International Relations
Course Number: #2723
In more ways than we realize, our lives have become internationalized. Information media have played a significant role in narrowing the information gap between nations. We can share opinions with citizens around the world via the web. Turning on a television, we can witness a war, a riot, an earthquake, a military coup, a rebellion, a protest, or an election in a distant part of the world. Non-state actors, such as international corporations, are becoming increasingly important and much of what we buy is resourced, produced or assembled overseas. Yet, the fundamental problem of international relations continues to be the perennial question of conflict and violence within and between states. The world is coming together, and flying apart, faster than ever before. These changes create dangers and opportunities for all of us, but it isn’t always easy to tell the two apart. To deal with this dilemma, the course will provide students with the necessary historical background, theoretical concepts, and analytical tools to make sense of a complex and constantly changing world. This course is fast paced, taught at the college level, and will require extensive reading and participation by the student.
Prerequisites: 90% in World History or successful completion of any Advanced Placement social studies course
Credit(s): .5
Open to Grade(s): 11 and 12 (elective)
Texts and Materials: The New World of International Relations; The Economist