POLITICAL SCIENCE 2223
Introduction
to international Relations
Farrand RAP/Spring 2013
Link to Syllabus: http://socsci.colorado.edu/~gyoung/home/2223/2223_syl.htm
Instructor: Dr. Gregory D. Young
Office:
Ketchum Hall,
Room 4A (Downstairs)
Office Phone: (303) 492-4265
E-mail: gyoung@colorado.edu (Primary contact method)
Course Time and Location |
Professor’s Office Hours |
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 2:00 - 3:15pm Farrand Hall, McCauley Lounge |
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 11:00 - 12:20pm or by appointment |
COURSE LINKS
· Schedule for Current Event Presentations
Course
Objectives
This introductory course is
designed to give the student a broad overview of the field of international
relations. In addition, the course introduces the student to various theories
of how states relate to each other in the international community. The student
will have an opportunity to consider contemporary issues in world politics
within the context of the contending theories of international politics.
Various themes in international relations including the importance of the
state, the causes of conflict, the importance of economic factors, and the
differences between the developed and developing world will be considered
throughout the semester.
The first section of the course will
introduce the main theories and key historical events that comprise the field
of international relations. In addition, we will address how political
scientists go about studying world issues. We will then examine the main
paradigms of international relations - realism and liberalism and three
critical alternatives - Marxism, constructivism and feminism. In this context,
we will identify the main actors in the international community and their role,
as well as the issues involved in foreign policy decision-making. The second
part of the course will examine the causes of war from the realism, liberalism
and critical perspectives. In this section, we will also examine how change
occurs in the international system, democratic peace, international regimes,
alliance formation, deterrence, and human rights. The next portion of the class
will focus on the relationship between economics and politics in the
international arena. In this section, we will investigate the history of the
field of international political economy and address the issues associated with
globalization such as the North-South relations and the environment. We will
finish by conducting a simulation of the various aspects of international
relations; to include trade, conflict, negotiation, alliances, just to name a
few.
Course Requirements
Required Readings
There
are no textbooks to purchase for this class. All
course readings (and a World Atlas) delineated in the course schedule are
available at the following online site to which all students will subscribe: http://www.americaandtheworld.com. This site (AATW) provides
both distribution and reference for this course, but also copyright payment for
some of the articles you will read. Access to this website will be purchased for $50.00. Access will be
explained in detail in class. The readings for this course are
interdisciplinary, including works from political science, history, economics
and geography. All of the readings are required.
Other readings may be linked to this syllabus.
Readings and
Class Participation
It is essential that
students attend every class on time. Regular attendance and active
participation in class discussion will enhance your understanding of the course
material and almost certainly improve your performance on the mid-term and
final exams, which are together worth 50% of the course grade. Attendance is
also a large portion of your 10% participation grade. Excused absences only
require notification of the professor in advance via email. Five unexcused
absences will facilitate the student failing the course. In this summer
semester, the required readings range from 50 to 100 pages per week, as set out
in the course schedule. Your knowledge and understanding of the required
readings will be tested in the mid-term and final exams. Students should come
to class having already completed (and thought carefully about) the assigned
reading for each class period.
Also included in the
participation grade will be the required attendance at one or more sessions of
the Conference on World Affairs from
8-12 April 2013. Each student will turn in a one-page synopsis of the session
attended the following week, which will meet the requirement for that week’s
thought paper. You get one day off from lecture to compensate for attendance at
the CWA.
Mid-Term and
Final Exams
The mid-term exam
will be held on Thursday, February 21st in the usual class
meeting times. The final exam will be Saturday,
May 4th. Students must write the final exam in order to pass the
course. Blue books should be purchased by each student and brought in the class
period prior to the midterm; 8.5x11 Blue books are preferred. Do not put your
name on your Blue book. Make-up exams will not be given unless the instructor
has been notified in advance or a doctor’s note is provided.
