Course syllabus Great Power Politics in Tumultuous Times

180 credits of which 90 credits must have been obtained in subjects in the social sciences or the humanities. English proficiency equivalent to English B or English 6 is also required.

Through this course, the student will deepen their understanding of great power politics and develop their ability to independently analyze and interpret this strategic context in an era marked by international instability. It provides the foundation for the student to engage critically with the conceptual and theoretical frameworks that underpin research on great power dynamics.

The course provides the student with the opportunity to explore how phenomena such as structure, order, polarity, uncertainty, and power are contested and politically charged by imposing different perspectives on central actors and their driving forces, etc.

A central premise of the course is that states identifying themselves (or being widely recognized) as great powers play a particularly significant role in international politics. Their interactions can lead to a range of outcomes: at worst, a devastating nuclear war; at best, peaceful coexistence and a stable order. Between these extremes lie geopolitical rivalries, contests over spheres of influence, territorial expansions, and efforts to establish norms or hegemonic orders that serve their own power positions.

Type of instruction 

The seminar provide the student with opportunities to develop their independent analysis of course literature both orally and in writing. The course concludes with an on-campus examination, where students demonstrate that they have achieved the learning objectives.

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate an in-depth understanding of and distinguish between various key conceptual and theoretical assumptions regarding the motivations and interactions of great powers

Competence and skills 

• critically examine different research approaches to assess their applicability to specific case studies

Judgement and approach

• evaluate the strategic choices of great powers and their consequences for international peace and security.
• reflect on the normative and political implications of different theoretical perspectives on great power politics.

Assessment is through an on-campus written exam, as well as active participation in mandatory seminars.

The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments in order to achieve a passing grade on the course. Supplementary assignments must be completed no later than three working days after the notification of any supplementary assignment, unless there are special reasons approved by the examiner.

Grading

The student is graded on a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG). Grading criteria are provided at the start of the course.

To obtain the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) in the course, the student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and obtain a grade of Pass with Distinction for the on-campus written examination.

To obtain the grade Pass (G) in the course, the student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and obtain a grade of Pass for the on-campus written examination.

Restrictions in Number of Examinations

There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.

When the course is no longer offered or when the course content has changed substantially, the student has the right to be examined once per semester during a three-term period in accordance with this syllabus.