex global problems including ongoing armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, economic inequality and instability. The aim of this course is to explore the different ways of preventing and solving such problems through world order mechanisms. These include- a system for controlling world events that aims to install political and economic stability and social justice; prospective world government, regional integration and the expansion of international norms and institutions such as the UN, EU, World Bank, IMF, NATO, etc. The course aims to introduce students to the main international actors and explains their interaction and impact on the field of (international?) security, trade, development, monetary and environmental issues and human rights. The course combines conceptual analysis with case studies and real world examples in order to facilitate the understanding of the potential, limits and effects of international organizations on global development.

 

2.    Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

·           Understand the history and theory of formation and functioning of international organizations;

·           Understand the workings and decision-making mechanisms of major intergovernmental and non/governmental organizations;

·           Analyze activities and legal acts of international organizations in different fields including security, trade, development, environment, and human rights;

·           Think critically and to provide possible solutions to  present problems connected to the work of international organizations;

·           Evaluate the effectiveness of different international organizations and to assess their impact in international relations;

·           Discuss the possibilities of further development of international organizations in the context of globalization.

 

 

 

3.    Reading Material

Required Materials

·           Gutner, Tamar (2017). International Organizations in World Politics. Los Angeles: Sage

·           Karns, Margaret (2015). International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance. 3rd ed. Boulder; London: Lynne Rienner

Recommended Materials

·           African Union, www.au.int

·           ASEAN, www.asean.org

·           Bennett, A.L. (1988). International Organizations. Principles and Issues, Fourth edition

·         Bomberg, Peterson, Corbett (2012). The EU: How does It Work. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press

·           Dunay, P. (2006). History and background of the CSCE/OSCE, European Institute for Security Studies

·           European Union, https://european-union.europa.eu/

·         Hurd, Ian (2013). International Organizations: Politics, Law, Practice. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

·           MERCOSUR, www.mercosur.int

·           NATO, www.nato.int

·           Organization of American States, www.oas.org

·           OSCE, www.osce.org

·           Pease, Kely-Kate S. (2010). International Organizations: Perspectives on Governance in the Twenty-First Century.5th ed. New York: Longman

·         Smith, Rhona (2014). Textbook on International Human Rights. 6 th ed. Oxford : Oxford University Press

·         UN Charter

·         United Nations, www.un.org  

·         Woods, Ngaire (2006). The Globalizers: The IMF, the World Bank, and Their Borrowers. Ithaca: Cornell University Press

4.    Teaching methodology

Each class will begin with a class discussion related to the discussed topic. The presentation of new material will be interactive, and the students will be asked to give their opinion based on revised course material. Each class will include a seminar during which the students will present the outcomes of their research. The students are required to read the assigned weekly material prior to each class in order to participate actively in discussions. They also need to follow websites of key international organizations covered in the course and the latest international news concerning them.

 

The classes will be interactive and all concepts and terms will be explained via concrete examples. Each class will be supplemented by case studies of recent international events giving the students an opportunity to critically analyze the concrete actions of international actors and to understand their role in the functioning of international organizations.

 

 

 

 

5.    Course Schedule

Date	Class Agenda
Session 1 2.9.2024	Topic: Major actors in international relations and the position of international organizations in the international system Description: Introduction to the course, explanation and assignment of research projects, introduction to the major actors in international relations and the position of international organizations among other international actors (states, individuals etc.) Reading: Gutner 5-11 Assignments/deadlines: sign up for presentation via NEO
Session 2 9.9.2024	Topic: Theoretical approaches to international organizations, history of international organizations, globalization Description: Introduction to the main theoretical approaches to the international organizations:  realism, liberalism, feminism, and Marxism. History of international organizations, exploring the link between international organizations and globalization Reading: Karns 43-73, Gutner 13-27, Pease 1-37 Assignments/deadlines: Structure your topics and find literature for your presentations, possibility to consult presentation proposals
Session 3 16.9.2024	Topic: Types of international organizations: international governmental organizations, international non-governmental organizations, multinational corporations and international trade organizations Description: Division of international organizations into governmental and non-governmental, similarities and differences, main areas of interest of each type of international organizations, multinational corporations and international trade organizations, and their role in our contemporary world Reading: Karns 379-424, Woods 179-213 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation proposals due via NEO
Session 4 23.9.2024	Topic: Global international organizations: United Nations - history, structure Description: Global cooperation before the UN (League of Nations), history of the United Nations, main UN bodies (General Assembly, Security Council, International Court of Justice), their competencies, functions, composition and role in the UN system Reading: Gutner 35-66 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 1
Session 5 30.9.2024	Topic: Global international organizations: United Nations – specialized agencies Description: Specialized agencies of the United Nations (WTO, IMF, World Bank, UNESCO and other organizations), their role, achievements and problems in the contemporary world. UN approaches to conflict resolution, the role of the UN Security Council in conflict resolution Reading: Hurd 109-167, UN Charter; www.un.org Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 2
Session 6 7.10.2024	Topic: Global international organizations: United Nations – conflict resolution Description: UN approaches to conflict resolution, the role of the UN Security Council in conflict resolution Reading: Bennett 20-38 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 3

