Бакалавриат
2026/2027
История международных отношений
ID 1124598
Статус:
Курс обязательный (Политология и мировая политика)
Где читается:
Санкт-Петербургская школа социальных наук
Когда читается:
1-й курс, 3, 4 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для своего кампуса
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
5
Контактные часы:
60
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course "History of International Relations" covers the evolution of diplomatic, political, and economic ties between states from the Peace of Westphalia to the present day. It focuses on the formation of a multipolar world, colonial empires, world wars, and the creation of collective security systems (League of Nations, UN). Special attention is given to the Cold War as a bipolar model, as well as decolonization and globalization processes. Students will examine key treaties, the role of international organizations, and the influence of non-state actors. The course analyzes the root causes of conflicts and mechanisms for reaching compromises, with emphasis on the national interests of great powers. The aim is to develop a systemic understanding of global political logic and the skills to analyze foreign policy events.
Learning Objectives
- The main learning objectives are: - To develop a systemic understanding of the development of international relations. - To form an understanding the origins of the problems of modern international relations. - To identify patterns in the historical process in international relations.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Analyzes and interprets the logic of the development of the international relations system
- Interprets trends and patterns in the development of international relations in modern and contemporary times
- Describes and explains the source base for research on international issues
- Characterizes the main directions of the foreign policy of leading states
- Characterizes the interaction and interdependence of regional communities within the Westphalian and Vienna, Versailles-Washington, and Yalta-Potsdam systems of international relations
- Interprets reasons and purposes of international conflicts
- Analyzes politics of the Great Powers and its policy in different regions of the world
- Describes and explains controversial issues of countries negotiations
- Indicates circumstances and impacts of international conflicts
- Determines of main factors in Great Powers' negotiations
- Evaluates current international relations features and trends, issues and negotiation
Course Contents
- The system of inter-state and international relations and the basics of diplomacy.
- The birth of modern diplomacy (17th–19th centuries)
- Great Power rivalry and the World War, 1900–1917
- The search for European stability, 1917–29
- Japan, China and the origins of the Pacific War, 1900–41
- The path to European War, 1930–39
- WWII and the First Cold War in Europe, 1945–61
- Asia in turmoil: nationalism. revolution and the rise of the Cold War, 1945–53
- From Cold War to Detente, 1962–79
- Neutralism, development and the rise of the Third World, 1945–2007
- THE USA and Americas, 1900–2007
- Africa: decolonisation and independence, 1945–2007
- The Arab Israel conflict
- The rise of political Islam, 1928–2000
Assessment Elements
- Lecture TestThe test is conducted in the first 7 minutes of the lecture based on the materials of the previous topic. Each test consists of 7 multiple-choice questions. Students write the test answers on a piece of paper.
- In-class activityLecturer evaluates students’ progress, including comprehension of lecture materials and assigned readings, as well as contribution to discussions. The component is calculated as an average grade achieved on all seminars. If a student is not able to attend the seminar due to illness or any other legitimate reason (relevant document should be provided), he/she is not graded for that seminar. A student can complete the tasks for a missed class and receive a grade. But in this case, the student cannot receive the maximum grade. In all other cases students are graded with 0 for the seminar they have missed.
- Final examAt the end of Module 4 there will be a three-hour written exam. The exam paper will comprise a choice of questions based on the topics covered in the course. Students will be expected to answer TWO questions, writing essay-length answers of around 600-1000 words each. It is recommended (but not essential) that this assignment is structured to include something like the following, four sections: I. Introduction, which provides a brief version of the answer along with a guide to the essay; II. Literature review, which engages with selected historical literature from the relevant theme(s) of the course; III. Analysis, which provides an explanation of the answer - an analytical section; IV. Conclusion, which restates the answer and reflects on its implications in terms of understanding and explaining a period of recent history and / or a particular theory / debate.
Interim Assessment
- 2026/2027 4th module0.15 * Lecture Test + 0.2 * In-class activity + 0.3 * Final exam
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Bakir, A. (2023). Islam and International Relations (IR): Why is there no Islamic IR theory?. Third World Quarterly, 44(1), 22-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2022.2121695
- Gerits, F. (2026). How African Decolonization Challenged the Notion of Cold War Polarity: The End of Empire, Modernization, and International Relations Theory in the 1950s and 1960s. Global Studies Quarterly, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/isagsq/ksag039
- Prezioso, S. (2022). Globalisation, internationalism and the Great War. Labor History, 63(4), 492-502. https://doi.org/10.1080/0023656X.2022.2055750
- Zisser, E. (2023). Israel in the Middle East 75 years on. Israel Affairs, 29(3), 459-472. https://doi.org/10.1080/13537121.2023.2206209
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Hashemi, N. (2021). Political Islam: A 40 Year Retrospective. Religions, 12(2), 130. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12020130
- The globalization of world politics: an introduction to international relations, Baylis, J., 2017