This course aims at ensuring that students gain adequate knowledge of the recent developments in international relations theory, recent international policies, and new policy initiatives and programmes. For example, topics may include recent developments in one or several theoretical approaches to international relations (constructivism or neoliberalism). In addition, new international policies or initiatives of regional organizations or individual states may be examined, and their future development and impact discussed. Among possible topics are the EU initiatives in its relations with China, or Asia, or the new foreign policies of individual governments in the region (e.g. Australia).

Students will be able to understand, grasp, and analyze the selected topics of international relations to be investigated by the course.