Comprehensive Course Listing Across All Semesters
This detailed table outlines every course offered in the International Relations program at Lords University Alwar, covering core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory components across eight semesters.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IR-101 | Introduction to International Relations | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | IR-102 | Political Science Fundamentals | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | IR-103 | World History: From Ancient to Modern | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | IR-104 | Global Economic Systems | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | IR-105 | Introduction to Research Methodology | 2-0-0-2 | None |
| 1 | IR-106 | English Communication Skills | 2-0-0-2 | None |
| 1 | IR-107 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | IR-108 | Science Elective I (Physics) | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 2 | IR-201 | International Organizations | 3-0-0-3 | IR-101, IR-102 |
| 2 | IR-202 | Diplomatic Practices | 3-0-0-3 | IR-101, IR-102 |
| 2 | IR-203 | Conflict Analysis and Resolution | 3-0-0-3 | IR-101, IR-102 |
| 2 | IR-204 | Security Studies in Contemporary World | 3-0-0-3 | IR-101, IR-102 |
| 2 | IR-205 | Research Methods Lab | 0-0-4-2 | IR-105 |
| 2 | IR-206 | Science Elective II (Chemistry) | 3-0-0-3 | IR-108 |
| 2 | IR-207 | Human Rights Law | 3-0-0-3 | IR-101, IR-102 |
| 2 | IR-208 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3-0-0-3 | IR-101, IR-102 |
| 3 | IR-301 | Regional Studies - South Asia | 3-0-0-3 | IR-201, IR-202 |
| 3 | IR-302 | Economic Diplomacy | 3-0-0-3 | IR-201, IR-204 |
| 3 | IR-303 | Cybersecurity and Digital Diplomacy | 3-0-0-3 | IR-201, IR-204 |
| 3 | IR-304 | Environmental Diplomacy | 3-0-0-3 | IR-201, IR-204 |
| 3 | IR-305 | Public Policy Analysis | 3-0-0-3 | IR-201, IR-204 |
| 3 | IR-306 | Diplomatic Negotiation Skills | 3-0-0-3 | IR-202, IR-203 |
| 3 | IR-307 | Humanitarian Intervention | 3-0-0-3 | IR-201, IR-204 |
| 3 | IR-308 | Science Elective III (Biology) | 3-0-0-3 | IR-206 |
| 4 | IR-401 | Global Governance Structures | 3-0-0-3 | IR-301, IR-302 |
| 4 | IR-402 | Advanced Conflict Analysis | 3-0-0-3 | IR-301, IR-302 |
| 4 | IR-403 | International Trade and Investment | 3-0-0-3 | IR-302, IR-305 |
| 4 | IR-404 | Human Rights and Global Justice | 3-0-0-3 | IR-307 |
| 4 | IR-405 | Policy Implementation and Evaluation | 3-0-0-3 | IR-305, IR-301 |
| 4 | IR-406 | Global Security Challenges | 3-0-0-3 | IR-204, IR-302 |
| 4 | IR-407 | International Law and Treaties | 3-0-0-3 | IR-201, IR-207 |
| 4 | IR-408 | Science Elective IV (Computer Science) | 3-0-0-3 | IR-308 |
| 5 | IR-501 | Research Project I | 0-0-6-4 | IR-401, IR-402 |
| 5 | IR-502 | Regional Studies - Middle East | 3-0-0-3 | IR-301, IR-401 |
| 5 | IR-503 | Cultural Dimensions of International Relations | 3-0-0-3 | IR-201, IR-301 |
| 5 | IR-504 | Advanced Diplomatic Practice | 3-0-0-3 | IR-306, IR-402 |
| 5 | IR-505 | International Financial Systems | 3-0-0-3 | IR-302, IR-303 |
| 5 | IR-506 | Climate Change and Environmental Governance | 3-0-0-3 | IR-404, IR-403 |
| 5 | IR-507 | Digital Diplomacy Tools and Applications | 3-0-0-3 | IR-303, IR-403 |
| 5 | IR-508 | Research Project II | 0-0-6-4 | IR-501 |
| 6 | IR-601 | Policy Writing and Advocacy | 3-0-0-3 | IR-501, IR-502 |
| 6 | IR-602 | International Conflict Resolution | 3-0-0-3 | IR-402, IR-502 |
| 6 | IR-603 | Global Governance and Multilateralism | 3-0-0-3 | IR-401, IR-502 |
| 6 | IR-604 | Human Rights in Practice | 3-0-0-3 | IR-404, IR-502 |
| 6 | IR-605 | Advanced Negotiation Techniques | 3-0-0-3 | IR-306, IR-504 |
| 6 | IR-606 | Global Economic Integration | 3-0-0-3 | IR-302, IR-505 |
| 6 | IR-607 | Research Ethics and Compliance | 2-0-0-2 | IR-105 |
| 6 | IR-608 | Capstone Project | 0-0-8-8 | IR-508, IR-601 |
| 7 | IR-701 | Thesis Proposal and Literature Review | 0-0-4-4 | IR-608 |
| 7 | IR-702 | Field Research Methods | 0-0-4-2 | IR-508, IR-701 |
| 7 | IR-703 | Advanced Policy Analysis | 3-0-0-3 | IR-601, IR-604 |
| 7 | IR-704 | Research Internship | 0-0-8-8 | IR-702, IR-703 |
| 8 | IR-801 | Thesis Completion and Defense | 0-0-8-8 | IR-704 |
| 8 | IR-802 | Graduation Seminar | 1-0-0-1 | IR-801 |
Detailed Overview of Advanced Departmental Electives
Global Governance Structures: This course examines the evolution and functioning of international institutions such as the United Nations, World Bank, IMF, WTO, and others. Students explore how these bodies interact with member states, address global challenges, and shape international policy frameworks.
