84-720 Advanced International Security

12 units, Carnegie Mellon University

This course introduces students to the most important academic literature in International Relations (IR) on international security affairs. It covers classic topics in security such as the causes of war, the bargaining model of war, threats and coercion, the security dilemma, and nuclear weapons. Other topics expand the aperture to include military effectiveness on the battlefield, the impact of emerging technology on warfare, and the role formal international institutions and informal norms play in constraining state behavior. Each week, we will critically assess the strengths and limits of the central arguments of the readings. Assignments are meant to teach students to be careful, critical readers of academic scholarship and confident, independent analysts of international security affairs.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Fall 2026, Fall 2025

Courseweave needs JavaScript to show sections, workloads and planning tools.