"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."
–John F. Kennedy
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS ACADEMY
The International Relations Academy is led by a world-leading expert in leadership, politics, and international law. On the course you will explore pressing global questions such as; is there a recipe for successful government? Why do nation states fail? What are the traits that unite and distinguish good and bad leaders throughout the past and present? What does it take to negotiate the greatest global challenges facing our world - from nuclear threats to inflation, social conflict, environmental cooperation, and territorial disputes? What role can governments, international organisations, and activists play in this regard? These are some of the questions that you will explore on the course. You will additionally learn when states are legally allowed to start a war and what you, your country, and the global community can do to prevent and respond to natural and political catastrophes. Throughout the course you will develop your own leadership and diplomacy skills, and apply them in a model United Nations negotiation and debate. With your tutor and classmates, you will use interactive, hands-on techniques to also discuss:
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Government and Leadership Theories
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Diplomacy and Crisis Management
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Revolutions and Political Change
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Politics and the Economy
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International Law and Organisations, such as the UN, NATO, and WHO
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
ACADEMY
CURRICULUM
Class 1: Theories of Leadership
Class 2: Political Change and Revolutions
Class 3: Government Theory & Practice
Class 4: Democracy and Society
Class 5: Politics and the Economy
Class 6: International Relations
Class 7: International Organizations & the Law
Class 8: War and Crisis
Class 9: Debating and Public Speaking
Class X: Model United Nations Challenge
Explore Theories of Leadership
Discover theories of leadership. Find out the common skill sets and personality types of political leaders, and learn how to assimilate these to improve your outcomes in school, university, social relationships, and your future career
Political Change & Revolutions
Are authoritarian regimes on the cusp of a profound political
transformation? Are the West's constitutional
freedoms at risk? Learn the prerequisites for political change and what distinguishes successful and failed political revolutions
The Philosophy of Liberal Government
Discover the philosophical foundations of our liberal democracies following the seminal ideas of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and John Stuart Mill
International Treaties and Conventions
Learn about high stakes international negotiation, strategic alliances, and the factors that determine political leverage and how nations get the best terms
History of War and Crises
Uncover the precursors to global conflicts and how can they be averted with effective diplomacy, international mediation, and targeted interventions. Also learn what Sun Tzu meant when he professed that "war is deception", and how the secret services weaponize disinformation
International Organizations
Understand the framework of international organizations that govern the world, and learn how they help constrain individual countries and facilitate international cooperation
Economic and Political Power
Discover the close connection between economic and military power, and why Machiavelli urged that
preparation for war is the most effective means to ensure peace
Practice Debating & Public Speaking
Refine your public-speaking skills in our in-class debates and take on the role of a diplomat and
advocate on behalf of your nation's interests in our model United Nations security council
Your International Relations Instructor
John Helferich is a final-year doctoral candidate in International Relations at the University of Oxford. He also serves as an Associate College Lecturer in Politics at the University of Oxford and tutors for the Middlebury-CMRS humanities program at Oxford. John holds a master’s degree in International Security from the Paris School of International Affairs, Sciences Po, graduating summa cum laude.
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His research interests lie at the intersection of Foreign Policy Analysis and International Relations Theory, with a broader interest in how evolving forms of international cooperation and conflict reveal insights into the transformation of modern statehood.
John’s teaching philosophy emphasizes engaging students in deeper reflection on how to think, rather than what to think, fostering intellectual curiosity and analytic rigor.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
ACADEMY
International Relations Academy is delivered synchronously over two weeks in (i) ten live and interactive online classes, and (ii) two one-on-one personalized academic tutorials led by your instructor. The program follows the International Relations Academy curriculum and includes:
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Maximum class size six (6) students
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Individual feedback and academic guidance
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Take-home continuing study exercises and resources
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Letter of Recommendation from your instructor (upon satisfactory participation)
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Access to video recordings of all ten (10) live classes for future review
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Course completion certificate
Online classes will last approximately two hours and will be delivered on weekdays 9am-11am US Pacific Time | 12pm-2pm US Eastern Time | 5pm-7pm British Summer Time.