This course provides students with an introduction to the major approaches and theories of International Relations.  Students are introduced to the aims of theory, theoretical frameworks - rationalist vs reflectivist - as well as the main theories themselves.  How the theories can be applied in practice is also examined.

Theory aims to identify broad patterns and draw wider conclusions from a series of discrete moments in international affairs, in order to generate greater insight into, and meaning from, our world. With this in mind, this course explores the various ‘great debates’ that have emerged over time between and among theories of international relations, as well as more recent contributions. How theories can be used to interpret and understand world affairs will be demonstrated throughout the course, drawing on real-life case studies.

The course deals with Iceland's foreign affairs and foreign policy from 1940 to 2018. The aim of the course is to cover all major events in the history of Iceland's foreign affairs during this period such as membership of NATO, the defence and economic relationship with the USA, the cod wars and Nordic and European cooperation. The course also covers the most recent changes which are taking place in Iceland's foreign policy, i.e. more focus on developing aid and human rights. Theories in international studies and small-states studies will be used to analyse the case of Iceland.

The aim of this course is to develop skills in analyzing and discussing international cooperation and in particular, Iceland´s role in global affairs. Globalization from an historical and theoretical perspective is presented and the influence of globalization on politics, economics, states and individuals discussed. The foreign policy of Iceland is analyzed with an emphasis on the current priorities. Iceland´s role in the international system in relation to the current challenges is presented with an emphasis on security and defence matters, Arctic issues and Nordic cooperation. European integration will be explored relating to Iceland´s choices in European affairs, with a particular focus on the effects of the EEA agreement in Iceland. Moreover, Iceland´s UN participation and campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council will be covered.

Issues and Debates in European Integration is a graduate course that addresses institutional, historical and theoretical aspects as well as contemporary issues and debates in the field of European integration. As part of the MA program in International Affairs, it is designed primarily for students who already have a basic command of the workings of the EU’s institutions and decision-making processes. While such basic knowledge of the EU political system is not strictly speaking a prerequisite for taking this course, students who lack such knowledge are strongly encouraged to read up on the basics prior to or at the very beginning of the semester. The course is divided into three parts and will cover (a) historical and institutional aspects of European integration, (b) the most important theoretical traditions in the field of European integration, and (c) contemporary issues and debates in European integration.

The aim of this course is to study the behavior and role of small states in the international system. The course deals with questions such as: What is a small state? What are the main constrains and opportunities of small states? Do small states behave differently in the international community from larger ones? The course offers an introduction to the literature on the state, the international system and small-state studies. The main emphasis, however, is on internal and external opportunities and constraints facing small states, for example how they are affected by and have responded to globalization, new security threats and the process of European integration. Special attention is devoted to Iceland and its reactions to economic crises and security threats. The course will also examine Iceland´s relations with the United States, China, Russia and the Nordic states, and its engagement with the European Union.

International organizations (IOs) are ubiqitous on the global stage and collectively engage with virtually every aspect of international relations. This course will provide an introduction to the empirical study of international organizations and the politics and processes that govern their operations.

Rather than organizing around specific organizational histories or issue areas, the course will focus on investigating the political structures that underpin the system and how they fit together. To what extent can we think of IOs as independent actors? Who are the actors that influence them and how do they do it? How are IOs financed and what implications does that have for their operations? Who are the staff that work in IOs and how do they matter? These are the types of questions that will guide our analysis over the course of the semester.

In answering these questions, students will be exposed to a range of approaches for the study of international organizations. Readings will comprise historical narratives, case studies, and both qualitative and quantitative journal articles and book chapters. However, we will pay particular attention to recent scholarship on IOs so that students get a sense of the current state of affairs in IO research. The goal of the course is thus twofold: first, to help students understand and analyze the political and administrative dynamics that guide the operations of IOs, and second, to enable students to engage with a variety of scholarly work on IOs in pursuit of their own research topics and ideas.

The course builds on major theories of international relations but no substantive expertise is expected on individual IOs beyond what an informed news consumer might have. Where appropriate, background reading will be provided for students who need a refresher on particular topics/IOs. Our organizational focus will largely be on global organizations, such as the United Nations agencies, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, but we will also spend some time exploring regional organizations, such as the Council of Europe, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), and private actors.

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in security studies. It examines concepts and theories relevant in the field, then considers approaches to, and practices of, security across different levels of analysis: individual, national, international, transnational, global and human.
The focus of security studies centres around questions of what, for whom, and how, is security. Answers to these questions vary according to what level of analysis is adopted, and which security domain is being discussed (eg political, military, economics, social, environmental, etc). The course explores these dimensions thoroughly, and then considers what they contribute to our practical knowledge and experiences of security.

International negotiations are vital for states to ensure their citizens increased quality of life and secure their position as acceptable in the international system. The objective of this course is to observe how states manage their negotiations with other states and international lobbyist groups. Another aim is to observe how states defend their interests and push their objectives within international organisations. Theories of negotiation tools, management and organisations of negotiations will be dealt with.

The course provides the student with an understanding of the scientific method and the basic skills of data analysis. Concepts such as causality, reliability, and validity will be covered. The course covers descriptive and inferential statistics, including topic such as variables, values, standard deviations, samples, significance, and hypothesis testing

Qualitative Methods provides students with an introduction to some of the most commonly used qualitative methods and methodological tools in political science. The main focus in the course is on case studies (including process tracing) and various tools and techniques used within case studies, e.g., qualitative content analysis, interviewing, and focus groups. One part of the course is also dedicated to discourse analysis. The course begins with a very brief introduction to philosophy of science and outlines basic ontological, epistemological and methodological issues in the social sciences. The remainder of the course is dedicated to the methods and tools/techniques listed above. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the philosophical underpinnings, assumptions and ambitions of the different methods, but they will also gain practical experience as to the design and execution of research within the different traditions.

The course is designed in a highly interactive way and emphasizes active student participation. It is expected that students have done at least the required reading assigned for the given day and are ready to participate in group work and discussions in class. There are two types of classes in this course: lecture & discussion classes and workshops. Each lecture & discussion class will be divided into three parts: a short agenda-setting lecture by the lecturer (40 minutes), group work (40 minutes), and a concluding general discussion (40 minutes). This design is highly effective with regard to achieving the course’s learning outcomes, but it also requires that students have familiarized themselves with the assigned reading for the day. In the workshops, the class will be divided into two groups (A and B).

The purpose of the course is to introduce students in graduate studies in the Faculty of Politcal Science to research methods of social sciences. At the end of the course students are expected to have sufficient methodological knowledge to do a masters dissertation. The course includes discussion on methodological assumptions and choices, research design, how to formulate a research topic, methods for literature review and how to write a research proposal.

The MA-thesis is an independent research project which the student writes under an academic supervision. The project deals with challenging subject and original application of theories.

The MA-thesis is an independent research project which the student writes under an academic supervision. The project deals with a challenging subject and an original application of theories.

The MA-thesis is an independent research project which the student writes under an academic supervision. The project deals with challenging subject and original application of theories.

Eight week internship (320 hrs.) at the United Nation Association in Iceland.

One student gets selected each semester for internship. Registration to this course is only the first step in application process. The second one will be explained in an e-mail sent to all students who have registered in the course. 

The United Nation Association in Iceland selects candidates.

Eight week internship (320 hrs.) at the Delegation of the European Union to Iceland.

One student gets selected each semester for internship. Registration to this course is only the first step in application process.

Traineeships in EU Delegations should have the following main objectives:

• to provide trainees with a unique experience about the daily work of an EU Delegation while learning about the representation of EU interests and values outside of the EU;
• to offer trainees the possibility of discovering directly the multicultural, multilingual and multi-ethnic working environment of an international organisation such as the EU;
• to offer trainees the possibility of applying the knowledge acquired during their studies or their early professional life;
• to create a group of young people with direct experience in the work of the EU outside of its borders and who could become future collaborators of the EEAS or other EU institutions;
• to enhance the connection between the EU Delegation and the local academic and University world when trainees are recruited locally.

This course will provide an insight into recent and ongoing conflict in the world through the lens of peace and conflict studies. It starts with an introduction to the field of peace and conflict studies, setting the stage for an analysis of recent and ongoing conflicts with the help of guest lecturers with expertise in the relevant regions. The course concludes with an introduction to the field of conflict resolution and mediation. Likely topics will include Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, and Sudan, to name a few.

The course is intended to introduce students to hybrid threats and hybrid warfare, that are increasingly prominent in security debates. Hybrid warfare has been utilized in war and conflict throughout history – to undermine adversaries, through disinformation and subversion. Modern technology and complex society have radically altered the scope and ease by which hybrid warfare can be employed. Different perpetrators can now pose such threats and engage in such warfare in more varied ways at less cost and risk.

Historical development will be introduced and current divergence, regarding hybrid warfare in the world, put into context of relevant theories of international relations. The main actors, their methods, and possible consequences will be studied, e.g., a serious threat to democracy. Also, the responses and resources brought to bear will be addressed, the problems that states and societies may find in planning their response and defence. Responses and remedies to hybrid threats will be addressed, the potential problems that may exist, as attacks and actions tend to undermine cohesion and promote fragmentation – which can further impede response.

The main objective of the course is to provide students with theoretic and practical tools to analyze the challenges, threats, and opportunities of constructing peace in the aftermath of war. What happens after the last shot is fired until sustainable peace is achieved? Through case-study analysis students will be able to identify and understand different stakeholders and spoilers of peacebuilding efforts as well as the lessons learned in the last 30 years of conflict intervention. Students will analyze why constructing a sustainable peace after armed conflict has proven to be so complex, despite the robust budgets and deployments, or the inclusion of components such as transitional justice, security sector reform, and development. Among the peace process that will be analyzed in class: South Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Timor Leste, Philippines, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Mozambique, DR Congo, and Colombia

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in Arctic studies. The essentials are covered, such as defining the field; identifying key actors; providing a brief regional history; and exploring current drivers and trends (especially the role of climate change). Class visits to Arctic-relevant entities in Reykjavik will also be undertaken.

