International Organizations
(BSPOL1215 – 15h)
This course aims to provide basic knowledge of how intergovernmental organisations function and their impact on the international scene.
More precisely, the course aims to make students:
(i) gain knowledge of the main international organisations;
(ii) understand the main concepts used to describe them; and
(iii) develop analytical skills and a critical mind with regard to the impact of international organisations.
The course is divided into three distinct parts:
(1) definition, history and evolution of the main intergovernmental organizations;
(2) the role of IOs as structures of international relations;
(3) the role of IOs as agents of international relations.
However, students often indicate in the evaluations that the course lacks concrete applications and examples, and they also regret that it is not linked to the EU, a key international organisation situated close to USL-B.
The EUGlobalGreen Chair will enable the Chair Holder to inject concrete examples of how international organisations work and the difference they make, analysing the role of the EU within other international organisations, and in global politics more generally, especially in terms of environmental challenges.
Among other things, while studying summit diplomacy, the course will use the EU strategy at diverse climate summits (Copenhagen and Paris) as illustrations; while analysing regional organisations, it will explain the EU’s role in the Arctic Council; and while introducing students to the principal/agents theory at the basis of international organisations, it will explain the functioning of EU delegations to international biodiversity negotiations. This will strengthen the practicality, topicality and coherence of the training received by students within this course.
