Geopolitics in World Affairs

Paper Code: 
MIR 323- A
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This  course is aimed at making students develop an understanding of the complex history and geography of the term ‘Geopolitics’. The term was coined at very end of the 19th century during the emergence new forms of nationalism, colonial project and inter-imperialist rivalry in the Europe and the World. With the complex interplay between space and power at its conceptual core, geopolitics has most often been associated with a ‘realist’ and state-centric approach to international relations. But recent decades have seen a shift in the rhetoric from emerging new trends of environmental Geopolitics as well.

The objectives of this course are to:

    • This course provides a concise survey of theories of classical geopolitics.
    • The aim of the course is to acquaint and introduce the student genre, to the broad understanding of the concept of Geopolitics, in context of historical setting with a dynamic contemporary narrative.
    • The course will facilitate a holistic and integrated comprehension of Geopolitics during the cold war times and post cold war times.
    •  It will acquaint the students with the holistic overview of geopolitics over natural resources and the shift in policy orientations of nation-states.
    • The course will provide analytical understanding of the new themes emerging in the field by focusing on geopolitics over environmental issues.

    Course

    Learning outcomes (at course level)

    Learning and teaching strategies

    Assessment Strategies

    Paper Codbe

    Paper Title

    MIR 323-A

    Geopolitics in World Affairs

    Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

    CO53:    Develop critical understanding of Geopolitical studies in International Relations .

    CO54:   Reflect comprehensively on the strategic importance of geography in the global context and the competent interests of state and non state actors .

    CO55:   To develop understanding of history of geopolitics and how it has shaped contemporary rhetoric and policy orientations of nations

    CO56:  Develop an in-depth interrogation of the principle issues of conflict and contention over territories, natural resources and environment. 

    Approach in teaching:

    Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Power Point Presentation

    Learning activities for the students:

    Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks.

    Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

                                                 Course Objectives (CO)

     

12.00
Unit I: 
Unit- I

Theorizing Geopolitics-: Contesting theories- Alfred Mahan ( Sea power), Mackinder (Heartland), Spykman( Rimland) ,Karl Haushofer ( German Geopolitik)

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Unit- II

Geopolitics, Pax Americana, Post cold war Geopolitics

12.00
Unit III: 
Unit- III

Geopolitics over Natural Resources -: Water, Oil and Natural Gas, Territory

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Unit- IV

Geopolitics in the era of Globalisation,  Role of US, Rising Militarism, Rise of Multipolarity, Role of India in emerging world.

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Unit- V

Environmental Geopolitics, Green Geopolitics, Responsibility to Protect(R2P).

 

Essential Readings: 

Essential Readings:

  •  Flint, C. (2006),Introduction to Geopolitics, London: Routledge.
  • Agrew, J. (2003),Geopolitics, New York: Routledge.
  • Hobson,J.A.( 2015). The Eurocentric Conception of World Politics, Western International Theory, 1761-2010. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Chaturvedi, S. and Doyle, T. (2015). Climate Terror: A Critical Geopolitics of Climate Change. London: Palgrave Macmillan
  • Kumar,Y.(2017). Ed. Whither Indian Ocean Maritime Order? Contributions to the Seminar on Narendra Modi’s Sagar Speech. New Delhi: KW Publishers.
  • Marc, J.F.,Blanchard and  Flint,C. (2017). “The Geopolitics of China’s Maritime Silk Road Initiative”. Geopolitics. 22(2): 223-245.
  • Blackwill, R.D., and Harris,J.M. (2016). War by Other Means: Geo-economics and Statecraft. Cambridge: Harvard University Press
  • Cohen, S. B. (2010).Geopolitics: the Geography of International Relations,

New Delhi:Rowman & Littlefield, Pentagon Press

 

References: 

Reference Books:

  • Agnew, J. (1998). Geopolitics: Revisioning World Politics. London and New York: Routledge
  • Falk, R. A. (2004),Declining World Order: Americas Imperial Geopolitics,New York: Routledges
  • Isakova, I.(2005). Russian Governance in the Twenty First Century: Geo Strategy,Geopolitics and Governance, London: Frank Cass
  • Overholt, W. H.(2008). Asia, America and the Transformation of Geopolitics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  • Gill, S.(2003). Power and Resistance in the New World Order,  New York:Palgrave- Macmillan
  • Dalby, S. (2007).Rethinking Geopolitics.  New York: Routledge
  • Tuathail,G.O., Dalby,S., and Routledge,P.( 2006). (Ed.) The Geopolitics Reader. London and New York: Routledge.
  • Ayres, Alyssa, and Mohan, C. Raja (Ed.).(2009).Power Realignments in Asia: China,India and the United States. New Delhi: Sage

 

Academic Year: 
2020-21
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