Latin America: Colombia “Teaching IR Theory in Colombia”

Theory of International Relations-IR is a core subject of our field; none could dispute that, but everybody can raise the question about it is supposed to be taught since there are several factors that should shape the way we understand international politics and the way we analyse them. In that sense, we must consider national and political contexts, students’ sociological profiles, universities’ missions and professors’ backgrounds in discussing how we teach IR theory, what issues do we include, how we interpret them and how useful do we value theories. This chapter illustrates those points working on how IR theory is taught in Colombia, at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. In so doing, the chapter offers a context of the country and the university, situating the role of teachers and students in a specific reality. It also presents a personal reflection on key factors that influence the way I teach IR theory, including aspects such as the syllabus and the exercises. The chapter ends with some questions about teaching and the achievements of students in their professional lives.