Free online courseInternational Relations

Course Description

Welcome to "International Relations," an in-depth course designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex world of international affairs. This course, categorized under Business Administration with a focus on Political matters, spans a duration of 12 hours and 0 minutes. Though it has yet to receive reviews, it offers an enriching dive into various fundamental and advanced topics of international relations.

The course begins with an introduction to the field, laying the groundwork by exploring key concepts such as sovereignty, anarchy, and the distinctions between proximate and underlying causes. As students progress, they are introduced to the strategic elements that shape global interactions, including the concepts of conflict versus cooperation and the infamous Prisoner's Dilemma.

Historical case studies and theoretical frameworks are integral to the curriculum, with a detailed examination of the Cult of the Offensive and the origins of World War I. The course also addresses economic aspects, analyzing tariffs, barriers to free trade, and the economics of arms races.

A significant portion of the coursework is dedicated to understanding the dynamics of war and peace. Topics such as the rationality of war, the unitary actor assumption, and war's inefficiency puzzle are covered. The Algebraic Bargaining Model of War and the concept of war's bargaining range provide a systematic approach to comprehending conflict resolution and crisis bargaining.

The course explores preventive and preemptive wars, including the causes of war and militarized interstate disputes. Students learn about the Correlates of War project and the phenomena of long peace periods. The principles of trade, such as absolute and comparative advantage, trade rivalry, and resolving trade disputes, are comprehensively discussed.

One of the highlights is the examination of democratic peace theory and the exploration of correlation versus causation in international phenomena. The McDonald's Peace Theory and the role of economic interdependence in global tranquility are also analyzed.

Focused sessions on the rise of China, principal-agent problems, diversionary wars, and the political accountability of leaders provide insights into contemporary global issues. Topics on economic sanctions and the mechanisms, voting rules, and power dynamics within the United Nations Security Council add a practical perspective to the theoretical content.

Key interactions within international institutions are dissected, exploring collective action problems, hegemonic provision of public goods, and issue linkage. The course also addresses critical security concerns, such as nuclear weapons proliferation, mutually assured destruction, and the stability-instability paradox.

The latter part of the course delves into the subjects of terrorism and counterterrorism, offering a critical analysis of the rationality of terrorists, the profile of a terrorist, and the socio-political contexts where terrorism thrives. Study materials cover the frequency of terrorism, suicide terrorism, and the strategic rationales behind terrorist actions.

Civil war settlements and the barriers to achieving lasting peace are scrutinized, providing a comprehensive view of peacemaking and peacekeeping efforts. Finally, the course culminates with a wrap-up session that synthesizes the knowledge gained and prepares students to apply their insights to real-world scenarios.

In sum, the "International Relations" course is an extensive exploration of international politics, global security, and the economic dimensions that influence the global stage, meticulously structured to equip students with the necessary tools to navigate and understand the intricacies of international relations.