International Organisations: Theory and Practice, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master´s Programme in International and European Relations
• Master's Programme in Political Science with specialisation in Public Administration
• Master's Programme in International and European Relations

Entry requirements

• Bachelor’s degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen in one of the following subjects:
  - political science
  - international relations
  - economics
  - history
  - geography
  - philosophy
  - law
  - sociology
  or equivalent
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6 or Engelska nivå 2)
  Exemption from Swedish
• 30 ECTS credits passed from the programme year 1

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student should be able to

• discuss the role and significance of international organizations and international institutions
• relate the phenomenon of international organization to current theories of international relations, as well as to understand general aspects of organizational behavior and organizational change
• identify the types and expressions of international organization in the contemporary world
• critically review particular cases of international organization and the organization of particular issue areas in international relations

Course content

The course covers the following areas:

• theories of international organisation and international institutions;
• international regimes;
• international norms and norm formation;
• the significance of international organisation in global politics.

Teaching and working methods

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, and workshops.

In addition to this, students are expected to engage in independent study.

Examination

The examination consists of:

• active participation in seminars, grading scale: ECTS (P/F)
• Individual written examination, grading scale: ECTS

To achieve a passing final grade (E), the student must receive at least E in individual written examination and Pass in active participation in seminars.

A higher grade is decided by the grade on the individual written examination.

Detailed information can be found in the study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is “Swedish”, the course as a whole could be given in Swedish, or partly, or as a whole, in English. Examination language is Swedish, but parts of the examination can be in English.
• If teaching language is “English”, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.
• If teaching language is “Swedish/English”, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English depending on teaching language.

Department