The aim of this course is to provide students with a thorough grounding in the overall field of Arctic studies, in order that they may progress to more focused coursework within that field. By bringing together academic knowledge of the field with practical experience at some of the main locations for Arctic-related activities in Iceland, the course demonstrates the important contribution Arctic studies make in the lived reality of Arctic affairs. The visit schedule is subject to change each year, but is likely to be drawn from the following list: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Althingi; the Icelandic Coastguard; the Hofdi Peace Centre; the Arctic Circle Secretariat; relevant foreign diplomatic representation. 

This course examines the aims, interests, opportunities, and challenges of states, non-state actors, regional fora, and international organizations in a changing Arctic region. With a focus on policy, politics, and current issues, it analyses the contemporary dilemmas posed by Arctic governance, cooperation, and imaginaries of the region.

Building on the fundamentals taught in ‘Introduction to Arctic Studies’, this course investigates the Arctic policies of the ‘Arctic Eight’ states, as well as states located outside the region. Five of the ‘Arctic Eight’ are Nordic small states, and so this angle is also considered. The role and achievements of other relevant entities such as the Arctic Council, the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, NATO, the EU, and the UN is also analyzed. The course has an international focus and provides an in-depth examination of the major political contours in today’s Arctic

The aim of this course is to introduce to students theories of the role of the media and communications in societal development. Classic theories of media and communications will be discussed, as well as recent writings on the role of communication in shaping our existence. The development of different traditions of media research will be discussed. The specific objectives of media research will be discussed and its place among the social sciences clarified. During the course, examples of different kinds of research will be taken, both international and local, and with different objects and different theoretical and methodological approaches.

Duration of Instruction: September - October, and Oral Exam in October. This is a basic course in the field of Public International Law addressing fundamental issues in the field such as Sources, International Personality, States, Territory, Jurisdiction, Immunities, The Law of Treaties, State Responsibility, International Organisations, The United Nations, The Use of Force and Settlement of Disputes.  The course is mainly constructed for law students on a graduate level, while it can also be useful for students from other but related academic fields, such as in international relations, as there is an emphasis on approaching the topics to be dealt with also from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Duration of Instruction: October - November. The objective is to present an overview of international cooperation for the protection of human rights, international human rights instruments their implementation and enforcement, as well as recent trends in the evolution of international action on human rights, etc. The course will present the system for the protection of human rights within the United Nations and focus on some of the major human rights treaties, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Human Righs Committee and the international Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The main features of regional human rights cooperation in the world will be introduced, and particular attention will be paid to the European Convention and the Court of Human Rights. Issues in the field of humanitarian law will also be covered, as well as role of international criminal courts in implementing fundamental human rights.

The course covers the various reasons for government intervention in society. Market failure is quite important in that relation. The basics of price theory and the models of the market will be explained and market failure elucidated on that basis. Parallel problems in public administration (government failure) will be addressed. Emphasis will be laid on enabling students to master the basic ideas of economics and on the training in the application of these.

Local authorities are one of two main branches of Icelandic government. The aim of the course is to give students insights into Icelandic local governments, administration and processes. In the course students will be introduced to Icelandic local governments, their legal and constitutional status in public administration, their tasks and responsibilities according to law. The main political theories on local governments will be introduced and discussed, with emphasis on the relationship between size, effectiveness and democracy. State and local government relations are briefly discussed, including the division of tasks and revenues.

The course will examine human resource management (HRM) in the public sector. Civil service systems will be discussed in a historical context. Employment-related laws, regulations and procedures are reviewed. The students will be exposed to job functions of HRM professionals, including staffing, recruiting, performance appraisal and compensation. The strategic HRM approach is introduced and the procedure of formulating an HRM policy.

This introductory course in public administration provides students with a holistic overview over how public administration is organized and how it has developed over the last decades. The main characteristics of the public administration in Iceland is introduces, its foundations and main formative elements. The course covers the basic theories and concepts of the discipline of public administration and its scholarly endeavour. It introduces the main organizational theories, and the main theories on decentralization and delegation of power and decision-making. The focus is on the relationship between public administration and politics and how that relationship shapes organizational practices and public policy making. The emphasis is on analysing and understanding the differences between the private and the public sector.

The aim of this course is to study strategies of small states to protect their interests and have a say in the international system. The course builds on the small state literature and examines whether small states tend to seek shelter, hedge, or hide in the international system. The focus is on the ability of small states to establish constructive relations with larger states and their power potential in international organizations. Special attention will be paid to current affairs and how a variety of small European states have been affected by and responded to the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The course will analyse crisis management in small states and how small states have responded to external crises, such as international economic crises and pandemics. The course examines small states’ methods to influence the day-to-day decision-making in the European Union. It studies the utilization of soft power by the smaller states, such as how small states use participation in the Eurovision Song Contest to enhance their international image. The course focus specially on small European states, in particular the five Nordic states. The course brings together some of the leading scholars in the field of small state studies and leadership studies by providing students with access to an online edX course on leadership in small states. The online edX course will supplement discussion in the classroom and cover in greater depth Small State Leadership in Public Administration and Governance; Small State Leadership in Foreign and Security Policy; Small State Leadership in Gender Policy; and Small State Leadership in International Diplomacy.

The course is based on a series of cases according to the course outline. Each case is carefully prepared for this course and a guideline for the reading material is also provided and the readings are related to the cases in question. It is the case discussion that drives the learning process. The order of the cases reflect the design of the course. The first case addresses competitiveness from an overall point of view. Then the focus is on how international and specialized the distribution of the value chain has become in the developed countries, which has resulted in clusters and cluster activities. The cases also address the role of government and the role of institutes of collaboration. The cases covered address different key issues in many industries and in many parts of the world, both in developed and developing countries. The key subject is how to understand the key aspects of National Economic Strategy. The class uses the case teaching method (the Harvard model) and it is the students that do analyse the cases through their discussion which is facilitated by the teacher. The students also prepare an extensive team project (a cluster analysis) and present their results in class. In addition the student write an individual report on the subject.

This course deals with the internationalization of firms, the global trade environment, strategic management of international firms, intercultural communication and other issues of international business. In the course cases and articles from scholarly journals will be used. The students will also carry out project work and in-class assignments, participate in discussions of cases etc. In this course students are expected to be very active in discussions and the course will be taught in English.

This course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Internet governance and challenges in regulating cyberspace. Topics include the evolution of formalized internet governance, and the role of national governments, supranational organizations and private corporations in shaping the international regulatory framework for Internet governance.

The course will also explore the balance of privacy versus security, including the role of regulations such as GDPR and NIS2 to establish minimum requirements of “privacy” or “security” by design. The emergence of a “cyber-public” space has created new challenges for enforcing laws ranging from copyright to illegal content. Furthermore, the question of public/private cooperation in fighting against cybercrime and regulatory challenges regarding the emergence of cyberwarfare will be examined.

This course will be taught as a series of weekly lectures and bi-weekly seminars for student discussions and debates in internet governance topics.

Eight week internship (320 hrs.) at the United Nation Association in Iceland.

One student gets selected each semester for internship. Registration to this course is only the first step in application process. The second one will be explained in an e-mail sent to all students who have registered in the course. 

The United Nation Association in Iceland selects candidates.

Eight week internship (320 hrs.) at the Delegation of the European Union to Iceland.

One student gets selected each semester for internship. Registration to this course is only the first step in application process. The second one will be explained in an e-mail sent to all students who have registered in the course. 

Traineeships in EU Delegations should have the following main objectives:

• to provide trainees with a unique experience about the daily work of an EU Delegation while learning about the representation of EU interests and values outside of the EU;
• to offer trainees the possibility of discovering directly the multicultural, multilingual and multi-ethnic working environment of an international organisation such as the EU;
• to offer trainees the possibility of applying the knowledge acquired during their studies or their early professional life;
• to create a group of young people with direct experience in the work of the EU outside of its borders and who could become future collaborators of the EEAS or other EU institutions;
• to enhance the connection between the EU Delegation and the local academic and University world when trainees are recruited locally.

The main objective of the course is to provide students with theoretic and practical tools to analyze the causes and outcomes of the main conflicts around the world in the last 30 years. Through case-study analysis, students will be able to identify and analyze different types of armed conflicts, the role of state and non-state actors involved, as well as conflict-resolution/peacebuilding initiatives.

Additionally the course assessess the effectiveness of UN interventions to counter the so called New Wars and changes in warfare (mercenaries, cyberwarfare).

Conflicts that may be analyzed in class include the Balkans, Russia‘s intervention in Ukraine, the war against terrorism in the Sahel, Somalia, China‘s expansion in the South China Sea, Philippines, Myanmar, Iraq, Libya, the rise of ISIS, and  Colombia

The week long Field Trip in International Affairs is intended to familiarize students with the operations of a) NATO, EFTA, ESA, the EU and the Icelandic embassy in Brussels; or b) the UN, the World Bank, the IMF, the US Congress, the Icelandic permanent mission in New York and the Icelandic embassy in Washington DC, or; c) the operations of other international organizations or national assemblies, depending on the interest of the students at any given time. The student association plans the trip in cooperation with the instructors. Students must fund their own travel, and the study trip is undertaken only if an instructor is available to supervise it. Students are responsible for checking whether the dates of the trip affect their attendance or assignments in other courses. 

The course will deal with the following sets of topics: (1) The concepts, objectives and sources of international criminal law. Alternatives and complements to criminal prosecution. (2) Prosecution of international crimes in national courts, incl. jurisdiction and state cooperation. (3) International prosecutions: The Nuremberg and Tokyo International Military Tribunals, the ad hoc International Criminal Tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda (ICTY and ICTR), the International Criminal Court (ICC), and other criminal courts with international elements. (4) Substantive law of international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, aggression, as well as a few selected transnational crimes, esp. terrorism and torture. (5) General principles of international criminal liability, incl. command/superior responsibility, and grounds for excluding criminal responsibility. Immunities. (6) An outline of international criminal procedures, esp. at the ICC. (7) Sentencing, penalties and enforcement.

The objective of the course is to study Human Rights in Europe, the constitutional traditions of human rights and comparison of European system with international systems for the protection of human rights. An overview will be presented of the activities of the Council of Europe in the field of human rights, the European Social Charter and the European Convention on Human Rights. The course will for the largest part focus specifically on the latter, and enable sthe rights and freedoms protected in the Convention and its protocols. It will also cover the procedure before the European Court of Human Rights, study the Court's case law and the enforcement of its judgments. The course is intended to allow students to develop critical, analytical and research skills and foster the ability to construct a logical argument and to communicate that argument clearly and possibly conflicting points of view.