 

 

Session 7 14.10.2024	Topic: Global international organizations: United Nations - global challenges  Description: The United Nations role in the contemporary world, the UN approach to contemporary challenges – environmental issues, human rights, migration, etc. Reading: www.un.org Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 4
Session 8 21.10.2024	Mid-term exam. Exam via  NEO Description: Mid-term revision, students must demonstrate their understanding of topics covered in the first half of the semester (Sessions 1 through 7) Reading: all readings up to now
28.10.2024	Mid-term break No classes
Session 9 4.11.2024	Topic: International security organizations: NATO, OSCE Description: Main international organizations active in the area of security (NATO, OSCE) and their approach to conflict resolution Reading: Karns 169-195, Palmer 1-19, www.nato.int, www.osce.org Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 5
Session 10 11.11.2024	Topic: European Union Description: History, structure and activities of the European Union, EU’s approach to conflict resolution, migration, human rights, common foreign and security policy, common market and financial cooperation Reading: Karns 169-195, https://european-union.europa.eu/ Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 6
Session 11 18.11.2024	Topic: Other regional organizations in Europe Description: Other regional organizations in Europe (V4, EFTA…) and their role in the contemporary world Reading: Karns 169-195 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 7
Session 12 25.11.2024	Topic: Regional organizations in Africa and the Middle East Description: Main international organizations active in Africa and the Middle East, their approach to development, regional problems and conflict resolution Reading: Karns 195-235; www.au.int Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 8
Session 13 2.12.2024	Topic: Regional organizations in Asia and America Description: Main international organizations active in Asia and America, their approach to development, regional problems and conflict resolution Reading: Karns 195-235; www.oas.org, www.mercosur.int, www.asean.org Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 9, Seminar papers due (submission via NEO)
Session 14 9.12.2024	Topic: International organizations and global governance Description: Final discussion of the role of international organizations in the emerging new world order, the role of international organizations in global governance Reading: Karns 379-424, 573-593 Assignments/deadlines: Presentation 10

6.    Course Requirements and Assessment (with estimated workloads)

Assignment	Workload (hours)	Weight in Final Grade	Evaluated Course Specific Learning Outcomes	Evaluated Institutional Learning Outcomes*
Active class participation	42	10%	·      Regular and active participation ·      Ability to analyze and to effectively discuss the possibilities of further development of int. organizations.	Critical thinking Effective communication
Proposal of research presentation	10	5%	·      Ability to analyze the activities and legal acts of selected int. organizations in different fields including security, trade, development, environment, and human rights	Critical thinking
Mid-term exam	30	25%	·      Subject knowledge on history, theory, purpose and activities of major int. organizations	Critical thinking
Presentation of research project	40	25%	·      Ability to analyze the activities and legal acts of selected int. organizations in different fields including security, trade, development, environment, and human rights ·      Think critically and to provide possible solutions for presented problems; ·      Evaluate the effectiveness of given int. organizations and to assess their impact ·      Present the results of analysis in class	Critical thinking Effective communication
Seminar paper	45	35%	·      Subject knowledge on the history, theory, purpose and activities of major global and regional int. organizations	Critical thinking
TOTAL	150	100%

*1 = Critical Thinking; 2 = Effective Communication; 3 = Effective and Responsible Action

 

 

7.    Detailed description of the assignments

Proposal of presentation and seminar paper

Students must submit a proposal of presentation and seminar paper by Week 3, i.e. by 16 September 2024 via NEO. The proposal must include the topic, research question, structure and at least 5 reliable resources which the students plan to use in their presentation and seminar paper.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Timely submission of presentation through NEO	50%
Contents of presentation and seminar paper proposal: research question, structure, at least 5 reliable resources	50%

 

 

Mid-term exam

Mid-term exam will be cover the topics from the first half of the semester. Students have demonstrate that they have a good understanding of the most relevant issues and concepts and that they are able to provide swift and correct answers. The mid-term will have a form of a freeform essay of 800 words and will take place online via NEO. Students will choose one of three comprehensive questions covering the topics discussed in the first half of the semester. The mid-term will take place on 21 October 2024 from from 830 till 1130 at AAU, however, students will take the mid-term exam in NEO (online) while sitting in the classroom.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Ability to correctly evaluate the main purpose of each question	50%
Ability to reflect broader context of each question	25%
Ability to provide correct answers under the time limit	25%

