Theory of International

Relations
Course Outline

p
:Objectives
1- Introducing the students of
Political Science to the study
of international relations.
2- Presenting the state of
knowledge in IR.
3- Providing a map of the
subject covering its sub-fields
of international security and
international political
economy.
4- acquaint the students with
the core concepts, processes
and issues of International
Relations.
 5- Developing the students' critical
thinking of the phenomena in
international relations, the issues
that underlie such phenomena and
the concepts and theories that
interpret them
6- The knowledge the
students gain in this course
will provide them with a
solid foundation for more
advanced and specialized
courses in international
relations.
:Structure of the course
The course will cover the substantive
topics of IR both in international
security and international political
economy. The following themes are to
be discussed:

 First: The Study of IR:

1- IR as a Field of Study:
2- Levels of analysis.
 Second: Actors in International
Relations.
1-State Actors.
2- Non State Actors.
 Third: Theoretical Approaches to
the Study of IR:
1- Liberalism.
2- Realism.
3- Neoliberalism and Neorealism.
4- Behavioralism.
5- Postmodernism.
 Fourth: Power in International
Politics:
1- Elements of power.
2- The changing nature of world
power.
 Fifth: Understanding Foreign
Policy:
1- Determinants of Foreign Policy.
2- Foreign Policy Making Process.
 Sixth: International Conflict:
1- What is International conflict?
2- Causes of conflicts: The three
levels of analysis: Individual level,
State level, Global level.
 Seventh: International
Integration:
1- Political integration: Theories
of International integration:
Federalism, Functionalism, and
Neofunctionalism.
2- Political disintegration.
 Eighth: The South and International
Political Economy:
1- The global south: commonalities
and diversity.
2- Why underdevelopment?
3- International implications of
development: Loans, Foreign
investments, And Foreign aid.

4- The South and International

Monetary and Economic Organizations.
:Required Readings
 In addition to the lectures, students are expected to read the
chapters relevant to the topics discussed in the following text
books:
1- Goldstein, Joshua S. International Relations. New York:
Longman, 1999.
2- Kegly,Charles and Eugene R. Wittkopf, World Politics: Trend
and Transformation. New York: Worth Publishers, 2004.
3- Nye, Joseph S. Bound to Lead: The Changing Nature of
American Power. New York: Basic Books, Inc., Publishers,
1990.
4- Rourk, John T., International Politics on the World Stage.
Dushkin/ McCraw. Hill, 1997.
5- Toma, Peter A. and Robert F. Gorman, International Relations:
Understanding Global Issues. Pacific Grove, California:
Brooks/ Cole Publishing Company, 1991.
:Grade Distribution
of the total grade (10 marks) will depend 33%
on students' attendance, participation &
submitting the assignments required in
:addition to the mid-term exam
marks Attendance, Participation, and 4
.Assignments
marks Mid-term exam (There is no 6
Make-up for the mid-term exam. This is not
.negotiable)

The final Comprehensive Exam in late May

.would take up 67% of the grade (20 marks)