UNIVERSITY: ______________

DEPARTMENT: ____________

Name
Academic Position
Instructor’s Cell-phone
Contact Information Email
Office No
Course Title Global Trends
Course Code IRGI 1021
Credit Hours 03 Cr.Hrs (5 ECTS)

Status of Course Compulsory Common Course

Lectures Tutorial Library and Group Assign. Home Total
Student Work Load Work Report Study W. L.
48hrs. 08 20hrs. 17hrs. 50 143hr
hrs. s
The course is designed to familiarize learners on the nature and development of
international relations and global issues. It deals with nations, states, national interest,
cooperation and conflict among states, and the role of state and non-state actors in the
international system. Additionally, it explains the nature of international law, global
Course Description

political economy and the nexus between regionalism and globalization. It also critically
examines the contemporary global issues and how the international community is trying
to address them. It is organized to systematically examine international issues by
employing different theories and providing concrete examples from different parts of
the world. Last but not least, after providing rigorous understanding of how the
international system functions, it will equip learners to consciously observe and critically
understand the Ethiopia’s Relations with the outside world. As the saying goes “Think
globally act locally!”

We live in an exciting yet challenging period in history. The world seems to dominantly
progress in constantly opposing directions. On the one hand, because of globalization,
the world is getting closer and becoming interconnected in ways never experienced
before generating more wealth, scientific innovation, and cross-national cooperation.
On the other hand, the challenges of war, terror, arms trade, money laundering, disease,
poverty, environmental problems, human and drug trafficking still generate an aura of
Course Purpose

uncertainty for the present and future generations. As such, decisions made by states,
multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations, and terrorists have a direct
impact on our life. Thanks to global flow of information, there may be a multitude of
individuals who know the events that are occurring in the world. But some still do not
understand why events happened the way they have happened; and what consequences
they may bring. In light of this, this course is designed to equip students with a necessary
knowledge and skill which enable them to understand the political, economic and social
dynamics of the global system, how it works, its actors, its influence and ways to cope
up global issues from theoretical and practical point of view.
 At the end of the course, students will be able to:
 Understand nations, nationalism and states
Expected Learning Outcomes
 Explain the nature and historical development of international relations
 Gain basic knowledge of the major theories in the discipline of International
Course Objectives

Relations and develop the ability to critically evaluate and apply such theories
 Elucidate national interest, foreign policy and diplomacy
 Explicate the nature and elements of international political economy and
and

international law
 Examine the extent and degree of influence of state and non-state actors in the
international system
 Examine the roles major international and regional institutions play in world
politics
 Critically evaluate the major contemporary global issues
 Assess the overriding foreign policy guidelines of Ethiopia in the past and present
 Explore Ethiopia’s role in regional, continental and global institutions and affairs

COURSE CONTENTS AND SCHEDULES

Contact Chapters, Sections and Sub-sections

Hours

Chapter One: Understanding International Relations

1.1 Conceptualizing Nations, Nationalism and States
1.2 The Nature and Evolution of International Relations
06 hours

1.3 Actors of International Relations

- State Actors
- Non-State Actors
1.4 Levels of Analysis in the International Relations
1.5 Power, Anarchy and Sovereignty in the International System
1.6 The Structure of International System
Chapter Two: Contending Theories of International Relations
2.1 Realism and Neo-Realism
2.2 Liberalism and Neo-Liberalism
06 hours

2.3 Marxism and Neo-Marxism

2.4 Critical Theory
2.5. Constructivism
2..6. Modernism and Post-Modernism
 Chapter Three: Foreign Policy and Diplomacy

3.1 Conceptualizing National Interest, Foreign Policy and Diplomacy

3.2 National Interest and Foreign Policy
- Determinants of National Interest and Foreign Policy
- Objectives of Foreign Policy

- Foreign Policy Orientations

08 hours

- Instruments of Foreign Policy

3.3 A Survey of Foreign Policy and Diplomacy of Ethiopia

- Foreign Policy of Ethiopia during the Reign of Emperor Menilik II

- Foreign Policy of Ethiopia during the Reign of Emperor Hailesillassie

- Foreign Policy of Ethiopia during the Derg Regime

- Foreign Policy of Ethiopia during the EPRDF

Chapter Four: The International Political Economy (IPE)

