This course will offer an examination of key strategic issues dealing with interstate and intrastate war. It will be divided in four parts. The first part will introduce the main IR theoretical approaches and levels of analysis. The second part will present national, regional and international causes of war. It will discuss the questions of uncertainty, polarity, governance, economy and identity. The third part will focus on the strategic and tactic means of waging war between and within states. The final part will highlight the main ways to end wars and to sustain peace. Issues related to military interventions, peacekeeping and peacebuilding will be discussed. Throughout the course, the students will be assessed on their participation to the online simulation Statecraft. Students will be required to take the role of state decision-makers and thus experience the challenges, trade-offs and responsibilities associated with strategic issues in world politics.
- Teacher: Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé