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International Relations

Home/ International Relations
Course Type Course Code No. Of Credits
Discipline Core NSUS1PO608 4

Course Coordinator and Team:                  SES Faculty

Email of course coordinator:                       pcbabed@aud.ac.in 

Pre-requisites:                                               No

Course Description:

This course offers a comprehensive overview of international relations from the early 20th century to the present day, focusing on key geopolitical shifts, ideological movements, and global conflicts that shaped the modern world. Students will examine critical historical events such as the World Wars, the Cold War, decolonization, and the emergence of new global powers. The course integrates theoretical perspectives with practical case studies to foster a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of state behaviour, diplomacy, and global governance. Through interactive discussions and analytical frameworks, students will explore how international relations have evolved and continue to influence the current world order.

Course Objectives:

  • To understand the concept of the state and explore its institutions, structures, and political processes.
  • To examine key historical developments across the 20th and 21st centuries through the lens of international relations.
  • To interpret major global events and analyse their significance in shaping patterns of international interaction.
  • To enhance critical thinking by evaluating global conflicts, alliances, and diplomatic negotiations.
  • To cultivate a nuanced understanding of contemporary geopolitical issues and their historical roots.

Course Outcomes:

  • Grasp the foundational concepts and evolution of International Relations (IR).
  • Analyse the application of IR theories within political systems and global events.
  • Apply theoretical knowledge to assess real-world international issues.
  • Critically evaluate major schools of thought and dominant ideas within the field of IR.
  • Identify and interpret emerging trends and patterns in global politics.

Module I: International Relations: 1907–1918
 This module focuses on the transformative era of international relations between 1907 and 1918. It explores the formation of key alliance systems such as the Triple Alliance and Triple Entente, and how these contributed to escalating tensions in Europe. Key issues such as the Balkan Crisis and other underlying causes of World War I are examined in depth. The module delves into the conduct of the war, including warfare in the trenches and at sea, and evaluates its far-reaching consequences. Additionally, it analyses the Russian Revolution, focusing on its aims, nature, and outcomes, highlighting how these events reshaped the international order during and after the war.

Module II: International Relations: 1919–1945
 This module explores the period following World War I up to the end of World War II, a time marked by dramatic geopolitical, economic, and ideological changes. It begins with the peace settlements and the creation of the League of Nations, and moves on to study the global impact of the Great Depression of 1929. The rise of totalitarian regimes, especially Nazism in Germany and Fascism in Italy, is critically analysed. The module also covers the causes, nature, and consequences of World War II, offering insights into how diplomatic failures and aggressive expansionism led the world into another global conflict.

Module III: International Relations: 1945–1991
 Focusing on the Cold War era, this module examines the ideological and strategic rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union from 1945 to 1991. It introduces key concepts such as the logic of deterrence, the significance of Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech, and the broader role of ideology in global politics. Students study the Cold War's various phases, including the initial confrontation (1945–1969), the period of détente (1969–1979), the resurgence of tensions during the New Cold War (1979–1985), and the eventual end of the Cold War (1985–1991). The module concludes with an analysis of the disintegration of the USSR and its global implications.

Module IV: International Relations: 1991–Present
 This module examines the major geopolitical developments from the end of the Cold War in 1991 to the present day. It begins with the emergence of a unipolar world dominated by the United States, exploring key military interventions such as Operation Desert Storm I (1991) and II (2003), Operation Infinite Reach, Operation Enduring Freedom, and the Kosovo Crisis. The resurgence of Russia is analysed through events like the annexation of Crimea, its military involvement in Syria, and the conflict in Georgia (2008). The module also covers the Arab Spring, with a focus on uprisings in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya. Lastly, it looks at China's growing global influence, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), its engagement in Africa, and its assertive stance in the South China Sea.

Assessment Structure:

Assessment

Weightage

Assignment 1: Engagement with the educational resources. This involves in-class quizzes and short response notes

30%

Assignment 2: assignments and/or presentations

30%

Assignment 3: End-term assessment

40%

 

References

  • Hart, B. H. L. (1997). A history of the First World War. Pan Macmillan Publishers.\
  • Duncan, W. R., Jancar-Webster, B., & Switky, B. (2008). World politics in the 21st century (pp. 20–55). Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Hart, B. H. L. (1999). A history of the Second World War. Pan Macmillan Publishers.
  • Lowe, N. (2005). Modern world history. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Duncan, W. R., Jancar-Webster, B., & Switky, B. (2008). World politics in the 21st century (pp. 20–55). Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Cold War: A history from beginning to end. (n.d.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
  • Lando, B. (2006). Web of deceit. Doubleday Canada.
  • Morgan, P. M. (2009). Deterrence now (pp. 1–41, 238–284). Cambridge University Press.
  • Coll, S. (2004). Ghost wars. Penguin Books.
  • Dabashi, H. (2012). The Arab Spring: The end of postcolonialism. Zed Books.
  • U.S. Army Center of Military History. (n.d.). Operation Desert Storm. https://www.history.army.mil/html/bookshelves/resmat/desert-storm/index.html
  • Kansas Guard Museum. (n.d.). Kosovo – Operations Joint Guardian and Enduring Freedom. https://www.kansasguardmuseum.com/research-archives/guard-missions/conflicts/kosovo-operations-joint-guardian-enduring-freedom/
  • Galeotti, M. (2021). Armies of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Osprey Publishing.
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