Historical International Relations

Undergraduate / Graduate

Was the global order always made of the "like-units" we call states? Is colonialism truly a thing of the past? Is there more to learn about global interactions from history? The core evidence and theories of International Relations are entrenched in the history of the 20th century, especially in the wake of the World Wars. However, scholars have long identified 1648, or even as early as 1495, as the launching point for modern international relations. This course introduces the field of Historical International Relations and challenges students to think more broadly about global politics. Guided by major themes from International Relations such as world order, empire, and conflict, we will explore scholarship written with a historical perspective going back to the early modern period. We will see how historically-minded scholars critique, reconcile, and engage the field of IR while also unpacking the challenges presented by this type of scholarship.