About this course: How are international power relations changing and how can global peace and stability be maintained? This course familiarizes you with some main theories of international relations, shows how the global order is gradually changing and discusses how selected international and regional organizations contribute to the maintenance of global peace and security. You learn what research findings tell us in terms of the capacity of international organizations and actors to help prevent or stop violent conflict, what tools are used to negotiate agreements and how foundations for sustainable peace are best created. We will also focus on the role of the European Union in terms of diplomacy and efforts to prevent conflict, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the contribution of organizations such as the African Union to the prevention of conflict and war. We will study the United Nations Security Council and see in which ways its membership could be adapted to more accurately reflect the power relations of the current global order. Through quizzes and exercises testing your knowledge of these subjects, you will understand crucial concepts and get insights into how the academic study of international relations and international organization contributes to the search for global stability and peace in practice.
Who is this class for: Whether you are a student of international relations, working in the field of foreign affairs or interested in understanding how the global order is subject to change, why conflict occurs and how it can be resolved, and how international peace and security can be maintained by international institutions, this course will provide you with the theory and practice you need. In keeping with the nature of the material and the purpose of the course, this course is free, and will remain free for all participants. However, if you are interested in receiving a formal certificate, there will be a fee to cover costs.
Taught by: Madeleine Hosli, Prof. Dr.
Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs
| Level | Intermediate |
| Commitment | 4-7 hours per week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: French |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
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Just completed the course (without partaking in the 7th week group assignment) and I found it to be a very interesting, well put together, informative and professional course. The lectures were interesting and the lecturers very enthusiastic. I feel like I have learned so much and am very grateful for the time and effort put into this course. Thank you to the course organisers. I would highly recommend this course to other learners.
A very relevant course with good instructors and study material collection.
A great refresher on International Relations and an excellent introduction to how international institutions operate. Highly recommend to anyone interested in learning the basics of global politics.
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An excellent introduction to the world of international relations, with great teachers and supporting material.