IR theory
1–2IR theory trains the habits international relations depends on — not trivia for exams, but reusable technique for later studios, labs or clinics.
A international relations curriculum is a sequence, not a shopping list. Early courses build shared vocabulary; middle years introduce methods; the final stretch demands a project that can fail in public.
Elective freedom varies: some systems lock professional accreditation hours; others allow wide minors. The courses below are the common spine, not every university's catalogue.
Core courses
International security
1–2International security trains the habits international relations depends on — not trivia for exams, but reusable technique for later studios, labs or clinics.
International political economy
1–2International political economy trains the habits international relations depends on — not trivia for exams, but reusable technique for later studios, labs or clinics.
Diplomacy
2–3Diplomacy trains the habits international relations depends on — not trivia for exams, but reusable technique for later studios, labs or clinics.
International law
2–3International law trains the habits international relations depends on — not trivia for exams, but reusable technique for later studios, labs or clinics.
Area studies
2–3Area studies trains the habits international relations depends on — not trivia for exams, but reusable technique for later studios, labs or clinics.
Research methods
3–4Research methods trains the habits international relations depends on — not trivia for exams, but reusable technique for later studios, labs or clinics.
Global governance
3–4Global governance trains the habits international relations depends on — not trivia for exams, but reusable technique for later studios, labs or clinics.
Common tracks
Security
A security emphasis usually appears after foundations, when students choose seminars, labs or studios that deepen one problem family inside international relations.
IPE
A ipe emphasis usually appears after foundations, when students choose seminars, labs or studios that deepen one problem family inside international relations.
Diplomacy
A diplomacy emphasis usually appears after foundations, when students choose seminars, labs or studios that deepen one problem family inside international relations.
Development
A development emphasis usually appears after foundations, when students choose seminars, labs or studios that deepen one problem family inside international relations.
Skill map
Geopolitical framing86
Brief writing88
Languages78
Negotiation basics80
Source triage84
Cross-cultural work82
Geopolitical framing
Geopolitical framing is practised weekly in international relations programmes; the percentage is relative strength among skills on this page, not a grade.
Brief writing
Brief writing is practised weekly in international relations programmes; the percentage is relative strength among skills on this page, not a grade.
Languages
Languages is practised weekly in international relations programmes; the percentage is relative strength among skills on this page, not a grade.
Negotiation basics
Negotiation basics is practised weekly in international relations programmes; the percentage is relative strength among skills on this page, not a grade.
Source triage
Source triage is practised weekly in international relations programmes; the percentage is relative strength among skills on this page, not a grade.
Cross-cultural work
Cross-cultural work is practised weekly in international relations programmes; the percentage is relative strength among skills on this page, not a grade.
How you learn
Lectures & readings
Large-group framing plus primary texts or problem sets that define the week's vocabulary.
Labs / studios / clinics
Supervised practice where mistakes are expected and feedback is specific.
Seminars
Small-group argument; silence is expensive because the group notices.
Capstone / thesis
A public synthesis — defence, exhibition, clinic portfolio or engineered prototype.
Treat the catalogue as a map of practised skills, not a brand promise. The department that grades hard and returns work fast usually teaches more than the one that advertises prestige alone.
Keep exploring
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