Pathways in World Politics

International relations offers conceptual tools for understanding the causes of and possible solutions to many of the challenges facing the world today, including global pandemics, wars, nuclear proliferation, economic crises, and climate change. Why is there no world government? What are the consequences of not having a world government? These are the fundamental questions of interest to scholars of international relations. This three-week course will introduce students to the scientific study of world politics, focusing on such issues as the creation of international organizations like the United Nations, the regulation of the global economy, and applied diplomacy. The course is a combination of standard classroom material (lectures, readings, and discussion), diplomacy simulations, and meetings with practitioners of diplomacy. Students will come away with a comprehension of politics among nations, which can bolster a future career in business, government, journalism, education, law, or nonprofit organizations, as well as make students better informed global citizens poised to make informed decisions and interventions in an increasingly complex world.