Intro International Relations

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This course provides students with a basic framework for understanding the nature of contemporary international relations. The first part covers the intellectual traditions and classical theories used for examining the international system (realism, liberalism, radicalism, behavioralism). The second part looks at enduring issues in global security; great power competition, globalization, the problem of war, terrorism, and the emerging crises of environmental change and natural resource depletion. Throughout the course, we will take time to discuss the ethical dilemmas we confront when theory meets real world developments. Upon completion, students should be able to identify key concepts, actors, and issues in the modern interstate system and be prepared for advanced coursework in the field of international relations.