The course is divided into three parts.  First we will consider the basic concepts and methods used to study international relations.  We will also study the evolution of the international state system. In the second section we will consider two important processes in world politics:  international competition (from trade to the new international economic order) and global conflict (from individual violence to nuclear warfare).  The final section of the course will focus on international cooperation and the efforts to achieve world order.  We will also discuss contemporary issues in world politics: the spread of democracy; the progress of human rights protection; and global health and environmental concerns.