Layachi GOV1610  

Queens Library
Main Phone: 718-990-6201
Circulation: 718-990-6850
Reference: 718-990-6727
Reserves: 718-990-6069

Staten Island Library
Main Phone: 718-390-4457
Reference: 718-390-4460
Reserves: 718-390-4359

Manhattan Library
Main Phone: 212-277-5135
Reserves: 212-227-5136 

This course is designed to familiarize students with the major issues, concepts and theories of international relations. It presents the major thinkers and the most important theoretical approaches in the field of international relations, and identifies the major actors in the global arena and the main issues of the contemporary era.  It discusses how international actors interact with each other; explores the principles that guide their behavior; and attempts to explain the occurrence of certain patterns of international events such as war.  It also looks at how some important issues came about, and how they were dealt with. Historical facts and theoretical approaches will be presented simultaneously so as to stimulate and encourage the critical thinking of students about world events and problems.

Learning Goals

This course aims to help students

• Analyze specific issues related to the "authoritative allocation of values (resources)" that form the core of political science;
• Learn about important problems in past, present and future world politics and how and why they are directly relevant to our daily lives;
• Understand and evaluate major theoretical approaches to international relations;
• Develop the ability to think and argue critically about issues in international relations and to convey their thoughts in a written form;
• Synthesize analytical exercises in a way that manifests understanding of the larger context of political life; 
• Critically assess the results of their own research and that of others.

Our librarians are ready to assist our University Community with research 7 days a week. If you are on campus during library hours, stop by the reference desk. If you are not on campus, you can call us (see contact info at right).  Need help on the road or during off-hours? Use our AskUs Service to submit a question by email or text (917-652-6936) and we’ll deliver an answer in same format.

In addition to services at the Reference Desk, you can also set up a one-on-one consultation with a reference librarian who will advise you on effective research strategies.  Each of the subject specialist librarians -- in addition to an MLS or MLIS -- have subject masters and/or PhD in different disciplines. Consult a subject librarian for help in locating resources for your research paper, thesis, dissertation or professional research.

For group classes, stop by one of our common hour workshops, or work with a librarian to create a workshop for your club, thesis support group, class, fraternity, team, or department.