The course is taught in the first half of the spring semester.

International Economic law is a growing field in the area of public international law. The aim of this course is twofold:

 1) To learn about international trade, finance, investment and economic development. We learn the international law principles, rules and standards which govern the establishment by economic operators (primarily business and industry) of the various factors of production on the territory of other states or which regulate their international transactions in goods, services and transfer of payments.

Major themes: - Introduction to international economic law. General concepts and context of international economic law. - The multilateral trading system (WTO) - institutional law & dispute settlement, substantive WTO law. GATT Article I - the most favoured nation principle, domestic regulation. GATT Article XI - quantitative restrictions to trade. GATT Article XX - general exceptions, i.e. trade and environment. TBT and SPS agreements, GATS, TRIPs, SCM and anti-dumping. - The International Monetary System. The IMF as lender of last resort, exchange arrangements, conditionally and borrowing by the Fund. - The International Monetary System; World Bank and its affiliates, BIS, Paris Club, Group of ten, etc. - International Investment: Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), Codes towards Multilateral Investment, host State responsibility, foreign investor protection, dispute settlement, dispute settlement and development of standards through specialist for a such as ICSID, Iran-US Claims Tribunal.

 2) To understand the current critique to positive economic law (current system in force), discuss scientific (legal) questions on global justice and political economy and philosophy and propose better rules de lege ferenda (for the future).

Major themes: Economic justice in an unfair world. Reforming international economic law. Political philosophies: The law of peoples (Rawls) vs. The egalitarian law of peoples (Pogge). A theory of Justice (Sen). Human Rights Approach: Capabilities as Fundamental Entitlements (Naussban). Aid and Development: The bottom billion (Collier). Other global measuring indexes beyond GDP: measuring human progress, environmental protection and happiness.

Teaching methods: The course aims at active participation of students in discussion and their presentation of the topic of global economic justice in a research paper.

Human mobility and multicultural societies are often seen as the main characteristics of the contemporary world. In the course, we look at main theories approaching mobility and multicultural society, critically addressing them and analyzing their utility. The concept of multiculturalism and related concepts such as culture, assimilation and integration are critically evaluated, as well as mobility in the past and the relationship between mobility and multiculturalism. Different approaches in the social sciences are introduced and main research themes in anthropology in particular and social sciences in general will be examined.

The teaching methods are lectures and discussions.

The course objective is to provide theoretical foundation and practical training in strategic management. An emphasis is on its application in public organizations. Students are to develop a strategic plan for a state or local agency. The John M. Bryson's strategic planning model will be used for this purpose. Students will structure a mission statement, identify strategic issues, establish a performance management system and they will be introduced to tools for organizational change and reassessment.

The course reviews the literature on organizational theory and behavior with an emphasis on its application in the public sector. The course includes discussion on leadership, organizational culture, teamwork, organizational structure and change, decision making processes, strategic planning and performance management systems.

The aim of the course is provide insight into public government and the methods goverment employs to reach its goals. The course covers the various tools of government, including direct government, contracting, financial incentives, economic and social regulation, insurance and grants, with emphasis on evaluating the appropriateness of each tool in achieving different objectives. The examination of each tool emphasizes equally theoretical aspects and its use within Icelandic government. While the course OSS101F Microeconomics, Market Failure and the Role of Government is not a prerequisite, it is a recommended precursor. 

Leadership and change management are among demands that people working in public organizations face. In this course we explore those demands and the changes in society that have put them high on the agenda. We will ask: What is leadership within the public context? How can it be successfully exercised at different levels? How have those demands been met in public administration and the education of public managers in other countries?

The course deals with describtion of Icelandic authoroties (the executive), the basic structure of the Icelandic administrative system, main tasks of public authotiries, the scope, relevance and rules of the Administrative Act. no 37/1993 and the relevance and rules of the Information Act. no 140/2012. The main emphasis is on the Administrative Act. 

The course is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills to prepare and implement market expansion abroad and enable them to carry out professional marketing activities in foreign markets.

Through the course, students get a good insight into the opportunities and challenges inherent in the marketing activities of companies in international markets. Among other things, the influence of culture and various factors in the external environment will be discussed. Ways to obtain information about consumers and competitors in different markets will be covered. Students receive good training in analyzing different markets, determining a marketing strategy based on the analysis and designing tactics to implement the strategy.

The security environment in the North Atlantic has taken a dramatic shift in recent years, affecting the scope of small state policy and security matters in the region. With Russia‘s full scale invasion into Ukraine, support for NATO has increased and now with Finland‘s accession to the Alliance and Sweden‘s application, the Nordic-Baltic region, stands to become more integrated in the realms of security than ever before. In these troubled times, there is a greater need for training young academics and future leaders in analyzing defense and security issues. The aim of this course is to prepare our future experts and academics for the security challenges ahead. The objective is to provide students with advanced specific knowledge on current security challenges as well as general research skills. Research is the basis for informed decision-making and an important tool to deepen our understanding of the state of affairs and thus better deal with changes on the international scene.

 The 2024 Small States Summer School will be organised from 12-17 August 2024.

Students in this course are required to write a paper on a topic – chosen in agreement with the teacher – related to one of the four themes below. 

The course builds on an edX course that students must watch "Small States and Leadership" and write a paper of 5000-6000 words, using 15-20 sources. 

Students must register for the edX course but do not need to pay for the access. 

UIcelandX: Small States and Leadership | edX

Theme 1: Leadership in Public Administration and Governance

Theme 2: Small States Leadership in Foreign and Security Policy

Theme 3: Small State Leadership in Gender Policy

Theme 4: Small State Foreign Policy - Taking Leadership in International Diplomacy

Students in this course are required to write a paper on a topic – chosen in agreement with the teacher – related to one of the four themes below. 

The course builds on an edX course that students must watch "Small States and Leadership" and write a paper of 5000-6000 words, using 15-20 sources. 

Students must register for the edX course but do not need to pay for the access. 

UIcelandX: Small States and Leadership | edX

Theme 1: Leadership in Public Administration and Governance

Theme 2: Small States Leadership in Foreign and Security Policy

Theme 3: Small State Leadership in Gender Policy

Theme 4: Small State Foreign Policy - Taking Leadership in International Diplomacy

Students are given the opportunity to work on an individual project under the supervision of permanent teachers at the department. Subjects and reading materials are jointly decided by the teacher and the student. The student takes the initiative to contact the teacher with whom he wishes to work on the project.

Students are given the opportunity to work on an individual project under the supervision of permanent teachers at the department. Subjects and reading materials are jointly decided by the teacher and the student. The student takes the initiative to contact the teacher with whom he wishes to work on the project.

Students are given the opportunity to work on an individual project under the supervision of permanent teachers at the department. Subjects and reading materials are jointly decided by the teacher and the student. The student takes the initiative to contact the teacher with whom he wishes to work on the project.

This course provides students with an introduction to the major approaches and theories of International Relations.  Students are introduced to the aims of theory, theoretical frameworks - rationalist vs reflectivist - as well as the main theories themselves.  How the theories can be applied in practice is also examined.

Theory aims to identify broad patterns and draw wider conclusions from a series of discrete moments in international affairs, in order to generate greater insight into, and meaning from, our world. With this in mind, this course explores the various ‘great debates’ that have emerged over time between and among theories of international relations, as well as more recent contributions. How theories can be used to interpret and understand world affairs will be demonstrated throughout the course, drawing on real-life case studies.

The course deals with Iceland's foreign affairs and foreign policy from 1940 to 2018. The aim of the course is to cover all major events in the history of Iceland's foreign affairs during this period such as membership of NATO, the defence and economic relationship with the USA, the cod wars and Nordic and European cooperation. The course also covers the most recent changes which are taking place in Iceland's foreign policy, i.e. more focus on developing aid and human rights. Theories in international studies and small-states studies will be used to analyse the case of Iceland.

The aim of this course is to develop skills in analyzing and discussing international cooperation and in particular, Iceland´s role in global affairs. Globalization from an historical and theoretical perspective is presented and the influence of globalization on politics, economics, states and individuals discussed. The foreign policy of Iceland is analyzed with an emphasis on the current priorities. Iceland´s role in the international system in relation to the current challenges is presented with an emphasis on security and defence matters, Arctic issues and Nordic cooperation. European integration will be explored relating to Iceland´s choices in European affairs, with a particular focus on the effects of the EEA agreement in Iceland. Moreover, Iceland´s UN participation and campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council will be covered.

Issues and Debates in European Integration is a graduate course that addresses institutional, historical and theoretical aspects as well as contemporary issues and debates in the field of European integration. As part of the MA program in International Affairs, it is designed primarily for students who already have a basic command of the workings of the EU’s institutions and decision-making processes. While such basic knowledge of the EU political system is not strictly speaking a prerequisite for taking this course, students who lack such knowledge are strongly encouraged to read up on the basics prior to or at the very beginning of the semester. The course is divided into three parts and will cover (a) historical and institutional aspects of European integration, (b) the most important theoretical traditions in the field of European integration, and (c) contemporary issues and debates in European integration.

The aim of this course is to study the behavior and role of small states in the international system. The course deals with questions such as: What is a small state? What are the main constrains and opportunities of small states? Do small states behave differently in the international community from larger ones? The course offers an introduction to the literature on the state, the international system and small-state studies. The main emphasis, however, is on internal and external opportunities and constraints facing small states, for example how they are affected by and have responded to globalization, new security threats and the process of European integration. Special attention is devoted to Iceland and its reactions to economic crises and security threats. The course will also examine Iceland´s relations with the United States, China, Russia and the Nordic states, and its engagement with the European Union.

International organizations (IOs) are ubiqitous on the global stage and collectively engage with virtually every aspect of international relations. This course will provide an introduction to the empirical study of international organizations and the politics and processes that govern their operations.

Rather than organizing around specific organizational histories or issue areas, the course will focus on investigating the political structures that underpin the system and how they fit together. To what extent can we think of IOs as independent actors? Who are the actors that influence them and how do they do it? How are IOs financed and what implications does that have for their operations? Who are the staff that work in IOs and how do they matter? These are the types of questions that will guide our analysis over the course of the semester.

