1. The preparation of a thesis in International Studies.
2. Theoretical frameworks and methodological procedures.
3. Themes and Debates in International Studies.
3.1 International History, Security and Institutions
3.2 Activisms, Citizenship and Human Rights
3.3 Sustainability and Development

Students will be evaluated by their final Thesis.

Mandatory

Scott, John (1990), A Matter of Record. Documentary Sources in Social Research, Cambridge, Polity Press.
Porta, Donatella e M. Keating (eds.) (2008) Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences. A Pluralist Perspective, Cambridge,Cambridge University Press
Oyen, Else (1990), Comparative Methodology. Theory and practice in international social research, London, Sage; Della
May, T. (1997) Social research: Issues, methods and processes, Open University Press.
Jackson, R., Georg Sorensen (2010). Introduction to international relations: theories and approaches (4th ed). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Eco, Umberto (2015). Como se Faz Uma Tese em Ciências Humanas. Lisboa: Presença
Booth, Wayne, Gregory Colomb e Joseph Williams (2003), The Craft of Research, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press, 2ª ed.
Bryman, A. (2015). Social Research Methods, Oxford, OUP.
Alasuutari, P., Bickman, L. & Brannen, J. (Ed.) (2009). The Sage Handbook of Social Research Methods. Los Angeles, Sage.

Optional

Wallimann, N. (2001) Your research project: A step-by-step guide for the first-time researcher, Sage.
Van Evera, Stephen (1997). Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science, Ithaca: Cornell U.P.
Steinert-Threkeld, Z. C. (2018). Twitter as Data. Cambridge University Press.
Silverman, D. (2005): Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook. 2nd ed. London: Sage
Robson, C. (1993) Real world research: A resource for social scientists and practitioner-researchers, Oxford University Press.
Ritchie, J. & Lewis, J. (eds.) (2003): Qualitative Research Practice. A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Rihoux, Benoit and Ragin, Charles C. (2009) Configurational Comparative Methods: Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and Related Techniques, Thousand Oaks, Sage
Ridley, D. (2008). The literature review: a step-by-step guide for students. London: Sage
Punch, K.F. (2006). Developing effective research proposals (2nd Ed.) Londres: SAGE.
Peters, Guy B. (1998), Comparative Politics. Theory and Methods, Nova Iorque, New York University Press.
O'Dochartaigh, Nial (2002), The Internet Research Handbook: a Pratical Guide for Students and Researchers in the Social Sciences, Londres, Sage Publications.
Mosley, Layna (ed.) (2013), Interview Research in Political Science, Itacha and London: Cornell University Press.
Mahoney, James, Thelen, Kathleen (Eds.) (2015), Advances in Comparative-Historical Analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge U.P.
Kvale, S. & Brinkmann, S. (2008): Interviews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing, 2nd ed: Sage.
Gubrium, J. F. & Holstein, J. A. (eds.) (2001): Handbook of Interview Research: Context and Methodology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
ISCTE (2020), Iscte presentation and graphic harmonization rules for Master dissertation/project and PhD thesis (https://www.iscte-iul.pt/assets/files/2020/07/14/1594736316892_Iscte_Graphic_Norms_2020.pdf).
ISCTE-IUL (2016), Código de Conduta Ética na Investigação,https://www.iscte-iul.pt/assets/files/2018/11/20/1542706711638_C_digo_de_conduta__tica_na_investiga__o.pdf
Burchill, Scott et al, Theories of International Relations, 3rd edition, Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.
Brundage, Anthony (2017). Going to the Sources: A Guide to Historical Research and Writing. London: Wiley-Blackwell.
Boix, Carles, e Stokes, Susan (editors) (2007), The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
A.J.R. Groom, Andre Barrinha, William C. Olson (2019), International Relations Then and Now: Origins and Trends in Interpretation (2nd ed.). London: Routledge

1. Panoramic view on the main research methods
2. Transversal ethical debates and principles
3. Literature Analysis: types and practices
4. Analytical units, angles and approaches
5. Mixed methods: an introduction
6. Ethnography and Auto-Ethnography
7. Field Diary
8. Interviews and Interaction
9. Content Analysis:
10. Organization od qualitative data with MaxQda
11. Qualitative Data analysis with MaxQda
12. Collection, production and analysis of statistic indicator
13. Statistical Analysis: dependency models and multivariate analysis
14. Individual presentations of the methodological component of the projects

The assessment implies the following modalities:
- Presentation and discussion in class of the methodological strategy designed for the research project in the area of the PhD (30%, individual presentation)
- A document with the detailed presentation of the methodological strategy designed for the research project (70%, individual work). Model of "work plan" is provided in advanced.
The evaluation of this CU does not contemplate a final written exam.

It is expected that the students produce original work, based on criteria of responsible authorship, and they are the ones producing the text that puts together and in order the ideas they intend to transmit. Their essays will be evaluated with the authorship and bibliographical rigour, and the code of ethical conduct (https://www.iscte-iul.pt/assets/files/2022/01/24/1643046250963_Code_of_Ethical_Conduct_in_Research_ISCTE.pdf) in mind.

