Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on May 05, 2026
Course Lecturer
This advanced doctoral seminar engages with cutting-edge research frontiers and unresolved debates in International Relations. It is designed for PhD candidates to critically evaluate contemporary scholarship, identify theoretical and empirical gaps suitable for original contribution, and develop sophisticated research agendas aligned with their dissertation projects. The course emphasizes meta-theoretical reflection, methodological innovation, interdisciplinary approaches, and policy-relevant analysis in the context of a post-2022 multipolar and fragmented international order.
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
There is no single textbook, but the reading list comprises various readings in the Additional Literature section.
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | / |
| 2 | Current Frontiers in IR & Dissertation Alignment | Dunne, Hansen, Wight; Lake; |
| 3 | Multipolarity & Great-Power Competition Post-2022 | Acharya and Buzan; Blackwill and Fontaine; Clark |
| 4 | Hybrid & Gray-Zone Conflict: Ukraine as Test Case (2022–2026) | Kerr; Franks, Hamann, Weis; Stoddart |
| 5 | AI, Emerging Tech & IR: Autonomous Weapons, Cyber Norms & Digital Sovereignty | Aleessawi; |
| 6 | Climate Security & Geopolitics of Transition | Vakulchuk, Overland, Scholten; Chen; Floyd; |
| 7 | Global Health, Pandemics & Power Asymmetries | Osborne; Kosal; Motaal, Mataria and Chun; |
| 8 | Midterm | / |
| 9 | Nuclear Order Under Stress: Iran, North Korea, AUKUS & Deterrence | Asghedom; Gasser |
| 10 | Decolonizing/Global IR: Race, Gender & Southern Perspectives | Anderl, Witt; Persuad, Sajed; |
| 11 | Regional Orders & Fragmentation: Balkans, Middle East, Indo-Pacific | Mampuys, Prins, Sheikh, Hart; Cooper, Dal, Dipama; |
| 12 | Institutions in Crisis: UN, WTO, NATO Adaptation | Hathaway, Mills, Zimmerman; Debre, Dijkstra; |
| 13 | Economic Coercion & Weaponized Interdependence | Woods; Drezner; Abdullahi, Ibrahim, Mahmud; |
| 14 | Proxy wars & Minilateral Alliances in a Fragmented Order | Satake; Vijaya; |
| 15 | Religion, Ideology and Ideational Power in Contemporary Conflicts | Haynes; Yang, Li; Modongal; Manesh, Burkle; |
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IR611.1 | Course | Monday 17:00 - 19:50 | B F1.1 FBA Graduate Seminar Room | - | - |
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00 - 17:00 | B F1.7 |
Alignment with Learning Outcomes : 4 5
Alignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
49 hours ⏳ (7 week × 7 h)
56 hours ⏳ (7 week × 8 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [IR611] in the subject line.
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on May 05, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| IR611 | Advanced Studies in International Relations | 3 | 0 | 6 | Monday 17:00-19:50 | |||||
| Prerequisite | None | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Jahja Muhasilović | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Monday: 12:00-17:00 |
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| jmuhasilovic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | This advanced doctoral seminar engages with cutting-edge research frontiers and unresolved debates in International Relations. It is designed for PhD candidates to critically evaluate contemporary scholarship, identify theoretical and empirical gaps suitable for original contribution, and develop sophisticated research agendas aligned with their dissertation projects. The course emphasizes meta-theoretical reflection, methodological innovation, interdisciplinary approaches, and policy-relevant analysis in the context of a post-2022 multipolar and fragmented international order. | |||||||||
| Textbook | There is no single textbook, but the reading list comprises various readings in the Additional Literature section. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
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| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
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| Teaching Methods | In class lectures, video material, presentations, essays | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction | / | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Current Frontiers in IR & Dissertation Alignment | Dunne, Hansen, Wight; Lake; | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Multipolarity & Great-Power Competition Post-2022 | Acharya and Buzan; Blackwill and Fontaine; Clark | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Hybrid & Gray-Zone Conflict: Ukraine as Test Case (2022–2026) | Kerr; Franks, Hamann, Weis; Stoddart | ||||||||
| Week 5 | AI, Emerging Tech & IR: Autonomous Weapons, Cyber Norms & Digital Sovereignty | Aleessawi; | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Climate Security & Geopolitics of Transition | Vakulchuk, Overland, Scholten; Chen; Floyd; | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Global Health, Pandemics & Power Asymmetries | Osborne; Kosal; Motaal, Mataria and Chun; | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Midterm | / | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Nuclear Order Under Stress: Iran, North Korea, AUKUS & Deterrence | Asghedom; Gasser | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Decolonizing/Global IR: Race, Gender & Southern Perspectives | Anderl, Witt; Persuad, Sajed; | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Regional Orders & Fragmentation: Balkans, Middle East, Indo-Pacific | Mampuys, Prins, Sheikh, Hart; Cooper, Dal, Dipama; | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Institutions in Crisis: UN, WTO, NATO Adaptation | Hathaway, Mills, Zimmerman; Debre, Dijkstra; | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Economic Coercion & Weaponized Interdependence | Woods; Drezner; Abdullahi, Ibrahim, Mahmud; | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Proxy wars & Minilateral Alliances in a Fragmented Order | Satake; Vijaya; | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Religion, Ideology and Ideational Power in Contemporary Conflicts | Haynes; Yang, Li; Modongal; Manesh, Burkle; | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 50 | 4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Midterm Essay | 1 | 50 | 1,2,3 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture hours | 3 | 15 | 45 | Midterm Essay preparation | 7 | 7 | 49 | |||
| Final project | 8 | 7 | 56 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 15/05/2026 | |||||||||