Unit COMPARATIVE AND GLOBAL POLITICS
- Course
- International relations
- Study-unit Code
- A005407
- Curriculum
- Cooperazione internazionale e governance globale
- Teacher
- Silvia Bolgherini
- Teachers
-
- Silvia Bolgherini
- Hours
- 52 ore - Silvia Bolgherini
- CFU
- 8
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2026
- Offered
- 2026/27
- Learning activities
- Caratterizzante
- Area
- Formazione politologica
- Sector
- GSPS-02/A
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- English
- Reference texts
- John Baylis, Patricia Owens, Steve Smith
2026
The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations, 10th Edition
(if unavailable 9th edition)
Part 2: The historical context
Part 3: Theories of world politics
and two chapters (at choice) in Part 5:International issues - Educational objectives
- Develop a general understanding of the concepts, theories, and methodological tools associated with the study of comparative politics on an international scale; understand how the international political system interacts with the economic and institutional systems; make connections between theory and practice, past and present, expectations and reality; develop a critical sense of how best to alternate between various theoretical approaches; apply what students have learned in class to real-world problems in comparative and international politics through classroom discussions.
- Prerequisites
- Basic knowledge of Political Science
- Teaching methods
- The lectures are supplemented by seminars, simulations, quizzes, and short courses led by guest experts. Where necessary, readings on case studies and specific topics will also be provided. Through lectures and readings, discussions and simulations, as well as individual and group exercises, this course aims to provide the conceptual tools and methodological skills that will enable students to form their own critical judgments on current issues in comparative and global studies. Students are expected to play an active role in class and to study carefully and prepare any assignments given in class.
- Other information
- Regular attending student: (i.e., one who has attended at least 80% of the classes = maximum of 5 absences). The evaluation will take into account: Participation in classroom exercises/simulations/tests, Submission of written reports on any guest seminars and/or short courses, Oral presentation during the course, Final oral exam
Grade distribution:
-class participation: 25%
-written reports: 15%
-oral presentations: 30%
-final oral exam: 30%
Non-attending student: Oral exam. Grade distribution: Oral exam (100%) - Learning verification modality
- The final oral exams will assess students’ theoretical understanding of key issues in contemporary international relations; their ability to discuss these issues critically; and their ability to apply the explanatory strategies of the theories studied to empirical cases. Participation in individual or group classroom exercises (e.g., simulation games or quizzes) will also be evaluated to assess the level of learning of the concepts as they are presented, as well as short written reports in the case of seminars and/or short courses.
Once the initial introductory lectures, accompanied by any quizzes and simulations, have been completed, in Part II of the course—which consists of thematic seminars/short courses—students will be required to prepare short reports (approximately 2 pages) on each of the lectures comprising these seminars/short courses. Reports must be submitted the week following the week in which the thematic seminar/short course was held. The report should outline the lesson’s content and the main points covered by the instructor during the seminar. Oral presentation. The course will include sessions dedicated to student oral presentations. These presentations will focus on topics and phenomena related to the subjects covered during the course. The topics will be chosen by the students in consultation with the instructor.