PPE3105 – Foundations of International Relations
This course introduces students to key issues underlying the interaction of states and transnational actors in the international system, particularly the problems of international peace and cooperation, regionalism, democratization, nationalism and cultural conflict.
The course will begin with an introduction to International Relations Theory (IRT), before exposing students to some critical perspectives of IRT. After some presentations designed to examine students’ understanding of the theories covered, we will discuss several empirical case studies and global issues.
The overall aim of the course is to integrate theory and practice by presenting theoretical ideas in conjunction with a range of historical and contemporary case studies.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Provide a basic background in the main theories of International Relations (e.g. Realism, Liberalism and Marxism).
- Offer an introduction to critical and constitutive theories of International Relations (Critical Theory, Poststructuralism and Postcolonialism).
- Review the application of theories to empirical cases and global issues.
- Connect IR history and theory
- Connect IR theory with ‘real-life’