Foundations of International Relations and Global Politics

Global events often seem chaotic, driven by conflicting national interests and complex alliances. To move beyond surface-level news consumption, you need a structured framework for understanding how the world works. This course provides a clear, foundational understanding of International Relations (IR), equipping you with the essential theories and institutional knowledge required to critically analyze global politics, security issues, and economic interdependence. What you'll learn: * Understand the foundational theories of International Relations, including Realism, Liberalism, and Constructivism. * Analyze the roles, structures, and decision-making processes of major international governmental organizations (IGOs). * Differentiate between traditional security threats and modern transnational challenges like terrorism and climate change. * Apply concepts of soft power, economic interdependence, and diplomacy to interpret current geopolitical conflicts. * Examine the emerging dynamics of great power competition and the foundational role of digital sovereignty and cyber diplomacy. The course begins by defining key terminology and exploring the historical evolution of the state system. Subsequent sections introduce major theoretical paradigms and then apply them to analyze the structure and function of global institutions and modern geopolitical challenges. This course is designed for absolute beginners interested in global affairs. No prior knowledge of political science, history, or diplomacy is required. Start building your expertise in global politics today.