GC UNIVERSITY, FAISALABAD

FACULTY OF ECONOMICS & MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

LYALLPUR BUSINESS SCHOOL

Course Specifications

International Relation & Current Affairs

Spring – 2023
http://www.gcuf.edu.pk/
 COURSE SPECIFICATIONS
Basic Information
Course Title: International Relation & Current Affairs
Course Code: POL-514
Course credits/week: Theory: 03 Lab: Nil Total: 03
Pre-requisite(s): -
Co-requisite(s):
Program(s) on which the course is given: BBA 6th Semester
Is the course major or minor element of the program: Major: Minor:
Department offering the program: Lyallpur Business School
Department offering the course: LBS
Academic year/level: 3
Revision #:
Last revised on (date): SPRING 2023

Overall Aims of the Course

Course Description:

International Relations and Current Affairs provide the students with an introduction to the
theoretical context to international relations and prepare them to examine a range of
contemporary and historic topics in order to explore (compare and contrast) the behavior of states
and international organizations and their interrelationships. Major themes including national
interest, realism, ideology, international political economy, international trade, globalization,
Foreign policy, diplomacy, war and co-operation will be discussed as well as the practical aspects
of the subject. Students will receive additional material in class and will be encouraged to relate
what they learn to contemporary issues. This course also aims to develop students’ analytical
skills so that they may identify, define and analyze socio-economic and governance-related
problems with a critical mind, articulate their personal analysis, and be able to present alternate
options to help resolve such issues.

Course Objectives:

The specific learning objectives for this course include:

 To introduce students to basic concepts of IR.
 To understand the crucial contemporary affairs of the economy and state.
 To develop the skills required to define and critically analyze socio-economic problems,
articulate personal analysis, and present options to resolve such issues.
Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students are expected to be able to:
 Describe the basic concepts, nature and scope of IR
 Understand the current affairs pertaining to socio-economic, political and business life
 Learn the basic understanding to identify socio-economic and challenges
 Construct effective arguments to suggest alternate actions
 Refine comprehension, discussion, presentation and writing skills

Class Format:

International Relation and Current Affairs is a concept-based course, thus most of our
classes will be focused on discussion of topics and related current affairs topics.

Our weekly class Instructions and discussions will follow this format:

Weekly Course Objectives

Week Module In This Chapter, We Will Address the Following
Questions.
WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Meaning, Nature and Scope of International

Relations
Introduction to
1 WHY STUDY INTERNATIONAL
International Relations
RELATIONS?

 Importance of International Relations

ACTORS OF INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
Nation States and Non-
State Actors of
2  The Nation State System
International Relations  Non-state Actors

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
3&4 Theories of International
 THEORATICAL APPROACHES
Relations

https://sheir.org/edu/notes/  Liberalism and Idealism

international-relations/  Realism
(Chapter Summary)  Neo-Realism
 Neo-Liberalism
Essentials of IR Chapter 3  World System Theory
 Feminist Theory
FACTORS DETERMINING
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Main Factors:

 Geographic;
 Economic;
Factors Determining  Demographic;
5&6
International Relations  Strategic
Additional Factors:

 The historical-psychological, Sociological

factor;
 The organizational-administrative factor;
 The military factor
FOREIGN POLICY

 The Study of Foreign Policy in International

Foreign Policy in Relation
7
International Relations  Foreign Policy of Pakistan
o Objectives
o Relations with other countries
Science, Technology and ROLE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
International Relations IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
8
 International Relations in the Information Age
9 & 10 International Political INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL
Economy ECONOMY

Essentials of IR  Definition and Introduction to IPE

(Chapter 8 + Chapter
 Evolution of International Economy
summary provided)
 Key Concepts in the Liberal Economy
  Roles of Multinational Corporations (MNCs)
ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC
INSTITUTIONS

 World Bank
 International Monetary Fund
 The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT)
Role of International ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL
Institutions INSTITUTIONS

11  United Nations (UN)

 International Monetary Fund (IMF)
 World Bank (WB)
 International Court of Justice (ICJ)
12 & 13 Wars & Strife WAR AND STRIFE

Essentials of IR  Introduction
(Chapter 8 + Chapter  Causes of war
summary provided)
o Individual level
o State level
o International Level
CATEGORIZING WARS

 Interstate Wars
 Intrastate Wars
 Total War
 Limited War
HOW WARS ARE FOUGHT (TRADITIONAL
AND NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY
THREATS)

 Conventional war
 Weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
 Unconventional warfare
 Asymmetric conflict
 Guerilla warfare
 Piracy (Digital and Maritime)
 Terrorism
 Ethnic conflicts
 APPROACHES TO MANAGING INSECURITY