Each student in the
class will sign up for a section or chapter of the course reading. For each
section of the reading, one to two students will summarize the readings due in
class that day. In a 1-2 page synopsis of each assigned article/chapter, the
designated student(s) will give an overview of the key points of the reading.
The summary can either be in outline form or complete paragraphs. The summary
should include (at the end) an answer to the “so what?” question, in other words, why should one read it when
studying International Relations. The Summary is due by midnight the day before
the reading is discussed in class. Each student will submit an electronic copy
(email attachment in WORD) that the instructor will post on the web for the review
of your classmates. A paper copy will be turned in at class time. These
summaries will be graded pass/fail and are 10% of your final grade. Late
Reading Summaries will be docked 10% per class day up to 50%.
In addition, one to
two students will present a current event orally to the class each day. The
presentation should be no more than five minutes in length. The source should
be from a respected news source, be less than one week old and pertain in some
way to one or more international relations. Each student should try to relate
the article to some element of what we have been discussing in class. News
reports on the Internet are acceptable sources. The current event presentation
will be part of your 10% participation grade.
International
Relations Simulation
During the last half of the course, we will be
simulating International relations through role playing in interstate
deliberations to resolve potential regional crises. The grade in the simulation
counts as 10% of your final course grade. A detailed description of the
simulation is contained in the online text. For every day of the simulation
there will also be a thought paper about the day’s simulation activities as
they relate to IR theory.
Thought Papers
For nine of the ten simulations days, there will be a thought paper
question assigned. Each student must complete FIVE of the nine papers.
Students completing less than five will receive a zero grade for the number
less than five. If you complete more than five, the best seven grades will be
averaged. These papers must be
between 800 and 1000 words in length (approximately 2 pages single-spaced).Include
a word count on the first page. Late essays will be docked one grade (10%)
per class day that they are late (e.g., A- to B-, C to D, etc.) up to 50%,
unless you provide a doctor’s note explaining why it was impossible for you to
meet the deadline. Computer malfunction is not an acceptable excuse for a late
paper. Re-read your essay for clarity, grammar, spelling and punctuation, since
poor execution of these elements will also affect your grade. Append a
bibliography and provide references or footnotes where appropriate. Each paper
will be submitted in both paper and electronic formats (as an email attachment
in WORD). The electronic copy will be submitted to Turnitin.com and will be run
through their anti-plagiarism service to which CU subscribes. After the last sim session, a short Pass/Fail Sim
wrap-up paper is required from all students, only 500-700 words describing the Sim and ways to improve it. It is required of all students
and is part of your 10% Sim grade.
Grading Criteria
Reading Summary 10%
Mid-term exam 25%
Thought Papers 20%
Final exam 25%
IR Simulation 10%
Current events, attendance
& participation 10%
Total 100%
Final Course Grades will be curved unless a straight 90/80/70/60 etc system proves more beneficial to the students (higher overall grade average). If curved, the mean overall average will become the highest C grade, and two standard deviations below the mean will be necessary to fail the course. One standard deviation about the mean becomes the criteria for an A grade. The grading policy will be explained in detail on the first day of class.
