Course Objectives: This course introduces some of the major theoretical perspectives for studying how states and peoples behave and interact. The course required no prior background in international relations. Students will acquire some basic analytical tools for understanding and explaining a wide array of international phenomena, including wars, environmental degradation, alliance behavior, international norms, international conflicts, geopolitics, international political economy and others. The goal is to help students understand why we observe certain issues in the international arena, and to help you devise policy responses that are consistent with international realities and thus more likely to succeed.