Understanding International Relations Theory

Course Overview

Skills and Knowledge Acquired:
The course "Understanding International Relations Theory" offered by the Higher School of Economics provides students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in the field of international relations. Through this course, students will gain an understanding of the history of the formation of the modern system of international relations, the features of various theories interpreting the foreign policy of the state, and the ability to analyze the foreign policy of states through the prism of the theory of international relations. Additionally, students will learn about the actors of international relations, the types of power in international relations, and the critical analysis of the foreign policy of states through the theories of international relations. By the end of the course, students will be able to interpret important international events and foreign policy of states through the prism of different theories of international relations.


Contribution to Professional Growth:
Understanding International Relations Theory is an online course that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the history and theories of international relations. Through this course, students will gain an understanding of the different theories of international relations, such as realism, liberalism, Marxism, Constructivism, Postmodernism, and Feminism. They will also learn about the actors of international politics and the different types of power in international relations. Furthermore, students will be able to analyze the foreign policy of states through the prism of the theories of international relations. This course will help students to develop their critical thinking skills and gain a better understanding of international relations. By completing this course, students will be able to apply their knowledge to analyze international events and foreign policy of states. This course will contribute to professional growth by providing students with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand and analyze international relations.


Suitability for Further Education:
This course is suitable for preparing further education in the field of international relations. It provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the history of the formation of the modern system of international relations, as well as the features of various theories interpreting the foreign policy of the state. Students will be able to analyze the special features of different theories of international relations, ranging from realism, liberalism and Marxism to Constructivism, Postmodernism, Feminism etc. Moreover, they will be able to interpret important international events and foreign policy of states through the prism of different theories of international relations. The course also includes tests and essays which will help students to consolidate their knowledge in the field of international relations.