Course Schedule/Spring 2013
Day/Date |
Topic |
Assignment |
Tue, 15 Jan. |
Course
Introduction and Administration |
None |
Thur, 17 Jan. |
Theories of
International Relations |
AATW: Bova, Ch. 1 |
Tue, 22 Jan. |
· International Relations in History |
AATW: · Carr, E.H., “Realism and Idealism” · Thucydides’s “Melian
Dialogue” from The Peloponnesian War · Wilson, Woodrow, “The Fourteen Points”
Address to the U.S. Congress 8 January 1914. · Kennan, George F. (1947), “The Sources of
Soviet Conduct” Foreign Policy, (25,
No. 4, July), pp. 566-582 · Gaddis, John Lewis (1986), “The Long Peace:
Elements of Stability in Postwar International System.” International Security, (10, No. 4, Spring), pp. 92-142. |
Thur, 24 Jan. |
· Levels of Analysis · Actors in International Relations |
AATW: · Wolfers, (1959), “The Actors in International
Politics.” From Aspects of
International Relations, T.R. Fox ed. · Walt, Stephen M. (1998), “International
Relations: One World, Many Theories.” Foreign
Policy, (Spring, No. 110), pp. 29-44. |
Tue, 29 Jan. |
Contending
Perspectives: · Realism |
AATW · Waltz, Kenneth (1979) “Anarchic Orders and
Balances of Power” From Theory of
International Politics · Waltz, Kenneth (1959) “Introduction, Man,
the State, and War: A Theoretical Analysis.” From Man, the State and War. · Morgenthau, Hans(1948), “A Realist Theory
of International Relations” & “Political Power from Politics” Among
Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace |
Thur, 31 Jan. |
Contending
Perspectives: · Liberal Theory · Democratic Peace Theory |
AATW: · Oye, “The Conditions of Cooperation in World
Politics.” · Axelrod & Keohane,
“Achieving Cooperation Under Anarchy: Strategies and Institutions.” · Doyle, Michael W. (1986), “Liberalism and
World Politics.” American Political
Science Review, (December, 80, No. 4), pp. 1151-1169. · Russett, Bruce “Grasping the Democratic Peace.” · Layne, Christopher (1994), “Kant or Cant:
The Myth of the Democratic Peace.” International
Security, (19, No. 2, Fall), pp. 5-49 · Kant, Immanuel “To Perpetual Peace” |
Tue, 5 Feb. |
Contending
Perspectives: · Marxism · Constructivism & Feminism |
AATW: · Wallerstein, Immanuel (1974), “The Rise and Future
Demise of the World Capitalist System: Concepts for Comparative Analysis.” In
Comparative Studies in Society and
History, 14, No. 4, pp. 387-415. · Frank, Andre Gunter (1966), “The
Development of Underdevelopment” Monthly
Review, (September), pp. 17-31 · Ruggie, John G. (1998), “What Make the World Hang
Together? Neo-utilitarianism and the Social Constructivist Challenge.” In Constructing the World Polity: Essays in
International Institutionalization. New York: Routledge. · Wendt, Alexander (1992). “Anarchy is what
States Make of it: The Social Construction of Power Politics” International Organization, (46, No.
2, Spring), pp. 391-425. · Tickner, J. Ann “Gender in International
Relations.” |
Thur, 7 Feb. |
· The International System · The Nation-State |
AATW: · Bull, Hedley (1977), “Does Order Exist in
World Politics?” Ch. 2 in The
Anarchical Society: A Study of Order in World Politics. 2nd Ed.,
New York: Columbia University Press. · Wohlforth, William C. (1999). “The Stability of a
Unipolar World.” International Security
(24, No. 1, Summer), pp. 5-41. · Huntington, Samuel (1993), “Clash of
Civilizations” Foreign Affairs,
(72, No. 3, Summer), pp. 22-49 · The
Economist, “The Man in the
Baghdad Café: Which Civilization You Belong to Matters Less Than You Might
Think”. 9 November, 1996 · The Economist (1995), “The Nation-State is
Dead. Long Live the Nation-State.” 23 Dec 95-5 Jan 96. Pp. 15-18 · Slaughter, Anne-Marie (1997), “The Real New
World Order.” Foreign Affairs (75, No. 5, Sept/Oct), pp. 183-197 |
Tue, 12 Feb. |
Introduction to
International Relations in Action: An IR Simulation |
AATW Sim: Tessman Intro and Ch. 1-6. |
Thur, 14 Feb. |
· The Sub-State level of Analysis: · Individual Decision Making and 2-level
Games |
AATW: · Bova Chapter 3 · Putnam, “Diplomacy and Domestic Politics.” · Hermann, Margaret G. & Joe D. Hagan
(1998), “International Decision Making: Leadership Matters.” Foreign Policy, (No.
