Wenyan Deng

This course introduces students to the study of international relations by examining how states interact, cooperate, and conflict in the global system. We begin with foundational questions: Why do wars occur? When is cooperation possible under anarchy? How do institutions, domestic politics, and ideas shape international outcomes? The course is organized around both theoretical frameworks and real-world applications. Students will engage with major traditions in international relations — including realism, liberalism, and constructivism — as well as more recent approaches that emphasize strategic interaction, interdependence, domestic politics, nationalism, grassroot organizations, and firms and global supply chains. Throughout the course, we will apply these frameworks to contemporary global issues, with particular attention to East Asia and the implications of China's rise for regional and global order. Beyond substantive knowledge, this course emphasizes the development of core analytical and professional skills. Students will learn how to read and evaluate complex academic arguments, construct evidence-based explanations, and connect theoretical frameworks to current events. By the end of the course, students will be able to think critically about global politics and engage thoughtfully with ongoing debates in international affairs.