8hrs 4.1. Meaning and Nature of IPE

- The Nexus between Politics (State) and Economics (Market)

4.2. Theoretical Perspectives on IPE

- Classical Mercantilism and Economic Nationalism

- Classical Liberalism and Adam Smith

- Comparative Advantage and David Ricardo

- Neoliberalism and Keynesianism

- Marxism and Dependency Theory

- Hegemonic Stability Theory

- Developmental State Model

4.3. The Political Economy of North-South, South-South: Conflict and

Cooperation
 Chapter Five: International Law

5.1 Meaning, Nature and Areas of International Law

08 Hours
5.2 Sources and Subjects of International Law

5.3 Law Making and Enforcement process at International and Domestic level

5.4 Formation, Recognition and Responsibility of State under International Law

Chapter Six: Regionalism and Globalization

6.1. The Concept, Nature and Development of Regionalism and Regional
06 hrs
Integration
- The Old and New Regionalism
6.2. Major Theories of the Regional Integrations
- Functionalism
- Neo-functionalism

- Inter- governmentalism
- Supra-nationalism
- Selected Cases of Regional Integration (EU, AU...)
6.3. Definition and Evolution of Globalization
- Aspects of Globalization
- Actors of Globalization

- Pros and Cons of Globalization

- Ethiopia in a globalized World

6.4. Regionalization versus Globalization and State

- The Convergence, Divergence and Overlapping relations of Regionalization

and Globalization

- The Hypocrisy of Sovereignty

 Chapter Seven: Major Contemporary Global Issues
7.1 Conceptualizing Global Issues
7.2 Survey of Global Issues
- Security Issues
 Terrorism, Religious Fundamentalism and political Extremism
 Weapons of Mass Destruction and The Nuclear Power paradox
 Illicit Human Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, Firearms Trafficking
- Environmental Issues
06hrs

 Climate Change and Global warming

- Technology Related Issues
 Cyber Crime and Cyber Security
- Other Social, Economic and Political Issues
 Human Rights
 Migration and Refugee
 Trade War
 Aid, Debt Relief
Teaching methodology: Lectures, Group discussions, debates & Reflections
Recommended Tests (20%)
Mode of Assignment and Presentation
assessment (15%)
Mid-Exam (25%)
Final Examination (40%)

