Bahria University

(Islamabad Campus) Department of Management Sciences

(Undergraduate Studies)

Course Title: Introduction to International Relations

I nstructor: Salman Ali Bettani
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION


Course Code: IR 101
Credit Hours: Three (3)
Semester: Fall 2012
Prerequisites:


COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to provide students with a broad introduction to the
study of international politics, and will focus on significant themes and debates in
the arena of contemporary international affairs. The course will introduce
students to a variety of theoretical approaches to understanding these
contemporary issues. It will also emphasize case-study analysis, both as a tool
for applying the fruits of theory to the study of real-world events, and also as a
tool for evaluating competing theoretical approaches. As so many of the topics
studied in this course are the subject of ongoing debate (or even controversy) in
both national and international arenas, the course relies on vigorous classroom
discussion and active debate as a means of understanding and evaluating all
sides of each issue.


COURSE OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, students who work hard will: (1) be conversant in
fundamental theoretical and policy debates concerning the international political
system, (2) have a basic understanding of the historical foundations of
contemporary international politics, (3) appreciate the moral complexity of key
issues in international affairs, (4) recognize the diversity of countries and cultures
that exist in the contemporary world, and (5) be better able to make coherent and
reasoned written or oral arguments.


TEXT BOOKS (S) AND REFERENCES
Robert J ackson and Georg Sorensen, Introduction to International
Relations: Theories & Approaches oxford university press
International Relations: The Basics, Peter Sutch and J uanita Elias
J ohn T. Rourke, International Politics on world Stage MagrawHill pub
Kegley, C. and E. Wittkopf World Politics.
(Thomson/Wadsworth, 2008) twelfth

Bahria University
(Islamabad Campus) Department of Management Sciences
(Undergraduate Studies)
Baylis, J. and S. Smith (eds) The Globalization
Of World Politics: an Introduction to
International Relations. (Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 2008) fourth edition




ASSESSMENT EVALUATION
Assignment +Project+ quiz=35
Midterm=25
Final Exam=40

COURSE CONTENTS
Conceptualizing International Relations
Theoretical Frame Work of International Relations
Paradigms in IR
Concept of Nation-State
Power & War
Balance of Power
Arms control and Disarmament
Nuclear Proliferation
National Interest
Foreign policy
Foreign policy of major powers
Diplomacy
International Law
Current issues in global politics
International Organization


SYLLABUS BREAKDOWN IN LECTURES (WEEKLY)
Sr.
No. Course Content Semester Week
1.
Introduction to the course
Conceptualizing International Relations
- Definition of IR
- Approaches to study IR

Concepts
- Meaning
- Nature
1
st
Week

Bahria University
(Islamabad Campus) Department of Management Sciences
(Undergraduate Studies)
- Scope
- IR and other Social Sciences

2. Theoretical Frame Work of International Relations
- Defining Theory
- Evolution of IR
- Inter disciplinary character of IR

2
nd
Week

3. Theoretical Paradigms + Quiz
- Idealism
- Liberalism
- Neo-Liberalism
- Realism
- Neo-Realism
- Marxism

3
rd
Week

4. Theoretical Paradigms cont

- Critical theory
- Post modernism
- Constructivism
- Feminism

4
th
Week

5. Concept of Nation-State
- Meaning of state, nation and nation-state
- Evolution of the concept
- challenges

5
th
Week

6.
Power & War + Quiz
- introduction
- meaning
- Forms
- Domestic and International Power

6
th
Week

7.
Balance of Power
Conceptual understanding
History and evolution
Techniques of Balance of power
Utility and relevance

7
th
Week

8. Arms control and Disarmament
Disarmament
Arms limits
Arms control and Future

8
th
Week

9. Nuclear Proliferation + Assignment 9
th
Week

10. National Interest
- Definition
- Issues
10
th
Week

Bahria University
(Islamabad Campus) Department of Management Sciences
(Undergraduate Studies)
- American and Soviet versions
- Dimensions
- Global interest and objectives

11. Foreign policy + Quiz
- As tool
- Meanings
- Objectives
- Determinants

11
th
Week

12. Foreign policy of major powers & Pakistan
- USA
- Russia
- China

12
th
Week

13. Diplomacy + Quiz
- Meaning and nature
- Foreign policy and Diplomacy
- Diplomats
- Kinds of Modern Diplomacy

13
th
Week

14. International Law
- Meaning and nature
- Dynamics
- Sources
- Role

14
th
Week

15. International Organization
- Meaning
- Purpose
- Structure and issues
- Role

15
th
Week

16.
Current issues in global politics

- Regionalism
- Terrorism
- Economic Imperialism
- Collective Security

16
th
Week




ASSIGNMENT DETAILS
Students will be asked to do Article reviews relevant to the subject matter and
contemporary world politics.
The articles will help the students to draw common analogies between their core courses
and allied subject.
Bahria University
(Islamabad Campus) Department of Management Sciences
(Undergraduate Studies)
Terrorism and nuclear politics will be focused particularly with respect to the ongoing
situation in the region and Pakistan. Article On First Use Policy by Ali Ahmad will be
given for review in week 9 for 10 marks.


FINAL PROJECT
Analytical Term Paper would be assigned or students would be asked to choose between
given topics.
Topics: Geopolitics of Gawader Port
Geopolitics of Chabahar Port
Security trends between India and Pakistan
Role of MNCs in World Politics