What shaped the cartography of international politics in the 20th century? And how is this cartography still affecting the crossroads of the 21st century? Challenged by globalization's streams of new technology and communication, which diluted borders, peoples and identities, stirred up new actors and created new security threats, but also new hopes for liberty, rule of law, individual rights, and economic development, old patterns of international politics are still of major importance while a new world order is still not in sight. Considering this complex scenario, the course will analyze and debate the most important concepts, arguments and issues of International Relations theory and practice today. The aim is to enable students to understand and to engage in discussions and research in the area of international politics and economy, as well as to introduce them to case studies and to sources and instruments for a more consistent interpretation of International Relations as study field.