History of International Relations

2022/2023

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

5

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

Course type:

Elective course

When:

2 year, 3, 4 module

Instructor

Scherbakov, Nikolay G.

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course “History of International Relations, XX century” is aimed for the students who mastered the basics of World History of New and Modern Period. They are supposed to compare now the main sources and the nature of international tension that characterized the pre-First World War as well as the pre-Second World War periods. This will be carried out through the analyses of main ideological, political, economic and cultural trends both of international and regional scale. The personal influence over the system of International Relations by outstanding figures of the XX century historical scene will be analyzed. All this will enable to trace the true reasons for the start of Cold War straight after the common victory in WW-II. The developments of the second half of the XX-th century will be studied through the prism of UN formation, creation of bi-polar system, decolonization process, establishment of new actors for the system of international relations. All this will bring us closer to the understanding of main ideas and comprehensive theory of international relations created by modern foreign politics exercised by numerous sovereign states

Learning Objectives

• The course “History of International Relations, XX Century” is aimed to place student into the center of modern discourse dealing with comprehensive bilateral and multilateral agreements, driving forces and сharismatic personalities that created the modern system of International Relations.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• In general: All history courses develop students' knowledge of how past events influence today's society
• Students gain knowledge of the history of International Relations in the XX-th century.This knowledge will serve as a foundation for further study of the theory of international relations as well as a tool for understanding modern foreign policy exercised by numerous states

Course Contents

• Introduction: The creation of multipolar world structure resulting from First World War.
• Novelties introduced by Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations into the system of International Relations.
• The destiny of great Empires according or against the will of their peoples. "Summing up" - testing the results of the introductory part.
• Post-war settlement in Eastern Asia and creation of Versailles- Washington Order.
• The impact of World economic crisis onto Versailles- Washington Order. "Summing up" - testing the results of the first part.
• Crisis of Versailles- Washington Order: ideological and regional specifics in second half of 1930-th .
• The initial period of WW-II and structural features of Anti-Hitler Coalition through WW-II.
• Laying out the post-war World Order and start of new confrontation resulting from WW-II.
• Shaping the bi-polar international system: initial forms and regional motivations – gazing from the West.
• Shaping the bi-polar international system: initial forms and regional motivations – gazing from the East.
• Risky walk on the brink of war in 1950-th – beginning of 1960-th.
• "Summing up" - testing the results of the second part.
• Numerous confrontations as hot-points of Cold war.
• Stabilization of the system of international relations and ripening of relaxation of international tension.
• Failure of détente and dangerous renewal of bipolar confrontation.
• Breakup of the Yalta system. "Summing up" - testing the results of the third part.

Assessment Elements

• Class participation and positive attendance
• Final exam
  Examination Type: standard interlocution being guided by the examination ticket*s questions (2) which are supposed to cover the material covered by lectures and additional discussions inspired by them in the classes. Additional questions can be utilized in order to clear up the real level of student*s understanding\proficiency.
• Intermediate Test 1
  "Summing up" - testing the results of the first part
• Intermediate Test 2
  "Summing up" - testing the results of the second part
• Intermediate Test 3
  "Summing up" - testing the results of the third part

Interim Assessment

• 2022/2023 4th module
  0.1 * Intermediate Test 3 + 0.1 * Intermediate Test 2 + 0.1 * Intermediate Test 1 + 0.5 * Final exam + 0.2 * Class participation and positive attendance

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Gaddis, J. L. (DE-588)11168529X, (DE-576)161044484. (2006). The Cold War / John Lewis Gaddis. London: Allen Lane. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.250201704
• Martin, T. (DE-588)124672329, (DE-576)294440348. (2001). The affirmative action empire : nations and nationalism in the Soviet Union; 1923 - 1939 / Terry Martin. Ithaca [u.a.]: Cornell Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.09042428X
• Rogan, E. L. (2015). The Fall of the Ottomans : The Great War in the Middle East. New York, NY: Basic Books. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=953819
• Westad, O. A. (2007). The Global Cold War : Third World Interventions and the Making of Our Times: Vol. 1st pbk. ed. Cambridge University Press.
• Zubok, V. M. (2007). A Failed Empire : The Soviet Union in the Cold War From Stalin to Gorbachev. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=301081

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Ganguly, L. (2007). Alexei Yurchak: Everything Was Forever, Until It Was No More: The Last Soviet Generation. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.951C3C60