Syllabus Information

1. General information

1.1. Aims of the course

The subject and its results respond to the following approaches and objectives:

-To expose the main theories, policies and the historical evolution of the international relations with special attention on the main actors of the International Relations (States, International Organizations, Non-governmental Organizations and multinational companies).

-To show the functioning of the most relevant International Organizations (UN, NATO, OSCE, etc.).

- To show the multinational military structures in the participation of Spain and the legal framework of the International Missions.

-To expose the Spanish Diplomatic System and the Foreign Policy of Spain.

1.2. Context and importance of this course in the degree

The subject is compulsory in the defense profile of the degree and allows the future Officer to become familiar with the complex reality of international interactions in the current globalized world, and especially with the role of the Spanish Armed Forces in International Missions.

The subject shows the relations of the globalized world of our days. The focus will be placed on the analysis of the main actors and factors that make up the international scene of the 21st century, from States to International Organizations. The main theoretical schools and interpretive principles of the RRII will be introduced. The main International Organizations will be analyzed with or without the participation of Spain. Attention will be paid to the role of the Armed Forces in international relations, with emphasis on international missions with Spanish participation. Finally, the Spanish diplomatic system and the main axes of Spanish Foreign Policy will be developed.

Throughout the course the subject will be related to the international events that are happening, as well as other subjects such as “Mundo Actual” (Current World) and “Derecho” (Law), to integrate the analysis of current affairs with their historical and geopolitical backgrounds. These activities will materialize in the "International Observatory".

Part of the readings, videos and power-point presentations used throughout the course, as well as the texts used in the practice sessions, may be in Spanish, English or French. A mandatory reading text will be offered in English, the written presentation of group work must be done in English, although the oral presentation can be done in Spanish or English. Finally, there is the possibility of doing a voluntary work that can be presented in English, French or Spanish.

1.3. Recommendations to take this course

•  Before each class session, the student must have read the material provided by the teachers through the Moodle platform.

•  Each class session will begin with the clarification of doubts, both on the material of the same and on issues of agenda already taught previously. In this second case, the teacher may suggest assistance to a personalized tutorial.

•  Students must follow news and press to know the main facts of the most relevant events in the world.

2. Learning goals

2.1. Competences

When the subject is passed, the student will be more competent to:

- Ability to plan, budget, organise, manage and monitor tasks, people and resources.

- Ability to solve problems and take decisions with initiative, creativity and critical reasoning.

- Ability to apply Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) within the field of engineering.

- Ability to communicate knowledge and skills in Spanish.

-Ability to analyse and evaluate the social and ecological impact of technical solutions, behaving ethically, with professional responsibility and social commitment, always striving for quality and continuous improvement.

- Ability to work in a multidisciplinary group and in a multilingual setting.

-Ability to continue learning and develop self-learning strategies.

- Knowledge of international security and defence organisations and treaties signed by Spain in this respect.  Ability to function in multinational organisations.

- Knowledge of  international scenarios, analysing the historical development of the 20th century along with geopolitical groupings and current conflicts.

- Capability of working at a professional level in English.

2.2. Learning goals

The student, to pass this subject, must demonstrate the following results:

- To identify the main political theories of International Relations.

- To identify the main actors in international relations and define transnational challenges.

- To become familiar with the organization and functioning of the Administration in international matters, treaties and diplomacy.

- To know the evaluation and operation of International Organizations and multinational military units with Spanish participation.

- To understand the philosophical and political foundations of international missions.

- To become familiar with the legal framework in which international missions take place.

2.3. Importance of learning goals

The officers of the Army are an outpost of the international projection of our country. Therefore, students should become familiar with the complex network of actors and factors which are the protagonists of international interactions and transfers in the globalized world of the 21st century, especially in regard to the main civil and military intergovernmental organizations in which Spain participates

3. Assessment (1st and 2nd call)

3.1. Assessment tasks (description of tasks, marking system and assessment criteria)

Profile Defense.

