INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY-I

Course Description

The primary purpose of this course is to examine theoretical efforts to understand the core concepts and theories of international relations. The first half of the course will focus on the traditional perspectives in world politics; the second half of the course will emphasize new challenges to the study of traditional theories of international relations. Both in the first and second halves of the course, we will apply number of theories of foreign policy-making, international conflict and international economics. The theories such as Neo-Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism, Neo-Marxism are based on a wide range of levels of analysis and reflects the multiple worldviews.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY-I

Evaluation Tools (Active Term)

Course outcomes

1. 01 The course deals with the mainstream theories within the IR discipline and focus on realist, liberal, international society, critical and constructivist approaches (4).
2. 02 The course equips student with theoretical concepts and paradigms that explains the different aspects of international political phenomena (4).

Course Syllabus

Reference Books & Course Materials

1. 01 Tim Dunne (et. Al.), International Relations Theories Discipline and Diversity, 6th ed., Oxford University Press, 2024
2. 02 Baylis, John. The globalization of world politics: An introduction to international relations. Oxford university press 10th edition, USA, 2026.

Learning Outcomes

1. L01 Deealing with the mainstream theories within the IR discipline and focus on realist, liberal, international society, critical and constructivist approaches SOLO 4
2. L02 Equipping student with theoretical concepts and paradigms that explains the different aspects of international political phenomena SOLO 4
3. L03 Students will be able to describe main theoretical and conceptual frameworks in International Relations. SOLO 3
4. L04 Students will be able to identify the strength and weaknesses of various internatioanal relations theories. SOLO 2

Program Outcomes

1. P01 1. Having the ability to understand and discuss international relations discipline by using an interdisciplinary methodology to merge the knowledge coming from sociology, economics, psychology, political sciences well as diplomatic history.
2. P02 2. Having an adequate knowledge of the history and the epochs of international system and being able to identify historical evolution of the contemporary world politics.
3. P03 3. Recognizing local, regional and international actors functioning within the international system.
4. P04 4. Understanding the legal framework of the current international system
5. P05 5. Ability to identify the relations between the key actors of the international system – the states – from a theoretical as well as multi-dimensional scientific and academic methods.
6. P06 6. Ability to analyse the roles and positions of the non-state actors – international organizations in particular – within the current world system.
7. P07 7. Ability to recognize political, socio-economic and cultural structures embedded in international relations.
8. P08 8. Exploring the roots of conflicts among the actors and produce solutions at local, regional and international levels with an analytical focus.
9. P09 9. Being able to understand the politics and the functioning of political institutions in theory and practice.
10. P10 10. Understanding the historical emergence of various political cultures and gaining ability to assess them comparatively.
11. P11 11. Prepare international relations graduates; having a vast knowledge, academic formation and skills to work in public offices, civil society organizations, international institutions and companies at local and global levels.
12. P12 12. To have moral and ethical understanding in the field of work.

Po-Lo Matrix