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Current Issues in International Relations

Code: 101092 ECTS Credits: 6
2025/2026
Degree Type Year
Political Science and Public Management OT 3
Political Science and Public Management OT 4
International Relations OT 4

Contact

Name:
Gabriel Abou-Askar Molina
Email:
gabriel.abouaskar@uab.cat

Teachers

(External) Gebrael Abou-Askar Molina

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

It has no academic prerequisites.

The student must have the habit of reading and consulting different means of communication of general information, especially following international news, as well as opinion articles on global political issues.


Objectives and Contextualisation

 

 

The objective of the subject is focused on the study and analysis of the current international political context. Especially related to international security issues and armed conflicts.

For the analysis of the political context, the subject offers knowledge of a series of analytical instruments and contrast of sources (OSINT method) in order to acquire the greatest analytical rigor both on the part of documentary sources and international security problems; armed conflicts, insurgencies, organized crime, terrorism, hybrid warfare.

Although the focus of the study is mainly oriented to safety studies, it is intended to broaden the spectrum of studies of international problems as much as possible. Including macroeconomics, society and aspects of interest at European, state and local level.

Given that the current international political context is highly changing, the content of the subject will maintain a general program but annually it will be adapted to the international dynamics of the moment in order to provide the most innovative vision possible.

 

 

 


Competences

    Political Science and Public Management
  • Applying theoretical and analytical knowledge of International Relations to practical and professional cases, in particular to the areas of conflict and cooperation between actors.
  • Arguing from different theoretical perspectives.
  • Assessing specific distinctive aspects and conceptual and methodological instruments of the different tendencies and analytical approximations of International Relations.
  • Demonstrating good writing skills in different contexts.
  • Demonstrating they know theoretical tendencies and classical and recent analytical approximations of International Relations.
  • Designing data collection techniques, coordinating the information processing and meticulously applying hypothesis verification methods.
  • Distinguishing the discipline's main theories and different fields: conceptual developments, theoretical frameworks and theoretical approaches underlying the discipline's knowledge and different areas and sub-areas, as well as their value for the professional practice through concrete cases.
  • Identifying sources of data and conducting bibliographic and documentary searches.
  • Interpreting and applying English texts in an academic way.
  • Managing the available time in order to accomplish the established objectives and fulfil the intended task.
  • Producing and planning researches or analytical reports.
  • Realising effective oral presentations that are suited to the audience.
  • Synthesizing and critically analysing information.
  • Using the main information and documentation techniques (ICT) as an essential tool for the analysis.
  • Working autonomously.
  • Working by using quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques in order to apply them to research processes.
  • Working in teams and networking, particularly in interdisciplinary conditions.
    International Relations
  • Analyse international society and its structure and understand its importance for real-life problems and professional practice.
  • Apply knowledge of the structure and operation of international institutions to problems and/or practical cases, either real or simulated.
  • Apply quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques in research processes.
  • Design, plan and carry out projects and studies for analysis and/or intervention in different areas of international relations.
  • Identify data sources and carry out rigorous bibliographical and documentary searches.
  • Identify the main theories of international relations and their different fields (international theory, conflicts and security, international politics, etc.) to apply them in professional practice.
  • Produce and prepare the presentation of intervention reports and/or proposals.
  • Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
  • Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  • Students must develop the necessary learning skills to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
  • Use metatheoretical data to argue and establish plausible relation of causality and establish ways of validating or rejecting them.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques in research processes.
  2. Apply theoretical and analytical knowledge of international relations in practical and professional case studies, in particular in the area of conflict and cooperation between actors.
  3. Applying theoretical and analytical knowledge of International Relations to practical and professional cases, in particular to the areas of conflict and cooperation between actors.
  4. Arguing from different theoretical perspectives.
  5. Assessing specific distinctive aspects and conceptual and methodological instruments of the different tendencies and analytical approximations of International Relations.
  6. Critically assessing the impacts of globalization in several areas: safety, environment, human rights, migrations and peace.
  7. Demonstrate knowledge of theoretical trends and classical and recent analytical approaches to international relations.
  8. Demonstrating good writing skills in different contexts.
  9. Demonstrating they know theoretical tendencies and classical and recent analytical approximations of International Relations.
  10. Describe the international order: anarchy versus order, national society and transnational society.
  11. Describe the main approaches to international relations (realism, transnationalism, structuralism).
  12. Describe the main elements that characterise international global society (1945-2000).
  13. Describing the international order: anarchy versus order, society of states and transnational society.
  14. Describing the main characteristic elements of the international society as a whole (1945-2000).
  15. Designing data collection techniques, coordinating the information processing and meticulously applying hypothesis verification methods.
  16. Evaluate the distinctive and instrumental aspects of the different trends and analytical approaches to international relations from a conceptual and methodological focus.
  17. Explaining the major approximations to the international relations (realism, transnationalism and structuralism).
  18. Identify data sources and carry out rigorous bibliographical and documentary searches.
  19. Identifying sources of data and conducting bibliographic and documentary searches.
  20. Interpreting and applying English texts in an academic way.
  21. Make adequate use of the theory and concepts of international relations (Hobbesian, Grotian and Kantian thought).
  22. Managing the available time in order to accomplish the established objectives and fulfil the intended task.
  23. Produce and prepare the presentation of intervention reports and/or proposals.
  24. Producing and planning researches or analytical reports.
  25. Properly using the theory and concepts of international relations (traditions of Hobbesian, Grotian or Kantian thought).
  26. Realising effective oral presentations that are suited to the audience.
  27. Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
  28. Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  29. Students must develop the necessary learning skills to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
  30. Synthesizing and critically analysing information.
  31. Use metatheoretical data to argue and establish plausible relation of causality and establish ways of validating or rejecting them.
  32. Using the main information and documentation techniques (ICT) as an essential tool for the analysis.
  33. Working autonomously.
  34. Working by using quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques in order to apply them to research processes.
  35. Working in teams and networking, particularly in interdisciplinary conditions.

