Critical Epistemologies of Global Politics combines social science and cultural studies approaches to IR, showing why contemporary Border Studies needs to be trans-disciplinary if it is to avoid reproducing the epistemological and political order that has led to contemporary global crises like the rise of ISIS, global migration, or increasing contestations of the State form as such. The volume offers a critical epistemology of global politics and proposes an enriched vision of borders, both analytically and politically, that not only seeks to understand but also to reshape and expand the meanings and consequences of IR.

This book is designed as a foundational entry point to International Relations theory – structured to condense the most important information into the smallest space and present that information in an accessible manner. The first half of the book covers the theories that are most commonly taught in undergraduate programmes. The book then expands to present emerging approaches and offer wider perspectives. Each chapter sets out the basics of a theory whilst also applying it to a real-world event or issue, creating a lively, readable and relevant guide that will help students to see not only what theories are – but why they matter.

Diplomacy is an evolving practice in terms of historical circumstance and changing national interests. History and interests do not always coincide. This book explores in brief, pungent case examples, the challenges diplomacy faces today as actors seek to change history and undermine interests. Stephen Chan OBE was Foundation Dean of Law and Social Sciences at SOAS University of London, where he remains as Professor of World Politics. He has occupied many named chairs around the world, most recently the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Chair of Academic Excellence at Bir Zeit University in 2015, and the George Soros Chair of Public Policy at the Central European University in 2016.

This course will provide history, theory, and perspectives on current foreign policy issues to provide a foundation for understanding the study of foreign policy and a variety of pressing foreign policy issues. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: identify the processes and institutions relevant to foreign policy making in the United States; compare and contrast competing theories of international relations that relate to U.S. foreign policy as well as specific theories foreign policymaking, and explain how these theories help us understand U.S. foreign policy; trace the historical development of U.S. foreign policy, including key historical events that shaped/were shaped by U.S. foreign policy, and apply this historical context to contemporary issues in U.S. foreign policy; list and describe substantive and geographical issues relevant to contemporary foreign policy makers in the United States, and provide informed policy proposals for addressing these issues; synthesize information about U.S. foreign policy goals, values, contemporary issues, and trends to articulate a grand strategy for U.S. foreign policymakers to follow; explain how foreign policy goals and priorities have and will continue to change, and identify issues that will be important to future policymakers. This free course may be completed online at any time. (Political Science 311)