 

 

Presentation of research project

Students need to select and to sign up for one research project and present the selected topic in class according to the presentation schedule. Presentations will be prepared individually by each student and must be submitted at least three days prior to the presentation day through the NEO – Assignments. Presentations can be submitted in PPT or any other suitable presentation program. The presentation shall be 20 to 25 minutes long and students must always prepare questions for class discussion. List of presentations will be published in NEO in week 2 after students sign in for their presentations. All presentations must be submitted for review via NEO at least two days prior to the presentation date.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Timely submission of presentation through NEO	5%
Visual format of presentation	20%
Contents of presentation: correct, recent information, to analyze main problems and suggest creative solutions; ability to apply and to demonstrate acquired knowledge from the course; ability to link the topic of the presentation to the overall topic of the class; ability to apply a concrete theory to a presented problem; ability to formulate credible claims and evidence	50%
Contact with students, engagement of students in discussions: continuous contact with students while presenting, clear speech, good intonation and eye contact, positive body language, ability to stress most significant aspects of analyzed topic while presenting, ability to answer questions from audience, ability to engage fellow students in discussions	20%
Compliance with time limit: presentation length between 30 and 40 minutes, space for discussion with fellow students	5%

 

 

Seminar Paper

Students prepare a seminar paper on the topic of their presentation to understand the analyzed topic in more depth. Seminar papers should be 2000 to 2500 words long and should fulfill all criteria imposed on an academic paper (formal arrangement of the paper, reference to resources, research question and analysis of the research question etc.). Paper must be submitted via NEO by 2 December 2024 23:59 Prague time.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Formal arrangement of seminar paper	10%
Reference to resources	20%
Language, stylistics	10%
Research question, analysis of research topic	60%

 

 

Class participation

 

Active participation and contribution to class discussion. Students should actively participate in class discussion. Discussions are an important mechanism for developing critical thinking and presentation skills.

 

Assessed area	Percentage
Knowledge and comprehension of the weekly reading assignments	50%
Critical thinking about the issues explored in the readings	50%

 

 

 

8.    General Requirements and School Policies

General requirements

All coursework is governed by AAU’s academic rules. Students are expected to be familiar with the academic rules in the Academic Codex and Student Handbook and to maintain the highest standards of honesty and academic integrity in their work.

Electronic communication and submission

The university and instructors shall only use students’ university email address for communication, with additional communication via NEO LMS or Microsoft Teams.

Students sending e-mail to an instructor shall clearly state the course code and the topic in the subject heading, for example, “COM101-1 Mid-term Exam. Question”.

All electronic submissions are through NEO LMS. No substantial pieces of writing (especially take-home exams and essays) can be submitted outside of NEO LMS.

Attendance

Attendance, i.e., presence in class in real-time, at AAU courses is default mandatory; however, it is not graded as such. (Grades may be impacted by missed assignments or lack of participation.) Still, students must attend at least two thirds of classes to complete the course. If they do not meet this condition and most of their absences are excused, they will be administratively withdrawn from the course. If they do not meet this condition and most of their absences are not excused, they will receive a grade of “FW” (Failure to Withdraw). Students may also be marked absent if they miss a significant part of a class (for example by arriving late or leaving early).

Absence excuse and make-up options

Should a student be absent from classes for relevant reasons (illness, serious family matters), and the student wishes to request that the absence be excused, the student should submit an Absence Excuse Request Form supplemented with documents providing reasons for the absence to the Dean of Students within one week of the absence. Each student may excuse up to two sick days per term without any supporting documentation; however, an Absence Excuse Request Form must still be submitted for these instances. If possible, it is recommended the instructor be informed of the absence in advance. Should a student be absent during the add/drop period due to a change in registration this will be an excused absence if s/he submits an Absence Excuse Request Form along with the finalized add/drop form.

Students whose absence has been excused by the Dean of Students are entitled to make up assignments and exams provided their nature allows. Assignments missed due to unexcused absences which cannot be made up, may result in a decreased or failing grade as specified in the syllabus.

Students are responsible for contacting their instructor within one week of the date the absence was excused to arrange for make-up options.

Late work: No late submissions will be accepted – please follow the deadlines.

Electronic devices

Electronic devices (e.g. phones, tablets, laptops) may be used only for class-related activities (taking notes, looking up related information, etc.). Any other use will result in the student being marked absent and/or being expelled from the class. No electronic devices may be used during tests or exams unless required by the exam format and the instructor.

Eating is not allowed during classes.

Cheating and disruptive behavior

If a student engages in disruptive conduct unsuitable for a classroom environment, the instructor may require the student to withdraw from the room for the duration of the class and shall report the behavior to the student’s Dean.