In answering these questions, students will be exposed to a range of approaches for the study of international organizations. Readings will comprise historical narratives, case studies, and both qualitative and quantitative journal articles and book chapters. However, we will pay particular attention to recent scholarship on IOs so that students get a sense of the current state of affairs in IO research. The goal of the course is thus twofold: first, to help students understand and analyze the political and administrative dynamics that guide the operations of IOs, and second, to enable students to engage with a variety of scholarly work on IOs in pursuit of their own research topics and ideas.

The course builds on major theories of international relations but no substantive expertise is expected on individual IOs beyond what an informed news consumer might have. Where appropriate, background reading will be provided for students who need a refresher on particular topics/IOs. Our organizational focus will largely be on global organizations, such as the United Nations agencies, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, but we will also spend some time exploring regional organizations, such as the Council of Europe, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), and private actors.

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in security studies. It examines concepts and theories relevant in the field, then considers approaches to, and practices of, security across different levels of analysis: individual, national, international, transnational, global and human.
The focus of security studies centres around questions of what, for whom, and how, is security. Answers to these questions vary according to what level of analysis is adopted, and which security domain is being discussed (eg political, military, economics, social, environmental, etc). The course explores these dimensions thoroughly, and then considers what they contribute to our practical knowledge and experiences of security.

International negotiations are vital for states to ensure their citizens increased quality of life and secure their position as acceptable in the international system. The objective of this course is to observe how states manage their negotiations with other states and international lobbyist groups. Another aim is to observe how states defend their interests and push their objectives within international organisations. Theories of negotiation tools, management and organisations of negotiations will be dealt with.

The course provides the student with an understanding of the scientific method and the basic skills of data analysis. Concepts such as causality, reliability, and validity will be covered. The course covers descriptive and inferential statistics, including topic such as variables, values, standard deviations, samples, significance, and hypothesis testing

Qualitative Methods provides students with an introduction to some of the most commonly used qualitative methods and methodological tools in political science. The main focus in the course is on case studies (including process tracing) and various tools and techniques used within case studies, e.g., qualitative content analysis, interviewing, and focus groups. One part of the course is also dedicated to discourse analysis. The course begins with a very brief introduction to philosophy of science and outlines basic ontological, epistemological and methodological issues in the social sciences. The remainder of the course is dedicated to the methods and tools/techniques listed above. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the philosophical underpinnings, assumptions and ambitions of the different methods, but they will also gain practical experience as to the design and execution of research within the different traditions.

The course is designed in a highly interactive way and emphasizes active student participation. It is expected that students have done at least the required reading assigned for the given day and are ready to participate in group work and discussions in class. There are two types of classes in this course: lecture & discussion classes and workshops. Each lecture & discussion class will be divided into three parts: a short agenda-setting lecture by the lecturer (40 minutes), group work (40 minutes), and a concluding general discussion (40 minutes). This design is highly effective with regard to achieving the course’s learning outcomes, but it also requires that students have familiarized themselves with the assigned reading for the day. In the workshops, the class will be divided into two groups (A and B).

The purpose of the course is to introduce students in graduate studies in the Faculty of Politcal Science to research methods of social sciences. At the end of the course students are expected to have sufficient methodological knowledge to do a masters dissertation. The course includes discussion on methodological assumptions and choices, research design, how to formulate a research topic, methods for literature review and how to write a research proposal.

The MA-thesis is an independent research project which the student writes under an academic supervision. The project deals with challenging subject and original application of theories.

The MA-thesis is an independent research project which the student writes under an academic supervision. The project deals with a challenging subject and an original application of theories.

The MA-thesis is an independent research project which the student writes under an academic supervision. The project deals with challenging subject and original application of theories.

Eight week internship (320 hrs.) at the United Nation Association in Iceland.

One student gets selected each semester for internship. Registration to this course is only the first step in application process. The second one will be explained in an e-mail sent to all students who have registered in the course. 

The United Nation Association in Iceland selects candidates.

Eight week internship (320 hrs.) at the Delegation of the European Union to Iceland.

One student gets selected each semester for internship. Registration to this course is only the first step in application process.

Traineeships in EU Delegations should have the following main objectives:

• to provide trainees with a unique experience about the daily work of an EU Delegation while learning about the representation of EU interests and values outside of the EU;
• to offer trainees the possibility of discovering directly the multicultural, multilingual and multi-ethnic working environment of an international organisation such as the EU;
• to offer trainees the possibility of applying the knowledge acquired during their studies or their early professional life;
• to create a group of young people with direct experience in the work of the EU outside of its borders and who could become future collaborators of the EEAS or other EU institutions;
• to enhance the connection between the EU Delegation and the local academic and University world when trainees are recruited locally.

This course will provide an insight into recent and ongoing conflict in the world through the lens of peace and conflict studies. It starts with an introduction to the field of peace and conflict studies, setting the stage for an analysis of recent and ongoing conflicts with the help of guest lecturers with expertise in the relevant regions. The course concludes with an introduction to the field of conflict resolution and mediation. Likely topics will include Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, and Sudan, to name a few.

The course is intended to introduce students to hybrid threats and hybrid warfare, that are increasingly prominent in security debates. Hybrid warfare has been utilized in war and conflict throughout history – to undermine adversaries, through disinformation and subversion. Modern technology and complex society have radically altered the scope and ease by which hybrid warfare can be employed. Different perpetrators can now pose such threats and engage in such warfare in more varied ways at less cost and risk.

Historical development will be introduced and current divergence, regarding hybrid warfare in the world, put into context of relevant theories of international relations. The main actors, their methods, and possible consequences will be studied, e.g., a serious threat to democracy. Also, the responses and resources brought to bear will be addressed, the problems that states and societies may find in planning their response and defence. Responses and remedies to hybrid threats will be addressed, the potential problems that may exist, as attacks and actions tend to undermine cohesion and promote fragmentation – which can further impede response.

The main objective of the course is to provide students with theoretic and practical tools to analyze the challenges, threats, and opportunities of constructing peace in the aftermath of war. What happens after the last shot is fired until sustainable peace is achieved? Through case-study analysis students will be able to identify and understand different stakeholders and spoilers of peacebuilding efforts as well as the lessons learned in the last 30 years of conflict intervention. Students will analyze why constructing a sustainable peace after armed conflict has proven to be so complex, despite the robust budgets and deployments, or the inclusion of components such as transitional justice, security sector reform, and development. Among the peace process that will be analyzed in class: South Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Timor Leste, Philippines, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Mozambique, DR Congo, and Colombia

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in Arctic studies. The essentials are covered, such as defining the field; identifying key actors; providing a brief regional history; and exploring current drivers and trends (especially the role of climate change). Class visits to Arctic-relevant entities in Reykjavik will also be undertaken.

The aim of this course is to provide students with a thorough grounding in the overall field of Arctic studies, in order that they may progress to more focused coursework within that field. By bringing together academic knowledge of the field with practical experience at some of the main locations for Arctic-related activities in Iceland, the course demonstrates the important contribution Arctic studies make in the lived reality of Arctic affairs. The visit schedule is subject to change each year, but is likely to be drawn from the following list: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Althingi; the Icelandic Coastguard; the Hofdi Peace Centre; the Arctic Circle Secretariat; relevant foreign diplomatic representation. 

This course examines the aims, interests, opportunities, and challenges of states, non-state actors, regional fora, and international organizations in a changing Arctic region. With a focus on policy, politics, and current issues, it analyses the contemporary dilemmas posed by Arctic governance, cooperation, and imaginaries of the region.

Building on the fundamentals taught in ‘Introduction to Arctic Studies’, this course investigates the Arctic policies of the ‘Arctic Eight’ states, as well as states located outside the region. Five of the ‘Arctic Eight’ are Nordic small states, and so this angle is also considered. The role and achievements of other relevant entities such as the Arctic Council, the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, NATO, the EU, and the UN is also analyzed. The course has an international focus and provides an in-depth examination of the major political contours in today’s Arctic

The aim of this course is to introduce to students theories of the role of the media and communications in societal development. Classic theories of media and communications will be discussed, as well as recent writings on the role of communication in shaping our existence. The development of different traditions of media research will be discussed. The specific objectives of media research will be discussed and its place among the social sciences clarified. During the course, examples of different kinds of research will be taken, both international and local, and with different objects and different theoretical and methodological approaches.

Duration of Instruction: September - October, and Oral Exam in October. This is a basic course in the field of Public International Law addressing fundamental issues in the field such as Sources, International Personality, States, Territory, Jurisdiction, Immunities, The Law of Treaties, State Responsibility, International Organisations, The United Nations, The Use of Force and Settlement of Disputes.  The course is mainly constructed for law students on a graduate level, while it can also be useful for students from other but related academic fields, such as in international relations, as there is an emphasis on approaching the topics to be dealt with also from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Duration of Instruction: October - November. The objective is to present an overview of international cooperation for the protection of human rights, international human rights instruments their implementation and enforcement, as well as recent trends in the evolution of international action on human rights, etc. The course will present the system for the protection of human rights within the United Nations and focus on some of the major human rights treaties, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Human Righs Committee and the international Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The main features of regional human rights cooperation in the world will be introduced, and particular attention will be paid to the European Convention and the Court of Human Rights. Issues in the field of humanitarian law will also be covered, as well as role of international criminal courts in implementing fundamental human rights.

The course covers the various reasons for government intervention in society. Market failure is quite important in that relation. The basics of price theory and the models of the market will be explained and market failure elucidated on that basis. Parallel problems in public administration (government failure) will be addressed. Emphasis will be laid on enabling students to master the basic ideas of economics and on the training in the application of these.

Local authorities are one of two main branches of Icelandic government. The aim of the course is to give students insights into Icelandic local governments, administration and processes. In the course students will be introduced to Icelandic local governments, their legal and constitutional status in public administration, their tasks and responsibilities according to law. The main political theories on local governments will be introduced and discussed, with emphasis on the relationship between size, effectiveness and democracy. State and local government relations are briefly discussed, including the division of tasks and revenues.

The course will examine human resource management (HRM) in the public sector. Civil service systems will be discussed in a historical context. Employment-related laws, regulations and procedures are reviewed. The students will be exposed to job functions of HRM professionals, including staffing, recruiting, performance appraisal and compensation. The strategic HRM approach is introduced and the procedure of formulating an HRM policy.

