History of International Relations

2019/2020

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

6

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

Course type:

Compulsory course

When:

2 year, 1, 2, 4 module

Instructor

Iserov, Andrey A.

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course deals with the history of international relations broadly defined from 1945 to present. It includes such themes as the global Cold War, the post-Cold War restructuring of international relations, and the recent developments such as the rise of world terrorism and the rise of East Asia, primarily China.

Learning Objectives

• The course and this subject guide aim to provide understanding of the major problems of the Cold War as a system of international relations, and the post-Cold War global changes and challenges to the global balance.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate that they have thoroughly understood the core literature on the history of international relations after the Second World War;
• explain how the Cold War originated and how and why it ended;
• relate local and regional aspects of particular conflicts to the broader international aspects of the Cold War which influenced them;
• describe how Cold War international crises were perceived and responded to, particularly by the USA, in various parts of the world;

Course Contents

• Introduction to the study of history of international relations after 1945. Main definitions.
• Post-war planning and the breakdown of the Grand Alliance, 1943–1944
• The German question and the Marshall Plan: preventing the spread of Communism, 1946–1948
• The onset of the Cold War: from containment to rollback, 1948–1953
• Intelligence, propaganda and covert operations. Nuclear weapons and Cold War
• The Sino-Soviet split
• Détente, 1969–1979
• The Cold War in Asia – Korea
• The Cold War in Asia – Vietnam
• The Soviet Union and the Cold War in eastern Europe, 1947–1962
• The Cold War in Latin America – Guatemala and the Cuban Revolution, 1950–1963
• The Cold War in the Middle East – the Arab-Israeli Conflict, 1950–2000
• The Cold War in Africa – Congo, the UN and Angola, 1959–1976
• The end of the Cold War and the collapse of communism
• The rise of China
• The USA and the War on Terror. The USA and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq

Assessment Elements

• Seminar activity
• Mock Exam I
• Mock Exam II
• UoL exam (международный экзамен)
  The final examination is organised by the University of London as a three hour written exam via VLE platform. The student will be given a choice of twelve questions, out of which exactly three must be answered in any order. Each question must be answered in the form of a free response essay.
• Seminar Activity

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (4 module)
  0.2 * Mock Exam I + 0.2 * Mock Exam II + 0.2 * Seminar activity + 0.2 * Seminar Activity + 0.2 * UoL exam (международный экзамен)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Dunbabin, J. P. . (2014). The Post-Imperial Age: The Great Powers and the Wider World : International Relations Since 1945: a History in Two Volumes. Hoboken: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=813139
• Robbins, K. (1998). The World Since 1945 : A Concise History. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=150025

Recommended Additional 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
• Leffler, M. P. (2006). Remembering George Kennan [electronic resource] : lessons for today? / Melvyn P. Leffler. Washington, DC : U.S. Institute of Peace, 2006. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsgpr&AN=edsgpr.000596557