International Relations

PLS 232

Prerequisite: PLS 101

Course Description

International Relations (IR) is an introduction to the subject of global politics in the contemporary world. The subject is a broad, complex one that is constantly shifting and evolving even as scholars try to develop theories to explain it and policy makers try to manage foreign policy from day to day. This course should provide the student with a solid background both in the major trends and issues of current world politics and in the main theories and explanations used by scholars of IR.

Course Purpose

The course introduces you to the major issues in current international politics and the theories used by scholars to better understand IR. It is also designed to encourage student participation through classroom discussion and simulations, and individual student foreign policy presentations. Furthermore, the course should provide you with an appreciation of IR, which, in turn will help you appreciate the ways in which it is meaningful to your life, regardless of what career you may choose or what subjects you may choose to study in college and graduate or professional school.