This introductory course in public administration provides students with a holistic overview over how public administration is organized and how it has developed over the last decades. The main characteristics of the public administration in Iceland is introduces, its foundations and main formative elements. The course covers the basic theories and concepts of the discipline of public administration and its scholarly endeavour. It introduces the main organizational theories, and the main theories on decentralization and delegation of power and decision-making. The focus is on the relationship between public administration and politics and how that relationship shapes organizational practices and public policy making. The emphasis is on analysing and understanding the differences between the private and the public sector.

The aim of this course is to study strategies of small states to protect their interests and have a say in the international system. The course builds on the small state literature and examines whether small states tend to seek shelter, hedge, or hide in the international system. The focus is on the ability of small states to establish constructive relations with larger states and their power potential in international organizations. Special attention will be paid to current affairs and how a variety of small European states have been affected by and responded to the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The course will analyse crisis management in small states and how small states have responded to external crises, such as international economic crises and pandemics. The course examines small states’ methods to influence the day-to-day decision-making in the European Union. It studies the utilization of soft power by the smaller states, such as how small states use participation in the Eurovision Song Contest to enhance their international image. The course focus specially on small European states, in particular the five Nordic states. The course brings together some of the leading scholars in the field of small state studies and leadership studies by providing students with access to an online edX course on leadership in small states. The online edX course will supplement discussion in the classroom and cover in greater depth Small State Leadership in Public Administration and Governance; Small State Leadership in Foreign and Security Policy; Small State Leadership in Gender Policy; and Small State Leadership in International Diplomacy.

The course is based on a series of cases according to the course outline. Each case is carefully prepared for this course and a guideline for the reading material is also provided and the readings are related to the cases in question. It is the case discussion that drives the learning process. The order of the cases reflect the design of the course. The first case addresses competitiveness from an overall point of view. Then the focus is on how international and specialized the distribution of the value chain has become in the developed countries, which has resulted in clusters and cluster activities. The cases also address the role of government and the role of institutes of collaboration. The cases covered address different key issues in many industries and in many parts of the world, both in developed and developing countries. The key subject is how to understand the key aspects of National Economic Strategy. The class uses the case teaching method (the Harvard model) and it is the students that do analyse the cases through their discussion which is facilitated by the teacher. The students also prepare an extensive team project (a cluster analysis) and present their results in class. In addition the student write an individual report on the subject.

This course deals with the internationalization of firms, the global trade environment, strategic management of international firms, intercultural communication and other issues of international business. In the course cases and articles from scholarly journals will be used. The students will also carry out project work and in-class assignments, participate in discussions of cases etc. In this course students are expected to be very active in discussions and the course will be taught in English.

This course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Internet governance and challenges in regulating cyberspace. Topics include the evolution of formalized internet governance, and the role of national governments, supranational organizations and private corporations in shaping the international regulatory framework for Internet governance.

The course will also explore the balance of privacy versus security, including the role of regulations such as GDPR and NIS2 to establish minimum requirements of “privacy” or “security” by design. The emergence of a “cyber-public” space has created new challenges for enforcing laws ranging from copyright to illegal content. Furthermore, the question of public/private cooperation in fighting against cybercrime and regulatory challenges regarding the emergence of cyberwarfare will be examined.

This course will be taught as a series of weekly lectures and bi-weekly seminars for student discussions and debates in internet governance topics.

Eight week internship (320 hrs.) at the United Nation Association in Iceland.

One student gets selected each semester for internship. Registration to this course is only the first step in application process. The second one will be explained in an e-mail sent to all students who have registered in the course. 

The United Nation Association in Iceland selects candidates.

Eight week internship (320 hrs.) at the Delegation of the European Union to Iceland.

One student gets selected each semester for internship. Registration to this course is only the first step in application process. The second one will be explained in an e-mail sent to all students who have registered in the course. 

Traineeships in EU Delegations should have the following main objectives:

• to provide trainees with a unique experience about the daily work of an EU Delegation while learning about the representation of EU interests and values outside of the EU;
• to offer trainees the possibility of discovering directly the multicultural, multilingual and multi-ethnic working environment of an international organisation such as the EU;
• to offer trainees the possibility of applying the knowledge acquired during their studies or their early professional life;
• to create a group of young people with direct experience in the work of the EU outside of its borders and who could become future collaborators of the EEAS or other EU institutions;
• to enhance the connection between the EU Delegation and the local academic and University world when trainees are recruited locally.

The main objective of the course is to provide students with theoretic and practical tools to analyze the causes and outcomes of the main conflicts around the world in the last 30 years. Through case-study analysis, students will be able to identify and analyze different types of armed conflicts, the role of state and non-state actors involved, as well as conflict-resolution/peacebuilding initiatives.

Additionally the course assessess the effectiveness of UN interventions to counter the so called New Wars and changes in warfare (mercenaries, cyberwarfare).

Conflicts that may be analyzed in class include the Balkans, Russia‘s intervention in Ukraine, the war against terrorism in the Sahel, Somalia, China‘s expansion in the South China Sea, Philippines, Myanmar, Iraq, Libya, the rise of ISIS, and  Colombia

The week long Field Trip in International Affairs is intended to familiarize students with the operations of a) NATO, EFTA, ESA, the EU and the Icelandic embassy in Brussels; or b) the UN, the World Bank, the IMF, the US Congress, the Icelandic permanent mission in New York and the Icelandic embassy in Washington DC, or; c) the operations of other international organizations or national assemblies, depending on the interest of the students at any given time. The student association plans the trip in cooperation with the instructors. Students must fund their own travel, and the study trip is undertaken only if an instructor is available to supervise it. Students are responsible for checking whether the dates of the trip affect their attendance or assignments in other courses. 

The course will deal with the following sets of topics: (1) The concepts, objectives and sources of international criminal law. Alternatives and complements to criminal prosecution. (2) Prosecution of international crimes in national courts, incl. jurisdiction and state cooperation. (3) International prosecutions: The Nuremberg and Tokyo International Military Tribunals, the ad hoc International Criminal Tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda (ICTY and ICTR), the International Criminal Court (ICC), and other criminal courts with international elements. (4) Substantive law of international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, aggression, as well as a few selected transnational crimes, esp. terrorism and torture. (5) General principles of international criminal liability, incl. command/superior responsibility, and grounds for excluding criminal responsibility. Immunities. (6) An outline of international criminal procedures, esp. at the ICC. (7) Sentencing, penalties and enforcement.

The objective of the course is to study Human Rights in Europe, the constitutional traditions of human rights and comparison of European system with international systems for the protection of human rights. An overview will be presented of the activities of the Council of Europe in the field of human rights, the European Social Charter and the European Convention on Human Rights. The course will for the largest part focus specifically on the latter, and enable sthe rights and freedoms protected in the Convention and its protocols. It will also cover the procedure before the European Court of Human Rights, study the Court's case law and the enforcement of its judgments. The course is intended to allow students to develop critical, analytical and research skills and foster the ability to construct a logical argument and to communicate that argument clearly and possibly conflicting points of view.

The course is taught in the first half of the spring semester.

International Economic law is a growing field in the area of public international law. The aim of this course is twofold:

 1) To learn about international trade, finance, investment and economic development. We learn the international law principles, rules and standards which govern the establishment by economic operators (primarily business and industry) of the various factors of production on the territory of other states or which regulate their international transactions in goods, services and transfer of payments.

Major themes: - Introduction to international economic law. General concepts and context of international economic law. - The multilateral trading system (WTO) - institutional law & dispute settlement, substantive WTO law. GATT Article I - the most favoured nation principle, domestic regulation. GATT Article XI - quantitative restrictions to trade. GATT Article XX - general exceptions, i.e. trade and environment. TBT and SPS agreements, GATS, TRIPs, SCM and anti-dumping. - The International Monetary System. The IMF as lender of last resort, exchange arrangements, conditionally and borrowing by the Fund. - The International Monetary System; World Bank and its affiliates, BIS, Paris Club, Group of ten, etc. - International Investment: Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), Codes towards Multilateral Investment, host State responsibility, foreign investor protection, dispute settlement, dispute settlement and development of standards through specialist for a such as ICSID, Iran-US Claims Tribunal.

 2) To understand the current critique to positive economic law (current system in force), discuss scientific (legal) questions on global justice and political economy and philosophy and propose better rules de lege ferenda (for the future).

Major themes: Economic justice in an unfair world. Reforming international economic law. Political philosophies: The law of peoples (Rawls) vs. The egalitarian law of peoples (Pogge). A theory of Justice (Sen). Human Rights Approach: Capabilities as Fundamental Entitlements (Naussban). Aid and Development: The bottom billion (Collier). Other global measuring indexes beyond GDP: measuring human progress, environmental protection and happiness.

Teaching methods: The course aims at active participation of students in discussion and their presentation of the topic of global economic justice in a research paper.

Human mobility and multicultural societies are often seen as the main characteristics of the contemporary world. In the course, we look at main theories approaching mobility and multicultural society, critically addressing them and analyzing their utility. The concept of multiculturalism and related concepts such as culture, assimilation and integration are critically evaluated, as well as mobility in the past and the relationship between mobility and multiculturalism. Different approaches in the social sciences are introduced and main research themes in anthropology in particular and social sciences in general will be examined.

The teaching methods are lectures and discussions.

The course objective is to provide theoretical foundation and practical training in strategic management. An emphasis is on its application in public organizations. Students are to develop a strategic plan for a state or local agency. The John M. Bryson's strategic planning model will be used for this purpose. Students will structure a mission statement, identify strategic issues, establish a performance management system and they will be introduced to tools for organizational change and reassessment.

The course reviews the literature on organizational theory and behavior with an emphasis on its application in the public sector. The course includes discussion on leadership, organizational culture, teamwork, organizational structure and change, decision making processes, strategic planning and performance management systems.

The aim of the course is provide insight into public government and the methods goverment employs to reach its goals. The course covers the various tools of government, including direct government, contracting, financial incentives, economic and social regulation, insurance and grants, with emphasis on evaluating the appropriateness of each tool in achieving different objectives. The examination of each tool emphasizes equally theoretical aspects and its use within Icelandic government. While the course OSS101F Microeconomics, Market Failure and the Role of Government is not a prerequisite, it is a recommended precursor. 

Leadership and change management are among demands that people working in public organizations face. In this course we explore those demands and the changes in society that have put them high on the agenda. We will ask: What is leadership within the public context? How can it be successfully exercised at different levels? How have those demands been met in public administration and the education of public managers in other countries?

