Latin America: Colombia. "Teaching IR Theory in Colombia"

Theory of International Relations-IR is a core subject in any program of International Relations, International Affairs, International Studies, or Political Science. None could dispute that, but everybody can raise the question about how we teach IR theory considering different factors such as national and political contexts, students’ sociological profiles, universities’ missions and professors’ backgrounds. In that sense, this chapter illustrates how IR theory is taught in Colombia, specifically at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.

In so doing, the chapter follows this structure: the first section offers a context of the place and the people involved in teaching the IR theories; the second section presents key factors that influence the way I teach IR theory; the third section describes how I construct the syllabus according to previous information; and, the fourth section proposes some questions and reflections about teaching and the achievements of students.