Content

The aim of the subject is to offer a most recent vision of the reality of the international political context, the specific contents of which will be presented at the beginning of the semester.

In general terms, the subject is divided into three general thematic areas:

1. War as a phenomenon

— 2 Technology-MRA

— 3 Topics of current interest

Block I

Hybrid war.

1.Introduction and presentation of objectives

— 2 War as a phenomenon

3. Theoretical framework and currents of thought.

— 4 Case study conflicts of the moment

 

Block II

Technological paradigm.

1. Revolution of Military Affairs (RAM)

2. Systems development

3. Strategy and nuclear debate.

4. Case study of the moment

Block III

Current affairs of the present.

1. Techniques and tools for information analysis, contrast of sources (OSINT)

Study on problems in the political context of the moment.

2. Various topics: macroeconomics, society, crime, terrorism, violent extremism.

3. Problematic case study of the moment.


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Debates on required readings 3 0.12 2, 4, 9, 22, 30, 34
Lectures with use of ICT and large group discussion 43 1.72 1, 4, 8, 26, 35, 32, 5
Practices and oral presentations in class, case studies 6 0.24 4, 15, 26, 34, 33, 35, 32, 5
Type: Supervised      
Reading and preparation of the texts that will be the subject of a class control 7 0.28 12, 14, 13, 10, 17, 28, 27, 25
Tutorials and exam comments 3 0.12
Writing the course work 9 0.36 8, 14, 25
Type: Autonomous      
Study of the subject syllabus and supplementary readings 72 2.88 22, 33

The dedication to this subject is specified in several types of activities, each with a certain teaching load. Its value, 6 ECTS credits, implies a total dedication of 150 hours, which will be distributed in several types of activities:

- Directed activities are activities in the classroom, with the presence of the teacher and will consist of lectures (with the possibility of developing large group debates); in seminars for discussion of required readings or thematic materials in smaller groups; in sessions more oriented to practical issues, in which cases, problems and examples relating to the course syllabus will be analysed. These activities represent around 35% of the total work required.

- Supervised activities are activities carried out by the student outside the classroom in accordance with a work plan designed and subsequently tutored and evaluated by the teacher. These activities represent,
approximately 10% of the required work.

- Independent activities are all those activities that the student does on his own and in accordance with the requirements of the course in order to successfully pass the subject, such as basic and complementary readings, study of class notes or all those other activities that complement the training achieved in this course.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Group work and oral presentation 50% exams/ 50% Group work and presentation 7 0.28 3, 2, 1, 4, 31, 7, 9, 8, 14, 12, 13, 10, 15, 24, 23, 11, 17, 26, 22, 19, 18, 20, 29, 28, 27, 30, 34, 33, 35, 21, 25, 32, 5, 6, 16

The evaluation involves:

- Regular attendance in class and participation in activities, debates, comments on readings, contributions to oral presentations, etc.- Continuous evaluation, written comments on readings or videos, preparation of debates.- Group work on one of the topics/cases covered in class that will be presented in public in the last sessions of the subject. The length of the work will be a maximum of 3,000-5,000 words, plus bibliography and annexes. The work will be carried out with 1.5 line interlineation, Arial font body 12 in the body of the work and 10 in the footnotes. The delivery date will be specified once the course has started.

