The Theory of International Relations

Bachelor 2022/2023

Type: Compulsory course (International Bachelor's Programme in World Politics)

Area of studies: Public Policy and Social Sciences

Delivered by: Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

Where: Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

When: 3 year, 3, 4 module

Mode of studies: distance learning

Online hours: 16

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: Anna Drozdova, Andrej Krickovic, Anastasiia Makareva, Artem Maltsev, Elizaveta Zakharova

Language: English

ECTS credits: 5

Contact hours: 82

Full Syllabus Ask Question

Abstract

Welcome to International Relations Theory! In this course, we will examine the different ways in which international politics is understood, explained, interpreted and judged by different theoretical traditions and paradigms. We will be exploring different frameworks for thinking about why and how international politics works in the way that it does, but also for thinking about how international politics ought to be. The course will focus primarily on theoretical texts and concepts, rather than on empirical or historical knowledge, though we will try to relate the ideas discussed in to the empirical and real world examples from international politics.

Learning Objectives

This course will allow you to develop a broad knowledge of the tools used in studying international relations and of the debates between different theoretical perspectives. We will acquaint you with ideas, concepts and texts in international political theory (both classical and modern) in their historical context, introduce you to issues of methodology in IR, and enable you to think critically about alternative ways of explaining, understanding and judging international politics.

Expected Learning Outcomes

ascertain the plausibility, strengths and weaknesses of different concepts and theories encountered in the course;
be able to analyze texts of major thinkers who had a great influence on IR Theory;
be able to distinguish and assess different methodological and ontological frameworks within international political theory;
be able to provide an account of contemporary international political affairs with reference to concepts and methods encountered in the course;
be comfortable with using the specific terminology pertaining to international political theory;
know characteristic features of major Schools of IR Theory;
know origin and characteristic features of Critical international relations theory;
possess understanding and knowledge and of the ideas and concepts studied in the course;

Course Contents

Introduction to IR Theory
History of IR Theory - Foundational Thinkers
Major Schools of IR Theory
Critiques of Mainstream IR
Methodology
Theorizing International Politics in the 21st Century
Using IR Theory to Understand Russia

Assessment Elements

Seminars activity
MOCK exam
MOCK exam
Oral Exam

Interim Assessment

2022/2023 4th module
0.45 * Oral Exam + 0.35 * Seminars activity + 0.1 * MOCK exam + 0.1 * MOCK exam

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Acharya, A., & Buzan, B. (2007). Why is there no non-Western international relations theory? An introduction. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.712B98E3
Alex J. Bellamy, & Nicholas J. Wheeler. (2001). Humanitarian Interventions and World Politics. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.C86B99F8
Augustine. Augustine: Political Writings, edited by E. M. Atkins, and R. J. Dodaro, Cambridge University Press, 2001. ProQuest Ebook Central,
Bagby, L. M. J. (1994). The use and abuse of Thucydides in international relations. International Organization, 48(1), 131. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818300000849
Brewer, A. (1990). Marxist Theories of Imperialism : A Critical Survey (Vol. 2nd ed). London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=74669
Brown, C., & Ainley, K. (2009). Understanding International Relations (Vol. Foruth edition). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1522816
Bull, H. (2012). The Anarchical Society : A Study of Order in World Politics (Vol. 4th ed). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1523322
Burchill, S., Linklater, A., & Devetak, R. (2013). Theories of International Relations (Vol. 5th ed). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1526050
Clunan, A. L. (2014). Historical aspirations and the domestic politics of Russia’s pursuit of international status. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.B8E97737
Dan Reiter. (n.d.). Articles Exploring the Bargaining Model of War Exploring the Bargaining Model of War. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.96C955BA
Doyle, M. W. (2005). Three Pillars of the Liberal Peace. American Political Science Review, (03), 463. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.a.cup.apsrev.v99y2005i03p463.466.05
Fearon, J. D. (1995). Rationalist explanations for war. International Organization, (03), 379. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.a.cup.intorg.v49y1995i03p379.414.03
Hans Morgenthau, Realism, and the Scientific Study of International Politics. (1994). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.DA7BDEC
Huntington, S. P. (1993). The Clash of Civilizations? Foreign Affairs, 72(3), 22. https://doi.org/10.2307/20045621
KRICKOVIC, A., & WEBER, Y. (2018). What Can Russia Teach Us about Change? Status-Seeking as a Catalyst for Transformation in International Politics. International Studies Review, 20(2), 292–300. https://doi.org/10.1093/isr/viy024
Mearsheimer, J. J. (2014). Why the Ukraine Crisis Is the West’s Fault. Foreign Affairs, 93(5), 77. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=f5h&AN=97381275
Pettman, J. (2015). Gender and World Politics. Australia, Australia/Oceania: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.55C261F
Rathbun, B. (2008). A Rose by Any Other Name: Neoclassical Realism as the Logical and Necessary Extension of Structural Realism. Security Studies, 17(2), 294–321. https://doi.org/10.1080/09636410802098917
Stoner, K., & McFaul, M. (2015). Who Lost Russia (This Time)? Vladimir Putin. Washington Quarterly, 38(2), 167. https://doi.org/10.1080/0163660X.2015.1064716
Tammen, R. (2008). The Organski Legacy: A Fifty-Year Research Program. International Interactions, 34(4), 314–332. https://doi.org/10.1080/03050620802561769
Thomas Hobbes's Conception of Peace: Civil Society and International Order: монография / Jaede, M — Cham: Palgrave Pivot, 2018. — 114 с. — ISBN 978-3-319-76066-7. — URL: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-76066-7 (дата обращения: 30.08.2019). — Текст : электронный.
Walt, S. M. (1998). International relations: One world, many theories. Foreign Policy, (110), 29. https://doi.org/10.2307/1149275
Wendt, A. (1992). Anarchy is what states make of it: the social construction of power politics. International Organization, (02), 391. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.a.cup.intorg.v46y1992i02p391.425.02
Wendt, A. E. (1987). The agent-structure problem in international relations theory. International Organization, (03), 335. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.a.cup.intorg.v41y1987i03p335.370.02
Western, J., & Goldstein, J. S. (2011). Humanitarian Intervention Comes of Age. Foreign Affairs, 90(6), 48. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=f5h&AN=66803891

Recommended Additional Bibliography

American Primacy in Perspective. (2002). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.8888A73D
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Brooks, S. G. (2001). Power, Globalization, and the End of the Cold War. International Security, 25(3), 5. https://doi.org/10.1162/016228800560516
Buzan, B. (DE-588)114489084, (DE-576)160503620. (2014). An introduction to the English School of International Relations : the societal approach / Barry Buzan. Cambridge [u.a.]: Polity Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.414579054
Buzan, B., & Wæver, O. (2003). Regions and Powers : The Structure of International Security. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=125090
Charap, S. V. (DE-588)1140057758, (DE-576)409399108, aut. (2017). Everyone loses : the Ukraine crisis and the ruinous contest for Post-Soviet Eurasia / Samuel Charap, Timothy J. Colton. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.48224206X
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Erik Gartzke. (2007). The Capitalist Peace. American Journal of Political Science, (1), 166. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5907.2007.00244.x
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Authors

MAKAREVA ANASTASIYA YUREVNA

Course Syllabus