Mandatory

Alasuutari, P., Bickman, L. & Brannen, J. (Ed.) (2009). The Sage Handbook of Social Research Methods. Los Angeles, Sage.
Bryman, A. (2015). Social Research Methods, Oxford, OUP.
Creswell, JW & Plano Clark, VL (2011). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research, Sage.
Denzin, N.K., & Lincoln, Y.S. (2005). Handbook of Qualitative Research. London, Sage.

Optional

Flick, U. (2005), Métodos Qualitativos na Investigação Científica, Lisboa: Ed Monitor.
Goritz, A.; Kolleck, N. & Jörgens, H. (2019). Education for sustainable development and climate change education: the potential of social network analysis based on twitter data, Sustainability, 19:11, MDPI, DOI:
10.3390/su11195499
ISCTE-IUL (2016), Código de Conduta Ética na Investigação,https://www.iscte-iul.pt/assets/files/2018/11/20/1542706711638_C_digo_de_conduta__tica_na_investiga__o.pdf
Marôco, J. (2018), Análise Estatística com o SPSS Statistics, Sintra, ReportNumber, Lda (7ª edição).
Oyen, Else, (1990), Comparative Methodology. Theory and practise in international social research, London, Sage Publications, Sage Studies in International Sociology.
Vicente, P. et al, Sondagens. A amostragem como factor decisivo de qualidade, Lisboa, Sílabo, 1996.
Curini, L. & Franzese, R. (2020), The SAGE Handbook of Research Methods in Political Science and International Relations. London, Sage.
Lamont, C. (2015), Research Methods in International Relations. London, Sage.
Klotz, A. & Prakash, D. (Eds.) (2008), Qualitative Methods inInternational Relations, a Pluralist Guide. New York, Palgrave Macmillan.

1. Introduction
1.1. Developing a research project in International Studies
1.2. Social Sciences, International Studies and interdisciplinarity
1.3. International Studies and research traditions
1.4. Monographic theses and portfolio theses

2. Preparing a project in International Studies
2.1. From idea to research problem
2.2. Research questions and objectives
2.3. Literature review: searching, selecting, organising and writing up
2.4. Analytical framework, variables and construction of hypotheses
2.5. Case studies, comparative studies, statistical studies and experimental studies in International Studies
2.6. Methodological strategies appropriate to students' research designs
2.7. Design a timetable
2.8. Ethical issues

3. Oral presentation of a research project
3.1. Oral presentation of scientific texts

The assessment includes the following elements:
I - attendance and participation in seminars, including playing the role of discussant during the presentation of projects subject to evaluation - 15% of the final grade
II - presentation and discussion in classes of the first version of the research projects (at the beginning of the second semester) - 20% of the final grade
III - preparation of a research project for a doctoral thesis, following the template provided in classes and by the Research Unit - 65% of the final grade

The research project must be an original document, authored by the students, per Iscte's academic code of conduct (https://www.iscte-iul.pt/conteudos/iscte/organizacao/rgaos-de-coordenacao/conselho-pedagogico/1041/codigo-de-conduta-academica).

Mandatory

Brown, Chris (2019). Understanding international relations (5th ed). London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Davies, Martin B. and Nathan E. Hughes (2014). Doing a Successful Research Project: Using Qualitative or Quantitative Methods. Red Globe Press.
A.J.R. Groom, Barrinha, Andre and William C. Olson (2019). International Relations Then and Now: Origins and Trends in Interpretation (2nd ed). London: Routledge.
George, Alexander L. and Andrew Bennett (2004). Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences. Cambridge, MA: MIT UP.
Sorensen, Georg, Moller, Jorgen, and Robert Jackson (2022). Introduction to international relations: theories and approaches (8th ed). Oxford: Oxford UP.
Van Evera, Stephen (1997). Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science. Ithaca: Cornell UP.
Della Porta, Donatella and Michael Keating (eds.) (2008). Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences. A Pluralist Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge UP.

Optional

Boix, Carles and Stokes, Susan (eds.) (2007). The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, Joseph Bizup and William T. Fitzgerald (2016). The Craft of Research. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Krause, Peter and Ora Szekely (eds.) (2020). Stories from the Field: A Guide to Navigating Fieldwork in Political Science. New York: Columbia University Press.
Cyr, Jennifer and Sara Wallace Goodman (eds.) (2024). Doing Good Qualitative Research. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Brundage, Anthony (2017). Going to the Sources: A Guide to Historical Research and Writing. London: Wiley-Blackwell.
Eco, Umberto (2015). Como se Faz Uma Tese em Ciências Humanas. Lisboa: Presença.
Jegede, Francis (2021). Doing a PhD in Social Sciences: A Student's Guide to Post-graduate Work and Writing. London and New York: Routledge.
Mahoney, James, Thelen, Kathleen (Eds.) (2015), Advances in Comparative-Historical Analysis. Cambridge: Cambridge U.P.
Mello, Patrick A. (2021). Qualitative Comparative Analysis: An Introduction to Research Design and Application. Georgetown: Georgetown University Press.
Mosley, Layna (ed.) (2013). Interview Research in Political Science, Itacha and London: Cornell University Press.