The course deals with describtion of Icelandic authoroties (the executive), the basic structure of the Icelandic administrative system, main tasks of public authotiries, the scope, relevance and rules of the Administrative Act. no 37/1993 and the relevance and rules of the Information Act. no 140/2012. The main emphasis is on the Administrative Act. 

The course is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills to prepare and implement market expansion abroad and enable them to carry out professional marketing activities in foreign markets.

Through the course, students get a good insight into the opportunities and challenges inherent in the marketing activities of companies in international markets. Among other things, the influence of culture and various factors in the external environment will be discussed. Ways to obtain information about consumers and competitors in different markets will be covered. Students receive good training in analyzing different markets, determining a marketing strategy based on the analysis and designing tactics to implement the strategy.

The security environment in the North Atlantic has taken a dramatic shift in recent years, affecting the scope of small state policy and security matters in the region. With Russia‘s full scale invasion into Ukraine, support for NATO has increased and now with Finland‘s accession to the Alliance and Sweden‘s application, the Nordic-Baltic region, stands to become more integrated in the realms of security than ever before. In these troubled times, there is a greater need for training young academics and future leaders in analyzing defense and security issues. The aim of this course is to prepare our future experts and academics for the security challenges ahead. The objective is to provide students with advanced specific knowledge on current security challenges as well as general research skills. Research is the basis for informed decision-making and an important tool to deepen our understanding of the state of affairs and thus better deal with changes on the international scene.

 The 2024 Small States Summer School will be organised from 12-17 August 2024.

Students in this course are required to write a paper on a topic – chosen in agreement with the teacher – related to one of the four themes below. 

The course builds on an edX course that students must watch "Small States and Leadership" and write a paper of 5000-6000 words, using 15-20 sources. 

Students must register for the edX course but do not need to pay for the access. 

UIcelandX: Small States and Leadership | edX

Theme 1: Leadership in Public Administration and Governance

Theme 2: Small States Leadership in Foreign and Security Policy

Theme 3: Small State Leadership in Gender Policy

Theme 4: Small State Foreign Policy - Taking Leadership in International Diplomacy

Students in this course are required to write a paper on a topic – chosen in agreement with the teacher – related to one of the four themes below. 

The course builds on an edX course that students must watch "Small States and Leadership" and write a paper of 5000-6000 words, using 15-20 sources. 

Students must register for the edX course but do not need to pay for the access. 

UIcelandX: Small States and Leadership | edX

Theme 1: Leadership in Public Administration and Governance

Theme 2: Small States Leadership in Foreign and Security Policy

Theme 3: Small State Leadership in Gender Policy

Theme 4: Small State Foreign Policy - Taking Leadership in International Diplomacy

Students are given the opportunity to work on an individual project under the supervision of permanent teachers at the department. Subjects and reading materials are jointly decided by the teacher and the student. The student takes the initiative to contact the teacher with whom he wishes to work on the project.

Students are given the opportunity to work on an individual project under the supervision of permanent teachers at the department. Subjects and reading materials are jointly decided by the teacher and the student. The student takes the initiative to contact the teacher with whom he wishes to work on the project.

Students are given the opportunity to work on an individual project under the supervision of permanent teachers at the department. Subjects and reading materials are jointly decided by the teacher and the student. The student takes the initiative to contact the teacher with whom he wishes to work on the project.

This course provides students with an introduction to the major approaches and theories of International Relations.  Students are introduced to the aims of theory, theoretical frameworks - rationalist vs reflectivist - as well as the main theories themselves.  How the theories can be applied in practice is also examined.

Theory aims to identify broad patterns and draw wider conclusions from a series of discrete moments in international affairs, in order to generate greater insight into, and meaning from, our world. With this in mind, this course explores the various ‘great debates’ that have emerged over time between and among theories of international relations, as well as more recent contributions. How theories can be used to interpret and understand world affairs will be demonstrated throughout the course, drawing on real-life case studies.

The course deals with Iceland's foreign affairs and foreign policy from 1940 to 2018. The aim of the course is to cover all major events in the history of Iceland's foreign affairs during this period such as membership of NATO, the defence and economic relationship with the USA, the cod wars and Nordic and European cooperation. The course also covers the most recent changes which are taking place in Iceland's foreign policy, i.e. more focus on developing aid and human rights. Theories in international studies and small-states studies will be used to analyse the case of Iceland.

The aim of this course is to develop skills in analyzing and discussing international cooperation and in particular, Iceland´s role in global affairs. Globalization from an historical and theoretical perspective is presented and the influence of globalization on politics, economics, states and individuals discussed. The foreign policy of Iceland is analyzed with an emphasis on the current priorities. Iceland´s role in the international system in relation to the current challenges is presented with an emphasis on security and defence matters, Arctic issues and Nordic cooperation. European integration will be explored relating to Iceland´s choices in European affairs, with a particular focus on the effects of the EEA agreement in Iceland. Moreover, Iceland´s UN participation and campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council will be covered.

Issues and Debates in European Integration is a graduate course that addresses institutional, historical and theoretical aspects as well as contemporary issues and debates in the field of European integration. As part of the MA program in International Affairs, it is designed primarily for students who already have a basic command of the workings of the EU’s institutions and decision-making processes. While such basic knowledge of the EU political system is not strictly speaking a prerequisite for taking this course, students who lack such knowledge are strongly encouraged to read up on the basics prior to or at the very beginning of the semester. The course is divided into three parts and will cover (a) historical and institutional aspects of European integration, (b) the most important theoretical traditions in the field of European integration, and (c) contemporary issues and debates in European integration.

The aim of this course is to study the behavior and role of small states in the international system. The course deals with questions such as: What is a small state? What are the main constrains and opportunities of small states? Do small states behave differently in the international community from larger ones? The course offers an introduction to the literature on the state, the international system and small-state studies. The main emphasis, however, is on internal and external opportunities and constraints facing small states, for example how they are affected by and have responded to globalization, new security threats and the process of European integration. Special attention is devoted to Iceland and its reactions to economic crises and security threats. The course will also examine Iceland´s relations with the United States, China, Russia and the Nordic states, and its engagement with the European Union.

International organizations (IOs) are ubiqitous on the global stage and collectively engage with virtually every aspect of international relations. This course will provide an introduction to the empirical study of international organizations and the politics and processes that govern their operations.

Rather than organizing around specific organizational histories or issue areas, the course will focus on investigating the political structures that underpin the system and how they fit together. To what extent can we think of IOs as independent actors? Who are the actors that influence them and how do they do it? How are IOs financed and what implications does that have for their operations? Who are the staff that work in IOs and how do they matter? These are the types of questions that will guide our analysis over the course of the semester.

In answering these questions, students will be exposed to a range of approaches for the study of international organizations. Readings will comprise historical narratives, case studies, and both qualitative and quantitative journal articles and book chapters. However, we will pay particular attention to recent scholarship on IOs so that students get a sense of the current state of affairs in IO research. The goal of the course is thus twofold: first, to help students understand and analyze the political and administrative dynamics that guide the operations of IOs, and second, to enable students to engage with a variety of scholarly work on IOs in pursuit of their own research topics and ideas.

The course builds on major theories of international relations but no substantive expertise is expected on individual IOs beyond what an informed news consumer might have. Where appropriate, background reading will be provided for students who need a refresher on particular topics/IOs. Our organizational focus will largely be on global organizations, such as the United Nations agencies, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, but we will also spend some time exploring regional organizations, such as the Council of Europe, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), and private actors.

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in security studies. It examines concepts and theories relevant in the field, then considers approaches to, and practices of, security across different levels of analysis: individual, national, international, transnational, global and human.
The focus of security studies centres around questions of what, for whom, and how, is security. Answers to these questions vary according to what level of analysis is adopted, and which security domain is being discussed (eg political, military, economics, social, environmental, etc). The course explores these dimensions thoroughly, and then considers what they contribute to our practical knowledge and experiences of security.

International negotiations are vital for states to ensure their citizens increased quality of life and secure their position as acceptable in the international system. The objective of this course is to observe how states manage their negotiations with other states and international lobbyist groups. Another aim is to observe how states defend their interests and push their objectives within international organisations. Theories of negotiation tools, management and organisations of negotiations will be dealt with.

The course provides the student with an understanding of the scientific method and the basic skills of data analysis. Concepts such as causality, reliability, and validity will be covered. The course covers descriptive and inferential statistics, including topic such as variables, values, standard deviations, samples, significance, and hypothesis testing

Qualitative Methods provides students with an introduction to some of the most commonly used qualitative methods and methodological tools in political science. The main focus in the course is on case studies (including process tracing) and various tools and techniques used within case studies, e.g., qualitative content analysis, interviewing, and focus groups. One part of the course is also dedicated to discourse analysis. The course begins with a very brief introduction to philosophy of science and outlines basic ontological, epistemological and methodological issues in the social sciences. The remainder of the course is dedicated to the methods and tools/techniques listed above. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the philosophical underpinnings, assumptions and ambitions of the different methods, but they will also gain practical experience as to the design and execution of research within the different traditions.

The course is designed in a highly interactive way and emphasizes active student participation. It is expected that students have done at least the required reading assigned for the given day and are ready to participate in group work and discussions in class. There are two types of classes in this course: lecture & discussion classes and workshops. Each lecture & discussion class will be divided into three parts: a short agenda-setting lecture by the lecturer (40 minutes), group work (40 minutes), and a concluding general discussion (40 minutes). This design is highly effective with regard to achieving the course’s learning outcomes, but it also requires that students have familiarized themselves with the assigned reading for the day. In the workshops, the class will be divided into two groups (A and B).

The purpose of the course is to introduce students in graduate studies in the Faculty of Politcal Science to research methods of social sciences. At the end of the course students are expected to have sufficient methodological knowledge to do a masters dissertation. The course includes discussion on methodological assumptions and choices, research design, how to formulate a research topic, methods for literature review and how to write a research proposal.

The MA-thesis is an independent research project which the student writes under an academic supervision. The project deals with challenging subject and original application of theories.

The MA-thesis is an independent research project which the student writes under an academic supervision. The project deals with a challenging subject and an original application of theories.

