Objectives:

The objective of this course is to highlight the significance and introduce the fundamentals of International Relations to the students. The course is an introduction to the actors, issues and processes of international relations as well as the theories that attempt to explain them. The class will examine some of the major questions that are central to understanding world politics and international affairs: What are the causes of war and peace? When actors decide to go into war or to cooperate? What challenges does globalization impose on states? The class emphasizes critical thinking and encourages students to identify international relations theories that have greater explanatory power for issues that will be discussed in class.

Course Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify, describe and apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study of International Relations to the analysis of political ideas, practices and issues in the international system;
2. Compare and contrast the political significance of multiple polities coexisting and of political boundary drawing and transforming politics and practices;
3. Differentiate and evaluate interpretations of international political events and issues in historical and contemporary context; and
4. Analyze the major structural changes in the inter-state system and assess their contemporary ramifications.

Contents:

1.  Meaning, Definition, Nature, and Scope of International Relations
2.  Evolution and Development of International Relations
3.  Significance of International Relations
4.  Concept of Nation State
5.   International System and Sub-Systems
6.   Approaches to International Relations: Theories of IR
7.   Foreign Policy
8.   Power and Balance of Power
9.   National Interest  
10. Diplomacy
11. New International Economic Order 
12. Non-Alignment Movement  
13. Regionalism and Globalization
14. State and Non-state Actors
15. International Law
16. International Organizations
17. Human Rights in International Relations
18. The Concept of War and Peace in International Relations

Assessment Criteria:

1. Sessional: 20%

1. Attendance and Class Participation: 10%

• 75% attendance would be mandatory to take the final term exams.
• Students are encouraged to participate in class discussion. Cell phones must be turned off.

1. Every student is required to submit a short-term paper ranging from 2000 to 3000 words on the assigned topic: 5%
2. Presentations: 5%

1. Mid Term Examination: 30%
2. Final Term Examination: 50%

Class Days and Timings:

                                Thursday & Friday (09:30-11:00)

Core Books:

1. Baylis, J., S. Smith and P. Owens (2011). The globalization of world politics : an introduction to international relations. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
2. Goldstine, Josha. International Relation. Washington DC: Pearson Education, 2003
3.    Lawson, Stephanie. International Relations; Cambridge; Polity, 2003.
4.    Columbus, Theodore. Introduction to International Relations: Power and Justice. New Delhi: Prentice Hall, 1992.

Recommended Books:

1. Amstutz, Mark R. International Conflict and Cooperation: An Introduction to World Politics. (Chicago: Brown & Benchmark, 1995)
2. Griffiths, Martin, and Callaghan, Terry O’. International Relations: The Key Concepts. London, Routledge, 2003.
3. Henderson, Conway W. International Relations: Conflict & Cooperation at the Turn of the 21st Century Boston: McGraw-Hill, 1998.
4. Jackson, Robert and Sorensen; Georg, Introduction to International Relations Theories and Approaches, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003.