International Relations

Introduction to International Relations is a foundational undergraduate course that examines the evolution, nature, and significance of relations among nation-states in an increasingly interconnected world. The course introduces students to key concepts such as sovereignty, international systems, power, diplomacy, and global governance. Through the study of major historical events—including the World Wars, the Cold War, and the emergence of the New World Order—students gain insights into the dynamics of international politics. The course also explores major theoretical approaches such as Realism, Idealism, Imperialism, Systems Theory, and Decision-Making Theory, enabling students to critically analyze contemporary global issues.

Conflict, Diplomacy and War examines the nature of conflict and cooperation in international politics and the mechanisms through which states and other actors manage disputes. The course explores how socio-economic structures, political interests, and ideological orientations shape international relations. Through historical and contemporary case studies, students gain insights into major theories of conflict, diplomacy, and war. Key models of conflict resolution, including balance of power, deterrence, disarmament, and Gandhian approaches, are critically analyzed. The course also investigates the role of diplomacy in fostering peace and cooperation, enabling students to understand and evaluate complex global political challenges.

India’s Foreign Policy provides a comprehensive understanding of the evolution, principles, and contemporary dimensions of India’s engagement with the world. The course examines the key phases of Indian foreign policy, including the role of non-alignment, regional cooperation, and strategic partnerships. Through case studies of India’s relations with neighboring countries and major global powers, students analyze the geopolitical, economic, and security considerations shaping foreign policy decisions. The course also explores issues such as regional integration, trade, development assistance, nuclear policy, and the Indian diaspora, enabling students to critically assess India’s role and influence in an evolving global order.

International Political Economy examines the complex relationship between politics and economics in shaping the contemporary global order. The course introduces students to key economic concepts and explores the evolution of the world political economy from the post-World War II period to the present. It analyzes the role of major international economic institutions such as the WTO, IMF, World Bank, and UNCTAD in governing global trade and finance. Students also study global production networks, multinational corporations, financial liberalization, and regional economic blocs. The course equips learners with analytical tools to understand economic globalization, international trade, and contemporary global economic challenges.

International Law and United Nations examines the legal principles, institutions, and frameworks that regulate relations among states and other international actors. The course introduces students to the sources, development, and application of international law, including treaties, customary law, and international conventions. It explores the structure, functions, and specialized agencies of the United Nations, highlighting its role in maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, and fostering sustainable development. Through the study of contemporary global issues and case studies, students develop a critical understanding of international governance, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the challenges facing the international legal order.

Issues in World Politics examines the major challenges and debates shaping the contemporary global order. The course explores critical issues such as globalization, climate change, migration, energy security, religious and cultural conflicts, and evolving security concerns. It also analyzes the dynamics of arms races, the military-industrial complex, and the growing influence of social movements, civil society organizations, and non-governmental actors in global governance. Through an interdisciplinary approach and contemporary case studies, students develop the ability to critically assess complex international issues, understand their political, economic, and social dimensions, and evaluate their impact on global stability, development, and cooperation.

Comparative Politics introduces students to the systematic study of political systems and institutions across different countries. The course explores the development of comparative politics as a discipline and examines diverse forms of government, including absolute and constitutional monarchies, parliamentary and presidential systems, federal and unitary states, military regimes, and theocracies. Through case studies of countries such as India, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Iran, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, students analyze how political systems function in different contexts. The course develops critical skills to compare, evaluate, and understand the strengths and limitations of various political structures.

Shifting Homelands: Ideology, Migration and Conflict explores migration as a historical, social, and political phenomenon through the interdisciplinary lens of Anthropology and Peace and Conflict Studies. The course examines patterns of human mobility across time, from early migrations and colonial movements to contemporary transnational migration shaped by globalization, climate change, and economic forces. Students engage with major theories of migration and analyze the intersections of migration with identity, culture, development, gender, and multiculturalism. The course further investigates the relationship between migration, conflict, violence, and peacebuilding, enabling students to critically understand mobility and its impact on societies worldwide.

deology and Politics explores the evolution, influence, and contemporary relevance of major political ideologies that have shaped societies and political systems since the Enlightenment. The course examines the philosophical foundations and political expressions of liberalism, nationalism, socialism, communism, democratic socialism, anarchism, fascism, environmentalism, feminism, and postmodernism. Through historical and contemporary case studies, students analyze how ideologies emerge, evolve, and influence political institutions, movements, and governance. The course also engages with debates on the “End of History” and the “End of Ideology,” enabling students to critically evaluate the role of ideas in shaping modern political processes and global affairs.

Politics of Ecology and Environment in Developing Countries examines the complex relationship between environmental sustainability, natural resource management, and development in the Global South. The course explores how colonial histories, industrialization, globalization, and state policies have shaped ecological landscapes and environmental governance. Students engage with key debates surrounding conservation, sustainability, environmental justice, pollution, resource distribution, tribal and indigenous rights, and alternative energy. Through the study of environmental laws, policies, social movements, and contemporary challenges such as climate change and urban pollution, the course develops critical perspectives on balancing economic development with ecological conservation and sustainable governance in developing countries.

