Creation of a global discursive space The challenges of interdisciplinarity, parochialism and the integration of practical knowledge in International relations education

Creating a global discursive space in International Relations education faces three major challenges : transcending mono-disciplinarity, overcoming parochialism(s), and integrating practical knowledge. We live in a world of multiple, co-existing, mutually inter-penetrating world orders and therefore need an approach to International Relations education that can comprehend and transcend these very real differences. The challenges of achieving inter-(rather than multi-) disciplinarity are considered, different forms of parochialism are identified and problematized, and ways of integrating practical knowledge ( linking theory and practice) are explored. The article concludes with some recommendations of ways to achieve a critical form of cosmopolitanism in International Relations education.