The MA-thesis is an independent research project which the student writes under an academic supervision. The project deals with challenging subject and original application of theories.

Eight week internship (320 hrs.) at the United Nation Association in Iceland.

One student gets selected each semester for internship. Registration to this course is only the first step in application process. The second one will be explained in an e-mail sent to all students who have registered in the course. 

The United Nation Association in Iceland selects candidates.

Eight week internship (320 hrs.) at the Delegation of the European Union to Iceland.

One student gets selected each semester for internship. Registration to this course is only the first step in application process.

Traineeships in EU Delegations should have the following main objectives:

• to provide trainees with a unique experience about the daily work of an EU Delegation while learning about the representation of EU interests and values outside of the EU;
• to offer trainees the possibility of discovering directly the multicultural, multilingual and multi-ethnic working environment of an international organisation such as the EU;
• to offer trainees the possibility of applying the knowledge acquired during their studies or their early professional life;
• to create a group of young people with direct experience in the work of the EU outside of its borders and who could become future collaborators of the EEAS or other EU institutions;
• to enhance the connection between the EU Delegation and the local academic and University world when trainees are recruited locally.

This course will provide an insight into recent and ongoing conflict in the world through the lens of peace and conflict studies. It starts with an introduction to the field of peace and conflict studies, setting the stage for an analysis of recent and ongoing conflicts with the help of guest lecturers with expertise in the relevant regions. The course concludes with an introduction to the field of conflict resolution and mediation. Likely topics will include Ukraine, Israel-Palestine, and Sudan, to name a few.

The course is intended to introduce students to hybrid threats and hybrid warfare, that are increasingly prominent in security debates. Hybrid warfare has been utilized in war and conflict throughout history – to undermine adversaries, through disinformation and subversion. Modern technology and complex society have radically altered the scope and ease by which hybrid warfare can be employed. Different perpetrators can now pose such threats and engage in such warfare in more varied ways at less cost and risk.

Historical development will be introduced and current divergence, regarding hybrid warfare in the world, put into context of relevant theories of international relations. The main actors, their methods, and possible consequences will be studied, e.g., a serious threat to democracy. Also, the responses and resources brought to bear will be addressed, the problems that states and societies may find in planning their response and defence. Responses and remedies to hybrid threats will be addressed, the potential problems that may exist, as attacks and actions tend to undermine cohesion and promote fragmentation – which can further impede response.

The main objective of the course is to provide students with theoretic and practical tools to analyze the challenges, threats, and opportunities of constructing peace in the aftermath of war. What happens after the last shot is fired until sustainable peace is achieved? Through case-study analysis students will be able to identify and understand different stakeholders and spoilers of peacebuilding efforts as well as the lessons learned in the last 30 years of conflict intervention. Students will analyze why constructing a sustainable peace after armed conflict has proven to be so complex, despite the robust budgets and deployments, or the inclusion of components such as transitional justice, security sector reform, and development. Among the peace process that will be analyzed in class: South Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Timor Leste, Philippines, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Mozambique, DR Congo, and Colombia

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in Arctic studies. The essentials are covered, such as defining the field; identifying key actors; providing a brief regional history; and exploring current drivers and trends (especially the role of climate change). Class visits to Arctic-relevant entities in Reykjavik will also be undertaken.

The aim of this course is to provide students with a thorough grounding in the overall field of Arctic studies, in order that they may progress to more focused coursework within that field. By bringing together academic knowledge of the field with practical experience at some of the main locations for Arctic-related activities in Iceland, the course demonstrates the important contribution Arctic studies make in the lived reality of Arctic affairs. The visit schedule is subject to change each year, but is likely to be drawn from the following list: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Althingi; the Icelandic Coastguard; the Hofdi Peace Centre; the Arctic Circle Secretariat; relevant foreign diplomatic representation. 

This course examines the aims, interests, opportunities, and challenges of states, non-state actors, regional fora, and international organizations in a changing Arctic region. With a focus on policy, politics, and current issues, it analyses the contemporary dilemmas posed by Arctic governance, cooperation, and imaginaries of the region.

Building on the fundamentals taught in ‘Introduction to Arctic Studies’, this course investigates the Arctic policies of the ‘Arctic Eight’ states, as well as states located outside the region. Five of the ‘Arctic Eight’ are Nordic small states, and so this angle is also considered. The role and achievements of other relevant entities such as the Arctic Council, the Arctic Coast Guard Forum, NATO, the EU, and the UN is also analyzed. The course has an international focus and provides an in-depth examination of the major political contours in today’s Arctic

The aim of this course is to introduce to students theories of the role of the media and communications in societal development. Classic theories of media and communications will be discussed, as well as recent writings on the role of communication in shaping our existence. The development of different traditions of media research will be discussed. The specific objectives of media research will be discussed and its place among the social sciences clarified. During the course, examples of different kinds of research will be taken, both international and local, and with different objects and different theoretical and methodological approaches.

Duration of Instruction: September - October, and Oral Exam in October. This is a basic course in the field of Public International Law addressing fundamental issues in the field such as Sources, International Personality, States, Territory, Jurisdiction, Immunities, The Law of Treaties, State Responsibility, International Organisations, The United Nations, The Use of Force and Settlement of Disputes.  The course is mainly constructed for law students on a graduate level, while it can also be useful for students from other but related academic fields, such as in international relations, as there is an emphasis on approaching the topics to be dealt with also from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Duration of Instruction: October - November. The objective is to present an overview of international cooperation for the protection of human rights, international human rights instruments their implementation and enforcement, as well as recent trends in the evolution of international action on human rights, etc. The course will present the system for the protection of human rights within the United Nations and focus on some of the major human rights treaties, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Human Righs Committee and the international Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The main features of regional human rights cooperation in the world will be introduced, and particular attention will be paid to the European Convention and the Court of Human Rights. Issues in the field of humanitarian law will also be covered, as well as role of international criminal courts in implementing fundamental human rights.

The course covers the various reasons for government intervention in society. Market failure is quite important in that relation. The basics of price theory and the models of the market will be explained and market failure elucidated on that basis. Parallel problems in public administration (government failure) will be addressed. Emphasis will be laid on enabling students to master the basic ideas of economics and on the training in the application of these.

Local authorities are one of two main branches of Icelandic government. The aim of the course is to give students insights into Icelandic local governments, administration and processes. In the course students will be introduced to Icelandic local governments, their legal and constitutional status in public administration, their tasks and responsibilities according to law. The main political theories on local governments will be introduced and discussed, with emphasis on the relationship between size, effectiveness and democracy. State and local government relations are briefly discussed, including the division of tasks and revenues.

The course will examine human resource management (HRM) in the public sector. Civil service systems will be discussed in a historical context. Employment-related laws, regulations and procedures are reviewed. The students will be exposed to job functions of HRM professionals, including staffing, recruiting, performance appraisal and compensation. The strategic HRM approach is introduced and the procedure of formulating an HRM policy.

This introductory course in public administration provides students with a holistic overview over how public administration is organized and how it has developed over the last decades. The main characteristics of the public administration in Iceland is introduces, its foundations and main formative elements. The course covers the basic theories and concepts of the discipline of public administration and its scholarly endeavour. It introduces the main organizational theories, and the main theories on decentralization and delegation of power and decision-making. The focus is on the relationship between public administration and politics and how that relationship shapes organizational practices and public policy making. The emphasis is on analysing and understanding the differences between the private and the public sector.

The aim of this course is to study strategies of small states to protect their interests and have a say in the international system. The course builds on the small state literature and examines whether small states tend to seek shelter, hedge, or hide in the international system. The focus is on the ability of small states to establish constructive relations with larger states and their power potential in international organizations. Special attention will be paid to current affairs and how a variety of small European states have been affected by and responded to the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The course will analyse crisis management in small states and how small states have responded to external crises, such as international economic crises and pandemics. The course examines small states’ methods to influence the day-to-day decision-making in the European Union. It studies the utilization of soft power by the smaller states, such as how small states use participation in the Eurovision Song Contest to enhance their international image. The course focus specially on small European states, in particular the five Nordic states. The course brings together some of the leading scholars in the field of small state studies and leadership studies by providing students with access to an online edX course on leadership in small states. The online edX course will supplement discussion in the classroom and cover in greater depth Small State Leadership in Public Administration and Governance; Small State Leadership in Foreign and Security Policy; Small State Leadership in Gender Policy; and Small State Leadership in International Diplomacy.

The course is based on a series of cases according to the course outline. Each case is carefully prepared for this course and a guideline for the reading material is also provided and the readings are related to the cases in question. It is the case discussion that drives the learning process. The order of the cases reflect the design of the course. The first case addresses competitiveness from an overall point of view. Then the focus is on how international and specialized the distribution of the value chain has become in the developed countries, which has resulted in clusters and cluster activities. The cases also address the role of government and the role of institutes of collaboration. The cases covered address different key issues in many industries and in many parts of the world, both in developed and developing countries. The key subject is how to understand the key aspects of National Economic Strategy. The class uses the case teaching method (the Harvard model) and it is the students that do analyse the cases through their discussion which is facilitated by the teacher. The students also prepare an extensive team project (a cluster analysis) and present their results in class. In addition the student write an individual report on the subject.

This course deals with the internationalization of firms, the global trade environment, strategic management of international firms, intercultural communication and other issues of international business. In the course cases and articles from scholarly journals will be used. The students will also carry out project work and in-class assignments, participate in discussions of cases etc. In this course students are expected to be very active in discussions and the course will be taught in English.

This course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Internet governance and challenges in regulating cyberspace. Topics include the evolution of formalized internet governance, and the role of national governments, supranational organizations and private corporations in shaping the international regulatory framework for Internet governance.

The course will also explore the balance of privacy versus security, including the role of regulations such as GDPR and NIS2 to establish minimum requirements of “privacy” or “security” by design. The emergence of a “cyber-public” space has created new challenges for enforcing laws ranging from copyright to illegal content. Furthermore, the question of public/private cooperation in fighting against cybercrime and regulatory challenges regarding the emergence of cyberwarfare will be examined.

This course will be taught as a series of weekly lectures and bi-weekly seminars for student discussions and debates in internet governance topics.

Eight week internship (320 hrs.) at the United Nation Association in Iceland.

One student gets selected each semester for internship. Registration to this course is only the first step in application process. The second one will be explained in an e-mail sent to all students who have registered in the course. 

