POL S 521 A: International Relations Core

POL S 521
International Relations Core (Fall 2024)

Course Description

This graduate-level course provides an introductory overview of the field of international relations. The primary focus is to introduce fundamental theoretical debates in the field through a combination of classic works and contemporary scholarship. The course is primarily designed for PhD students in Political Science preparing for their comprehensive field exams and further study in more specialized course offerings in international relations. This is a seminar-style class that revolves heavily around classroom discussion. Students are expected to do the readings closely beforehand, and be prepared to discuss and situate the material within the broader field. It should be emphasized that this course makes no pretense to cover the field in its entirety, but rather is intended to provide a foundation for further intensive reading on the part of each student.

Course Requirements

• Regular Seminar Participation (30%)
• Author’s Defendant (5%)
• Two Critical Response Memos (30% – 15% each)
• Review Essay / Take-Home Final Exam (35%)