MICHAEL TIERNEY
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IR Playlist

During the Fall of 2005 I began playing "IR-themed" music at the beginning of my 8am and 9am Introduction to International Relations courses at William and Mary. Each day I would use the ten minutes before class to blast a song on repeat related to that day's lecture while displaying the title, artist, and study topic via PowerPoint. While I wait for the overwhelming evidence of increased understanding of IR theory that will undoubtedly come any day now, at the very least my students seem a bit more awake.
​

The original playlist I received from Kate Weaver at the University of Kansas has been subsequently modified by fellow faculty, students, and my very talented ex-RA Jess to produce the working list shown here. As I am always looking for ways to rectify the bad musical tastes of my colleagues, however, I encourage you to submit your own ideas about song changes or omitted topics below.

Introduction to International Relations Playlist



Introduction:  Political Science  (Randy Newman)











War as the Central Issue in IR:  War  (Bruce Springsteen’s live version)











World Politics Simulation:  Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears)











Theory and Methods in IR:  Epistemology  (Witchypoo)











Nationalism and the State:  Courtesy of the Red White and Blue (Toby Keith)











Non-State Actors:  Ma Petite Terroriste (Mint)












Anarchy and the Security Dilemma:  Anarchy  (Busta Rhymes)











Power and the Balance of Power:  The Power  (Snap)











World War I:  Take me Out  (Franz Ferdinand)












Polarity/Hegemonic Stability Theory:  One is the Loneliest Number (Three Dog Night)











Military and Information Technology:  Mr. Roboto (Styx)












Norms and Ideas:  Imagine  (John Lennon)












Liberalism, Interdependence, and War:  It’s a Small World  (Disney song)










International Organizations and Collective Security:  Peace Train  (Cat Stevens)











Exam Review:  O Fortuna (Carl Orff)












Mid-Term Exam:  I Feel Lucky  (Mary Chapin Carpenter)












Nuclear Deterrence:  99 Red Balloons (Nena)












The Political Use of Force:  Bomb Iran  (The Capital Steps)











The Cuban Missile Crisis:  Let Me Die in My Footsteps (Bob
Dylan)











Bureaucratic Politics in the Bush Administration:  My Sweet Neo-Con (Rolling Stones)










Political Economy:  Money  (Pink Floyd)












Marxist Theory, Imperialism and War:  The Revolution  (Gil Scott Heron)











Political Culture and the Clash of Civilizations:  Rock the Casbah  (The Clash)











The Democratic Peace:  Peace, Love and Understanding (Elvis Costello)











Spanish American War and Electoral Connection:  Election (Culture Reggae)











Causes of World War II:  Springtime for Hitler  (The Producers)











Consequences of World War II:  Blitzkrieg Bop (The Ramones)











Sex, Gender, and War:  I am Woman  (Helen Reddy)











Ethnic Conflict and the Balkans:  Bosnia  (The Cranberries)












Luttwak’s “Give War a Chance”:  Give Peace a Chance  (Peace Aid)











The IR Discipline and Last Day:  Another Brick in the Wall  (Pink Floyd)









​

​Final Exam:  It’s the End of the World as we Know It  (REM)

Other International Relations Topics & Songs

Napoleonic Wars and Concert of Europe:  1812 Overture (Tchaikovsky)












Insurgency and Guerilla Warfare:  If I Had a Rocket Launcher (Bruce Cockburn)










Vietnam and Domestic Politics:  Stop, Hey What’s That Sound (Buffalo Springfield)











Nuclear War and its Consequences:  Blackened  (Metallica)












Conflict and Natural Resources:  Royal Oil (Mighty Mighty Bosstones)











Multi-National Corporations:  Lawyers, Guns and Money (Warren Zevon)











Collapse of the Soviet Union:  Back in the USSR  (Beatles)












Global Environment:  Fall on Me (REM)












Universal Human Rights:  Biko (Peter Gabriel)











Foreign Aid and Development:  Do They Know its Christmas (Band Aid)











Linking Theories Together:  Ah Tutti Contenti  (From the Marriage of Figaro)











Conflict Resolution:  Beat It  (Michael Jackson)












Negotiation and Bargaining:  Don’t Let me be Misunderstood  (Nina Simone)










Postmodernism and IR Theory:  Postmodern Sleaze  (The Sneaker Pimps)











​Moral Obligation in IR:  We Didn’t Start the Fire  (Billy Joel) 












Climate Change and Man's Involvement:  Godzilla  (Blue Oyster Cult)
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