DWA 266 History and Theory of International Politics

This course aims to introduce students to both analytic and normative approaches to the study of international politics. In the first part of the course the historiography of both the states-system and the academic discipline of International Relations (IR) are examined along with the methodological issues underlying IR (and the social sciences in general). The second part of the course is devoted to learning about theories of international politics - e.g. (Neo)Realism (Neo)Liberalism (Neo)Marxism Post-modernism/-structuralism Gender and IR Constructivism - and examining the debates within and between them. The Last part of the course considers the application and implications of theories discussed to and for major present-day trends and developments such as globalization militarism financial crises extremism and environmental degradation. This course is above all designed to help students think talk and write in an informed and critical manner about international issues.