1.

MODULE INDUCTION
Introduction to International Relations
Instructor: Le Ngoc Thao Nguyen (MA. International Relations)
1/ WHY STUDY
INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS?
2/ WHAT IS
INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS?
Today’s agenda
3/ HOW TO STUDY
INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
Sense of belonging --> Communication & Co-existence -->
Grouping in different forms --> Power & Conflict

Philosophical Foundation
 Prehistoric Men

CLAN

MATRILINEAL

PATRILINEAL

TRIBE

COMMUNE

NATION STATE

Historical Foundation
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS is the study of
interactions among various actors that participate in
international politics
- the most advanced form of interaction
- the most representative for humankind
- the most complicated processes
==> An interdisciplinary field

Actors Interaction
Actors

DEFINITION Challenges & conflict

WHY SHOULD YOU STUDY IR?
Knowledge
• IR is the environment that determines the behaviours of
states and people
• IR engages with the drive of interests, rights and
responsibility
• IR gives the big picture of the world
Skills
• IR pushes you to read more & even research more
• IR trains you to analyse, evaluate and even associate
events together
Attitude
• IR turns you into a more open-minded person with
critical outlook
• IR helps you to engage with the current changes and
calmly embrace uncertainty
WHAT WILL YOU STUDY?
 Scope of study
Internal factors

Motive Behaviour Outcome

External factors
Motive
Interest

Power

International cooperation
Behavioural
patterns

Rationality: Decision made by

rational choice

Tools: Means to achieve the

goals

International system

Conflict or Cooperation
Outcomes

More gains

More power

Reaction of other actors

Reaction of the system

 An expanding field
Main actors:
• Nation state State
Non-state actors
Main kind of relations
• Political Multidimensional

Main research interest

• Political issues Interconnected issues
Part I: Theoretical foundation (Week 1 --> 3)
This section attempts to establish the theoretical foundations of international politics. It
discusses nation-states and the forces that underlie them, e.g. nationalism and state-building.
Also dealt with are the different levels of analysis which we may use as vantage points for
understanding international relations, in particular the individual, the nation-state, and the
international system.
Part II: How states and non-state actors behave in international system (Week 4 --> 7)
This section turns toward how international actors, including sovereign states, international
organizations, transnational corporations, and non-governmental organizations, pursue their
goals and acquire power and influence. Students will examine important international
processes, including war and the use of force, alliances, balance of power, international law,
international institutions, and morality. Students will also explore how international
institutions, norms and structures of governance affect international interactions.

Part III: Globalisation & Global challenges (Week 8 --> 10)

This section surveys the process of globalisation, focusing on finance & economics, as well
as discuss current global issues including global warming, food security and extreme
poverty.

Syllabus
HOW TO STUDY IR?