Введение в международные отношения

Бакалавриат 2025/2026

Статус: Курс обязательный (Востоковедение)

Кто читает: Школа востоковедения

Где читается: Факультет мировой экономики и мировой политики

Когда читается: 2-й курс, 1, 2 модуль

Онлайн-часы: 20

Охват аудитории: для всех кампусов НИУ ВШЭ

Преподаватели: Кутырев Георгий Игоревич

Язык: английский

Кредиты: 6

Контактные часы: 42

Full Syllabus Ask Question

Abstract

The course aims to provide a broad understanding of the field of International Relations (IR) and of the nature and dynamics of changes and transformations of international system. Conceptual foundations of the discipline will be combined with survey of historical perspective and practical oriented approaches to examining the social, geopolitical and economic factors that shape the context of the international geopolitical dynamics of regions. The course will extend understanding in three aspects. Historical dynamics of development of the international system: from Westphalia to the control over trade flows and contemporary global era of control over capital flows. The course will introduce the main concepts and theories of IR: Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism, the English School Theory and Marxism, as well as other critical theories. Analysis of contemporary challenges, such as the changing nature of security, the balance of geo-economic powers, global hierarchies and inequalities, will help students to develop a critical approach and multidisciplinary assessment of international politics and the global economic system, thereby providing a more in-depth understanding of the possible future of the global order.

Learning Objectives

Explore the evolution of the discipline of international relations in a historical perspective by examining the changing understandings of the world order.
Consider the impact of major historical events on the evolution of international relations: from Westphalian to Global System
Highlight the main theoretical tools to analyse the behaviour of international actors and the nature of international political and economic systems.
Define and compare the main concepts within the discipline, and how they have been institutionalized in the different periods of history.
Apply the acquired knowledge to analyse the challenges of contemporary international society from social, economic and political perspectives.

Expected Learning Outcomes

basic knowledge on constructivism in IR
basic knowledge on English school of IR
basic knowledge on gender theory in IR
basic knowledge on international political economy in IR
basic knowledge on liberalism in IR
basic knowledge on marxism in IR
basic knowledge on poststructuralism in IR
basic knowledge on realism in IR
Can discuss the future of IR
Knows basic approaches in the IR theory
Knows history of international relations
knows key concepts of International Relations
Describe the key theoretical aspects of IR.
Highlight and understand better the context of contemporary events in the framework of international relations.
Apply the concepts and theories to the contemporary issues dealt with during the course.
Find original arguments on issues related to international systems.
describe the key theoretical aspects of IR.
highlight and understand better the context of contemporary events in the framework of international relations
knows history of international relations
apply the concepts and theories to the contemporary issues dealt with during the course.
highlight and understand better the context of contemporary events in the framework of international relations.
find original arguments on issues related to international systems.
can discuss the future of IR

Course Contents

Introduction to International Relations (IR)
History of IR
Theories of IR
Core Concepts and Challenges of IR
The future of IR

Assessment Elements

Socrative
Seminars activity (Socrative)
Final Group Assignment
Instructions: Choose a case study: Examples: Syrian Civil War, Russia–Ukraine conflict, Brexit, South China Sea disputes, UN interventions, climate diplomacy, international trade tensions, etc. Select theoretical frameworks: Each group must apply at least two IR theories (e.g., Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism, Marxism, Feminism, English School). Analyze the case: Describe the event/issue briefly. Explain how each theory interprets the causes, actors, and outcomes. Compare and contrast the insights provided by different theories. Highlight any limitations of the theories in explaining the case. Reflect critically: Which theory provides the most convincing explanation? Why? What new perspectives or insights emerge when combining theories?
Abstract
Analytical Abstract (Analytical Summary) — 150 words Students receive a text (for example, an article by Morgenthau or Keohane). Their task is to briefly: identify the central argument of the text; outline the author’s main supporting arguments; indicate which theoretical school of International Relations the author represents and explain why. Up to 4 abstrats

Interim Assessment

2025/2026 1st module
0.5 * Seminars activity (Socrative) + 0.5 * Socrative
2025/2026 2nd module
0.5 * Final Group Assignment + 0.2 * Seminars activity (Socrative) + 0.3 * Abstract

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

American foreign policy : theoretical essays, , 2011
An introduction to international relations, Reynolds, P. A., 1994
Chan, S., & Zakkour, M. (2014). China’s Super Consumers : What 1 Billion Customers Want and How to Sell It to Them. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=842625
Five to rule them all : the un security council and the making of the modern world, Bosco, D. L., 2009
From international to world society? : English school theory and the social structure of globalisation, Buzan, B., 2004
Hung-PoHsieh, & 謝宏博. (2016). Cross-Border e-Commerce Studies in Taiwan and Mainland China. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsndl&AN=edsndl.oai.union.ndltd.org.TW.104NCKU5457058
International relations theory : realism, pluralism, globalism, Viotti, P. R., 1993
International society and the Middle East : English school theory at the regional level, , 2009
Normative theory in international relations : a pragmatic approach, Cochran, M., 1999
Pettis, M., & Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (2013). Avoiding the Fall : China’s Economic Restructuring. Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Endowment for Int’l Peace. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=641536
Power, the state, and sovereignty : essays on international relations, Krasner, S. D., 2009
Realism and moralism in international relations : essays in honor of Frans A.M.Alting von Geusau, , 1999
Russia's Identity in International Relations : Images, Perceptions, Misperceptions, edited by Raymond Taras, Routledge, 2012. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/hselibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1039305.
Stiglitz, J. E. . V. (DE-588)120068524, (DE-627)080424244, (DE-576)163200661, aut. (2017). Globalization and its discontents revisited anti-globalization in the era of Trump Joseph E. Stiglitz. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.497220709
The political economy of international relations, Gilpin, R., 1987
Understanding international relations, Brown, C., 2009
Гоббс, Т. Leviathan in 2 volumes. V 1. Левиафан в 2 т. Том 1 / Т. Гоббс. — Москва : Издательство Юрайт, 2019. — 284 с. — (Читаем в оригинале). — ISBN 978-5-534-06074-4. — Текст : электронный // Образовательная платформа Юрайт [сайт]. — URL: https://urait.ru/bcode/441701 (дата обращения: 28.08.2023).
Гоббс, Т. Leviathan in 2 volumes. V 2. Левиафан в 2 т. Том 2 / Т. Гоббс. — Москва : Издательство Юрайт, 2019. — 266 с. — (Читаем в оригинале). — ISBN 978-5-534-06076-8. — Текст : электронный // Образовательная платформа Юрайт [сайт]. — URL: https://urait.ru/bcode/441782 (дата обращения: 28.08.2023).

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Grotius Society. (1921). The Grotius Society publications : texts for students of international relations. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.13D74A82
Hudson, M. O. (2019). Legal Foundations of International Relations. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.910716C1
International relations theory and regional transformation, , 2012
Kapstein, E. B. (1992). The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power. By Daniel Yergin. (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1991. 877 + xxxii pp. $24.95.). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.BE565BB6

Authors

Kulik Margarita Iakovlevna

Course Syllabus