Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - POL 141 D100

International Relations (3)

Class Number: 2865

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 5, 2025
    Fri, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores causes and consequences of international political conflict, including war, terrorism, protectionism, nationalism, economic disparity, migration, and humanitarian crises. Evaluates how states and non-state actors navigate and influence these conflicts and the role of international law, diplomacy, and organizational cooperation. Analyzes worldviews on war, peace, human rights, and world order. Students who have taken POL 241 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

The course offers an introduction to world politics. We will explore current affairs in these turbulent times, and the structures of global governance that provide the rules of the game. Topics include: states and non-state actors; international organizations, diplomacy and negotiations; armed conflict and international security; terrorism; international political economy, global environmental politics, and human rights.

Grading

  • News journal 25%
  • Midterm exam 35%
  • Final exam 25%
  • Tutorial participation 15%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Richard Devetak and Daniel R. McCarthy, An Introduction to International Relations (Cambridge University Press, 2024, fourth edition).

Additional required readings are academic journal articles that are available electronically on the Canvas course site.

Attention: the articles in the course calendar are tentative and likely to be updated before the semester begins, in order to reflect summer developments in world politics.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.