Students engaging in behavior which is suggestive of cheating will, at a minimum, be warned. In the case of continued misconduct, the student will fail the exam or assignment and be expelled from the exam or class.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism obscures the authorship of a work or the degree of its originality. Students are expected to create and submit works of which they are the author. Plagiarism can apply to all works of authorship – verbal, audiovisual, visual, computer programs, etc. Examples are:

·                     Verbatim plagiarism: verbatim use of another’s work or part of it without proper acknowledgement of the source and designation as a verbatim quotation,

·                     Paraphrasing plagiarism: paraphrasing someone else’s work or part of it without proper acknowledgement of the source,

·                     Data plagiarism: use of other people’s data without proper acknowledgement of the source,

·                     False quotation: publishing a text that is not a verbatim quotation as a verbatim quotation,

·                     Fictious citation: quoting, paraphrasing, or referring to an incorrect or a non-existent work,

·                     Inaccurate citation: citing sources in such a way that they cannot be found and verified,

·                     Ghostwriting: commissioning work from others and passing it off as one’s own,

·                     Patchwriting: using someone else’s work or works (albeit with proper acknowledgement of sources and proper attribution) to such an extent that the output contains almost no original contribution,

·                     Self-plagiarism: unacknowledged reuse of one’s own work (or part of it) that has been produced or submitted as part of another course of study or that has been published in the past,

·                     Collaborative plagiarism: delivering the result of collective collaboration as one’s own individual output.

At minimum, plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the assignment and shall be reported to the student’s Dean. A mitigating circumstance may be the case of novice students, and the benefit of the doubt may be given if it is reasonable to assume that the small-scale plagiarism was the result of ignorance rather than intent. An aggravating circumstance in plagiarism is an act intended to make the plagiarism more difficult to detect. Such conduct includes, for example, the additional modification of individual words or phrases, the creation of typos, the use of machine translation tools or the creation of synonymous text, etc. The Dean may initiate a disciplinary procedure pursuant to the Academic Codex. Intentional or repeated plagiarism always entail disciplinary hearing and may result in expulsion from AAU.

Use of Artificial Intelligence and Academic Tutoring Center

The use of artificial intelligence tools to search sources, to process, analyze and summarize data, and to provide suggestions or feedback in order to improve content, structure, or style, defined here as AI-assisted writing, is not in itself plagiarism. However, it is plagiarism if, as a result, it obscures the authorship of the work produced or the degree of its originality (see the examples above).

AAU acknowledges prudent and honest use of AI-assisted writing, that is, the use of AI for orientation, consultation, and practice is allowed. For some courses and assignments, however, the use of AI is counterproductive to learning outcomes; therefore, the course syllabus may prohibit AI assistance.

A work (text, image, video, sound, code, etc.) generated by artificial intelligence based on a mass of existing data, defined here as AI-generated work, is not considered a work of authorship. Therefore, if an AI-generated work (e.g. text) is part of the author’s work, it must be marked as AI-generated. Otherwise, it obscures the authorship and/or the degree of originality, and thus constitutes plagiarism. Unless explicitly permitted by the instructor, submission of AI-generated work is prohibited.

If unsure about technical aspects of writing, and to improve their academic writing, students are encouraged to consult with the tutors of the AAU Academic Tutoring Center. For more information and/or to book a tutor, please contact the ATC at: http://atc.simplybook.me/sheduler/manage/event/1/.

Course accessibility and inclusion

Students with disabilities should contact the Dean of Students to discuss reasonable accommodations. Academic accommodations are not retroactive.

Students who will be absent from course activities due to religious holidays may seek reasonable accommodations by contacting the Dean of Students in writing within the first two weeks of the term. All requests must include specific dates for which the student requests accommodations.

9.    Grading Scale

Letter Grade	Percentage*	Description
A	95–100	Excellent performance. The student has shown originality and displayed an exceptional grasp of the material and a deep analytical understanding of the subject.
A–	90–94
B+	87–89	Good performance. The student has mastered the material, understands the subject well and has shown some originality of thought and/or considerable effort.
B	83–86
B–	80–82
C+	77–79	Fair performance. The student has acquired an acceptable understanding of the material and essential subject matter of the course, but has not succeeded in translating this understanding into consistently creative or original work.
C	73–76
C–	70–72
D+	65–69	Poor. The student has shown some understanding of the material and subject matter covered during the course. The student’s work, however, has not shown enough effort or understanding to allow for a passing grade in School Required Courses. It does qualify as a passing mark for the General College Courses and Electives.
D	60–64
F	0–59	Fail. The student has not succeeded in mastering the subject matter covered in the course.

* Decimals should be rounded to the nearest whole number.

 

Prepared by: Radka Havlová                                              

Date: 29.7.2024

 

Approved by:

Date: