Political Science: Intro International Relations

Examines the major theories of international relations, important concepts in the study of international relations (such as the balance of power and democratic peace theory), dilemmas leaders face when formulating foreign policies, and current international events. Credit not awarded for both POLS 1500 and POLS 1015.

Asynchronous online

This is an exciting time to be studying international relations. There is a great deal of instability. For example, international institutions seem to be in crisis mode. NATO and the EU are experiencing unanticipated political, economic, and social consequences of expansion, including border closings in reaction to a wave of refugees. As a result of a historical referendum, Britain has finally negotiated its withdrawal from the EU – otherwise known as Brexit. The U.S. has withdrawn from critical international agreements including the Iran nuclear deal, the Paris Climate Accord, and the TPP trade deal (Trans-Pacific Partnership). It may withdraw from the World Heath Organization, and it appears to be ceasing all foreign assistance programs. Global powers are asserting or reasserting themselves as the U.S. plays a smaller role in the international community. Russia is asserting itself abroad: it annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, inserted itself in Syria's civil war and then gave former President Assad protection in Russia, interfered in the US 2016 elections, and invaded Ukraine in 2022. China continues exert influence as it asserts its financial power abroad through the “Belt and Road Initiative,” which involves investment and infrastructure development in more than 100 countries. Trade is an increasingly controversial topic. While China increases trade networks with Africa, the U.S. threatens to impose or imposes tariffs on imported goods from China, Japan, Canada and Mexico. The US and China remain deadlocked in a trade war – or is it a series of trade battles? The brutal Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens led to the war in Gaza, which remains emblematic of the unresolved Arab-Israeli conflict. North Korea’s nuclear weapons tests present challenges to the international community but also opportunities for multilateral cooperation. The U.S.-North Korean summit in 2018 was historic, but it was far from a game changer. Yet there are examples of cooperation in this sea of conflict. For example, after decades of mutual hostility and distrust, the US and Cuba are building a relationship marked by the 2015 opening of a US embassy in Havana. The European Union member states are working more closely together than they have in the post-WWII era on security, economic, and political issues. The purpose of this course is to provide you with the theoretical tools necessary to critically analyze the conflict and cooperation that characterize world politics. This course will address a number of important questions regarding how states interact with each other, and how states interact with non-state actors such as the United Nations. We will explore competing explanations for state behavior, such as realism and liberalism, as well as theories addressing the same questions including hegemonic stability theory, international regime theory, and democratic peace theory.

By the end of the course, students will be able to explain and differentiate between the two dominant theories of international relations: Realism and Liberalism. Students will also be able to identify the premise of hegemonic stability theory, international regime theory, and democratic peace theory. Finally, students will be able to apply Realism and Liberalism to an international event that is characterized by conflict and/or cooperation.

Four multiple choice-true/false Brightspace exams. Details forthcoming.