BITS PILANI KK BIRLA GOA CAMPUS

INSTRUCTION DIVISION
FIRST SEMESTER 2020-21
COURSE HANDOUT (PART-II)
Date: 08.08. 2020
In addition to Part-I (General Handout for all courses appended to the timetable), this portion
gives further specific details regarding the course.

Course Title: International Relations

Course Code: HSS F346
Instructor: R P Pradhan

1. Course Description and Objectives:

Why do nation states go to war? What are the conditions under which peaceful coexistence becomes
the norm? Why do nation states cooperate on some issues and not on others? What is national
interest? These are some of the questions that this course will attempt to address over the semester.

The course consists of two sections. The first introduces and discusses key concepts (such as anarchy,
power, national interest and theories (idealism, realism, liberalism, and constructivism) in international
relations. This section also includes select case studies (such as Cuba, Vietnam, Afghanistan) to which
various IR concepts and theories have been commonly applied. The second section “India and the
World” will highlight the role of nonalignment in India’s foreign policy, its relations with the US, Soviet
Union/Russia, China and Pakistan. At the end of the course, students will become familiar with key ideas
and theories in international relations and be in a position to apply them to understand contemporary
world affairs.

2. Text Book (TB):

John Baylis;( 2001). The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relation; Oxford
University Press; 2nd Edition. http://bit.ly/XhmCPF

https://yfadukypyz.files.wordpress.com/.../the-globalization-of-world-pol...
https://peaceandconflictstudiesblog.files.wordpress.com/.../the-globalizati...

Students are also expected to be familiar with NCERT’s Contemporary World Politics -
http://www.ncert.nic.in/ncerts/textbook/textbook.htm?leps1=0-9

Other readings (required): A set of other required readings will be posted online over the course of the
semester. Audio Visuals and documentaries pertaining to case studies shall also be discussed /posted
during the course delivery.

3. Course Plan: The Course Plan shall be executed through four basket groups of course module i.e.
3.1 IR Theories; IR & International Financial Diplomacy; Strategic Security & Arms Race;
Diplomacy & India Foreign Policy in the Global Foreign Policy Agenda.

1
Lectur Topic/Theme Readings
es - 40
03L Introductory Lectures Class Note &
World Order in Transition: Thucydides Trap OR Great Convergence & literature Links
Implications for India
IR Theories TB + Class Note
& literature Links
A survey of int’l politics since the 20the century – the Cold War “
Realism; Neo-realism & Liberalism “
12L Neo-Functionalism & Supra-Nationalism “
Constructivism “
Marxism: The Cold War & Beyond: Foreign Policy; Financial Diplomacy & “
Strategic Security Paradigm. Case examples of Cuba, Vietnam,
Afghanistan,9/11 and the clash of ideology & civilizations

Financial Diplomacy: TBA Class Note;

06 Dollarization of World Economy; Breton wood Institutions; ISI Model to Links
Trade Liberalization & Economic Globalization & Beyond EU, ASEAN & Free
Market Diplomacy.

Strategic Security & Arms Race

06 Strategic Security Paradigm & Arms Race TBA “
Maritime Security Theories & Practice TBA
Non State Actors like Terrorism & Foreign Policy Choices TBA

Foreign Policy Review: India and the World

India & her Neighbours TBA
10L India and the Superpowers TBA
India and China TBA
India and Pakistan TBA

03L Assignments NA
Posting Class Reading, Audio Visuals NA
4. Evaluation scheme:

Component Duration Assigned marks Time & Date

Mid Sem 1.5 hr 30 May be restructured
Assignment Shall be announced 30 Shall be announced
Comprehensive exam 2/3 hrs 40 Shall be announced

5. Chamber Consolation Hour: To be announced in the class

6. Notices: Notices shall be displayed in the course notice board.
7. Make-up policy: Make-up will be granted only under exceptional conditions (illness, death in the family) and on
submission of relevant documentation.
TOTAL - 40 lectures/contact hours
Course No. HSS F346