This paper seeks to equip students with the basic intellectual tools for understanding International Relations and its major theories. The course begins by historically contextualizing the evolution of the international state system before discussing the agency-structure problem through the levels-of-analysis approach. After having set the parameters of the debate, students are introduced to different theories in International Relations. It provides a fairly comprehensive overview of the major political developments and events starting from the twentieth century. Students are expected to learn the economic relation between developed and underdeveloped nations and the emerging world order after globalization.
Course Content
Unit I: Study of International Relations
a) Meaning, Nature & Scope
b) Evolution of State System: Pre-Westphalia, Westphalia & Post-Westphalia
Unit II: Theoretical Perspectives
a) Classical Realism, Idealism, Realism and Neo-Realism
b) Liberalism and Neo-Liberalism
c) Marxist and Feminist Perspectives
Unit III: An Overview of 20th Century International History – I
a) World War I: Causes & Consequences, League of Nations
b) Bolshevik Revolution and the Formation of USSR
c) Rise of Fascism and Nazism
d) World War II: Causes & Consequences, United Nations
Unit IV: An Overview of 20th Century International History – II
a) Cold War: Phases, End of Cold War & Post-Cold War World Order
b) Emergence of Third World, New Economic World Order, North–South Cooperation, Theories of Development and Under-Development
c) Globalisation and Emerging World Order
Essential Readings
- Basu, R. (Ed.). (2017). International Politics: Concepts, Theories and Issues. Sage.
- Baylis, J., & Smith, S. (Eds.). (2002). The Globalization of World Politics (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Bello, W. (2008). Deglobalization. Zed Books.
- Heywood, A. (2023). Global Politics. Bloomsbury Publishing.
- Ghosh, P. (2020). International Relations (5th ed.). New Delhi.
- Goldstein, J. S., & Pevehouse, J. C. (2007). International Relations. Pearson Longman.
Source: Undergraduate (UG) Political Science Syllabus – Core VI (Semester III): International Relations.