Department of Mechanical Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Technology

International Islamic University Islamabad

Course Title Introduction to Social Science

Credits 02
Lecturer Masood Ur Rehman Khattak
Contact masood.rehman@iiu.edu.pk

Course Objectives
This course “Introduction to Social Sciences” will help students of the Department
of Mechanical Engineering to learn different disciplines of Social Sciences and
related issues. The students will also learn about current issues related to social
sciences and apply them to understand International situations and issues in the
contemporary world and specifically Pakistan. Moreover students will be trained to
figure out strategic positions of major countries on a world map and explain what
problems those countries are facing. In addition to that an understanding of the
causes and processes of modern international issues will be created among
students so they can skillfully use extensive sources of information including Online
Journals, government publications, newspapers and research reports of local and
international think tanks. Students would also be equipped with techniques of
critical thinking through discussion and presentations so they can compete in the
job market.

Course Requirements:

Attendance 05
Midterm: 30
Presentations: 15
Final Term: 50
Total Marks 100
Sr. Topics to be Covered
No
1. Introduction to Social Sciences
2. Main Disciplines in Social Sciences
3. Introduction to International Relations
4. Theories of International Relations
5. Realist School of Thought
6. Idealist School of Thought
7. Strategy and International Relations
8. Machiavelli
9. Chankya Kautiliya
10. Introduction to Sociology
11. Introduction to Education
12. Pakistan Studies
13. Psychology
Mid Term

14.
Current Issues in Social Sciences
15. Advent of Nuclear Weapons in International Relations
16. Geo-strategic position of Pakistan in the International Relations
17. Nuclear Deterrence in South Asia
18. Drone Warfare: Implications for Pakistan
19. Pakistan- India Relations
20. Role of Major powers in South Asia
21. Indo-Israel strategic partnership
22. Pakistan-China relationship
23. Pakistan-US relationship: Future prospects
24. Security Situation in Afghanistan and FATA
25. Pakistan’s role in the war against terror
26. Nuclear Policy of Pakistan
27. Nuclear Doctrine of India
28. India in Afghanistan and its implications for Pakistan
29. Strategic Importance of South China Sea
30. Strategic Importance of Strait of Malacca
31. Final Term

Reference Books
David Armitage, Foundations of Modern International Thought (Cambridge
University Press, 29-Nov-2012)

Joshua S. Goldstein, Jon C. Pevehouse, International Relations, 2013-2014 Update

(Pearson Education, Limited, 26-Jul-2013)

Joyce P. Kaufman, Introduction to International Relations: Theory and Practice

(Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 04-Apr-2013)

Alison J. Ayers, Political Economy, and International Relations Theory: Modern

Princes and Naked Emperors (Palgrave Macmillan, 13-Feb-2013)

Keith L. Shimko, International Relations: Perspectives, Controversies and Readings

(Cengage Learning, 2012)

Charles William Kegley, Shannon Lindsey Blanton, World Politics 2012-2013: Trend
and Transformation (Cengage Learning, 2012)

Joshua S. Goldstein, Jon C. Pevehouse, International Relations 2012-2013 Update

(Pearson Education, Limited, 21-Feb-2012)

Robert Jackson, Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches

(Oxford University Press, 13-Dec-2012)

Laura J. Shepherd, Critical Approaches to Security: An Introduction to Theories and

Methods (Routledge, 03-Jan-2013)

Kenneth N. Waltz, Man, the State, and War: A Theoretical Analysis  (Columbia
University Press; April 15, 2001)

Thomas C. Schelling, Arms and Influence: The Henry L. Stimson Lectures Series
(Yale University Press, September 10, 1967)

Robert Jervis, Perception and Misperception in International Politics (Center for

International Affairs, Harvard University, November 1, 1976).

John J. Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (W. W. Norton &
Company; January 2003)

Henry Kissinger, The White House Years, Years Of Upheaval, Diplomacy (Little
Brown; 1979)