Welcome! The course introduces you to the development of international relations since 1945. Over the next four months, we will consider how the international order developed in the aftermath of the Second World War. We will examine the rise of bipolar and multi-polar international systems, the rise and resolution of inter-and intra-alliance conflicts, and the effort by some communities to remain non-aligned. Throughout the term, I want you to consider whether and/or how this course’s defining meta-conflict, the Cold War, affected developments in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

The course aims:

• To study the background and nature of important issues in international relations
• To focus on the evolution of world politics since the end of World War II
• To comprehend the complexities of power politics in historical context
• To provide an in-depth analysis of international problems in the realm of global politics

Course prerequisites: None

Course Learning Outcomes:

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

• Explain the causes of the emergence of specific issues
• Understand the role of international institutions, political processes, diplomatic events, the interaction between states and other factors which are responsible to shape the world politics
• Develop their own opinion about the political dynamics of recent developments in international relations.

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/Assignment/Quiz: 20%

Midterm Examination: Paper : 30% (Online Examination)

Final Term  Examination: 50%

Viva Voce: 25% (Online)

Multiple Choice Questions 25% (Online Examination) 

Important Dates:

Sessional (Viva-Voce/Quiz): 23-27 November 2020 (Monday to Friday)

Term paper submission: 30 November 2020 (Monday)

Midterm Examination: 14-18 December 2020 (Monday to Friday)

Final Term Examination: 8-12 February 2021  ( Monday to Friday)

Declaration of Results: February 19, 2021 (Friday) 

Course Contents

1. East-West Relations:

a. Impact of World War II on global politics

b. The emergence of the Cold War and Bipolarity

c. The policy of Containment and Related Events

d. The response of the Soviet Union towards Containment

e. Third World Developments-South Asia, Middle East, Afghanistan

f. Decolonization

g. The emergence of Non-aligned Movement

h. Sino-Soviet split and Sino-American rapprochement

i. Détente: East-West Cooperation and Peaceful Co-existence

j. The disintegration of the Soviet Union: Causes and consequences

2. Post-Cold War Era

a. United Nations in the post-Cold War Era

b. Russia in the Post-Soviet setting

c. Changing the role of NATO

d. Emerging Regionalism and Economic Organizations

3. New Poles of International Power and Influence:

a. Rise of China as a Major Power

b. The emergence of Japan and Germany as Economic Powers

c. Rise of the Asia-Pacific region

Readings:

1. John W. Young and John Kent, International Relations Since 1945 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013).

2. Judge, Edward H., and John W. Langdon, eds. The Cold War Through Documents: A Global History. Rowman &  Littlefield, 2017.

Lectures Timings:

BS Political Science 5th semester 

(Regular): Wednesdays (8:00-9:00 am) & Thursdays (9:30-11:00 am)