This course provides a general introduction to
the discipline of IR and to major themes in world politics. It presents
different theoretical perspectives in the study of IR to engender an
appreciation of the complexity world politics. Major theories are Realism,
Liberalism, Marxism, and Constructivism. The central concepts in the field to
be covered include power and the role of power, anarchy, levels of analysis,
the causes of conflicts, actors in IR, the role of international and domestic
institutions. This course also introduces students to the nuts and bolts of
doing research in IR in order to allow students to appreciate the diversity of
methodological approaches. On the completion of this course, students should be
able to not only describe and explain contemporary debates and challenges in
international politics but also embark on their own research.
- Teacher: GV Lê Thị Phương Loan