1. Introduction to the Study of IR
Basic questions
Why should we study international relations?
How can we focus our study?
What types of knowledge do we need to consider?
What methods of acquiring knowledge are available?
Which conceptual framework(s) should we apply?
Who are the principal actors in the world today?
How can different “levels of analysis” help us to understand international relations?

2. International Economics International Politics International Society
Spheres of IR
International Economics
International Politics
International Society

3. Types of Knowledge Descriptive ----------- vs.----------- Theoretical
History
Idiosyncratic
Case Study
Political Science
Nomothetic
Formal/Statistical
Past
Present

4. Levels of Analysis (I) Global Level North-South gap
Technological change
World regions
Information revolution
European imperialism
Global telecommunications UN
Worldwide scientific and business communities
World environment

5. Levels of Analysis (II)
Interstate Level
Power
IGOs
Balance of power
Diplomacy
Alliance politics
Summit meetings
Wars
Bargaining
Treaties
Reciprocity
Trade agreements

6. Levels of Analysis (III)
Domestic Level
Nationalism
Political parties and elections
Ethnic conflict
Public opinion
Type of government
Gender
Democracy
Economic sectors and industries
Dictatorship
Military-industrial complex
Domestic coalitions
Foreign policy bureaucracies

7. Levels of Analysis (IV)
Individual Level
Great leaders
Learning
Crazy leaders
Assassinations, accidents of history
Decision making in crises
Citizens'participation (voting, rebelling, going to war, etc.)
Psychology of perception and decision

8. Multi-Level Explanation
Traffic Accident Analogy
Driver
Experience vs. Inexperienced
Car
Safe vs. Unsafe
Intersection
Well designed vs. Poorly designed
Which factor “caused” the accident?