Document Type

Syllabus

Publication Date

Spring 2024

Course Description

2024 is already seeing numerous active conflicts and is the year that many major elections, including in this country, will be held. As the pandemic, the fallout of the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and the Middle East and pervasive issues with supply chains and economic globalization remind us, we are globally connected. This is a pivotal time to know what is happening in the world, how it matters for you and what, if anything, you can do about it. In this course we will try and understand the theories, ideas and issues that mark the realm of the ‘international.’ We will grapple with the enduring questions as well as the challenges of the day and understand how International Relations (IR) experts have sought to explain these phenomena. We will understand how- depending on the theoretical lens you adopt- you can arrive at different explanations of international relations, prioritize some issues over others, and provide different policy prescriptions. Then, equipped with these lenses, we will encounter some key issues that drive international politics focusing on three key sub- fields: International Security, Political Economy and Global Governance. Throughout, we will consider some important issues: the Ukraine crisis, the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the ongoing conflict between Iran and various states in the ‘Red Sea’ crisis, the China and its relationship to the U.S. and tensions over Taiwan, challenges to international trade, as well as the problems of climate change and human rights. We are transitioning away from covid-related measures but still have flexibility should we have a surge in cases etc. So please pay attention to attendance and related policies. I recognize all of us will have challenges. Steady communication is key – please keep me apprised if you are struggling with deadlines. Importantly, that doesn’t mean you need to divulge personal information or ‘prove’ that you’re having issues. Keep me informed and we’ll try and figure out solutions.

Student Outcomes

Students will be able to: - analyze international relations and foreign policy texts, events, trends and outcomes using appropriate IR concepts, theories and evidence. - critically analyze the basis and motivations behind various foreign policy stances and arguments. - develop an interest in one or more areas/issues within international politics and be able to critically argue about them.

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