Global Justice explores the ethical, political, and philosophical dimensions of justice in an increasingly interconnected world. The course examines major theories of global justice and the contributions of influential thinkers such as John Rawls, Amartya Sen, Martha Nussbaum, Thomas Pogge, and Peter Singer. Students engage with contemporary issues that transcend national boundaries, including global citizenship, poverty and inequality, gender justice, environmental sustainability, human rights, war, terrorism, and international governance. Through critical analysis of global institutions such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, the course develops students’ ability to evaluate competing visions of justice and their relevance to contemporary global challenges.

Women in Conflict and Peace Process examines the multifaceted roles of women in situations of conflict, peacebuilding, and post-conflict reconstruction. Moving beyond the conventional portrayal of women as victims, the course highlights their contributions as mediators, negotiators, activists, and agents of social transformation. Through case studies from Rwanda, Northeast India, Jammu and Kashmir, the Middle East, and Sri Lanka, students explore the gendered dimensions of conflict and the significance of women’s participation in sustainable peace processes. The course develops a critical understanding of gender, security, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding while emphasizing inclusive approaches to achieving lasting peace and social justice.

Contemporary Latin America and Africa explores the political, social, economic, and cultural transformations that have shaped Latin America and Africa in the modern era. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the course examines key themes such as colonial legacies, imperialism, revolution, democratization, globalization, socialism, ethnic identities, civil conflicts, and state-society relations. Students engage with significant historical and contemporary developments, including the Cuban Revolution, U.S. involvement in Latin America, post-colonial African politics, and challenges of governance and development. The course enables learners to critically analyze the interconnected experiences of these regions and their evolving role in contemporary global politics.

Internal Security in India examines the diverse security challenges that affect India’s stability, sovereignty, and development. The course provides an understanding of key concepts such as national security, internal security, terrorism, insurgency, communal violence, and extremism. Students explore the historical evolution, causes, and contemporary manifestations of threats including terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgencies in Northeast India, left-wing extremism, and communal conflicts. The course also analyzes the role of intelligence, security, and investigative agencies in addressing these challenges. Through critical engagement with policy responses and institutional frameworks, students develop informed perspectives on India’s internal security landscape.

The course “Sociology of Globalisation: Global Culture, Economy, Emerging Issues” is designed to help students critically understand globalization as a transformative social, economic, political, and cultural process. In an increasingly interconnected world, globalization shapes identities, livelihoods, governance structures, and patterns of inequality. The course introduces students to major theoretical perspectives and debates surrounding globalization while examining its impact on marginalized communities, gender relations, migration, environment, and development. By exploring both the opportunities and challenges associated with globalization, the course enables students to analyze contemporary global issues, understand resistance movements, and evaluate the changing relationship between power, knowledge, and society.

Introduction to Violence, Conflict and Peace Studies provides an interdisciplinary understanding of violence, conflict, and peacebuilding across individual, community, national, and global contexts. The course examines direct and structural forms of violence, exploring their causes, manifestations, and consequences through diverse case studies, including genocide, civil wars, human rights violations, and social exclusion. Students engage with theories of conflict, negotiation, and peacebuilding while analyzing issues related to identity, gender, human rights, and social justice. Through experiential learning, case analyses, and research-based inquiry, the course equips students with critical analytical skills to understand complex conflicts and contribute to constructive peacebuilding efforts.

The Emerging Global Order examines the historical and contemporary forces that have shaped political systems, economic structures, and global power relations. The course explores the emergence of the modern world system through the rise of capitalism, colonialism, industrialization, and nation-states. It analyzes the influence of class structures, political ideologies, agrarian transformations, globalization, and state formation on patterns of development and governance across regions. Through case studies from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, students critically engage with theories of political change, dependency, development, and state intervention. The course enables learners to understand the evolving dynamics of the contemporary global order.

Analysis of Current Events is an interdisciplinary course that equips students with the skills to critically examine contemporary issues shaping society at local, national, and global levels. Covering themes such as constitutional and civil rights, life ethics, globalization, environmental challenges, governance, economics, culture, technology, and international affairs, the course encourages learners to connect current events with broader historical, political, and social contexts. Through research, discussion, and analysis, students develop informed perspectives on pressing issues, enhance their critical thinking and communication skills, and cultivate sensitivity to diverse viewpoints while understanding the complexities of an interconnected world.

nternational Economics introduces students to the theories, policies, and institutions that govern economic interactions among nations. The course examines the foundations of international trade, comparative advantage, trade patterns, tariffs, and commercial policies, while exploring major theoretical frameworks such as Ricardian and Heckscher–Ohlin models. Students analyze foreign exchange markets, balance of payments, economic integration, customs unions, and the role of multilateral institutions such as the WTO. Emphasizing both theory and real-world applications, the course develops the analytical skills required to evaluate global trade dynamics, international economic policies, and their implications for national and global economic development.

