IRS 307: International Politics in the Post-Cold War Era

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

1. discuss how the demise of the Soviet Union led to the collapse of Communism;
2. explain how the diminishing of communism at the end of the cold war gave impetus to the spread of democracy in the Eastern Europe and the Third World;
3. evaluate why the end of the cold war has created room for disarmament talk between the super powers; and
4. explain the renewed interest of the UN in peace keeping operation across the world.

Course Contents

The end of the Cold War and its effects on the international system. The collapse of communism and disintegration of alliance systems. The democratic fever in the Third World and Eastern Europe. The UN and the challenges of peace-keeping and peace-making’. Options and tendencies in the emerging world. Africa and the problems of marginality. Reproachment between the former western bloc and the Eastern bloc, UN reviewed interest in peacekeeping across the world. Disarmament talk.