Perspectives on International Relations and World History

Paper Code: 
24CPOL312
Credits: 
06
Contact Hours: 
90.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This paper seeks to equip students with the basic intellectual tools for understanding International Relations. It introduces students to some of the most important theoretical approaches for studying international relations. 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 comprehensive overview of the major political developments and events starting from the twentieth century. Students are expected to learn about the key milestones in world history and equip them with the tools to understand and analyze the same from different perspectives.

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

24CPOL

312

 

Perspectives on International Relations and World History

(Theory)

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

CO31:  orient toward basic conceptual and analytical categories of the study of international relations.

CO32:  understand the most seminal International Relations Theories to understand the fundamental factors that influence international relations.

CO33: analyse the in-depth meaning of various perspective of International Relations in context of power, inequality, and social justice

CO34:  identify various aspects of conflicts and conflict resolution in the specificity of the long period of the post World War I.

CO35: evaluate the internal and external factors that contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the ideological shift away from bipolarity.

CO36: contribute effectively in Course specific interaction

Approach in teaching:

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

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Seminar presentation.

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

 

18.00
Unit I: 
Studying International Relations

History of IR: Emergence of the International State System; Pre-Westphalia and Westphalia; Post-Westphalia 

 

18.00
Unit II: 
Theoretical Perspectives

Classical Realism & Neo-Realism; Liberalism & Neoliberalism 

18.00
Unit III: 
Critical Perspectives

Marxist Approaches, Feminist Perspectives, Eurocentricism and Perspectives from the Global South 

18.00
Unit IV: 
An Overview of Twentieth Century IR History

World War I: Causes and Consequences; Significance of the Bolshevik Revolution; Rise of Fascism & Nazism; World War II: Causes and Consequences

18.00
Unit V: 
Cold War and Post Cold War Era

Different Phases of Cold War; Emergence of the Third World; Collapse of the USSR and the End of the Cold War; Post Cold War Developments and Emergence of Other Power Centers of Power

 

Essential Readings: 

Ø  Chandra, P. Arora, P. (2021). International Politics. New Delhi: Cosmos Bookhive

Ø  Khanna, V.N. and Kumar, L.K. (2018) Foreign Policy of India. New Delhi:  Vikas Publishing House

Ø  .Basu, R.(2017).International Politics: Concepts, Theories and Issues. New Delhi: Sage Publications.

Ø  Ghai, U.R. (2017). International Politics Theory & Practice. New Delhi: New Academic Publishing Co.

Ø  Kumar,M. (2017). Theoretical Aspects of International Politics. Agra: Shiva LalAgrawala and Co.

References: 

Ø   Heywood, A. (2010).Global Politics. London: Palgrave Macmillan

Ø   JC Johri,J.C.(2014). International Relations and Politics:Theoretical Perspectives in the Post-Cold War Era. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers.

Ø   Nye, J. S.(2009). Understanding International Conflicts- An Introduction to Theory and History. New York: Pearson Longman.

Ø   Palmer, N.D. & Perkins, H.C. (2004). International Relations. Delhi: AITBS Publishers and Distributors.

Ø   Axford, B. ,Browning, G., Muggins, R. & Rosamond, B.(2002). Politics: An Introduction.  New York: Routledge.

Ø   Ray, A. K.(2004). Western Realism and International Relations: A Non Western view. Delhi: Foundation Books.

Ø   Melkote, R.S. and Rao, A.N.(1992). International Relations. New Delhi: Sterling.

Ø   Samuel P. Huntington, S.P.(1998). The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order. New York: Simon and Schuster.

Academic Year: 
2024-25
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