STV2217B – Rational Choice Models and International Conflict

Course description

Course content
Learning outcome
Prerequisites
Overlapping courses

Teaching
Examination

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Spring 2020

Course content

The course offers an introduction to different types of rational choice (RC) models and introduces the students to potential applications of such models in the study of international conflict. Particular emphasis is placed on credibility aspects related to the use of threats in international politics. Topics that are being covered include:

Conditions for a threat to be effective
Techniques for enhancing a threat’s credibility
Nuclear deterrence
Economic sanctions
RC explanations of war
RC explanations of terrorism

Learning outcome

The course aims at teaching the students to apply RC models in the study of international conflict.

Knowledge

Having completed the course, you

can describe the logics of rational choice models
can apply game-theory logic to address questions in international politics

Skills

Having completed the course, you can:

Extract the underlying logic of game-theoretical models
Read and understand scholarly work on international conflict that uses game theory

Competences

Having completed the course, you have:

Increased your general analytical competence
Enhanced your ability to use game theoretic logic in your own work

Prerequisites

Recommended previous knowledge

Advanced student in a Bachelor program in political science or equivalent and have taken an introduction to international politics course, such as STV1200.

Overlapping courses

10 credits overlap with STV4217B – Rational Choice and International Conflict

Teaching

There will be a total of 13 class sessions (each of 2 hours duration), divided between 10 lectures and 3 seminars. In 2020, these will be offered digitally. No one will meet in a classroom.

Examination

4 hour exam

Digital examination

The written examination is conducted in the digital examination system Inspera. You will need to familiarize yourself with the digital examination arrangements in Inspera.

Language of examination

You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

Explanation of grades and appeals

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.

The course is only offered this semester.

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.