Theory and Event

Course content

The course offers instructions on the uses of theory in manufacturing knowledge, with emphasis on the study of international politics. What is a theory? What does it do? Do we have to use a theory in making sense of inter-state politics? Following three introductory sessions on theory generally, from an interdisciplinary angle (from natural sciences to literary criticism), the course focuses on the mainstream of IR theory, depicting the function of theory in research: political realisms, liberal idealisms, constructivisms.