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Introduction to Geopolitics

Kamil Zwolski, PhD

This course will introduce you to the field of Geopolitics. Whether you are a student or just someone interested in what Geopolitics is about, this course will carefully guide you through the basics of this fascinating academic field.

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This course will introduce you to the field of Geopolitics. Whether you are a student or just someone interested in what Geopolitics is about, this course will carefully guide you through the basics of this fascinating academic field.

The course is ideal for beginners with no prior university education because it allows you to understand the basics of the field. Although it is designed for beginners, the course will give you confidence to speak about Geopolitics with much greater confidence.

What You Will Get in This Course

Here is a summary of what you will learn in this course:

  • Understand key geopolitical thinkers, theories and concepts

  • Identify the most important founders of geopolitics, including their key contributions

  • Understand the impact of classical geopolitics on contemporary foreign policy problems, including the war in Ukraine and US policy on China

  • Understand the importance and impact of the political geography of Friedrich Ratzel

  • Understand the idea of a state as a living organism and lebensraum

  • Compare Ratzel with Rudolf Kjellén, who expanded Ratzel's theories and informed German Nazi expansionism

  • Understand the profound impact of Halford MacKinder on modern foreign policy of great powers

  • Become expert on the theory of Eurasian Heartland, Inner Crescent and Outer Crescent

  • Explore the naval strategy of Alfred Thayer Mahan and his influence

  • Understand the influence of Nikolas Spykman and how he revised MacKinder's geopolitics

  • Explore the significance of Rimland in relation to Heartland, as well as Offshore Continents

  • Explore the geopolitics of Karl Haushofer and his role in Nazi Germany

  • Understand the importance of the German - Soviet alliance and why it matters today

  • Explore the impact of classical geopolitics on the modern challenge of US foreign policy and the rise of China

  • Explore the impact of classical geopolitical thinkers on Russian foreign policy and its role in the world

My Promise to You

I promise that the tuition in this course is of the highest quality, based on genuine university-level teaching and research. It is presented in a highly-accessible and engaging way, designed specifically for those who do not have prior university degree in Politics or International Relations.

I invite you to send me a message if you have any questions about the content of this course.

Enroll now

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand key geopolitical thinkers, theories and concepts
  • Identify the most important founders of geopolitics, including their key contributions
  • Understand the impact of classical geopolitics on contemporary foreign policy problems, including the war in ukraine and us policy on china
  • Understand the importance and impact of the political geography of friedrich ratzel
  • Understand the idea of a state as a living organism and lebensraum
  • Compare ratzel with rudolf kjellén, who expanded ratzel's theories and informed german nazi expansionism
  • Understand the profound impact of halford mackinder on modern foreign policy of great powers
  • Become expert on the theory of eurasian heartland, inner crescent and outer crescent
  • Explore the naval strategy of alfred thayer mahan and his influence
  • Understand the influence of nikolas spykman and how he revised mackinder's geopolitics
  • Explore the significance of rimland in relation to heartland, as well as offshore continents
  • Explore the geopolitics of karl haushofer and his role in nazi germany
  • Understand the importance of the german - soviet alliance and why it matters today
  • Explore the impact of classical geopolitics on the modern challenge of us foreign policy and the rise of china
  • Explore the impact of classical geopolitical thinkers on russian foreign policy and its role in the world
  • Show more
  • Show less

Syllabus

Introduction
What to Expect in this Course
What You Will Learn
How You Will Learn
Read more
About the Author
Learn the definition of geopolitics and modern applications
Defining Geopolitics
Geopolitics in a Historical Context
Popular Uses - US Foreign Policy
Popular Uses - Rise of China
Popular Uses - Russia and Ukraine
Practice Your Knowledge
How Is Your Learning So Far?
Learn the the Political Geography of Friedrich Ratzel
Fridriech Ratzel and Political Geography
Space and Expansion
State as a Living Organism
Lebensraum
Learn about Rudolf Kjellen and the Invention of Geopolitics
Rudolf Kjellen and Geopolitics
State as a Living Form
The Survival of States
Kjellén's Influence
Learn about Halford MacKinder and the Eurasian Heartland
MacKinder and the Importance of Geography
The Heartland
The Pivot and World Domination
MacKinder's Influence
Checking Your Progress
Learn about Alfred Thayer Mahan and Sea Power
Mahan and the Importance of Sea Power
The Role of Navy in Expansionism
Mahan's Influence
Learn about Nikolas Spykman and the Importance of Rimland
Spykman and the Eurasian Heartland
The Significance of Rimland
Rimland and Heartland
Offshore Continents
Learn about Karl Haushofer and German Expansion
Haushofer and the Science of Geopolitics
State Expansionism
German - Soviet Alliance
Haushofer's Impact
Practice Quiz

Practice your understanding of this course

Learn about the Classical Geopolitics Today: Russia, US and China
Geopolitics and US China Strategy
MacKinder, Dugin and Russian Imperialism
Bonus Lecture

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores real-world applications, which is standard in international relations coursework
Taught by Kamil Zwolski, PhD, who is recognized for their work in geopolitics
Develops foundational knowledge in geopolitics, which is a core skill for political science and international relations
Examines contemporary foreign policy problems, which is highly relevant to current events
Builds a strong foundation for beginners and develops professional skills in geopolitics
Prerequisite knowledge is not required