An Introduction to the Study of Foreign Policy of the United States of America in the Post-Cold War World examines the evolution, institutions, ideas, and decision-making processes that shape U.S. foreign policy in the contemporary era. The course explores the foreign policy approaches of successive American administrations and analyzes key issues such as global power politics, international economic governance, security challenges, and U.S. relations with the developing world, including India. Drawing on concepts from international relations, students critically evaluate the motivations, debates, and consequences of American foreign policy while developing the analytical and communication skills necessary to understand contemporary global affairs.

The course Leadership and World Politics enables students to understand how individual leaders influence political institutions, state formation, public policy, international relations, and global events. By examining leaders from diverse political, cultural, and historical contexts, students gain insights into the relationship between personality, ideology, decision-making, and political outcomes. The course encourages critical analysis of leadership styles, successes, failures, and their long-term impact on societies and world order. It also develops comparative and interdisciplinary perspectives on governance, diplomacy, conflict, and social change. The course is particularly relevant in understanding contemporary global challenges and political transformations.

The course Contemporary Middle East is designed to provide students with a critical understanding of one of the most strategically significant and politically dynamic regions of the world. It examines the historical roots of contemporary conflicts, state formation, nationalism, religious movements, oil politics, and international interventions that continue to shape the region. By studying key developments such as the Iranian Revolution, Arab Spring, and the Arab-Israeli conflict, students gain insights into global geopolitics, democracy, authoritarianism, and social change. The course develops analytical skills necessary to interpret regional transformations and their implications for international relations and global security.

Comparative Economics is an important course for students seeking to understand how different economic systems shape growth, development, governance, and social welfare across nations. By examining capitalist, socialist, mixed, and transitional economies, students gain the analytical tools needed to compare economic performance and policy outcomes in diverse global contexts. The course develops an understanding of how historical, political, and institutional factors influence economic decision-making and development trajectories. It is particularly relevant in an era of globalization, economic interdependence, and emerging economic powers. The course equips students with critical perspectives useful for careers in policy, research, development, and international affairs.

The course Living with Climate Change addresses one of the most significant challenges facing contemporary societies and economies. As climate change increasingly affects ecosystems, livelihoods, public health, infrastructure, and development pathways, there is a growing need for graduates who understand its scientific, political, economic, and social dimensions. The course equips students with knowledge of global climate governance, climate justice, adaptation and mitigation strategies, and emerging sustainability frameworks. It also develops awareness of India's climate challenges and policy responses. By linking theory with practical climate action and emerging green careers, the course prepares students to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development and climate resilience.

The course Colonialism in Latin America and Africa provides students with a critical understanding of the historical processes of conquest, colonial domination, resistance, and decolonization that shaped two major regions of the Global South. By examining the political, economic, social, and cultural consequences of colonialism over several centuries, students gain insights into the origins of contemporary global inequalities, identity formations, and developmental challenges. The comparative approach enables learners to analyze similarities and differences in colonial experiences across regions. The course also encourages critical engagement with debates on modernity, imperialism, resistance movements, and decolonization, fostering historical and global perspectives.

The course Politics and the Media in India is designed to help students understand the dynamic relationship between political processes and media institutions in a democratic society. As media increasingly shapes public opinion, electoral behavior, and policy discourse, it is essential for students to critically analyze political communication and reporting practices. The course provides an understanding of India's political landscape, electoral systems, governance structures, and the role of journalism in ensuring accountability and transparency. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical reporting skills, the course prepares students for careers in media, public policy, political analysis, research, and democratic engagement.

The course Indian Constitution provides students with a foundational understanding of the legal, political, and philosophical framework that governs the world's largest democracy. As citizens and future professionals, students require knowledge of constitutional values, institutions, rights, and responsibilities to engage meaningfully with public life and governance. The course introduces key concepts such as constitutionalism, rule of law, citizenship, fundamental rights, and state accountability while examining their contemporary relevance. It also encourages critical reflection on constitutional debates and legal developments. By developing constitutional literacy and analytical skills, the course strengthens democratic awareness, civic engagement, and informed decision-making.

The course “Role of Armed Forces in International Politics” is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how military institutions influence international relations, national security, diplomacy, and global governance. In an era marked by geopolitical competition, regional conflicts, humanitarian crises, and emerging security challenges, armed forces play a critical role beyond conventional warfare. The course examines military diplomacy, coercive and benign uses of force, and strategic decision-making through comparative and case-study approaches. By integrating theoretical concepts with contemporary global developments, the course equips students with analytical skills to understand the intersection of military power, foreign policy, and international politics.

The course on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of international efforts to prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts in pursuit of sustainable peace. As contemporary conflicts increasingly involve humanitarian crises, civil wars, state fragility, and post-conflict reconstruction, knowledge of peacekeeping mechanisms has become essential for students of international relations. The course examines the principles, structures, challenges, and effectiveness of UN peace operations through theoretical frameworks and case studies from different regions of the world. It equips students with analytical skills to evaluate peacebuilding strategies, conflict resolution processes, and global governance mechanisms.