IR508 Special Topics in International Relations
IR508 Special Topics in International Relations
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on May 05, 2026
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Political Science and International Relations
Jahja Muhasilović
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
The course is designed to explore advanced debates within the field of International Relations (IR) through seminar-style discussions, with a particular focus on applied theory and critical analysis of contemporary international political events. The course will guide students in understanding major IR debates, research methodologies, and the interdisciplinary nature of IR scholarship. It aims to provide students with the intellectual tools to critically engage with the history, theory, and practice of International Relations, while preparing them for their professional careers in the field of International Relations.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
There is no single textbook, but the reading list comprises various readings in the Additional Literature section.
Additional Literature
*Dunne, Tim, et. al. "The End of IR Theory?" European Journal of International Relations 19, no. 3 (2013): 405–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354066113495485. *Lake, David A. "Theory Is Dead, Long Live Theory: The End of the Great Debates and the Rise of Eclecticism in International Relations." European Journal of International Relations 19, no. 3 (2013): 567–87. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354066113494330. *Acharya, Amitav, and Barry Buzan. "Why Is There No Non-Western International Relations Theory? Ten Years On." International Relations of the Asia-Pacific 17, no. 3 (2017): 341–70. *Franks, Steven J., Eva Hamann, and Arthur E. Weis. "Using the Resurrection Approach to Understand Contemporary Evolution in Changing Environments." Evolutionary Applications 11, no. 1 (2018): 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12528. *Aleessawi, Najm A. Kh. Alhatimi. "AI-Powered Warfare: Navigating the Strategic, Ethical, and Geopolitical Frontiers of Autonomous Arms Races." Journal for Strategic Studies and Political Research (2025): 1–16. *Vakulchuk, Roman, Indra Overland, and Daniel Scholten. "Renewable Energy and Geopolitics: A Review." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 122 (2020): 109547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.109547. *Chen, Siyu. "The Evolution of the European Union's Securitization of Climate Change and the Effectiveness of Its Policies." Journal of Environmental Health and Sustainability Research 2 (2025): 1–10. *Floyd, Rita. "Climate Justice via Just Securitization: Problems and Possibilities." Journal of Global Security Studies (2025): 1–18. *Osborne, Augustus. "From Preparedness to Solidarity: Reimagining Global Health Security Post-COVID-19." BMJ Global Health 10, no. e021178 (2025): 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2025-021178. *Kosal, Margaret. "How COVID-19 Is Reshaping U.S. National Security Policy." Biosecurity and Bioterrorism (2024): 1–16. *Abimbola, et. al. "Addressing Power Asymmetries in Global Health: Imperatives in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic." PLOS Medicine 18, no. 4 (2021): e1003604. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003604. https://doi.org/10.1093/irap/lcx006 *Anderl, Felix, and Antonia Witt. "Problematising the Global in Global IR." Millennium: Journal of International Studies 49, no. 1 (2020): 32–57. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305829820971708. *Persaud, Randolph B., and Alina Sajed, eds. Race, Gender, and Culture in International Relations: Postcolonial Perspectives. London: Routledge, 2018. *Drezner, Daniel W. The Uses and Abuses of Weaponized Interdependence. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press, 2021. *Abdullahi, Abdulkarim, et. al. "The Weaponization of Economic Interdependence: Sanctions, Financial Statecraft, and the Fragmentation of the Global Economic Order." International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Review 8, no. 4 (2025): 256–275. https://doi.org/10.37602/IJSSMR.2025.8417. *Woods, Dwayne. "Escaping a Weaponized Network: China’s Reaction to the United States Escalating Technology Controls." Asian Review of Political Economy 4, no. 5 (2025): 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44216-025-00047-7. *Vijaya, Poornima. "Signaling in Minilaterals in the Indo-Pacific: The Cases of Quad and AUKUS (2017-2022)." Journal of International Relations and Development (2024): 1–18. https://doi.org/10.60097/JIRD/2854-2-10-20241222. *Haynes, Jeffrey. "Religion and International Relations: What Do We Know and How Do We Know It?" Religions 12, no. 5 (2021): 328. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12050328. *Yang, Zikun, and Li Li. "Positioning Religion in International Relations: The Performative, Discursive, and Relational Dimension of Religious Soft Power." Religions 12, no. 11 (2021): 940. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12110940. *Modongal, Shameer. "The Resurgence of Religion in International Relations: How Theories Can Accommodate It?" Cogent Social Sciences 9, no. 1 (2023): 2241265. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2241265.Teaching Methods