Instructor’s Commitments: The course instructor is expected to provide

timely lectures, demonstrate students to understand and analyze the issues
pertaining to central theme of the course, suggest available reading materials, and
evaluate students’ performance regularly.
Course Policy: Meaningful participation during class, group work and presentation is important for the
success of this course. Since each class builds on the one before it, attendance is mandatory.
Academic Integrity: The department expects from its students a high level of responsibility and
academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the
work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of
individual honor in his or her scholastic work. If you cheat on an exam you will receive a failing grade, and
most likely will be dropped from the class. Academic dishonesty of any type by a student provides grounds
for disciplinary action by the instructor or department.In written work, no material may be copied from
another. The work that you submit must be your own, for both moral and legal reasons.
Recommended Reading Materials
Altinay, Hakan (2011) Global Civics: Responsibilities and Rights in an Interdependent World. The Brookings
institution:Washington
Armstrong, David(ed.)(2009). Routledge Handbook of International Law. London: Routledge
Baylis, J. and Smith, S. (eds.) (1997).The Globalization of World Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Browlie, Ian (2003). Principles of Public International Law. (6th ed.). New York: Oxford University
Copson, Raymond w.(2007)The United States inAfrica:Bushpolicyand beyond in association with
InternationalAfrican InstituteRoyalAfrican Societyof SocialScience Research Council, Zed
Books:London
Crane, George T. and AbalAmawi (1997). The Theoretical evolution of International Political Economy: A
Reader (2nd Edition). Oxford University Press: New York.
Crawford, Robert (2000) Idealism and Realism in International Relations: Beyond the Discipline. Routledge:
USA
DeLombaerde,Philippe(ed.)(2008)GoverningRegionalIntegrationforDevelopment:MonitoringExperien
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Demelo, Jaime and ArvindPanagariy(eds.) (1993)ANew Dimensionsin RegionalIntegration,Centre
forEconomic PolicyResearch 1993, Cambridge University Press:USA
Demelo, Jaime and ArvindPanagariy(eds.)(1993)ANew Dimensionsin RegionalIntegration,Centre
forEconomic PolicyResearch 1993, Cambridge University, Press:USA
Der, James D. (2009) Critical Practices in International Theory: Selected Essays,Routledg, Abingdon, Oxon
Farrell,Mary(ed.) (2005)GlobalPoliticsofRegionalism:Theoryand Practice. Pluto Press: London
Genest, Mark A. (1996). Conflict and Cooperation: Evolving Theories of International Relations. Fourth Worth:
Harcourt Brace and Co.
Goldestein, Joshua S. and John C. Pevhouse (2006). International Relations brief 3rd ed. PrisscillaMcGreehon.
Goldstein J. S. (2003) International Relations. 5th edition. Washington, D.C. Pearson Education Press, Inc
Griffiths, Martin (Ed.) (2007). International Relations Theory for the Twenty-First Century:An introduction.
New York: Routledge
Griffiths, Martin and Terry O’Callaghan (2002) InternationalRelations: The Key Concepts. Routledge: London
Griffiths, Martin, et al. (2008). International Relations: The Key Concepts (Second Edition). New York:
Routledge
Griffiths, Martin, Steven C. and M. Scott (2009), Fifty Key Thinkers in International Relations (2nd edition)
Hancock, KathleenJ.(2009)RegionalIntegration;ChoosingPlutocracy, PalgraveMacmillan:United States
Henderson, Conway W.(1998) International Relations: Conflict and Cooperation at the Turn of the 21 st
Century. Guilford: McGraw-Hall.
Hollis, Martin and Steve Smith (1990) Explaining and Understanding International Relations. United States:
Oxford University Press.
Holsti, K.J. (1995) International Politics: A Framework for Analysis. 7th ed. New Jersey:Prentice Hall.
J.M. Biswaro. (2012) The Quest for Regional Integration in the Twenty First Century: Rhetoric versus
Reality - A Comparative Study, MkukinaNyota Publishers Ltd, Dar es Salaam: Tanzania
Macdonald, David B.et.al (ed.)(2007)The Ethics of Foreign Policy. Ashgate Publishing Limited: England
Malm, Endreas and ShoraEsmailian (2007). Iran on the Brink Rising Workers and Threats of War. Pluto Press
Mintz, Alex and Karl De Rouen (2010) Understanding Foreign Policy Decision Making, Cambridge University
Pres: Cambridge
Rengger,N.J.(2000) International Relations,Political Theory and theProblem of Order: Beyond International
Relations theory?Routledge: London
Rourke, John T. and Mark A. Boyer (1998). World Politics: International Politics on the world Stag., brief. 2nd
ed. Guilford: Dushkin/McGraw-Hall.
Salmon, Trevor C. (Ed.) (2005). Issues in International Relations. New York: Routledge
Steans, Jill and LloyndPettiford (2005). Introduction to International relations: Perspectives and Themes. 2nd ed.
Harlow: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Sutch , Peter and Juanita Elias (2007 ) International Relations, the basics. Taylor & Francis.
Todaro, Michael P. and Stephen Smith (2003).Economic Development (8thed).
Trevor S. Salmon and Mark F. Imber (ed) (2008). Issues in International Relations. Routledge Publishing, 2nd
Edition
Vinay Bhargava (2006). Introduction to Global Issues.
Walts, Kenneth N. (2003) Progress in International Relations Theory. Belfer Center for Science and
International Affairs John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Cambridge,
Massachusetts
Weber,Cynthia (2001) International Relations Theory: A Critical Introduction(2nd edition) Routledge: London