2020 - Fall - Introduction to International Cooperation

Undergraduate course, University of Mannheim, Department of Political Science II - European Politics, 2020

The goal of this class is to introduce the varying forms and causes of international cooperation. By focussing on theories of cooperation, students will be able to critically assess cooperative arrangements. By introducing empirical research on different types of cooperation students will familiarize themselves with the broad range of cooperative arrangements and by focusing on case-studies of specific agreements and arenas students are repeatedly exposed to a key method of scholarship about international relations.

Course Structure and Objectives

The 11 sessions of this course are structured in two blocks. First, we will discuss the theoretical foundations of scholarship on international cooperation. Then we will turn to different types of international cooperation and international discuss different cases of cooperation through agreements, organizations, and between non-state actors.

  • Introduce varying forms of international cooperation with examples
  • Understand the fundamental drivers of international cooperation
  • Focus on case-studies as a tool for scholarship
  • Develop a research idea and write a research proposal

Download syllabus here