Advanced Conflict Analysis: Building upon foundational knowledge, this course delves into theoretical models of conflict resolution, including structural analysis, identity politics, resource competition, and historical precedents. Students apply these theories to contemporary case studies involving civil wars, territorial disputes, and transnational conflicts.
International Trade and Investment: This elective focuses on the mechanics of global trade, investment flows, trade policies, economic sanctions, and their implications for international relations. Students learn about regional trade agreements, WTO dispute resolution mechanisms, and the role of multinational corporations in shaping global markets.
Human Rights and Global Justice: The course explores the conceptual foundations of human rights law, including universal declarations, regional conventions, and judicial interpretations. It addresses contemporary issues such as refugee crises, genocide prevention, and the responsibilities of states and international organizations in protecting vulnerable populations.
Policy Implementation and Evaluation: This course teaches students how to design, implement, and evaluate public policies at both national and international levels. Emphasis is placed on stakeholder analysis, resource allocation, monitoring techniques, and impact measurement using empirical data and theoretical frameworks.
Global Security Challenges: Students examine current threats to global security including terrorism, cyber warfare, nuclear proliferation, climate change impacts, and humanitarian crises. The course integrates perspectives from military strategy, intelligence studies, and political science to provide a holistic understanding of modern threats.
International Law and Treaties: This course introduces students to the principles and practices of international law, including sources of law, jurisdiction, state responsibility, and treaty-making processes. Students study landmark cases from international courts and tribunals, and analyze how legal norms influence diplomatic relations and conflict resolution.
Cultural Dimensions of International Relations: This course explores how cultural factors shape international behavior and decision-making. Topics include soft power dynamics, cultural diplomacy, religious influences on foreign policy, and the role of media in shaping public opinion across different societies.
Digital Diplomacy Tools and Applications: As digital technologies transform diplomatic practices, this elective provides an overview of social media strategies, cyber diplomacy frameworks, data analytics in policy formulation, and emerging trends such as blockchain-based international agreements and AI-driven conflict prediction models.
Climate Change and Environmental Governance: This course analyzes the intersection of environmental issues with international relations. Students study global climate negotiations, carbon trading mechanisms, biodiversity conservation strategies, and sustainable development goals, examining how environmental challenges are addressed through multilateral cooperation and national policy reforms.
Advanced Diplomatic Practice: Designed for students seeking practical skills in diplomacy, this course covers protocol management, cultural sensitivity training, negotiation techniques, media engagement strategies, and career preparation for diplomatic roles in government or international organizations.
Humanitarian Intervention: This elective investigates the ethical, legal, and strategic dimensions of humanitarian interventions by states or international bodies. Students examine historical examples such as Kosovo, Libya, Syria, and Rwanda, evaluating the effectiveness of intervention strategies and their long-term consequences for regional stability.
Research Ethics and Compliance: As part of the academic preparation, this course ensures that students understand ethical standards in research involving human subjects, data protection laws, institutional review board procedures, and responsible conduct of research practices.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The International Relations program at Lords University Alwar embraces a robust project-based learning model that encourages active engagement with real-world issues. Projects are designed to mirror the complexity of actual policy challenges, requiring students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Mini-projects are integrated throughout the curriculum, particularly in the second and third years, allowing students to engage with current events, historical case studies, or emerging issues in international relations. These projects often involve collaboration with faculty mentors and industry partners, providing exposure to professional standards and expectations.
The final-year thesis/capstone project is a significant component of the program's academic rigor. Students select a topic aligned with their specialization area and conduct original research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The process involves literature review, data collection, analysis, and presentation of findings in both written and oral formats.
Project selection begins in the fifth semester, when students are encouraged to identify topics that interest them and align with their career goals. Faculty mentors are assigned based on expertise areas and project relevance, ensuring that students receive appropriate guidance throughout the research process. The evaluation criteria include originality of approach, depth of analysis, clarity of presentation, and contribution to existing knowledge in the field.