International Relations

Course Number: 84-226

This course introduces students to the discipline of international relations (IR) and enables students to examine the causes of war and peace, the role of international institutions and non-state actors in world politics, and the forces that shape international political economy. The course introduces key concepts in world politics like power and order, reviews the modern history of IR from colonialism to today, and surveys a broad range of IR theories and analytical tools that help explain global politics and aid in foreign policy analysis. Finally, students engage in contemporary policy debates about world politics - from the War in Ukraine to the rise of China to the future of globalization - and grapple with ethical issues related to foreign policy decision-making. Students who previously completed 84-326 Theories of International Relations are not eligible to take this course.

Academic Year: 2025-2026
Semester(s): Spring
Units: 9
Location(s): Pittsburgh