Introduction to Internatinal Relations

This course provides a wide-ranging introduction to the study of international relations (IR). It covers several theoretical approaches to and prominent empirical issues in the field of IR. The course is broadly divided into five sections: I) theoretical approaches (realism, liberalism, constructivism, feminism); II) geopolitical issues in international politics (colonial legacies and ethnic conflict, American primacy and the rise of China); III) international security (nuclear weapons, terrorism); IV) international political economy (states, markets, and globalization); and V) intervention and human rights. The main objectives of this course are to I) introduce students to the different theoretical approaches of IR, helping them develop a sophisticated understanding of various topics in world politics; and II) provide students with the analytical tools to critically evaluate contemporary political debates. By the end of this course, students will have developed a practical knowledge of several pressing issues in international relations.