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Regular version of the site
Bachelor 2019/2020

History of International Relations

Area of studies: International Relations
When: 2 year, 1, 2, 4 module
Mode of studies: offline
Instructors: Andrey A. Iserov
Language: English
ECTS credits: 6
Contact hours: 104

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

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

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

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

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Seminar activity
  • non-blocking Mock Exam I
  • non-blocking Mock Exam II
  • non-blocking 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.
  • non-blocking Seminar Activity
Interim Assessment

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

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