HI-223 International Organization in Historical Perspective

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Bachelor's Programme in History

Recommended prerequisites

History, other humanistic- or social science courses

Course contents

International history has over the last centuries and in a variety of fields been influenced by international organizing. It has, among others, been a matter of economic regulation and deregulation, of transport, health, minorities- and human rights, and several other fields. Primarily it has been a desire to promote international order and to secure peace among states. The course discusses the development of ideas behind international organizing and control, who have been the driving forces, and it raises problems related to the conditions and consequences of the political power of the international organizations.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course the students shall

• Have broad knowledge about the ideological basis and the political conditions for the formation and development of the League of Nations and the United Nations after the two world wars

• Master central terms within the study of international relations

• Understand how transnational networks and non-governmental organizations have contributed to set the agenda on international arenas

• Understand the connection between economical ideas and the formation of international organizations before and after World War 2, and after the end of the Cold War

• Be able to apply historical knowledge critically in analyses of current international issues and present them publicly

• Be able to present, justify and define a historical academic research task

Examination requirements

The student must have attended at least three seminars, as a group member have participated in at least one presentation, and the two written assignments must have been approved.

Further information will be given on semester start.

Teaching methods

The learning activities includes:

Lectures in sequences of one to three days

Obligatory seminars with group presentations and discussions

Two obligatory written individual assignments which will be commented on either by the teacher and/or by a fellow student. The form of the assignments:

1. An article on a given theme

2. A project description of a given theme (according to a `project announcement¿)

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Assessment methods and criteria

Oral examination where the student

1. Presents one of his/her individual written assignments (which assignment will be drawn on the spot, so two presentations must be prepared)

2. Answers/discusses questions based on the syllabus