Hayk’s Arrow · Armenian Strategic Center
Advanced International Relations
Online course taught in Armenian. Start date to be announced.
Start date to be announced
Theory, analytical approaches, and in-depth international case studies. The schedule will be announced separately. Registration is not open.
About the course
Move from following events to analysing them. Compare explanations, assess strategic choices and build plausible scenarios through guided case studies and practical assignments.
Who it is for
For Basic course graduates or participants with equivalent knowledge of sovereignty, national interests, alliances and deterrence.
What you will learn
- Compare theories and levels of analysis.
- Assess interests, capabilities, constraints and policy options.
- Evaluate evidence and competing explanations.
- Develop scenarios, indicators and a concise analytical argument.
Weekly programme
Week 1Theories and competing explanations
Realism, liberalism and constructivism; international, domestic and individual levels of analysis; interests, identities and perceptions; arguments, evidence and assumptions.
Practical exercise
Compare two explanations of an event in 300–400 words, with sources and evidence that could challenge each.
Week 2Foreign policy and strategic choices
Decision-making and domestic constraints; resources and dependence; objectives, instruments and trade-offs; bias and uncertainty.
Practical exercise
Prepare a one-page actor-and-options map, stating assumptions and one unanswered question.
Week 3Security and regional order
Deterrence, credibility and escalation; security dilemmas; alliances and asymmetric dependence; diplomacy and regional cooperation.
Practical exercise
Develop two plausible regional scenarios, their assumptions and observable indicators.
Week 4Analytical writing and scenarios
Questions and theses; source evaluation; counterarguments; uncertainty; scenarios and indicators; writing for policy and general audiences.
Practical exercise
Present an argument for instructor and group feedback before preparing the final brief.
How learning works
Four weeks, with one two-hour live Zoom session each week, 20:00–22:00 Armenia time (UTC+4). The day will be announced. Teaching is in Armenian. Sessions combine teaching, a short break, case discussion and practical work. Selected reading materials are provided.
Final assignment and feedback
A 700–1,000-word analytical brief with an argument, evidence, an alternative explanation, uncertainties, at least two indicators and source references. Individual written feedback is included.
Instructor
Giorgi Tumasyan is an author and researcher whose work focuses on international relations and security in Armenia, Georgia and the wider South Caucasus.
Meet the instructor