Why do countries go to war? Is it inevitable because of the structure of the international system, or are some countries and some leaders more likely to initiate conflicts? What tactics can help countries win these wars, and which tactics are counterproductive? This course will focus on conflicts between two states as well as conflicts in which states fight armed actors based outside of their borders. There will be two midterms, each consisting of a series of IDs and long-answer questions, and a final research paper which considers which theory we’ve read about best explains the outbreak or ending of a conflict of your choice. It is recommended that you take POL S 203 Introduction to International Relations prior to enrolling in this class.
Winter 2026
Meeting:
TTh 11:30am - 12:50pm
SLN:
19548
Section Type:
Lecture
POL S MAJORS: COUNTS FOR FIELD C,
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
**
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY OPTION
REQUIRED COURSE
Syllabus Description (from Canvas):
Catalog Description:
Examines different theoretical explanations for the causes of war, including the role of international, state, organizational, and individual factors; additional topics vary with instructor. May include the development of warfare, deterring weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, intelligence, and the ethics of warfare.
Department Requirements Met:
International Relations Field
GE Requirements Met:
Social Sciences (SSc)
Credits:
5.0
Status:
Active
Last updated:
November 21, 2025 - 10:50 am