Understanding International Relations Theory

Bachelor 2024/2025

Type: Compulsory course (Asian and African Studies)

Area of studies: Asian and African Studies

Delivered by: School of Asian Studies

Where: Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

When: 5 year, 1 module

Mode of studies: distance learning

Online hours: 36

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 6

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The course combines historic approach and analysis of the modern political problems. The historic part shows the evolution of the international relations theory from being a part of political philosophy to its emergence as a special branch of political science, which is essential to understand the key ideas of the IR science. The lectures also include broad outline of the modern concepts and debates in the context of the contemporary political problems, such as rise of China and other emerging powers, threat of terrorism, US-Russia confrontation, etc. https://www.coursera.org/learn/international-relations-theory?=

Learning Objectives

The course aims to introduce the key assumptions of the international relations theory as a part of social science and as an analytic tool, focusing on the problems of war and peace, foreign policy decision-making, etc.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Describes a realist interpretation of the Russian actions within the international system.
Describes the evolution of the liberal paradigm during the Cold War.
Describes the great debates between the two grand paradigms during the World Wars and explain how the first scientific theories emerged from these debates.
Describes the one of the key theoretical problems in the IR science: who is actor of international politics?
Describes the Realist Paradigm in the XXI century
Describes the second grand paradigm of international relations: liberalism.
Describes the so-called critical theories and their interpretation of the key problems of world politics.
Describes the world of class struggle and imperialist wars
Finds out a realistic answer to the question: how to survive in the nuclear age?
Formulates, states and reasonably defends their own vision of the questions: is it possible to create a world government? And will this lead to "eternal peace"?
Gets to know the answers to the questions: What is power in IR and how can we classify it? What is the balance of power concept? Which state is the most powerful in the world and can a non-state actor dominate the world politics?
Names the ancient roots of modern IR theories

Course Contents

Birth of the science and classical tradition
Origins of Liberalism
The beginning: the World Wars and genesis of the IR science
Kenneth Waltz and Structural Theory
Neoliberalism: The Liberal paradigm after the WWII
Marxism and Neo-Marxism
Critical IR theories (Constructivism, Postmodernism, Feminism)
Actors in international relations
Power in international relations
Global governance
Back to classics: the Realist Paradigm in the XXI century
Russia as a realist power
final lesson

Assessment Elements

Module Test 1
In accordance to on-line course requirements
Module test 2
In accordance to on-line course requirements

Interim Assessment

2024/2025 1st module
0.5 * Module Test 1 + 0.5 * Module test 2

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

B. F. Martynov. (2019). Chaos Synergy, Geopolitics And Culture Explain History Of International Relations. A Critique of William Wohlforth. Vestnik MGIMO-Universiteta, (1(64)), 19. https://doi.org/10.24833/2071-8160-2019-1-64-19-28
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
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
Chakrabarti, P. N. (2018). History of International Relations. [N.p.]: New Central Book Agency. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2239647
History of International Relations : A Non-European Perspective. (2019). Netherlands, Europe: Open Book Publishers. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.47A2B8DB
Kaufman, J. P. (2018). Introduction to International Relations : Theory and Practice (Vol. Second edition). Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1668224
Lebow, R. N. (2003). The Tragic Vision of Politics : Ethics, Interests and Orders. New York: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=120527
Lebow, R. N. (2007). Coercion, Cooperation, and Ethics in International Relations. New York: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=193856
Luigi Curini, & Robert Franzese. (2020). The SAGE Handbook of Research Methods in Political Science and International Relations. SAGE Publications Ltd.
The politics of integration:Adjusting to new lives in host societies. (2019). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.3054085D

Recommended Additional Bibliography

A Series of Publications in Japanese Studies: History, Politics, Foreign Policy, International Relations, Russia-Japan Relations and Japanese Studies in Russia ; Серия изданий по Японии: история, внутренняя и внешняя политика, российско-японские отношения, японоведение в России. (2016). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.D5768DF7
Acharya, A. (2013). The Making of Southeast Asia : International Relations of a Region (Vol. Reprint ed). Singapore: Cornell University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=671333
Controversies in international relations theory : realism and the neoliberal challenge / Charles W. Kegley. (1995). New York: St. Martin’s Pr. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.04206273X
Lebow, R. N. (2010). Why Nations Fight : Past and Future Motives for War. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=337696
Lebow, R. N. (DE-588)110482727, (DE-576)161934102. (2008). A cultural theory of international relations / by Richard Ned Lebow. Cambridge [u.a.]: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.28576392X
Rengger, N. J. (2000). International Relations, Political Theory and the Problem of Order : Beyond International Relations Theory? London: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=460203
Russia-EU relations : the present situation and prospects / Centre for European Policy Studies. (2005). Brussels. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.389731757
Waltz, K. N. (2001). Man, the State, and War : A Theoretical Analysis. New York: Columbia University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=461136

Authors

KULIK MARGARITA YAKOVLEVNA
KARPOV MIKHAIL VLADIMIROVICH
GERASIMOVA ANASTASIYA ANDREEVNA

Course Syllabus