Introduction to International Relations

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: 2 year, 1, 2 module

Mode of studies: distance learning

Online hours: 20

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Andrei Skriba

Language: English

ECTS credits: 6

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Abstract

The purpose of this course is to equip students to answer fundamental questions about the nature of world politics. We shall cover a broad sweep of international history, from the late middle ages to our current global age. And we shall address all the major theoretical schools of international relations, along with some of the more fringe and innovative perspectives. The idea of covering all this ground is to provide a solid foundation from which students can go on to develop their own interests in specialised IR topics. There is no assumed prior knowledge of international affairs. But to get the most from this course, students are expected to have a genuine interest in world events and a willingness to expand their knowledge of international history and international political theory.

Learning Objectives

Explore the evolution of the discipline of international relations (IR) over the past century by examining the changing understandings of order in the modern world
Consider the impact of major historical events on the evolution of IR, including the treaties of 1648, Europe’s imperial expansion, the First World War and the ongoing influence of globalisation
Introduce students to a range of theoretical tools in order to analyse the behaviour of international actors and the nature of international systems
• Introduce students to a range of theoretical tools in order to analyse the behaviour of international actors and the nature of international systems
Define and discuss some main concepts within the discipline, including war, peace, the state and power
Critically assess challenges facing contemporary international society, including new security issues, global governance and the rise of East Asian actors.
• Critically assess challenges facing contemporary international society, including new security issues, global governance and the rise of East Asian actors.

Expected Learning Outcomes

basic knowledge on constructivism in IR
basic knowledge on English school of IR
basic knowledge on gender theory in IR
basic knowledge on international political economy in IR
basic knowledge on liberalism in IR
basic knowledge on marxism in IR
basic knowledge on poststructuralism in IR
basic knowledge on realism in IR
Can discuss the future of IR
Knows basic approaches in the IR theory
Knows history of international relations
knows key concepts of International Relations

Course Contents

Introduction to International Relations (IR)
History of IR
Theories of IR
Key concepts of IR
The future of IR

Assessment Elements

Seminars activity
MOCK (3 questions)
Socrative

Interim Assessment

2024/2025 2nd module
0.4 * MOCK (3 questions) + 0.4 * Seminars activity + 0.2 * Socrative

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Chan, S., & Zakkour, M. (2014). China’s Super Consumers : What 1 Billion Customers Want and How to Sell It to Them. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=842625
Hung-PoHsieh, & 謝宏博. (2016). Cross-Border e-Commerce Studies in Taiwan and Mainland China. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsndl&AN=edsndl.oai.union.ndltd.org.TW.104NCKU5457058
Pettis, M., & Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (2013). Avoiding the Fall : China’s Economic Restructuring. Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Endowment for Int’l Peace. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=641536
Russia's Identity in International Relations : Images, Perceptions, Misperceptions, edited by Raymond Taras, Routledge, 2012. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1039305.
Гоббс, Т. Leviathan in 2 volumes. V 1. Левиафан в 2 т. Том 1 / Т. Гоббс. — Москва : Издательство Юрайт, 2019. — 284 с. — (Читаем в оригинале). — ISBN 978-5-534-06074-4. — Текст : электронный // Образовательная платформа Юрайт [сайт]. — URL: https://urait.ru/bcode/441701 (дата обращения: 28.08.2023).
Гоббс, Т. Leviathan in 2 volumes. V 2. Левиафан в 2 т. Том 2 / Т. Гоббс. — Москва : Издательство Юрайт, 2019. — 266 с. — (Читаем в оригинале). — ISBN 978-5-534-06076-8. — Текст : электронный // Образовательная платформа Юрайт [сайт]. — URL: https://urait.ru/bcode/441782 (дата обращения: 28.08.2023).

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Grotius Society. (1921). The Grotius Society publications : texts for students of international relations. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.13D74A82
Hudson, M. O. (2019). Legal Foundations of International Relations. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.910716C1

Authors

SKRIBA Andrei SERGEEVICH
Кузнецова Елена Викторовна

Course Syllabus