Introduction to International Relations

Master International Relations from Scratch—No Prior Knowledge Needed

Ever wonder why global conflicts start, or how peace is achieved? Do international headlines leave you confused? Are you passionate about world affairs but unsure where to start?

This comprehensive Introduction to International Relations course will transform your curiosity into a deep understanding of the forces shaping our world. Designed for beginners and those with no prior academic background in International Relations, this course gives you the knowledge to engage confidently in discussions about global events, international organizations, economic trends, and geopolitical theories. Start making sense of the complexities of international politics today.

Why This Course is Essential

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to keep up with international news or found yourself asking, “Why do these conflicts happen? What does it all mean for the future?” then this course is for you. Without a foundational knowledge of International Relations, you’re missing out on understanding the crucial “why” behind global events. By enrolling, you’re equipping yourself with insight into how world history, politics, and economic structures intersect to shape the international order.

With this course, you’ll go from feeling confused to confidently discussing the complexities of world affairs.

What You’ll Get in This Course

Our curriculum is carefully structured to take you through the foundations, theories, and key concepts of International Relations. Each section is packed with resources, activities, and insights to guide you from beginner to confident learner.

Course Structure and Learning Materials

• Printable Handouts: All key slides are provided in printable handout format, making it easy to review core information whenever you need it.

• Study Guides: For each section, you’ll have access to study guides that include short-answer quizzes, essay questions, and glossaries of important terms.

• Multiple Choice Quizzes: Test your understanding with quizzes for every section, reinforcing your learning as you progress.

• Reading Recommendations: Dive deeper into each topic with my curated list of essential readings, available for each section.

• Helpful Practice Activities: Practice what you learn with step-by-step practical exercises

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is ideal for:

• Beginners: Those with no prior background in International Relations who want to start from the ground up.

• Students: Supplement your academic studies with a structured introduction to key IR concepts.

• Professionals: Build a foundation in International Relations to enrich your understanding of global affairs in the workplace.

• Inquisitive Minds: Anyone interested in understanding global dynamics, international peace efforts, and the impact of global events.

What You’ll Learn: Your Complete Introduction to International Relations

By the end of this course, you’ll be equipped with knowledge of core principles, historical contexts, and theoretical perspectives. You’ll gain a firm grasp of the following:

1. Foundations of International Relations

• What International Relations (IR) is: Gain a clear definition of IR and understand why it is central to the global organization of political authority.

• History of IR as a Discipline: Discover the origins and evolution of International Relations as a field of study.

• The Great Debates: Learn about the defining intellectual debates that have shaped IR, including key questions and ideological divides.

2. Key Books, Journals, and Websites in IR

• Explore the literature of IR, from essential books and academic journals to leading websites that provide in-depth analysis and current research.

3. Understanding Theory in IR

• What Theory Is and Why It Matters: Discover the purpose of theory in IR and how it helps explain, predict, and evaluate world events.

• Three Levels of Analysis: Learn about the individual, state, and international levels of analysis used to interpret events.

• Explanatory, Predictive, and Normative Theories: Recognize the differences between these types of theories and how they are applied in International Relations.

4. Theoretical Frameworks in IR

• Classical Liberalism and Neoliberalism: Learn the principles of liberalism in IR and how they advocate for cooperation and institutions.

• Classical Realism and Neorealism: Understand realism’s focus on power, conflict, and the pursuit of national interests.

• Social Constructivism and Feminism: Delve into alternative theories that consider the impact of identity, culture, and gender in global politics.

5. Evolution of Modern Statehood

• Medieval Europe: Trace the beginnings of statehood back to medieval Europe and understand the impact of historical treaties.

• The Peace of Augsburg and Peace of Westphalia: Learn about these pivotal treaties and their role in shaping modern concepts of sovereignty and statehood.

6. War and Peace: Key Issues in IR

• Causes of War: Uncover the reasons nations go to war and the factors driving conflict.

• Theories of International Peace: Explore theoretical approaches to peace and the strategies proposed to prevent conflict.

• League of Nations and United Nations: Understand the role of international organizations in fostering peace and resolving disputes.

• European Integration: Learn about the integration of European nations and its role in promoting peace on the continent.

7. International Political Economy (IPE)

• Globalization and Economic Theories: Understand the main economic theories in IPE, including Liberalism, Realism, and Marxism, and how they interpret global economic dynamics.

• The Bretton Woods Institutions: Learn about institutions like the IMF and the World Bank, created to regulate the global economy.

• Competing Perspectives on Globalization: Study the debates surrounding globalization, its benefits, and its consequences for nations and communities.

8. Contemporary Issues in International Relations

• COVID-19’s Impact on Nationalism and Globalization: Explore how the pandemic reshaped perspectives on nationalism and global interconnectedness.

What You’ll Gain from This Course

By completing this course, you’ll have:

• Confidence in discussing international politics and major events with knowledge and clarity.

• A deep understanding of the fundamental principles, theories, and issues that make up International Relations.

• Skills for analysis: Learn to interpret news events and political shifts with a foundation in IR theories and principles.

• In-depth knowledge: Go beyond the headlines with an enriched perspective on everything from the formation of modern states to today’s economic policies.

Start Your Journey to Global Understanding

Don’t let the complexity of global affairs keep you from engaging in world events. Join a community of learners who are transforming their curiosity into informed perspectives. With this course, you’ll gain the skills and insights to speak confidently on the forces shaping our world, equipped with a solid foundation in International Relations.

Enroll now and start learning today! Become a part of the world’s conversations with knowledge, confidence, and insight.

Take the First Step to a Deeper Understanding of International Relations

My Promise to You

I promise that the tuition in this course is of the highest quality, based on genuine university-level teaching and research. It is presented in a highly-accessible and engaging way, designed specifically for those who do not have prior university degree in Politics or International Relations.

I invite you to send me a message if you have any questions about the content of this course.

From My Students:

• "The course was very informative and helpful, and I will apply the knowledge I gain. The lecturer was incredibly fantastic. He explain all the concepts and the definitions of all the topics."

• "Dr. Zwolski truly has teaching skills. He is a straightforward professor and his videos are both interesting and valuable."

• "The course is really informative and provides a very in-depth analysis of several complex topics which otherwise would have been quite difficult to understand. The simplified analysis of various important speeches too help me understand the thinking patterns of a country's culture, thus making future moves more predictable. Overall, this course is totally worth the money and is really good irrespective of your geopolitical knowledge/prior exposure."

• "The instructor is a good lecturer. Interesting material presented clearly and concisely."

• "I'm just a 14 year old high school student who loves to know about current affairs and global conflicts. Mr. Zwolski's course helped me to understand the origins and key concepts of "Geopolitics" without having any university degree or any experiences in this field."

• "I really enjoy listening this guy's lecture. I could sit for hours listening to him lecture and learning new things about International Relations."

• "The lectures have been made very simple to understand! Kamil is doing an amazing job!"

• "Crisp and clear videos, to the point, can be watched easily on the mobile phone."

• "Wow! If your reading the comments and debating on whether or not to take this course,TAKE IT! If you read The Economist, Forbes, taking classes on International relations, or stationed on a foreign base, this class is for you! After this you should be able to decipher mainstream media news outlets! Semper Fi!"

• "I applied to do M.A in International Relations and this course helped me to pass the interview examination as i don't have any back ground in the subject."