STV9042 ¨C Field Seminar in International Relations Theory

Course content

This course surveys the state-of-the-art in international relations (IR) theory. Social theoretically, theoretically and substantively, we range broadly, exploring: the multiple meta-theoretical bases of IR (how new thinking on causality, uncertainty and ontology affects IR theory and method); research that links governance/order/ordering to legitimacy; experimental IR and IR survey experiments; non-Western IR theory; new work on the micro-foundations of international norms; practice theory and the practice turn as the new constructivism; and research on international institutions, hierarchy and closure. We also engage and assess recent special issues of journals that have come to represent two different ways of doing IR - the European Journal of International Relations and International Organization.

A theme throughout the seminar will be if all this new IR theory is ready for prime time. That is, does it help us better explain, understand and critique a 21st century marked by the return of large-scale conflict; global health crises; the rise of China; a populist backlash against globalization; climate change; and a new, deeply national and inward-looking identity politics?

Learning outcome

• You will gain an in-depth understanding of contemporary international relations theory.
• You will learn how to evaluate IR along various dimensions: meta-theory; theoretical breadth and depth; ethics; western/global/post-colonial; causal inference / validity; interpretive understanding; and empirical insight.
• You will develop your own perspective on the pluralism that has come to define IR over the past 15 years. Is this development bad, or good - and why?

Admission to the course

The course is open to PhD students in political science and related disciplines; there is no participation fee.

PhD candidates at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Oslo should apply for the course via Studentweb; other PhD candidates should use the Application Form.

The application deadline is November 30th 2023. Students will be notified about the outcome of their application as quickly as possible.

Application form

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Applicants have to be enrolled in a PhD programme

Teaching

The course, which takes place over 5 days at the University of Oslo (Monday through Friday), will be run as a seminar, where the emphasis is on debate and collective learning. Written discussion questions and response memos will serve as the starting point for our discussions on days 1-5, helping us set an agenda for each session.

On day 3, we take a break from formal deliberations, and engage in two activities. In the morning, the instructor will have one-on-one meetings with course participants, the purpose being to strategize overPage | 2how students can turn their response memos into the required course essay (see below, ¡®Requirements¡¯). In the afternoon, Checkel will lead a session on ¡®Getting Published in IR: Strategies and Challenges,¡¯ where the goal is to give practical advice on how to get published in leading IR outlets. Depending upon their availability, this session will also include insights and advice from other UiO IR faculty (Scott Gates, Jon Hovi, Jana Krause) and postdocs (Melanie Sauter).

Obligatory Activities

There are five requirements.

1. Reading: Read the assigned literature in advance.
2. Discussions: Active participation in them.
3. Discussion Questions: Prepare them for all sessions on days 1-2 and 4-5
   • Students should prepare 2-3 questions for each session, with your questions reflecting a critical engagement with and assessment of the readings. What are their strong and weak points? Their meta-theoretical, theoretical, methodological, ethical, or empirical contributions-omissions? Preparing these questions/comments is not intended as a writing exercise; indeed, they can be quite short.
4. Response Memo: Choose one session on days 1-2 and 4-5 and prepare a response memo to its readings.
   • These memos will be three-pages (double-spaced) and should critically interrogate the readings for that session. What works and why? Are there meta-theoretical, theoretical, ethical or methodological problems? Is there something new in the readings or are they just ¡®re-inventing the wheel¡¯?
5. Course Essay: See more information under "Examination"

Examination

Students must prepare an analytic essay based on their response memo. It will be 3000 - 4000 words and is due by March 15th 2024

Language of examination

The essay must be submitted in English

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about?the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.