The United Nation Association in Iceland selects candidates.

Eight week internship (320 hrs.) at the Delegation of the European Union to Iceland.

One student gets selected each semester for internship. Registration to this course is only the first step in application process. The second one will be explained in an e-mail sent to all students who have registered in the course. 

Traineeships in EU Delegations should have the following main objectives:

• to provide trainees with a unique experience about the daily work of an EU Delegation while learning about the representation of EU interests and values outside of the EU;
• to offer trainees the possibility of discovering directly the multicultural, multilingual and multi-ethnic working environment of an international organisation such as the EU;
• to offer trainees the possibility of applying the knowledge acquired during their studies or their early professional life;
• to create a group of young people with direct experience in the work of the EU outside of its borders and who could become future collaborators of the EEAS or other EU institutions;
• to enhance the connection between the EU Delegation and the local academic and University world when trainees are recruited locally.

The main objective of the course is to provide students with theoretic and practical tools to analyze the causes and outcomes of the main conflicts around the world in the last 30 years. Through case-study analysis, students will be able to identify and analyze different types of armed conflicts, the role of state and non-state actors involved, as well as conflict-resolution/peacebuilding initiatives.

Additionally the course assessess the effectiveness of UN interventions to counter the so called New Wars and changes in warfare (mercenaries, cyberwarfare).

Conflicts that may be analyzed in class include the Balkans, Russia‘s intervention in Ukraine, the war against terrorism in the Sahel, Somalia, China‘s expansion in the South China Sea, Philippines, Myanmar, Iraq, Libya, the rise of ISIS, and  Colombia

The week long Field Trip in International Affairs is intended to familiarize students with the operations of a) NATO, EFTA, ESA, the EU and the Icelandic embassy in Brussels; or b) the UN, the World Bank, the IMF, the US Congress, the Icelandic permanent mission in New York and the Icelandic embassy in Washington DC, or; c) the operations of other international organizations or national assemblies, depending on the interest of the students at any given time. The student association plans the trip in cooperation with the instructors. Students must fund their own travel, and the study trip is undertaken only if an instructor is available to supervise it. Students are responsible for checking whether the dates of the trip affect their attendance or assignments in other courses. 

The course will deal with the following sets of topics: (1) The concepts, objectives and sources of international criminal law. Alternatives and complements to criminal prosecution. (2) Prosecution of international crimes in national courts, incl. jurisdiction and state cooperation. (3) International prosecutions: The Nuremberg and Tokyo International Military Tribunals, the ad hoc International Criminal Tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda (ICTY and ICTR), the International Criminal Court (ICC), and other criminal courts with international elements. (4) Substantive law of international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, aggression, as well as a few selected transnational crimes, esp. terrorism and torture. (5) General principles of international criminal liability, incl. command/superior responsibility, and grounds for excluding criminal responsibility. Immunities. (6) An outline of international criminal procedures, esp. at the ICC. (7) Sentencing, penalties and enforcement.

The objective of the course is to study Human Rights in Europe, the constitutional traditions of human rights and comparison of European system with international systems for the protection of human rights. An overview will be presented of the activities of the Council of Europe in the field of human rights, the European Social Charter and the European Convention on Human Rights. The course will for the largest part focus specifically on the latter, and enable sthe rights and freedoms protected in the Convention and its protocols. It will also cover the procedure before the European Court of Human Rights, study the Court's case law and the enforcement of its judgments. The course is intended to allow students to develop critical, analytical and research skills and foster the ability to construct a logical argument and to communicate that argument clearly and possibly conflicting points of view.

The course is taught in the first half of the spring semester.

International Economic law is a growing field in the area of public international law. The aim of this course is twofold:

 1) To learn about international trade, finance, investment and economic development. We learn the international law principles, rules and standards which govern the establishment by economic operators (primarily business and industry) of the various factors of production on the territory of other states or which regulate their international transactions in goods, services and transfer of payments.

Major themes: - Introduction to international economic law. General concepts and context of international economic law. - The multilateral trading system (WTO) - institutional law & dispute settlement, substantive WTO law. GATT Article I - the most favoured nation principle, domestic regulation. GATT Article XI - quantitative restrictions to trade. GATT Article XX - general exceptions, i.e. trade and environment. TBT and SPS agreements, GATS, TRIPs, SCM and anti-dumping. - The International Monetary System. The IMF as lender of last resort, exchange arrangements, conditionally and borrowing by the Fund. - The International Monetary System; World Bank and its affiliates, BIS, Paris Club, Group of ten, etc. - International Investment: Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), Codes towards Multilateral Investment, host State responsibility, foreign investor protection, dispute settlement, dispute settlement and development of standards through specialist for a such as ICSID, Iran-US Claims Tribunal.

 2) To understand the current critique to positive economic law (current system in force), discuss scientific (legal) questions on global justice and political economy and philosophy and propose better rules de lege ferenda (for the future).

Major themes: Economic justice in an unfair world. Reforming international economic law. Political philosophies: The law of peoples (Rawls) vs. The egalitarian law of peoples (Pogge). A theory of Justice (Sen). Human Rights Approach: Capabilities as Fundamental Entitlements (Naussban). Aid and Development: The bottom billion (Collier). Other global measuring indexes beyond GDP: measuring human progress, environmental protection and happiness.

Teaching methods: The course aims at active participation of students in discussion and their presentation of the topic of global economic justice in a research paper.

Human mobility and multicultural societies are often seen as the main characteristics of the contemporary world. In the course, we look at main theories approaching mobility and multicultural society, critically addressing them and analyzing their utility. The concept of multiculturalism and related concepts such as culture, assimilation and integration are critically evaluated, as well as mobility in the past and the relationship between mobility and multiculturalism. Different approaches in the social sciences are introduced and main research themes in anthropology in particular and social sciences in general will be examined.

The teaching methods are lectures and discussions.

The course objective is to provide theoretical foundation and practical training in strategic management. An emphasis is on its application in public organizations. Students are to develop a strategic plan for a state or local agency. The John M. Bryson's strategic planning model will be used for this purpose. Students will structure a mission statement, identify strategic issues, establish a performance management system and they will be introduced to tools for organizational change and reassessment.

The course reviews the literature on organizational theory and behavior with an emphasis on its application in the public sector. The course includes discussion on leadership, organizational culture, teamwork, organizational structure and change, decision making processes, strategic planning and performance management systems.

The aim of the course is provide insight into public government and the methods goverment employs to reach its goals. The course covers the various tools of government, including direct government, contracting, financial incentives, economic and social regulation, insurance and grants, with emphasis on evaluating the appropriateness of each tool in achieving different objectives. The examination of each tool emphasizes equally theoretical aspects and its use within Icelandic government. While the course OSS101F Microeconomics, Market Failure and the Role of Government is not a prerequisite, it is a recommended precursor. 

Leadership and change management are among demands that people working in public organizations face. In this course we explore those demands and the changes in society that have put them high on the agenda. We will ask: What is leadership within the public context? How can it be successfully exercised at different levels? How have those demands been met in public administration and the education of public managers in other countries?

The course deals with describtion of Icelandic authoroties (the executive), the basic structure of the Icelandic administrative system, main tasks of public authotiries, the scope, relevance and rules of the Administrative Act. no 37/1993 and the relevance and rules of the Information Act. no 140/2012. The main emphasis is on the Administrative Act. 

The course is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills to prepare and implement market expansion abroad and enable them to carry out professional marketing activities in foreign markets.

Through the course, students get a good insight into the opportunities and challenges inherent in the marketing activities of companies in international markets. Among other things, the influence of culture and various factors in the external environment will be discussed. Ways to obtain information about consumers and competitors in different markets will be covered. Students receive good training in analyzing different markets, determining a marketing strategy based on the analysis and designing tactics to implement the strategy.

The security environment in the North Atlantic has taken a dramatic shift in recent years, affecting the scope of small state policy and security matters in the region. With Russia‘s full scale invasion into Ukraine, support for NATO has increased and now with Finland‘s accession to the Alliance and Sweden‘s application, the Nordic-Baltic region, stands to become more integrated in the realms of security than ever before. In these troubled times, there is a greater need for training young academics and future leaders in analyzing defense and security issues. The aim of this course is to prepare our future experts and academics for the security challenges ahead. The objective is to provide students with advanced specific knowledge on current security challenges as well as general research skills. Research is the basis for informed decision-making and an important tool to deepen our understanding of the state of affairs and thus better deal with changes on the international scene.

 The 2024 Small States Summer School will be organised from 12-17 August 2024.

Students in this course are required to write a paper on a topic – chosen in agreement with the teacher – related to one of the four themes below. 

The course builds on an edX course that students must watch "Small States and Leadership" and write a paper of 5000-6000 words, using 15-20 sources. 

Students must register for the edX course but do not need to pay for the access. 

UIcelandX: Small States and Leadership | edX

Theme 1: Leadership in Public Administration and Governance

Theme 2: Small States Leadership in Foreign and Security Policy

Theme 3: Small State Leadership in Gender Policy

Theme 4: Small State Foreign Policy - Taking Leadership in International Diplomacy

Students in this course are required to write a paper on a topic – chosen in agreement with the teacher – related to one of the four themes below. 

The course builds on an edX course that students must watch "Small States and Leadership" and write a paper of 5000-6000 words, using 15-20 sources. 

Students must register for the edX course but do not need to pay for the access. 

UIcelandX: Small States and Leadership | edX

Theme 1: Leadership in Public Administration and Governance

Theme 2: Small States Leadership in Foreign and Security Policy

Theme 3: Small State Leadership in Gender Policy

Theme 4: Small State Foreign Policy - Taking Leadership in International Diplomacy

Students are given the opportunity to work on an individual project under the supervision of permanent teachers at the department. Subjects and reading materials are jointly decided by the teacher and the student. The student takes the initiative to contact the teacher with whom he wishes to work on the project.

Students are given the opportunity to work on an individual project under the supervision of permanent teachers at the department. Subjects and reading materials are jointly decided by the teacher and the student. The student takes the initiative to contact the teacher with whom he wishes to work on the project.

Students are given the opportunity to work on an individual project under the supervision of permanent teachers at the department. Subjects and reading materials are jointly decided by the teacher and the student. The student takes the initiative to contact the teacher with whom he wishes to work on the project.