Bachelor
2019/2020
The Theory of International Relations
Type:
Compulsory course (Advertising and Public Relations)
Area of studies:
Advertising and Public Relations
Delivered by:
School of Communication
When:
4 year, 3 module
Mode of studies:
distance learning
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Contact hours:
2
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course aims to introduce the key assumptions of the international relations theory as a part of social science and as an analytic tool, focusing on the problems of war and peace, foreign policy decision-making, etc. The course combines historic approach and analysis of the modern political problems. The historic part shows the evolution of the international relations theory from being a part of political philosophy to its emergence as a special branch of political science, which is essential to understand the key ideas of the IR science. The lectures also include broad outline of the modern concepts and debates in the context of the contemporary political problems, such as rise of China and other emerging powers, threat of terrorism, US-Russia confrontation, etc.
Learning Objectives
- To learn about theoretical approaches in IR
- To be able to use theoretical approaches to describe and analyse IR phenomenon
Expected Learning Outcomes
- To be aware of the major authors and discourses in realist perspective of early IR.
- To use the theoretical approaches and concepts to explain the phenomenon of liberalism in IR
- To understand and be able to use in argumentation concepts of World wars
- To ba able to describe and explain the genesis of IR as a dicipline
- To identify the role of Cold War in IR theory
- To be able to explain the current state of IR using approaches emerged after Cold War
- To use theoretical approach of neoliberalism to discuss and explain IR phenomena
- To be able to use concepts and main approaches of Marxist and Neo-Marxist thought to explain real cases in IR
- To recognize critical approach in IR theory
- To use the vocabulary of critical scholars and consequently analyse the phenomenon of IR
- To know the variety of approaches to concept of actor in IR theory
- To be able to apply the corresponding vocabulary in research design
- To know and apply the concept of power in IR analysis in various contexts
- To be able to discuss approaches to global governance utilising appropriate vocabulary
- To be able to conduct the analysis of global governance in IR
- To be able to agrue on the difference of realist approach in IR in early and modern ages
- To discuss the role of Russia in IR
Course Contents
- Birth of the science and classical traditionThe module aims to introduce to the ancient roots of the modern IR theories. Starting form Thucydides and his "History of Peloponnesian War" the lecture teaches to the student's further intellectual development of the realist paradigm of international relations: Machiavelli, Hobbes and creation of the Treaty of Westphalia, which in many respects became a foundation of the modern international politics.
- Origins of LiberalismThe lecture introduces the students to the second grand paradigm of international relations: liberalism. What if the international politics is not a static world of fights and survival, but a permanent movement to a better world? The origins of the new approach lies in the age of Enlightenment and even earlier - in the very core ideas of Christianity.
- The beginning: the World Wars and genesis of the IR scienceSince the very beginning the development of political thought was hugely stimulated by wars. In the first half of the XX century the question of war and peace became critical for survival of our civilisation. The module introduces to the great debates between the two grand paradigms during the World Wars and explains how the first scientific theories emerged from these debates.
- Kenneth Waltz and Structural TheoryThe Cold War became a new intellectual challenge for the IR thinkers. How to survive in the nuclear age? The module introduces to the realist answer, which took a form of the structural realism.
- Neoliberalism: The Liberal paradigm after the WWIIThe module aims to teach the evolution of the liberal paradigm during the Cold War. Failed to build up an "eternal peace" after the French Revolution and after the WWI, liberalism proposes a new, even more comprehensive theory to make a new attempt.
- Marxism and Neo-MarxismWhile the two classical paradigms passes through great debates, Marxism proposes a fundamentally different picture of the world. Welcome to the world of class struggle and imperialist wars: a comprehensive study of economic factors, which drives the world politics will challenge the very basic assumptions of realism and liberalism.
- Critical IR theories (Constructivism, Postmodernism, Feminism)The end of the Cold War, which have never been predicted by any classical theory, put a question about their legitimacy and broke up fundamental academic debates. The module introduce to the so-called critical theories and their interpretation of the key problems of world politics.
- Actors in international relationsThe module focuses on the one of the key theoretical problems in the IR science: who is actor of international politics? While some theories assumes that only states have enough capabilities ti be considered as actors if IR, some concepts assume that even an individual can play an important role. The module introduces the students to these important debates.
