International Relations in Times of Conflicts

Summary

This course examines the intersection of international economic relations and geopolitical conflict. We discuss trade networks, financial sanctions, and strategic alliances as instruments of power in an era of economic warfare.

Content

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Analyze the interplay between economic interdependence and geopolitical competition using appropriate theoretical frameworks.
• Assess / Evaluate the effectiveness of tools like sanctions, trade agreements, and economic alliances in achieving political and security outcomes across different historical and contemporary cases.
• Develop a case-study research project on an international economic conflict, applying rigorous methodological approaches to gather and interpret qualitative and quantitative evidence.
• Synthesize and critique diverse scholarly perspectives on international economic relations (realist, liberal, etc.), and articulate informed arguments in both written and oral form about the role of economic factors in global power dynamics.

Teaching methods

Teaching will combine interactive lectures, case discussions, and project-based learning. Instructor-led sessions introduce concepts and historical contexts, often using real-world examples and media (news clips, data visuals) to keep a dynamic pace. Several sessions adopt a seminar format - instance, group debates on reading arguments or role-playing policy advisors -her than one-way lectures. A hallmark of the course is continuous engagement: students gradually work on their case-study projects with checkpoints (proposal workshop, presentation), receiving guidance and feedback along the way. A guest speaker from the field (e.g., an expert on trade policy or a former diplomat involved in sanctions) will be invited to provide practical insights, linking academic content to real diplomatic and economic work.

Expected student activities

Students are expected to take an active role in their learning. Key activities include:

• Attendance and Participation: Attend all sessions and contribute to discussions and in-class exercises. This includes engaging in Q&A, participating in group debates, and sharing insights from readings or personal perspectives.
• Reading Preparation: Come to class prepared to discuss the main ideas, compare viewpoints, and relate the readings to current events. Keeping up with the minimal but carefully chosen readings ensures everyone has a common basis for discussion.
• Peer Feedback and Reflection: Engage constructively with peers by giving feedback on their project ideas and presentations. Likewise, reflect on and incorporate feedback received on one's work. At the end of the course, students should also self-reflect on what they have learned and how they can apply these skills in future academic or professional contexts.

Supervision

Resources

Ressources en bibliothèque

• 1. Ayankojo, B. (2024). The future of the World Trade Organization and international free trade. ODUMUNC 2024 Issue Brief, Second Committee, Economic and Financial. Old Dominion University Graduate Program in International Studies.
• 2. Blackwill, R. D., & Harris, J. M. (2016). War by other means: Geoeconomics and statecraft. Harvard University Press. (Introduction chapter)
• 3. Bown, C. P. (2021). The US–China trade war and Phase One agreement (Policy Brief). Peterson Institute for International Economics.
• 4. Drezner, D. W. (2011). Sanctions sometimes smart: Targeted sanctions in theory and practice. International Studies Review, 13(1), 96–108.
• 5. Farrell, H., & Newman, A. L. (2019). Weaponized interdependence: How global economic networks shape state coercion. International Security, 44(1), 42–79.
• 6. George, A. L., & Bennett, A. (2005). Case studies and theory development in the social sciences. MIT Press. (Chapter 1 on case study methodology)
• 7. The Economist. (2025, April 3). An insider's guide to economic warfare. The Economist.

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/HUM-298