Save this course

Save Introduction to Geopolitics to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Geopolitics with these activities:
Explore Additional Resources on Geopolitics
Broaden your knowledge by exploring reputable sources and online tutorials that provide additional insights into geopolitical theories and concepts.
Browse courses on Geopolitics
Show steps
  • Identify reputable websites, journals, and documentaries on geopolitics.
  • Follow experts and thought leaders on social media platforms.
  • Attend online webinars or participate in virtual discussions on geopolitical topics.
Review key concepts of Geopolitics
Brushing up on the fundamental concepts of Geopolitics will provide a solid foundation for understanding the course material.
Browse courses on Geopolitics
Show steps
  • Read an introductory book on Geopolitics.
  • Attend a lecture or workshop on Geopolitics.
  • Review your notes from a previous course on Geopolitics.
Join a Geopolitics Study Group
Expand your perspectives and deepen your understanding by discussing geopolitical issues with peers in a collaborative learning environment.
Browse courses on Geopolitics
Show steps
  • Find a study group or create one with fellow students.
  • Set regular meeting times and designate topics for discussion.
  • Share research, insights, and perspectives with the group.
Nine other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 12 activities
Practice Identifying Key Geopolitical Thinkers and Their Theories
Strengthen your understanding of geopolitical thought by practicing identifying key thinkers and matching them with their corresponding theories.
Browse courses on Geopolitics
Show steps
  • Review the profiles of influential geopolitical thinkers.
  • Study their theories and key contributions.
  • Take practice quizzes to test your ability to match thinkers with their theories.
Review Halford MacKinder's 'Democratic Ideals and Reality'
Review Mackinder's pivotal work on geopolitics to solidify your grasp of the Eurasian Heartland theory and its impact on foreign policy.
Show steps
  • Read the book and highlight the main arguments.
  • Summarize the key concepts in your own words.
  • Consider how Mackinder's ideas relate to current geopolitical events.
Practice identifying geopolitical thinkers and their theories
Regularly practicing identifying geopolitical thinkers and their theories will improve your understanding and retention of the material.
Browse courses on Geopolitics
Show steps
  • Complete practice quizzes or exercises that test your knowledge of geopolitical thinkers and their theories.
  • Create flashcards with key geopolitical thinkers and their theories.
  • Join a study group and discuss geopolitical thinkers and their theories with your peers.
Analyze Historical Maps of Geopolitical Regions
Enhance your understanding of geopolitical boundaries and power struggles by analyzing historical maps and identifying their implications.
Browse courses on Political Geography
Show steps
  • Obtain historical maps of different geopolitical regions.
  • Examine the maps, noting borders, resource distribution, and population centers.
  • Analyze the maps to infer the geopolitical strategies and motivations of past powers.
Create a Comprehensive Study Guide
Enhance your recall and comprehension by compiling a comprehensive study guide that includes key concepts, theories, and examples from the course.
Show steps
  • Review the course materials thoroughly.
  • Identify and summarize the key concepts and theories.
  • Include relevant examples and illustrations to enhance understanding.
Explore interactive maps and simulations of geopolitical scenarios
Interacting with interactive maps and simulations will provide a more hands-on and engaging way to learn about geopolitical scenarios.
Browse courses on Geopolitics
Show steps
  • Find online interactive maps or simulations related to Geopolitics.
  • Experiment with different scenarios and parameters to see how they affect geopolitical outcomes.
  • Discuss your observations and insights with your classmates or instructor.
Review 'The Revenge of Geography' by Robert Kaplan
Gain a contemporary perspective on geopolitics by reviewing Kaplan's analysis of the enduring influence of geography on international relations.
Show steps
  • Read the book and make notes on Kaplan's arguments.
  • Summarize the key insights and examples provided by Kaplan.
  • Consider the implications of Kaplan's ideas for current global affairs.
Develop a Geopolitical Simulation Model
Apply your knowledge of geopolitical theories and factors to create a simulation model that enables you to experiment with different foreign policy scenarios.
Browse courses on Geopolitics
Show steps
  • Identify the relevant geopolitical factors for the simulation.
  • Design a model that incorporates these factors and allows for user inputs.
  • Simulate different foreign policy scenarios and analyze the outcomes.
Write a blog post or article on a geopolitical topic
Writing about a geopolitical topic will help you to synthesize your understanding and develop your critical thinking skills.
Browse courses on Geopolitics
Show steps
  • Choose a specific geopolitical topic that interests you.
  • Research the topic thoroughly, gathering information from a variety of sources.
  • Organize your thoughts and write a well-structured blog post or article.
  • Share your blog post or article with others and invite feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Geopolitics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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2 total hours
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Udemy
Instructor
Kamil Zwolski, PhD
Language
English
Good to know
Explores real-world applications, which is standard in international relations coursework
Taught by Kamil Zwolski, PhD, who is recognized for their work in geopolitics
Develops foundational knowledge in geopolitics, which is a core skill for political science and international relations
Examines contemporary foreign policy problems, which is highly relevant to current events
Builds a strong foundation for beginners and develops professional skills in geopolitics
Prerequisite knowledge is not required
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