International Institutions and Organizations

Description
This course examines the role of the most relevant international organizations (IOs) in contemporary global governance.

Its main focus is on the United Nations (UN) and its many organs and agencies, which form the centerpiece of global governance. At the theoretical level, the course conceives of IOs not only as instruments of member states, but also as independent bureaucracies with a political life of their own. At the practical level, the course aims to provide the student with the required skills to interact and participate in a UN-simulated context, training him/her for a future professional career.

Prerequisites
None.

Contents
- International Organizations: Key concepts and debates
- Global Governance and International Organizations
- The role of States in Global Governance
- Regional organizations
- United Nations
- Foundations, Structure and Reform
- Non-state actors (civil society, transnational corporations, public opinion, etc.)

Methodology
The class will meet twice a week for lectures. Each one will address one specific question related to global governance and the role played by IO. The course will follow closely the required readings. It is absolutely essential for students to have a good grasp of the materials before the lectures so as to fully benefit from class discussions.

In the second part of the course, a UN simulation will be conducted around the issue of Security Council reform. Detailed instructions will be handed out at the beginning of the course. Some of the lectures in this part will be used to address issues concerning the simulation as well as for general debates.

Using relevant bibliography, the student will previously write a paper answering the following question: Given your country's voting and contribution record at the UN, its diplomatic tradition, socio-economic characteristics, cultural values and ideologies, patterns of alignment, and political history, what are the five main priorities that it wants to see implemented in a reformed UN structure?

Assessment
The evaluation of the student will take into account both the generic and specific competences. Generic competences will be assigned 50 % of the final grade, and specific ones will be assigned the remaining 50%.

The final grade* will be the weighted sum of the average of the two exams, class participation, assigned paper, and the negotiations report. An average of at least 5 in the exams will be required to pass the course.

1) Class Participation (10 percent): based on attendance, active involvement in discussions and debates, as well as preparedness.
2) Mid-term Test (25 percent): consists of short-answer questions about lectures and readings.
3) Country Analysis Paper (20 percent): 5-page (excluding references) paper to be submitted prior to the UN simulation exercise. Based on bibliographic research, the paper should answer the following question: Given your country's voting and contribution record at the UN, its diplomatic tradition, socio-economic characteristics, cultural values and ideologies, patterns of alignment, and political history, what are the five main priorities that it wants to see implemented in a reformed UN structure?
4) Negotiations Report (20 percent): team paper to be submitted explaining and justifying how the delegation negotiated its way through consolidation stages and voting.
5) Final exam (25 percent): based on lectures, conferences, and readings.