210049 LK BAK8: International Politics (2020S)

Reading Course 'International Politics'
Focus topic: 'The role of EU actors in peacebuilding in
Post-conflict societies (Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina)'

This reading course (LK) aims to introduce and elaborate theoretical, conceptual, terminological and methodological basics of the subject International Politics. In particular, the course serves to deepen, elaborate and discuss topics and texts dealt with in the lecture "Introduction to International Politics". The course offers students the opportunity to acquire knowledge about the theories, concepts, terms and methods of the subject International Politics and to deepen it through discussion and application. The summaries and short presentations of the texts as well as the general workshop character of this reading course serve this purpose. Methodologically, various interactive methods are used including group and plenary discussions. In particular, the practical relevance will be achieved through own research of current political events as well as through the visit of thematically relevant scientific events.

In addition to in-depth elaboration of the lecture's contents, the thematic focus will be on investigating the role and contribution of EU actors and of national actors to the transformation of intra-state conflicts and to peacebuilding in post-conflict societies. Initially, basic concepts, concepts and theories of conflict and peace research will be introduced and discussed by means of concrete examples. Building on this, we will turn to the study of strategies, practices and concepts of EU actors in their efforts to constructively manage armed conflicts. Particular reference will be made to the implementation of peace agreements and to models, methods and strategies of conflict transformation. By means of concrete case studies (Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina) the complex interaction of different actors and the multidimensional effects of peace processes in the context of current political developments (Brexit, EU rapprochement process of the Western Balkans) will be analysed. Particular attention will be paid to possible causes of conflict and approaches to peace consolidation, conflict transformation and conflict resolution - especially from the perspective of ethnonational tensions, socio-economic deprivation, rival hegemonic interests and historical contextualization.

Furthermore, the reading course also deals with the basics of scientific work and discusses questions in preparation for the VO IP (Lecture International Politics) exam.