The student will be able to:

1. Examine the impact of international institutions on contemporary issues in international relations.
2. Develop foreign policy recommendations for national, international, transnational, and/or subnational actors.
3. Apply any or a combination of contending theoretical formulations of international relations to a specific contemporary issue in international relations.

1. Introduction to the intellectual foundations of international relations as an academic discipline
   1. Liberal institutionalism
   2. Hobbesian realism and its contemporary variant of neo-liberalism
   3. Marxist and neo-Marxist thinking
   4. Contribution of dependency theory to international relations theory
   5. Contribution of world systems theory to international relations theory
   6. Critical theory and contemporary criticisms of Eurocentric history of international relations scholarship
2. Liberal theories of international relations
   1. Origins of liberalism in reaction to mercantilism
   2. Contributions of Adam Smith and David Ricardo
   3. Assumptions of liberalism as rational, utility-maximizing actors
   4. Limitations of economic role of government
3. Marxist theory of international relations
   1. Origins of Marxist perspective as a reaction to liberalism
   2. Assumptions of Marxist perspective
   3. Classes as dominant actors in the political economy
   4. Classes acting in their material economic interests
   5. Exploitative nature of capitalism and the international division of labor
4. The realist theory of international relations
   1. Intellectual contributions of Hobbes, Machiavelli, Colbert, and List
   2. Emergence of realism in the 1930s
   3. Assumptions of realism
   4. Nation-states as dominant actors
   5. Nation-states as power-maximizers
   6. Nation-states as rational actors
   7. Theory of hegemonic stability
   8. Realism, political processes, and complex interdependence
   9. Roles of international organizations
5. Contribution of dependency theory to international relations theory
   1. Dependency as a socio-economic and political concept
   2. Structural dependency as a socio-economic and political concept
   3. The gap between rich and poor countries
   4. Domestic inequality
   5. Convergence and divergence
   6. The state, growth, and inequality
   7. Role of multilateral agencies in dependent underdeveloped states
   8. The World Trade Organization in international trade
6. World systems theory contribution to international relations theory
   1. Emergence of world capitalist system in 16th century Europe
   2. Role of agriculture in the development of world capitalist system in 16th century
   3. Incorporation of areas into world system
   4. Concept of core, semi-periphery, and periphery
   5. Contemporary function of world capitalist system
7. Role of non-government organizations (NGO) in the international political economy
   1. The role of the United Nations in international relations
   2. The role of specialized agencies of the UN in international relations
   3. The role of UNCHR in international conflict

Not applicable.

Weekly reading of required texts and demonstrating knowledge of literature through active participation in class discussions
Oral presentations on assigned topics, demonstrating synthesis of literature
Analytical research paper that demonstrates critical, analytical, research, and writing skills, and substantial knowledge of research topic
Mixed question type examination
Formative and summative projects

Formal weekly lectures
Group oral presentations on assigned topics
In-class discussions on assigned topics of critical importance to issues
Small group discussions on current issues in international relations

Kaufman, J.. Introduction to International Relations: Theory and Practice, 3rd ed.. 2022.

McGlinchey, S.. Foundations of International Relations. 2022.

McGlinchey, S.. International Relations. 2016.

McGlinchey, S., R. Walters, and C. Scheinpflug (eds). International Relations Theory. 2017.

Although some texts are older than the suggested "5 year or newer" standard, they remain seminal pieces of scholarship (texts) in this area of study.

1. Weekly assigned readings from texts, of over 200 pages, on module for week
2. 5-6 pages of written outline of required weekly reading assignments
3. Development of research paper topic, its thesis and outline
4. 15 page critical analytical research paper assignment utilizing the scientific method