Institutions for the Earth. Theories and empirical studies of international environmental institutions - Einzelansicht

Through international institutions states seek to overcome transboundary collective action problems in international politics. Focusing on international institutions in global environmental politics, this course will introduce students into key questions in the research on international institutions and will familiarize them with different theoretical and conceptual approaches to international institutions, with major analytical and methodological challenges in the study of international institutions, and with the empirics of important international environmental institutions in the contemporary world.

To this end, students will discuss critically what the functions of international institutions are in international politics, why and how international institutions are created, why and how they change over time, and what effects they have, under what conditions, and why. The reading of theoretical, conceptual, and analytical literature on international institutions as well as of related empirical research will inform the discussions. Specific topics include power-, interest- and knowledge-based accounts of international institutions (and optional: critical perspectives on international institutions); effectiveness; compliance; interlinkages, overlaps, complexity and fragmentation; and legitimacy.

At the very beginning of the course, students can choose from three different syllabuses, each emphasising different aspects, and decide whether they are more interested in a) theories and concepts, b) in a theoretical overview and self-directed case studies or c) in an overview on theoretical approaches and basic empirical patterns.

At the end of the course, students will be able to compare and assess critically the different theoretical, conceptual, and analytical perspectives on international institutions, will have understood the major functions and dynamics of international institutions, and will have acquired basic empirical knowledge on important international institutions, their differences, forms, and effects.

To achieve these goals, reading the required texts and completing the tasks in preparation of each individual session are essential. On the basis of the required reading, students will, for example, be asked to formulate questions of understanding, to answer pre-defined questions, to define concepts, to derive hypotheses or to summarize important empirical findings. In the individual sessions, students’ written inputs constitute the starting point and are presented, discussed and appraised. Moreover, students’ questions are settled, their inputs are brought together and solutions are developed to cope with existing challenges.

Die Lehrveranstaltung entfällt krankheitsbedingt bis einschließlich 09.11.2018.

General

Irrespective of the Master’s program in which you are enrolled, you will earn credit points only if you regularly attend the sessions,  participate actively in the sessions and submit a term paper (no Teilnahmeschein).

Grading is based on assessments of the tasks that are assigned in preparation of individual sessions (30 percent) and the term paper (70 percent).

The assessment of the tasks will be based on the following criteria:

1. Timely delivery
2. Accuracy and thoroughness in performing the task
3. Substance (in line with the definition of the task)

The term paper will be evaluated on the basis of uniform criteria that will be made available to students on Moodle. 

Term Paper

In the term paper of at least 5.000 words, but not more than 6.000 words, students are expected to show that they can independently develop a theoretical and empirical answer to an analytical question within a given subject area. The subject and research question shall be clearly linked to one of the course topics.

The subject and the question may be discussed in person with the instructor. Each student who wishes to discuss the term paper in advance is required to send a brief summary of not more than 500 words to the instructor at least one day before the respective appointment in the office hours. In the summary, the student shall briefly lay out the subject, the research question, and the study design (methodology or research plan). In addition to this summary, the document must include a list of literature that the student has already used and is planning to use (not included in the word count).

Unless exceptional/extenuating circumstances are applicable (see below), all papers should be submitted at the latest by the end of the term: March 30, 2019. If the grade is, for whatever reason, needed before May 31, 2019, the paper should be submitted at the latest three weeks before the end of the term; that is by March 9, 2019. All papers must be sent in hard copy and pdf-file.

Substance

At the end of the course, students will in general

• be able to compare and assess critically different theoretical, conceptual, and analytical perspectives on international institutions,
• have understood major functions and dynamics of international institutions, and
• have acquired basic empirical knowledge on important international institutions, their differences, forms, and effects.

More precisely, students

• will be familiarized with theoretical approaches in the study of institutions that emphasize interests, power, and knowledge,
• will acquire a deeper understanding of analytical questions, concepts, and issues in current research on institutions, namely
  • the challenges in assessing and explaining institution compliance and effectiveness,
  • the nature and consequences of interplay between different institutions, and
  • the legitimacy of international institutions.

Competencies

Most importantly, students will learn or improve their ability

• to derive hypotheses from theoretical approaches,
• to transfer theoretical and conceptual knowledge to empirical research,
• to apply theoretical and conceptual knowledge in empirical research, and
• to derive policy recommendations from theoretical, analytical, and empirical literature.

In addition, students will learn or improve their ability

• to collect, process, systematize, and communicate theoretical and empirical knowledge in written or oral form,
• to develop and defend theoretical and analytical arguments, and
• to work in teams.