IRS 222 Contemporary Issues in International Relations

This course builds on the knowledge gained in the IRS 200 Introduction to International Relations course and connects theory and practical knowledge. It focuses on current issues and developments in international relations. The course discusses wide range of political, economic, cultural, and social problems with particular focus on Europe and North America.
Present dynamic changes are analyzed in context with the post WWII history. The aim is to introduce students into the most important discourses of challenges to the standing system of international relations in the post bipolar era. Multiple media sources will be used for the analyses, which should also provide students with advanced orientation in media landscape. Students have to follow actual news coverage, reported events, their presentation and interpretation. Actual news coverage as well as opinions of key players will be discussed in the class. As we analyze real-time issues, we will naturally rely on real-time sources of information.