Globalizing Issues GLOBALIZING ISSUES

 Human Rights
Essentials of IR  Environmental Issues
14 & 15 (Chapter 10 + Chapter  Poverty and Hunger
summary provided)  Natural Resources
 Extremism
PRESENTATIONS OF STUDENTS

Group Presentation PRESENTATIONS OF STUDENTS ON

16 ASSIGNED IR & CURRENT AFFAIRS TOPICS

Required Learning Resources

Text Book(s): Mingst, K. A. Essentials of International Relations. New
(Title, Author, Edition, Publisher) York: W.W. Norton & Co.
Reference Book(s): Salmon, Trevor C. and Imber, Mark Issues in International
(Title, Author, Edition, Publisher) Relations. 2nd ed. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

Goldstein J.S. & Pevehouse J.C. International Relations.

10th ed. Pearson
Facilities Required for Teaching and Learning
-White Board
-Multimedia

Assignments Schedule & Quiz

No. Week Assigned Week Due QUIZ TESTS
Two quiz tests will be conducted during the
1 5 6 semester. There will be no makeup of these
tests.

One Assignment during the semester and One

2 13 14 presentation will be evaluated on assigned
topic at the end of the semester.

Examination / Weighting of Assessments & Quizzes

Quizzes + Assignment/Presentation + Class Participation 20 %
Mid-semester examination 30 %
End-semester examination 50 %
Dress Code:
Formal business attire only (Dress Trouser, Shirt, Tie, Dress Shoes) Jeans and
Joggers NOT ALLOWED.
Not sure what this dress code means? Read When Job-Hunting: Dress for
Success.

Instructor Responsibilities:
In keeping with the format of this class, I see myself as your immediate
supervisor. In that sense, I plan to mentor each of you so that you learn how to
make the best decisions possible, to understand and apply key marketing
concepts, and to prepare you to become productive employees upon graduation.
I will do my best to help each of you grow into the best marketer you choose to
become. Thus, besides class time -- where I will often put you on the spot -- I
expect there will be many times we will communicate outside of class, and I will
do my best to help you in a timely fashion.

Student Responsibilities:
You are expected to arrive to class on time, professionally dressed, and
prepared for the day. You should be fully prepared to discuss and debate the
course material assigned for that date. You are expected to participate at all
levels and offer objective praise and criticism of your classmates’ analyses and
conclusions. This course is not for the meek or timid. You must contribute to the
greater understanding of marketing and marketing management. This course is a
combination of doing (homework), thinking, and discussing.

Class Participation and Individual Conduct

You should make every effort to attend each class meeting. In addition, it is
important that you prepare for each class by reading the relevant book chapters
before the class session in which it will be discussed. You will also be expected to
participate in class discussion and complete in‐class exercises that will be based
on these reading assignments. Your participation grade will be based on
contribution and attendances (be punctual, attend classes, come prepared by
doing the readings, show initiative in the discussion). Note that students who
only “show up” should not expect even an average score. You must be present in
class in order to receive credit for in‐class exercises, quizzes, participation, etc.
Eating, sleeping, reading, texting, listening to or working on unrelated materials,
sidebar conversations, or “multi‐tasking” using a computer or other electronic
device is not permitted. Laptops (and similar devices) may be used in class for
course related activities such as taking notes. Students may bring drinks such as
water.
General Expectations & Classroom Etiquettes.

In terms of performance in this class, I have very high expectations and

anticipate outstanding work from each of you. I hope for a very positive
experience for us all. Keep in mind that if you do not deliver outstanding work
then you will be graded to reflect this. I ask that you contact me directly and
immediately if you ever have any questions or concerns regarding the class, any
particular assignments, or your grade(s). I am always willing to help.
I do ask that all students be respectful and courteous to other class members as
well as the professor. This includes turning off cell phones and other electronic
devices before class begins and arriving to class on time, as walking in late is
disruptive to other classmates and the professor. Those who walk in late will
likely not receive attendance credit for that day.

Useful Tools / Advice:

This course is time and labor intensive. Be certain to schedule enough time in
your weekly planning to accommodate.
You need to have good access to the Web and an e-mail account.

Please always do your best work.

Etc.:
It is expected that all work you submit for a grade in this class be original and
prepared for this class only.

I am always willing to see my students and will go out of my way to schedule

meetings. Please make sure that if you make an appointment that you keep it.
Finally, as will quickly become apparent, e-mail is by far the easiest and most
reliable method to reach me.
Contact Details:
Dr. Hamad Raza Assistant Professor
Lyallpur Business School (LBS),
Faculty of Economics & Management
Sciences,
GC University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Phone(office): 041-9203020 E-Mail: [email protected]
Course Specifications Developed By: Reviewed By (Dean FE & MS):
Dr. Hamad Raza
Date: Date: