international relations have had a profound impact on the world in which we live. while international relations sometimes seem remote and rarified - diplomats sending dispatches to their home governments and summit meetings between heads of government - they are a part of people's daily consciousness and experience. canadian peacekeepers in afghanistan; global warming; nuclear weapons testing in north korea; global initiatives to combat hiv/aids; earthquakes in south america; the world wide web; spring break in the dominican republic; sars; the dizzying price of filling a gas tank: in the 21st century people around the world are connected in so many ways. these kinds of connections have long existed - although not always in such an instantaneous or intensive way - in an international environment marked by conflict, cooperation, and change.