PART I - International History, Security, and Institutions
1. The evolution of the international system in the Contemporary Era
2. Security Studies: key concepts and theories
3. Evolution and functioning of International Organizations
PART II - Activisms, Citizenship, and Human Rights
1. The new activisms
2. Citizenships, inclusions and exclusions
3. Human Rights: evolution and representations
PART III - Sustainability and Development
1. Sustainability concepts and indicators
2. Climate emergency and energy system
3. How to achieve Sustainable Development

Students must prepare a literature review in each semester, preferably (but not necessarily) on the subject of their future thesis (70% of the evaluation in each semester).
In parallel, students must also make an oral presentation on one of the points of the programme in each semester (30% of the evaluation).

Mandatory

Acharya, A., & Buzan, B. (2019). The making of global international relations: Origins and evolution of IR at its centenary. Cambridge: Cambridge UP.
Barnett, M. N. (Ed.). (2020). Humanitarianism and human rights: A world of differences? Cambridge: Cambridge UP.
Baylis, J., et al. (Eds.). (2023). The globalization of world politics: An introduction to international relations (9th ed.). Oxford: Oxford UP.
Oksamytna, K., & Karlsrud, J. (Eds.). (2020). United Nations peace operations and international relations theory. Manchester: Manchester UP.
Della Porta, D., & Diani, M. (Eds.). (2018). The Oxford handbook of social movements. Oxford: Oxford UP.
Reinada, B., & Louis, M. (Eds.). (2025). Routledge handbook of international organization (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Sachs, J. (2015). The age of sustainable development. Columbia University Press.
Tickner, A. B., & Smith, K. (Eds.). (2020). International relations from the Global South: Worlds of difference. London and New York: Routledge.

Optional

Agier, M. (2016). Borderlands. Cambridge: Polity.
Atkinson, G., Dietz, S., & Neumayer, E. (2014). Handbook of sustainable development (2nd ed.). Edward Elgar.
Barnett, M., & Finnemore, M. Rules for the world: International organizations in world politics.
Bellamy, A. (2019). World peace (and how we can achieve it). Oxford University Press.
Benhabib, S. (2004). The rights of others: Aliens, residents and citizens. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Brown, M. et al. (1998). Theories of war and peace. MIT Press.
Burchill, S. et al. (2005). Theories of international relations (3rd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.
Butler, J. (2021). The force of non-violence: An ethical-political bind. London: Verso.
Castles, C., & Davidson, A. (2000). Citizenship and migration: Globalization and the politics of belonging. Palgrave Macmillan.
Crenshaw, K. W. (2019). On intersectionality: Essential writings. New York: The New Press.
Darwin, J. (2009). The empire project: The rise and fall of the British world-system, 1830–1970. Cambridge University Press.
Friedman, M. (2005). Women and citizenship. Oxford University Press.
Gaventa, J., & Tandon, R. (Eds.). (2010). Globalizing citizens: New dynamics of inclusion and exclusion. London and New York: Zed Books.
Hill, C., Smith, M., & Vanhoonacker, S. (2023). International relations and the European Union (4th ed.). Oxford: Oxford UP.
Jasper, S., & Mahnken, T. G. (Eds.). (2012). Conflict and cooperation in the global commons: A comprehensive approach for international security. Georgetown UP.
Judt, T. (2007). Postwar: A history of Europe since 1945. London.
Kennedy, P. (2006). The parliament of man: The United Nations and the quest for world government. London.
Lowe, V. et al. (Eds.). (2010). The United Nations Security Council and war: The evolution of thought and practice since 1945. Oxford UP.
Mazower, M. (2009). No enchanted palace: The end of empire and the ideological origins of the United Nations. London.
McClain, L., & Grossman, J. L. (Eds.). (2009). Gender equality: Dimensions of women’s equal citizenship. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
McCormick, T. (1995). America’s half century: United States foreign policy in the Cold War and after. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Mearsheimer, J. (2001). The tragedy of great power politics. Norton.
Oksamytna, K., & Karlsrud, J. (Eds.). (2020). United Nations peace operations and international relations theory. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Paul, T. V. (Ed.). (2012). International relations theory and regional transformation. Cambridge.
Simpson, R. D., Toman, M. A., & Ayres, R. U. (2005). Scarcity and growth revisited: Natural resources and the environment in the new millennium. RFF Press.
Smith, J. et al. (2016). Handbook on World Social Forum activism. New York: Routledge.
Stuenkel, O. (2016). Post-Western world: How emerging powers are remaking global order. Polity Press.
Vergès, F. (2024). Making the world clean. London: Goldsmiths Press.
Wallensteen, P. (2019). Understanding conflict resolution (5th ed.). SAGE.
Westad, O. A. (2007). The global Cold War. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.