Theories of International Institutions

Course Description

International institutions provide order and meaning; they structure and facilitate cooperation in the international system. This lecture is intended to give an introduction to the main theoretical debates in international relations (IR) regarding the relevance, emergence, design, effectiveness, change and contestedness of international institutions. Apart from the theoretical tenets of the major IR theories of realism, neo-liberal institutionalism and constructivism, we will also discuss feminism and critical theory. While some empirical examples will be included for illustrative purposes, the lecture is heavily theory-oriented and is intended to give students a solid foundation in the academic study of international institutions. At the end of this lecture course students should be able to give nuanced assessments of differing theoretical approaches in relation to their research goals and application to international politics.

Degree Programs

MPM (elective)

MA Internationale Beziehungen (Pflichtmodul)

MA Politikwissenschaft (Wahlmodul) 

MA Verwaltungswissenschaft (Wahlmodul)

Diplom Politikwissenschaft (Hauptstudium, Internationale Politik und Politikfeldforschung)

Diplom Verwaltungswissenschaft (Hauptstudium, Internationale Politikfeldforschung)

Magister Politikwissenschaft (Hauptfach, Hauptstudium).