POL 161: International Politics
Course description
This course introduces the major concepts, issues, and theories in the political science subfield of international relations (IR), emphasizing the anarchical nature of the international system. It explains how the absence of a central authority leads to conflicts of values that are addressed through instruments such as military intervention, humanitarian operations, and international diplomacy. Students will engage with key theoretical perspectives, particularly realism and liberalism, to understand how states interact in the global arena. The course also examines themes such as war, peacekeeping, migration, humanitarian intervention, and the role of non-state actors and international institutions like the United Nations and the European Union. Additional lectures address emerging issues such as climate change and transitional justice.
Learning objectives
To understand the different and competing theories of international relations;
To understand the foundations of the international system and the attempts to regulate the behavior of states through international institutions;
To master basic IR concepts and to apply theories to a selected number of IR issues;
To understand the interconnected nature of norms and politics in international affairs;
To delve into current challenges for IR theory and practice