This course is designed for students with limited prior knowledge of international relations and strategy, as well as those eager to explore how IR theory addresses the rise of China into a great power. Our goal is to elevate students from diverse backgrounds to a level of knowledge which will allow them to effectively engage with the Global Affairs core at Schwarzman College. We will delve into major international relations theories central to contemporary strategic debates among scholars and policymakers. Students will learn to evaluate these theories by examining the strategic behavior of states and the interplay between domestic and international politics. Think of it as acquiring the tools to decode international drama—from sanctions and trade wars to hot wars, peace treaties, arms controls and nuclear stability.

Students will assess the practical relevance of various IR theories and critically engage with pressing contemporary strategic questions, such as: Can China rise peacefully? Is a new Cold War inevitable? What conditions are necessary for cooperation between China and the United States? Will decoupling signal the end of globalization? Are nuclear weapons going to proliferate? Can developing countries and the global south navigate great power competition? Our aim is to help students immerse in the often-disconcerting realities of global politics, encouraging them to consider strategies and weigh consequences from the perspectives of both policymakers and citizens.