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PCR419Social Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

International Politics Of The Cold War : 1945- 1991

This course explores the international politics of the Cold War from 1945 to 1991. It examines the origins, key events, and strategies employed by major actors, including the US and the Soviet Union. The course analyzes the ideological, economic, and political dimensions of the conflict, as well as the role of military alliances and nuclear weapons. It also investigates the causes and consequences of the Cold War, and the transition to a post-Cold War world.

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200h
Study Time
13
Weeks
15h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Cold WarInternational PoliticsSuperpowersMilitary AlliancesNuclear Weapons

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Ideology

2

Polarity

3

Military Alliances

4

Nuclear Weapons

5

Containment

6

Détente

Total Topics6 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

INR101: Introduction to International Relations

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Diplomat

Apply your skills in this growing field

Intelligence Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Political Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Historian

Apply your skills in this growing field

Journalist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentInternational OrganizationsAcademiaMediaThink Tanks

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: International Politics of the Cold War

3h

Unit 1: International Politics

3 study hours
  • •Define international politics
  • •Discuss the basic forms of international politics
  • •Examine the nexus between domestic and international politics
  • •Explore realist, liberalist, and constructivist views
Week
2

Module 1: International Politics of the Cold War

3h

Unit 2: Polarity

3 study hours
  • •Define polarity in international politics
  • •Highlight and discuss the various forms of polarity (unipolarity, multipolarity, bipolarity)
  • •Identify conflict-generating properties of polarity
Week
3

Module 1: International Politics of the Cold War

3h

Unit 3: History of Cold War

3 study hours
  • •Discuss the origin of the Cold War
  • •Highlight the balance of power in Europe before the Cold War
  • •Examine the development of world politics throughout the Cold War
  • •Identify Cold War conflict progression
Week
4

Module 1: International Politics of the Cold War

3h

Unit 4: Chronicles of the Cold War 1945 – 91

3 study hours
  • •Analyze events, actors, issues, and interests during the Cold War
  • •Understand the complexity and progression of the Cold War through key events
  • •Correlate events and responses
Week
5

Module 1: International Politics of the Cold War

3h

Unit 5: Causes and Consequences of the Cold War

3 study hours
  • •Understand the causal-effect of the Cold War
  • •Become familiar with different schools of thought on the origin of the Cold War
  • •Examine the socio-economic and geopolitical consequences of the Cold War
Week
6

Module 2: Cold War as Social Conflict

3h

Unit 1: Approaches to Cold War

3 study hours
  • •Understand the approaches to the origin of the Cold War
  • •Examine the socio-economic and geopolitical context of the superpowers during the Cold War
  • •Identify the incompatible goals and interests of the Cold War personae
Week
7

Module 2: Cold War as Social Conflict

3h

Unit 2: Cold War as a Social Conflict

3 study hours
  • •Provide the theoretical framework for Cold War as a social conflict
  • •Understand the various definitions of Cold War
  • •Describe the nature and character of the Cold War
Week
8

Module 2: Cold War as Social Conflict

3h

Unit 3: Iron Curtains

3 study hours
  • •Understand the term Iron Curtain
  • •Become familiar with the origin and various natures with their usage
  • •Examine the significance of the iron curtain as a symbol of Cold War division
Week
9

Module 2: Cold War as Social Conflict

3h

Unit 4: Berlin Blockade and Airlift

3 study hours
  • •Discuss the Berlin Blockade
  • •Understand the causes of the Berlin blockade
  • •Examine the significance of the airlift operation
Week
10

Module 2: Cold War as Social Conflict

3h

Unit 5: Berlin Wall

3 study hours
  • •Define Berlin Wall as a symbol of Cold War tension
  • •Explain the nature of Cold War conflict in relation to the creation of the Berlin Wall
  • •Discuss the causes and immediate effects of the Berlin Wall
Week
11

Module 3: Cold War Strategies

6h

Unit 1: Marshall Plan

3 study hours
  • •Describe the United States Marshall Plan
  • •Understand the United States strategies of Europe Economic Recovery Programme
  • •Explain the goals the Marshall Plan

Unit 2: Molotov Plan

3 study hours
  • •Describe the United States Molotov Plan
  • •Understand Soviet strategies of Eastern European Economic Integration
  • •Explain the concept of Comecon
Week
12

Module 3: Cold War Strategies

6h

Unit 3: Containment

3 study hours
  • •Describe the policy of containment in the Cold War period
  • •Understand the different forms and strategies of containment
  • •Explain the goals the containment

Unit 4: Deterrence

3 study hours
  • •Develop a basic understanding of the term deterrence
  • •Understand how conflict management can be achieved by strategies of mutual deterrence
  • •Become familiar with the Cold War conflict strategy to deter the enemy nation
Week
13

Module 4: Military Alliances and Nuclear Weapons

3h

Unit 5: Cold War Treaties and Agreements

3 study hours
  • •Develop a basic understanding of the elements of a treaty and the role of treaties in international affairs and conflicts
  • •Become familiar with treaties and agreements in the Cold War, the content and context and how the events affected conflict trajectories
  • •Examine the implications of the Treaty in contemporary international affairs

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create timelines of key events in each module to understand the chronological order

2

Develop flashcards for key figures, treaties, and concepts

3

Practice essay questions comparing and contrasting different perspectives on the Cold War

4

Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and identify areas for improvement

5

Form study groups to discuss complex topics and share notes

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