War remains an unfortunate yet persistent part of world politics. Understanding the causes of war, and just as importantly, the prospects of peace, remain longstanding preoccupations of International Relations scholarship. The first part of this course introduces students to the key theoretical debates on the causes of war. The second part is dedicated to understanding the challenges associated with obtaining and implementing peace deals, the emergence of terrorism, and nuclear proliferation.
The course concludes with a discussion on the future of war and peace, specifically as it relates to technological developments and great power conflict. Students will become familiar with these topics by readings that cover a wide variety of conflicts and issues including the 1982 Falklands War, the 1991 Gulf War, the 2003 American-Anglo invasion of Iraq, the rise of ISIS, the 2014 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Colombian civil war, the Northern Irish ‘Troubles’, and the North Korean and Iranian nuclear programs.
The course concludes with a discussion on the future of war and peace, specifically as it relates to technological developments and great power conflict. Students will become familiar with these topics by readings that cover a wide variety of conflicts and issues including the 1982 Falklands War, the 1991 Gulf War, the 2003 American-Anglo invasion of Iraq, the rise of ISIS, the 2014 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Colombian civil war, the Northern Irish ‘Troubles’, and the North Korean and Iranian nuclear programs.
- Teacher: Jeffrey Collins