1. Introduction to International Relations

2. Agenda
1. Bell Ringer: How do you prefer to learn? What is one thing you would like to learn about this year? (5)
2. Go over Syllabus, expectations for class (15)
3. Brief lecture: What are international relations? Why are we worried about it? (15)
4. Discussion, Global impact of decisions. (10)
5. Primary Analysis, Global technology and maps. (15)
6. Quick quiz, how much do you know? (10)
7. Textbooks (10)
HW: Letter to Mr. Throckmorton due 9/5

3. What is International Relations?
International Relations are the policies and interactions between countries.
Politics
Military
Corporations

4. Brief overview of International Relations in History
1. Pre-World War I, a balance of power theory was dominant, declining with nationalism.
2. World War I through World War II, the old empires destroy themselves through warfare.
3. Cold War Era, a bi-polar system dominated by the Soviet Union and the United States.
4. Post-Cold War, ?? Ranges from uni-polar, multi-polar, to globalized with “zones of chaos”

5. What is studied within International Relations?
The idea of the “State” and how that is rapidly changing.
How corporations have changed how countries respond to economic and political issues.
Who really has the power? What is defined as “power” on the world stage?

6. The Current Situation?
Why is Malaysia Flight 17 important to international relations?
Several nations took part in a search effort to find the still missing airliner.
It directly correlates with conflict in the Ukraine.
It shows how Malaysia Airlines economic status can affect the entire airline industry.
The crash shows the continuing struggle between the United States and Russia.

7. Current Situation?
How long has there been conflict between Israel and Palestine?
1917
1948
1973
1979

8. Current Situation? Why is North Korea in the news right now?
Kim Jong Un has changed his policy towards the United States.
Several Americans are being detained for acts against the country.
Kim Jong-Un has begun testing nuclear weapons, threatening the cease fire in place since 1953.

9. Current Situation?
How has America reacted to Vladimir Putin’s push to take over Eastern Ukraine?
Negatively with sanctions against the country.
Neutral, no need to get involved in Cold War Politics.
Threatening military force against Russia.

10. Current Situation?
What is ISIS? And how has the United States dealt with their presence in Iraq?
 Islamic State in Iraq and Syria
Recent airstrikes to push back the militant Sunni forces.