How to Understand International Relations
The field of international relations is concerned with the social, economic, and political interactions among nations. An understanding of international relations is crucial to understanding the issues and events of the day. Fortunately, there are multiple avenues for gaining a better understanding of this field, many of them at little or no cost. You can enroll in a college course, but there are other ways to educate yourself and interact with others who are interested in international relations.
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Instructions
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Learning International Relations
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Enroll in an introductory international relations course. This is the most traditional, formal way to gain a better understanding of international relations. Your local college or university may offer courses in the field, usually through the political science department. You can enroll for course credit or you may be able to audit the course, depending on school policies and available class space. Distance learning opportunities may exist as well.
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Listen to recorded lectures and podcasts on international relations. The iTunes music store contains extensive material on international relations through iTunes U, which features audio and video lectures from respected universities on a multitude of subjects. (iTunes software is a free download on the Apple website.) In addition, iTunes has podcasts on the subject. Podcasts and iTunes U material can be downloaded to your computer at no charge. You also can sync this material to your iPod and listen to it at your convenience.
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Build an international relations reference library. Your local bookstore will have a selection of books on international relations, usually in the history, government, or current events section. A good used book store may even have used college texts, which contain great introductory material.
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Expand your knowledge of international relations by reading quality periodicals on world politics and events such as The Economist, Foreign Policy, and Foreign Affairs.
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Learn more about international relations through websites of think tanks dedicated to international affairs, such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Council on Foreign Relations, both based in Washington, D.C. Their websites contain numerous articles, papers, and other materials on international issues.
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Get involved in a world affairs council, a nonprofit organization that engages and educates people on international affairs and world politics. Most major cities have world affairs councils, which feature lectures and speeches by prominent world leaders and diplomats. The World Affairs Councils of America website can help you locate a council near you.
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Tips & Warnings
When searching online for material on international relations, a healthy amount of skepticism is necessary to distinguish credible, quality material from the rest.
