Introduction to International Relations

This course will introduce you to the discipline of International Relations. Whether you are a student or just someone interested in what International Relations is about, this course will carefully guide you through the basics of this fascinating academic discipline. 

The course is ideal for beginners with no prior university education because it allows you to understand the basics of the discipline. Although it is designed for beginners, the course will give you confidence to speak about International Relations with much greater confidence. 

You will understand the history of International Relations as a discipline as well as the major theories of IR. You will also learn about theory as such - what it is and different kinds of theories. Equipped with this fundamental knowledge, you will then explore the key topics forming the core of International Relations at any university: 

• the evolution of sovereign states states, 

• the causes of war and conflict

• the struggle for peace and international organisations

• international political economy

Sure, there are many other topics which could be covered under the label International Relations, but this course is designed as a complete introduction to give you solid knowledge and understanding of the core elements of this fascinating discipline.

What You Will Get in This Course

Here is a summary of what you will learn in this course:

• Understand what we mean by the subject of International Relations

• Understand why International Relations is about global organisation of political authority

• Learn the history of the International Relations discipline

• Understand the Great Debates of International Relations

• Learn about the key books, magazines and websites on International Relations

• Understand what theory is about

• Recognise the differences between explanatory, predictive and normative theories

• Understand 3 levels of analysis

• Learn the key tenets of classical liberalism and neoliberalism

• Learn the key tenets of classical realism and neorealism

• Learn the key tenets of social constructivism and feminism

• Understand how the system of modern statehood has evolved

• Learn about international relations in Medieval Europe

• Recognise the importance of the Peace of Augsburg and Peace of Westphalia for modern statehood

• Understand how International Relations look differently from the Chinese perspective

• Learn about war and the causes of war

• Learn about different theoretical ideas for international peace

• Understand the role of League of Nations and United Nations in international peace

• Understand the role of European integration in international peace

• Learn about the International Political Economy and Bretton Woods institutions

• Understand the differences between Liberalism, Realism and Marxism in Int. Political Economy

• Learn about competing theoretical perspectives on globalisation

• Learn about the impact of COVID-19 on nationalism and globalisation

My Promise to You

I promise that the tuition in this course is of the highest quality, based on genuine university-level teaching and research. It is presented in a highly-accessible and engaging way, designed specifically for those who do not have prior university degree in Politics or International Relations.

I invite you to send me a message if you have any questions about the content of this course.