Diplomatic History

The course of Diplomatic History offers background knowledge essential for the understanding of the historical evolution of international phenomena and, to the extent that it establishes a link with the Past, it assists the student to make sense of current realities. It is considered an indispensable prerequisite for dealing with other fields of International Studies, such as International Relations, International Law, and International Institutions. It is strongly recommended to those intending to embark on a career in the diplomatic service, journalism or education. More generally, this course is intended to aid the student to critically tackle the multitude of information to which he/she is daily exposed though the electronic media and other sources.

Objectives

Diplomatic History or, alternatively, History of International Relations, as it is also known, examines the Past mainly through the prism of relations among states and other actors in world politics. Although it stresses foreign policy, it also examines internal developments which have influenced the external behaviour of states and have jeopardised international peace and stability. This undergraduate elective course offers an introduction to diplomacy, the European states system, principles and conditions, such as sovereignty and the balance of power, respectively, on which this system rested until World War II. Further, it analyses the evolution of the European states system with emphasis on the policies of Great Powers and the relations between them, from the 19th century Concert of Europe to the decline and breakdown of the system and its succession by a bipolar world. Landmark subjects include the system of Alliances (1871-1914), World War I and the Russian Revolutions, the Peace Treaties and the League of Nations, minority issues, the policies of the interwar totalitarian regimes, the policy of appeasement and World War II.

Prerequisites

There are not any prerequisites

Syllabus

Diplomatic History or, alternatively, History of International Relations, as it is also known, examines the Past mainly through the prism of relations among states and other actors in world politics. Although it stresses foreign policy, it also examines internal developments which have influenced the external behaviour of states and have jeopardised international peace and stability. This undergraduate elective course offers an introduction to diplomacy, the European states system, principles and conditions, such as sovereignty and the balance of power, respectively, on which this system rested until World War II. Further, it analyses the evolution of the European states system with emphasis on the policies of Great Powers and the relations between them, from the 19th century Concert of Europe to the decline and breakdown of the system and its succession by a bipolar world. Landmark subjects include the system of Alliances (1871-1914), World War I and the Russian Revolutions, the Peace Treaties and the League of Nations, minority issues, the policies of the interwar totalitarian regimes, the policy of appeasement and World War II.