- Power in international relationsPower is the fundamental category of political science. What is power in IR and how can we classify it? What is the balance of power concept? Which state is the most powerful in the world and can a non-state actor dominate the world politics? The module give answers to these and other questions relating the topic.
- Global governanceIs it possible to establish a world government? And will it lead to "eternal peace"? These questions are essential to understand the key patterns and contradictions, which drive the modern international politics.
- Back to classics: the Realist Paradigm in the XXI centuryThe most ancient concept emerges again in the XXI century: with new conflicts, hybrid wars and power struggle between the key states realism seems to be the best to explain international politics. Does it mean that the mankind never changes and the modern world is not so different from the world of Thucydides? Or the realist theories just adapt themselves to the modern world?
- Russia as a realist powerRussian foreign policy seems to be a mystery for many observers. The module proposes a realist interpretation of the Russian actions within the international system. Does it give an all out explanations?
Assessment Elements
- Test. Classical tradition
- Test. From Christianity to Liberalism: Idealistic Tradition in IR Theory
- Test. World Wars and birth of IR science
- Test. Kenneth Waltz and Structural Realism
- Test. Neoliberalism. Liberal paradigm after the WWI and Cold War
- Test. Marxism and Neo-Marxism
- Test. Critical Theories of IR
- Test. Actors in international relations
- Test. Power in IR
- Test. Global governance
- Test. Back to classics: Realist paradigm in the XXI century
- Final essay
Interim Assessment
- Interim assessment (3 module)0.12 * Final essay + 0.08 * Test. Actors in international relations + 0.08 * Test. Back to classics: Realist paradigm in the XXI century + 0.08 * Test. Classical tradition + 0.08 * Test. Critical Theories of IR + 0.08 * Test. From Christianity to Liberalism: Idealistic Tradition in IR Theory + 0.08 * Test. Global governance + 0.08 * Test. Kenneth Waltz and Structural Realism + 0.08 * Test. Marxism and Neo-Marxism + 0.08 * Test. Neoliberalism. Liberal paradigm after the WWI and Cold War + 0.08 * Test. Power in IR + 0.08 * Test. World Wars and birth of IR science
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Baldwin, D. A. (2016). Power and International Relations : A Conceptual Approach. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1090916
- Donnelly J. Realism and international relations. – Cambridge University Press, 2000.
- Puchala D. J. Theory and history in international relations. – Routledge, 2013.
- Russia's Identity in International Relations : Images, Perceptions, Misperceptions, edited by Raymond Taras, Routledge, 2012. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1039305.
- Scholte, J. A. (2011). Building Global Democracy? : Civil Society and Accountable Global Governance. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=366297
- The Oxford handbook of international relations / ed. by Christian Reus-Smit . (2008). Oxford [u.a.]: Oxford Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.253060060
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Atkins, J. (2010). Moral Argument and the Justification of Policy: New Labour’s Case for Welfare Reform. British Journal of Politics & International Relations, 12(3), 408–424. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-856X.2010.00415.x
- Brown, C., & Ainley, K. (2009). Understanding International Relations (Vol. Foruth edition). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1522816
- Donald J. Puchala. (1999). Institutionalism, Intergovernmentalism and European Integration: A Review Article. Journal of Common Market Studies, (2), 317. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5965.00165
- Felluga, D. F. (2015). Critical Theory: The Key Concepts (Vol. First edition). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=981115
- Kaddous, C. (2015). The European Union in International Organisations and Global Governance : Recent Developments. Oxford: Hart Publishing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1057756
- Kennedy, D. W. (2008). The Mystery of Global Governance. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.65985926
- Rengger, N. J. . (DE-588)121634248, (DE-576)167219286. (2000). International relations, political theory and the problem of order : beyond international relations theory? / N. J. Rengger. London [u.a.]: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.078786320
- Spohr, K., & Reynolds, D. (2016). Transcending the Cold War : Summits, Statecraft, and the Dissolution of Bipolarity in Europe, 1970–1990. Oxford: OUP Oxford. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1339515
- Walt, S. M. (1998). International relations: One world, many theories. Foreign Policy, (110), 29. https://doi.org/10.2307/1149275