Comprehensive Course Structure for International Relations

Advanced departmental elective courses are designed to deepen students' understanding of specialized areas within international relations:

• Global Trade Policy Analysis (IR502): This course explores the complexities of international trade negotiations, including tariff structures, non-tariff barriers, and regional trade agreements. Students engage with real-world case studies involving major economies like the United States, China, and the European Union.
• Climate Change and International Cooperation (IR503): This course examines how climate change impacts global diplomacy and international cooperation frameworks. It covers topics such as the Paris Agreement, carbon trading mechanisms, and adaptation strategies in vulnerable regions.
• Humanitarian Intervention and Peacekeeping (IR504): Students study historical examples of humanitarian interventions and their effectiveness in preventing conflicts. The course also analyzes the roles of UN peacekeeping forces and regional organizations like the African Union.
• Global Governance and Institutional Design (IR505): This course investigates how international institutions are structured and function, including the roles of the UN, World Bank, IMF, and WTO in shaping global policies.
• International Conflict Resolution Strategies (IR506): Students learn various models for resolving international conflicts, from mediation to arbitration, using both theoretical frameworks and practical simulations.
• Advanced Research Methods in IR (IR601): This course equips students with advanced analytical tools for conducting research in international relations, including statistical analysis, comparative method, and policy evaluation techniques.
• Special Topics in International Relations (IR602): This flexible course allows faculty to present current issues in international affairs, such as migration, terrorism, or digital diplomacy.
• Global Ethics and Moral Philosophy (IR603): Students explore ethical dilemmas in global governance, including questions about justice, human rights, and the responsibilities of powerful states.
• Information Warfare and Propaganda Analysis (IR604): This course analyzes how information is used as a weapon in international relations, examining propaganda techniques and cyber warfare strategies.
• Advanced Case Studies in IR (IR605): Through detailed analysis of specific events, students examine how various factors—political, economic, cultural—interact to shape global outcomes.

The department emphasizes project-based learning as a core component of the curriculum. Students begin working on mini-projects in their second year, focusing on real-world issues such as trade disputes, regional conflicts, or environmental challenges. These projects are supervised by faculty members and often lead to publications or presentations at academic conferences.

The final-year thesis/capstone project is a significant component of the program's academic rigor. Students select a topic that aligns with their interests and career goals, working closely with a faculty advisor throughout the process. The thesis must demonstrate original research and critical analysis, contributing new insights to the field of international relations.

Students are encouraged to participate in interdisciplinary research initiatives, collaborating with faculty from other departments such as economics, law, and political science. This approach ensures that students develop a holistic understanding of global issues and can apply diverse analytical tools to complex problems.