The student must demonstrate that he has achieved the expected learning outcomes through the following assessment activities.

    a)Continuous assessment: 50% of the final grade. Corresponding to different activities in the class, such as exposition of group work or participation in other specified activities (evaluable practice sessions) announced by the teacher with sufficient advance and detail to the students.

b) Final exam: 50% of the final grade.  It will be done after the classes according to the established calendar. Most of the questions will be open, both for the development of topics and analysis of texts, graphics or images. The necessary documents or references needed to make the exam will be incorporated into the exam. The minimum grade required in this final exam is a 5

c) Personal volunteer work: it can raise the final grade up to half a point. The student must correctly cite all the sources and references used, as well as the sentences cited in the preparation of a paper. Not doing will be considered plagiarism. The work will mainly value the ability to relate various issues, the depth of the analysis, the appropriate use of information and sources, as well as the ability of the arguments of the students.

4. Methodology, learning tasks, syllabus and resources

4.1. Methodological overview

If this teaching could not be done in person for health reasons, it would be done on line.

The learning process that is designed for this subject is based on the following:

a) A comprehensive reading of the notes and readings proposed by the teacher, to perform at their place of study prior to the hearing in the classroom and for the exam.

b) Teaching exhibition by Professor, highlighting the most relevant aspects of the subject, supported by presentations, photographs, videos, etc. During these sessions, students should express their doubts about the discussion in class or read in place of study.

c) The content of the classes, notes, and readings proposed by the teacher will be part of the examination subject if the teacher does not says otherwise.

d) Students will take a compulsory group work on a subject chosen by the teacher.

e) International Observatory: throughout the course students (in groups of two or three) should keep track of the news today in a geopolitical area or global thematic assigned by teachers.  There will be a discussion in class in several sessions, on the date specified. This activity may be evaluated in the way that teachers establish and previously communicated to students.

4.2. Learning tasks

In addition to the theoretical classes in which the subjects included in the program will be developed in a participatory manner, the subject will be developed are:

-Group exhibitions of specific topics of International Relations.

-Exhibitions and analysis on international reality, particularly the activities of the Organizations

Internationals (the so-called "international observatory"). 

-Analysis and comment on current news that affects aspects of International Relations.

4.3. Syllabus

The course will address the following topics:

• T.1: The evolution of International Relations.
• T.2: Schools of International Relations.
• T.3: The actors of International Relations  (States, International Organizations, Non-Gubernamental Organizations, Transnational Companies).
• T.4: General theory of international organizations.
• T.5: UU.NN.
• T.6: NATO
  • T. 7.a. European Union.
  • T 7.b. “Petersberg” Missions.
• T.8: Other Internacional Organizations:  OSCE, AEA, AU, Arab League, ASEAN, Cooperation Organization of Shangai.
• T.9: The typology of peacekeeping operations
  • T.10 a: Multinational military structures with Spanish participation
  • T.10.b. Military cooperation programs
• T.11: Concept of Diplomacy and Spanish Diplomacy.
• T.12: Foreign Policy of Spain: foreign action and Diplomacy of Defense. Examples of Foreign Policy of Spain (Alliance of Civilizations, “Marca España”).

4.4. Course planning and calendar

Calendar of face-to-face sessions and presentation of works:

- Calendar of face-to-face sessions: according to specific rules that will be notified through the Moodle platform.

- Mandatory work: to be determined.

Two practices can be done in class. In that case, the specific date will be determined one week in advance, both orally and through Moodle.

It is possible to organize a conference, in coordination with the subjects “Mundo Actual” and “Derecho ”, in charge of personnel external to the CUD. The details of the same will be communicated when it´s organized.

Only an exam will take place, within the overall schedule of the end of the semester.

4.5. Bibliography and recommended resources

http://biblos.unizar.es/br/br_citas.php?codigo=30140&year=2020