Continuous evaluation

Midterm exam 25%

Final exam 25%

Work and exposure 50%

In July there will be a compensation test in which students who have followed the course regularly but have not passed the subject will be able to retake it. This compensatory evaluation will take place on the dates established by the Facultad.La attendance at two of the aforementioned evaluation activities is incompatible with the qualification of "NOT PRESENTED".

Single Assessment:

Students who have requested it in a timely manner will be able to take advantage of a single evaluation that will consist of an exercise consisting of a 50% exam and questions about a research project that will be agreed at the beginning of classes 50%

This exercise will take place at the end of the semester, on the day set by the Faculty for the examination of the ordinary assessment and will be made public sufficiently in advance. If this test is not passed with a score of 5 out of 10 points, the exercise may be recovered on the date set by the Faculty as a compensatory evaluation.

 

 


Bibliography

Basic bibliography:

 

-Alger, J. (2009). From Nuclear Energy to the Bomb: The Proliferation Potential of New Nuclear Energy Programs. Centre for International Governance Innovation. http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep16141

-Arnson, C. J., & Zartman, I. W. (2005). Rethinking the economics of war: the intersection of need, creed, and greed. Woodrow Wilson Center Press.

Azar, E. E. (1990). The management of protracted social conflict: theory and cases. Dartmouth ; Gower Pub. Co.

-Azar, E. E., & Burton, J. W. (Eds.). (1986). International Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice. Lynne Rienner Pub.

-Blalock, H. M. (1989). Power and Conflict: Toward a General Theory. Sage.

-Burton, J. (1990a). Conflict: resolution and prevention. Macmillan.

-Burton, J. (Ed.). (1990b). Conflict: Human Needs Theory. The Macmillan Press.

-Ejuchegahi, Angwaomaodoko, A.(2024)Trade Wars and Tariff Policies: Long-Term effects on Global Trade and Economic Relationship .Business and Economic Research 14(4):62 DOI:10.5296/ber.v14i4.22185

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385296439_Trade_Wars_and_Tariff_Policies_Long-Term_effects_on_Global_Trade_and_Economic_Relationship

-ERÄSTÖ, T., & TOPYCHKANOV, P. (2020). Towars Greater Nuclear Restant: Raising The Thereshold For Nuclear Weapon Use. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep24479

 

- Fang, T., & Hwang, T. (2023). What Is Techno-Nationalism? In The Rise of Techno-Nationalism (pp. 4–6). New America.

http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep54891.4

 

-Haynes, S. T. (2016). China’s Nuclear Threat Perceptions. Strategic Studies Quarterly, 10(2), 25–62.

 http://www.jstor.org/stable/26271504

 

-Jordán Javier. (2001) Introducción a los estudios de seguridad y defensa. Comares.

 

-Jordán Javier. (2011) La seguridad más allá del estado: Actores no estatales y seguridad internacional. Plaza y Valdés.

 

-Jordán,J .(2013) Manual de Estudios Estratégicos y Seguridad Internacional. Plaza y Valdés.

-Jordan, J. (2020). International Competition Below the Threshold of War: Toward a Theory of Gray Zone Conflict. Journal of Strategic Security, 14(1), 1–24.

 

-Martin, B. E. (2016). Weapons of Mass Destruction: Nuclear Terrorism and Nuclear Proliferation. Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses, 8(2), 17–23. http://www.jstor.org/stable/26369587

 

-Mearsheimer, J.J.(2014) The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. Norton.

-Ozawa, M. (Ed.). (2023). Total, global, hybrid war. In War changes everything: Russia after Ukraine (pp. 5–16). NATO Defense College.

 http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep47336.7

-Raska, M. (2019). Strategic Competition for Emerging Military Technologies: Comparative Paths and Patterns. PRISM, 8(3), 64–81.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/26864277

 

-Ramsbotham, O., Woodhouse, T., & Miall, H. (2011). Contemporary conflict resolution: the prevention, management and transformation of deadly conflicts. Polity Press.

 

-Scott,S & Waltz, K .( 2013) The Spread of Nuclear Weapons. An Enduring Debate. Norton.

-Toffler, A.(1995). La Tercera ola .Orbis, 1985.

 

-Toffler, A & Toffler H .(1995) Las guerras del futuro. La supervivencia en el alba del siglo XXI. Círculo de lectores.

 

-Von Clausewitz,C. (2014) De la guerra. La esfera de los libros.

-Wallensteen, P. (2007). Understanding conflict resolution: war, peace and the global system. SAGE.

 

 

 

 


Software

It does not require specific software.


Groups and Languages

Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Spanish second semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 1 Spanish second semester morning-mixed