Course Description
To achieve the status of a “science,” mainstream schools of international relations studies have sidelined normative topics and issues and emphasized empirical aspects of their studies. As a result, discussions of political theory have rarely received serious attention and are considered separate from international relations. This neglect and separation of political theory and international relations is ironic because, in response to the devastation wrought by World War I, the development of international relations was closely tied to a normative commitment to ensuring lasting peace. The International Political Theory (IPT) course is an attempt to restore this commitment to normative aspects in the study of international relations. Like political theory, international political theory also implies human efforts to achieve a good life. However, unlike the assumptions of political theory and international relations, which limit the concept of politics to the largest and most influential human political organization—the state—international political theory never limits the opportunity to achieve a good life solely within territorial boundaries. A good life is a goal that all human beings strive to achieve: whoever and wherever they are. Territorial boundaries are therefore irrelevant in International Political Theory.
Expected Learning Outcome
- Understand and explain prominent political thought.
- Evaluate the importance of value aspects (ethics, morals, and norms) in international relations.
- Critically analyze value aspects in international relations.
- Assess phenomena and advocate for values.
Syllabus
Read the full syllabus here.