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Understanding International Relations Theory

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Course Summary

This course explores different theories in International Relations, covering topics such as power, statecraft, and globalization. Students will learn about the different perspectives in IR and how they shape the world we live in today.

Key Learning Points

Gain a deep understanding of different perspectives in International Relations
Learn about the role of power, statecraft, and globalization in shaping world events
Develop critical thinking and analytical skills

Learning Outcomes

Understand the key theories and concepts that shape International Relations
Develop critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze complex issues
Apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of political science and world events
Ability to read and analyze complex texts

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced
Video Lectures
Quizzes
Assignments

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Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Joseph Nye
Anne-Marie Slaughter

Related Books

Description

The course aims to introduce the key assumptions of the international relations theory as a part of social science and as an analytic tool, focusing on the problems of war and peace, foreign policy decision-making, etc. The course combines historic approach and analysis of the modern political problems. The historic part shows the evolution of the international relations theory from being a part of political philosophy to its emergence as a special branch of political science, which is essential to understand the key ideas of the IR science. The lectures also include broad outline of the modern concepts and debates in the context of the contemporary political problems, such as rise of China and other emerging powers, threat of terrorism, US-Russia confrontation, etc.

Outline

Birth of the science and classical tradition
About the University
About the course
Introduction
Origins of the classical tradition
Decline of the classical tradition
Machiavelli and Hobbes
Clash of Leviathans: The Thirty-year War
Westphalian peace
About University
Rules on the academic integrity in the course
Classical tradition

Origins of Liberalism
Christian roots
Stages of liberalism
Thirty-year war and rise of liberalism
Power of Enlightenment
Free-trade and the Revolutions
From Christianity to Liberalism: Idealistic Tradition in IR Theory

The beginning: the World Wars and genesis of the IR science
The new science emerges
WWI and the great debates
The post-WWI liberalism
Decline of the post-WWI order
The realist critique of idealism
Hans Morgenthau and political realism
World Wars and birth of IR science

Kenneth Waltz and Structural Theory
Historic context: the Cold War
Basic assumptions
System and structure
Neorealism and political analysis
Structural realism today
Kenneth Waltz and Structural Realism

Neoliberalism: The Liberal paradigm after the WWII
Liberalism in IR
Liberalism and the United States
Liberalism after WWII
Liberal institutionalism
Liberal institutionalism 2
Regime theory
Complex interdependence
Democratic peace theory
Theories of integration
Liberalism after the Cold War
Liberal studies of order
Neoliberalism vs. Neorealism
Neoliberalism. Liberal paradigm after the WWI and Cold War

Marxism and Neo-Marxism
Marxism as an IR theory
Marxism as a social theory
Marxism as a social theory
Lenin and theory of imperialism
Rise of Neo-Marxism
Wallerstein and world-system theory
Testing the Neo-Marxist approach
Marxism and Neo-Marxism

Critical IR theories (Constructivism, Postmodernism, Feminism)
Introduction
Constructivism
Constructivism 2
Constructivism 3
Constructivism: Theory of securitization
Postmodernism in IR
Feminism as an IR theory
Critical Theories of IR

Actors in international relations
What is actor
State actors
State actors 2
State actors 3
State actors 4
State actors 5
Intergovernmental Organizations
Intergovernmental organizations 2
Intergovernmental organizations 3
Non-state actors
Non-state actors 2
Non-state actors 3
Non-state actors 4
Actors in international relations

Power in international relations
What is power?
Hierarchy of power
Military power
Economic power
Soft power
Power in IR

Global governance
What is global governance
What is global governance 2
What is global governance 3
Classification of global governance
Models of governance
Models of governance
Counter-terrorism and global governance: case study
Criticism of global governance
Global governance

Back to classics: the Realist Paradigm in the XXI century
End of the Cold War
Challenge of the "Unipolar Moment"
Other theoretical challenges
Relevance of realism
Neoclassical realism
Structural realism after the Cold War
Structural realism after the Cold War 2
Back to classics: Realist paradigm in the XXI century

Russia as a realist power
Western assumptions on Russian FP
Realist basis of Russian FP
Great power logic
Great power logic 2
Evolution of Russia-West relations
How Russia sees the world - opportunities
How Russia sees the world - threats
Modern Russian FP

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the principles and theories of international relations with this comprehensive course. Students appreciate the in-depth coverage of topics like realism, liberalism, and constructivism, and the engaging teaching style of the instructors.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

In-depth coverage of international relations theories

Pros from User Reviews

Engaging instructors who present the material clearly
Real-world examples and case studies make the content come alive
Access to a wealth of supplementary materials and resources
Flexibility to work at your own pace and on your own schedule
Opportunities to interact with other students and share insights

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course content to be too advanced or dense
Occasional technical glitches or difficulties accessing course materials
Limited interaction with course instructors and teaching assistants
Some users felt that the course lacked practical applications or real-world relevance
The course may not be suitable for those with little prior knowledge of international relations

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