Realism “Teaching Realist Theory”

This chapter outlines the enduring value of teaching realist theory and outlines useful strategies for conveying both its strengths and its limitations. Drawing on extensive experience teaching realism to advanced undergraduates and master’s students, it highlights the need to convey how Realist Theory has evolved from its classical roots in several cultures to contemporary social science versions and emphasizes realism’s ability to illuminate contemporary events and policy issues. It also considers some of the challenges and critiques that instructors will face when teaching Realist Theory—such as issues of cultural or racial bias, neglect of moral factors, or an overemphasis on great powers at the expense of other actors—and offers suggestions for how these critiques can be addressed in ways that broaden students’ understanding.