This course provides a survey of international relations history with a focus primarily on European diplomatic history from 1648 through 1945.

Course Objectives:

The course aims:

• To study major international movements and events to understand the evolution of the modern sovereign nation-state system
• To comprehend the critical political concepts in the field of International Relations, like sovereignty, social contact, power politics, and balance of power with the help of historical developments from the treaty of Westphalia to the end Second World War.
• To study the role of political and religious ideologies, which have played significant role in shaping the international system

Course Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the course, the student would be able to:

• Acquire the basic knowledge about the evolution of the sovereign nation state system
• Understand the rise and fall of the great powers and their influences on the development of International system
•  Analyze, investigate and evaluate the contemporary problems with help of historical developments in Europe from 1648 to 1945
•  Demonstrate the ability and capability to critically examine the role of religious, ideological and political movements in shaping the foreign policies of great powers.

Assessment Criteria:

75% of attendance would be mandatory to take the final term exams. Students are expected to come to class well prepared, having read the assigned reading, audio/video lectures shared in respective groups for each class. Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions and ask questions.

Sessional: Viva Voce/Quiz/ Assignment: 20%

Midterm Examination: MCQs Online: 30%

Final Term  Examination: 50%

Viva Voce: 25% (WhatsApp)

Multiple Choice Questions 25% (Online Examination) 

Course Contents:

1. European politics  (a) Religious and political factors  (b)Renaissance
2. Treaty of Westphalia 1648; Implication and effects of the treaty
3. The Age of Absolutism
4. French Revolution 
5. Congress of Vienna 1815
6. Industrial Revolution
7. Major European powers
8. Balance of Power in Europe
9. First World War; Causes and consequences
10. Treaty of Versailles 1919; Implication and effects of the Treaty
11. The emergence of the League of Nations
12. The Great Economic Depression
13. Fascism in Italy and Nazism in Germany
14. Second World War; Causes and consequences
15. The emergence of the United Nations

Recommended Books:

1. Tim Blanning, The Pursuit of Glory: Europe 1648-1815 (London: Penguine, 2008).
2. Henry Kissenger, Diplomacy (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995).
3. Paul Kennedy, The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers (London: Vintage, 1989).
4. M.S Anderson, The Ascendancy of Europe 1815-1914. (London: Longman, 1972).
5. David Thompson, Europe Since Napoleon (New York: Knopf, 1962).
6. Albrecht R. Carrie, A Diplomatic History of Europe: Since the Congress of Vienna (London, Methuen, 1955)

​Lectures: Monday & Wednesday (9:30-11:00 am) Monday & Tuesday (2:00-3:30 pm)