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This course will offer the student a framework to deal with some of the major issues in international politics today. We will begin with a presentation of the core assumptions in the study of international politics: that the nation-state is a major and inviolable actor in world politics (the principle of sovereignty), and that there is no organized structure of authority presiding over nation-states within the international system (the principle of anarchy). After introducing these and other basic concepts, the course will move, in turn, through several different subject areas in international relations: the formation and implementation of foreign policy (particularly that of the United States), understanding some historical and contextual causes of conflict, general and timeless concerns for security, the growing importance of the global economy, and finally diplomacy and international governance. Throughout the course, we will focus on the central question of the causes and sources of order (as well as the breakdown of order) in the international system.
The course will meet twice a week for seventy-five (75) minutes each time. Class time will be divided between lectures and more participatory exercises and discussions. There will be assigned readings for each class meeting. Reading ranges from 30 – 60 pages per week. It is expected that each student will plan her/his time accordingly to have the reading done by the time assigned. Reading should be done prior to the class meetings to facilitate classroom activities and discussions.
There is one required book for this course, available at the Campus Store:
Roskin, Michael G. and Nicholas O. Berry (1999). IR: The New World of International Relations, 4th ed., Prentice Hall.
In addition, all students are required to read the New York Times daily during the semester. Subscriptions are available at the Campus Store; the paper is also available online.
Finally, a substantial packet
of information (for the Cuban Missile Crisis Simulation during weeks
3 & 4) is available. A paper copy of the packet will also be
on reserve at the library for those who prefer to work off of (and/or photocopy)
a hard copy.
There will be three 6-8 page papers assigned for the course, as well as a final exam which may be taken either as a take-home exam or in-class during the exam period (student’s choice). The topics for the three papers will be (1) based on the Cuban Missile Crisis simulation, (2) based on readings and discussions of current and historical causes of conflict, and (3) based on a group exercise illustrating the systemic nature of conflict and cooperation in the international system. Papers will be due on February 28th, March 29th, and April 12th. If the take-home final option is chosen, the final will be due on Friday, May 12th. If the in-class option is chosen, the exam will be given during the regularly assigned exam period.
In addition to these well-defined course assignments, each student will be expected to write two short “think pieces” based on his/her reading of events in the news. Students will be asked each Wednesday to volunteer to track the news during the following week, bringing one issue raised for discussion in class. Based on the week’s discussion, the student will write a 1-2 page recap of the issue, the class discussion, and the student’s own reactions. It will be up to each student to ensure that he/she has done this five times during the semester.
Finally, each student will be expected to attend class prepared to discuss the materials assigned. A grade will be assigned to each student based on the quality of her/his participation in class, and adjusted for her/his attendance.
Final grades for the semester will be calculated on the following basis:
Academic Integrity
Students are reminded to observe general standards of academic honesty
and integrity. Briefly stated, all work submitted under a student's
name should be solely and entirely his/her own work. Students are
encouraged to discuss the class and readings amongst themselves.
However, all work submitted for a grade should be the work solely of the
individual under whose name it is written. Outside sources used, referenced
or cited in written work submitted for a grade should be acknowledged in
that work -- it is acceptable, even encouraged, for you to use others'
ideas; however, you must accurately cite the sources of those ideas.
No credit will be given for work that is found to violate these principles.
I. Introduction
Week 1: Course Overview (Jan 20, 22)
Text, Ch. 1 (pp. 3-22).
II. Foreign Policy
Week 2: US National Interest; Vietnam (Jan 31, Feb 2)
Text, Chs. 2 & 3 (pp. 23-60)
Week 3: Foreign policy decision-making (Feb 7, 9)
Cuban Missile Crisis Simulation Package
Week 4: The Cuban Missile Crisis (Feb 14,16)
No assigned reading
Week 5: Current Challenges to U.S. Leadership (Feb 21, 23)
Text, Ch. 4 (pp. 61-76)
Cuban Missile Crisis Paper due, February 23rd
III. Historical/Contextual Causes of Conflict
Week 6: Russia & Eastern Europe (F 28, Mar 1)
Text, Chs. 5 & 6 (pp. 77-113)
Week 7: The Middle East (Mar 6, 8)
Text, Chs. 8 & 9 (pp. 131-172)
Week 8: Developing Regions (Mar 20, 22)
Text, Chs. 10 & 11 (pp. 173-213)
IV. Security
Week 9: Timeless Dynamics: The Security Dilemma & the Balance of Power (Mar 27, 29)
Text, Chs. 12 & 13 (pp. 217-251)
Causes of Conflict paper due March 29th
Week 10: An Alternative: Rules & Norms (April 3, 5)
Class exercise this week: Handout 1, Handout 2
No assigned reading
Week 11: Alternate Actors: Terrorism & the threat to the State System
(April 10, 12)
Text, Ch. 14 (pp. 252-271)
Systemic causes of conflict & cooperation paper due April
12th
V. The Economy
Week 12: The Global Economy (April 17, 19)
Text, Chs 15, 16 & 17 (pp. 275-333)
VI. World Order?
Week 13: Diplomacy & International Law (April 24, 26)
Text, Chs. 18 & 19 (pp. 337-374)
Week 14: International Governance (May 1, 3)
Text, Chs. 20 & 21 (pp. 376-417)
Final exam