Topic:Introduction to International Relations

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Welcome to the Wikiversity Course Introduction to International Relations This course is brought to you by the Department of International Relations

Contents 1 Course Outline and Objectives 2 Unit 1: What is International Relations? 2.1 Learning Materials 2.2 Reading List 2.3 Assignments 3 Unit 2: Rationalist Theories 3.1 Learning Materials 3.2 Reading List 3.2.1 Essential Reading 3.2.2 Supplementary Reading 3.3 Assignments 4 Unit 3: Constructivist Theories 4.1 Learning Materials 4.2 Reading List 5 Unit 4: World Politics since 1945 5.1 Learning Materials 5.2 Reading List 5.3 Assignments 6 Unit 5: International Political Economy 6.1 Learning Materials 6.2 Reading List 6.3 Assignments 7 Unit 6: Security Studies 7.1 Learning Materials 7.2 Reading List 7.3 Assignments

[edit] Course Outline and Objectives

• An overview of key theories of International Politics
• An overview of International Political Economy
• An understanding of some of the key issues in contemporary World Politics

[edit] Unit 1: What is International Relations?

[edit] Learning Materials

• What is International Relations?

International Relations is a branch of Political Science dealing with interactions between actors (typically states) in the international system.

• The term "Power" in International Relations

[edit] Reading List

[edit] Assignments

[edit] Unit 2: Rationalist Theories

Rationalist Theories of International Relations differ greatly from each other, but are similar in that they each posit that the characteristics of the international system make it rational for states (or other actors) to behave in some particular way. Rationalist theories can be broadly divided into Structural Realism and Liberalism.

[edit] Learning Materials

• Structural Realism
• Liberalism
• Classical Realism

[edit] Reading List

• Carr, Edward H.; The Twenty Years' Crisis 1919-1939 - An Introduction to the Study of International Relations. New York: Harper & Row, 1964. [Read chapter 4, The Harmony of Interests, online. A classic in political realism critics of liberalism]

[edit] Essential Reading

• Approaches to the Study of International Politics: Realism, Liberalism and Marxism - Read the sections on Realism and Liberalism

[edit] Supplementary Reading

• Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace by Hans Morgenthau, Chapters 1 and 3

[edit] Assignments

• This is a 1,000 word assignment.
• Outline the assumptions of Realism and Liberalism concerning human nature. How do these assumptions influence each theory's view of International Relations?

[edit] Unit 3: Constructivist Theories

[edit] Learning Materials

[edit] Reading List

• Adler E. "Seizing the middle ground. Constructivism in World Politics", European Journal of International Relations, 1997, vol.3, issue 3, pages 319-363
• Checkel J."The Constructivism turn in International Relations Theory" World Politics vol. 50, issue 1, 1998, pages 324-348
• Hopf T."The promise of Constructivism in International Relations Theory" International Security, vol. 23, issue 1, 1998, pages 171-200
• Price R. Reus-Smith C."Dangerous liaisons? Critical international theory and Constructivism" European Journal of International Relations, vol. 4, issue 3, pages 259-294
• Wendt A., Social Theory of International Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999.

[edit] Unit 4: World Politics since 1945

[edit] Learning Materials

• The Cold War
• Israel-Palestine
• The gulf war
• International relations in WW2

[edit] Reading List

• Calvocoressi, Peter; World Politics since 1945. Addison Wesley Longman, 1996.

[edit] Assignments

[edit] Unit 5: International Political Economy

[edit] Learning Materials

[edit] Reading List

• Gilpin, Robert; The Political Economy of International Relations. Princeton N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1987.
• Gilpin, Robert; Global Political Economy - Understanding the International Economy Order. Princeton N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2001.
• Gilpin, Robert; The Challenge of Global Capitalism - The World Economy in the 21th Century. Princeton N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2000.

[edit] Assignments

[edit] Unit 6: Security Studies

[edit] Learning Materials

• Humanitarian Intervention
• International System and Strategic Weapons
• Weapons Proliferation

[edit] Reading List

• Collins A. (ed.), Contemporary Security Studies. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.
• Kolodziej E., Security and International Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005.
• Terriff T., Croft S., James L., Morgan P., Security Studies Today. Cambridge: Polity Press, 1999.

[edit] Assignments