Lecturing
Student presentations
Class simulation and discussions
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | / |
| 2 | Current Frontiers in IR & Dissertation Alignment | Dunne; Lake; |
| 3 | Multipolarity & Great-Power Competition Post-2022 | Acharya and Buzan; Blackwill and Fontaine; |
| 4 | Russia-Ukraine War (2022–2026) & Hybrid Warfare | Kerr; Franks; |
| 5 | AI, Emerging Tech & IR: Autonomous Weapons, Cyber Norms & Digital Sovereignty | Aleessawi; |
| 6 | Climate Security & Geopolitics of Transition | Vakulchuk; Chen; Floyd; |
| 7 | Global Health & Vaccine Geopolitics: Post-COVID Inequities & Next Pandemic | Osborne; Kosal; Abimbola; |
| 8 | Midterm Week | / |
| 9 | Nuclear Proliferation & Deterrence: Iran Nuclear Deal Revival Attempts & North Korea ICBM Tests (2025–2026) | Asghedom; |
| 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; |
| 13 | Economic Coercion & Weaponized Interdependence | Woods; Drezner; Abdullahi; |
| 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; |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IR508.1 | Course | Monday 17:00 - 19:50 | B F1.1 FBA Graduate Seminar Room | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00 - 17:00 | B F1.7 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Midterm Essay
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
IUS Grading System
| 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 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture hours
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Midterm essay preparations
49 hours ⏳ (7 week × 7 h)
Final exam
56 hours ⏳ (8 week × 7 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
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.
Attendance Policy
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.
Technology & AI Policy
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.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [IR508] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
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.
Learning Tips
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 | |||||||||
| IR508 | Special Topics in International Relations | 3 | 1 | 6 | ||||||
| Prerequisite | None | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Jahja Muhasilović | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Monday: 12:00-17:00 |
|||||||
| jmuhasilovic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | The course is designed to explore advanced debates within the field of International Relations (IR) through seminar-style discussions, with a particular focus on applied theory and critical analysis of contemporary international political events. The course will guide students in understanding major IR debates, research methodologies, and the interdisciplinary nature of IR scholarship. It aims to provide students with the intellectual tools to critically engage with the history, theory, and practice of International Relations, while preparing them for their professional careers in the field of International Relations. |
|||||||||
| Textbook | There is no single textbook, but the reading list comprises various readings in the Additional Literature section. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Lecturing, student presentations, class simulation and discussions | |||||||||
| 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; Lake; | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Multipolarity & Great-Power Competition Post-2022 | Acharya and Buzan; Blackwill and Fontaine; | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Russia-Ukraine War (2022–2026) & Hybrid Warfare | Kerr; Franks; | ||||||||
| Week 5 | AI, Emerging Tech & IR: Autonomous Weapons, Cyber Norms & Digital Sovereignty | Aleessawi; | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Climate Security & Geopolitics of Transition | Vakulchuk; Chen; Floyd; | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Global Health & Vaccine Geopolitics: Post-COVID Inequities & Next Pandemic | Osborne; Kosal; Abimbola; | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Midterm Week | / | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Nuclear Proliferation & Deterrence: Iran Nuclear Deal Revival Attempts & North Korea ICBM Tests (2025–2026) | Asghedom; | ||||||||
| 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; | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Economic Coercion & Weaponized Interdependence | Woods; Drezner; Abdullahi; | ||||||||
| 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 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Midterm Essay | 1 | 50 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture hours | 3 | 15 | 45 | Midterm essay preparations | 7 | 7 | 49 | |||
| Final exam | 7 | 8 | 56 | 0 | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 15/05/2026 | |||||||||