This course connects history and international relations, and reviews the transformative moments in contemporary international relations. The subject matter includes civilization, war and peace, maritime and technological advances, but also extends further afield to history of colonization in Africa, Asia and the Americas. The course identifies transversal themes that bridge a dialogue between various temporal, cultural and social worlds. Students will approach major world-shaping dynamics, events and actors critically, and take issue with unequal power relations and Eurocentric knowledge production. The course covers key concepts in international relations history, and proposes theoretical tools for historically grounded international relations research.

CILO-1: Demonstrate an adequate understanding of international relations as a historically dynamic conjuncture of world-shaping forces in class discussion and assignments. CILO-2: Identify the key actors and events that have transformed international relations. CILO-3: Connect the development of international politics and foreign policies with relevant historical contexts in class discussion and assignments. CILO-4: Critically examine not only the legacies of empires and colonialism but also the long-term ramifications for international relations of our time. CILO-5: Apply historiographical and analytical skills in an internationally-oriented project.