110, Spring), pp. 124-137. |
Tue, 19 Feb. |
· Sim 1 |
AATW Sim: Tessman - Ch. 7 |
Thur, 21 Feb. |
Midterm Examination |
Review for Midterm |
Tue, 26 Feb. |
· Sim 2 · Thought Paper #1 Due |
AATW Sim: Tessman – Ch. 8 |
Thur, 28 Feb. |
· War and Peace · The Security Dilemma · Deterrence, Nationalism and War |
AATW · Clausewitz, “War as an Instrument of
Policy” From On War · Jervis, Robert (1978), “Cooperation Under
the Security Dilemma.” World Politics,
(30, No. 2, January), pp. 167-214. · Schelling, Thomas (1966), “The Diplomacy of
Violence.” Ch. 1 from Arms and
Influence. New Haven: Yale University Press · Bruce Russett,
Harvey Starr & David Kinsella (2006), “Security Dilemma: Armament and
Disarmament” Ch. 9 in, World Politics: Menu for Choice, 8th
Ed., Thomson Wadsworth Pub. · Van Evera,
Stephen (1994), “Hypotheses on Nationalism and War” International Security,
(18, No. 4, Spring), pp. 5-39. · Posen, Barry R, (1993), The Security
Dilemma and Ethnic Conflict, Survival, (35, No. 1, Spring), pp. 27-47 · Mueller, John (1988), “The Essential
Irrelevance of Nuclear Weapons: Stability in the Postwar World.”
International Security, (13, No. 2, Fall), pp. 55-79. |
Tue, 5 Mar. |
· Sim 3 · Thought Paper #2 Due |
AATW Sim: Tessman – Ch. 9 |
Thur, 7 Mar. |
Go Over Midterm
Exam |
None |
Tue, 12 Mar. |
· Sim 4 · Thought Paper #3 Due |
AATW Sim: Tessman- Ch. 10 |
Thur, 14 Mar. |
· Counterinsurgency and the War in Iraq &
Afghanistan |
AATW: ·
Filkins, “Right at the Edge”, Sunday Magazine New York Times, 7 Sep 08 ·
Stewart,
“The ‘Good War’ isn't worth Fighting”, New York Times, Sun 23 Nov 08 ·
Rumsfeld,
“One Surge does not fit all”, New York Times, Sun 23 Nov 08 ·
Bacevich, “Petraeus Doctrine”, The Atlantic,
Oct 08 ·
Johnson
& Mason, “All counterinsurgency is local”, The Atlantic, Oct 08 ·
Rubin
& Rashid, "From Great Game to Grand Bargain: Ending Chaos in
Afghanistan and Pakistan", Foreign Affairs, Nov/Dec 2008, pp.30-44. · Global Issues 2010, “Afghanistan On the Brink” |
Tue, 19 Mar. |
· Sim 5 · Thought Paper #4 Due |
AATW Sim: Tessman - Ch. 11 |
Thur, 21 Mar. |
· International Organizations and
International Law |
AATW: · Bova: Chapter 5 · The
Economist, “Reforming the
United Nations, Pope Kofi’s Unruly Flock.” 8 August 1998, pp. 19-21 · Mearsheimer, John J. (1994), “The False Promise of
International Institutions.” International
Security (19, No. 3, Winter), pp. 5-49. |
Tue, 26 Mar. |
CU
Spring Break – No Class |
None |
Thur, 28 Mar. |
CU
Spring Break – No Class |
None |
Tue, 2 Apr. |
· Sim 6 · Thought Paper #5 Due |
AATW Sim: Tessman - Ch. 12 |
Thur, 4 Apr. |
Conference
on World Affairs Make Up Day – No Class |
Attend One Session at the Conference on World Affairs
relating to International Affairs next week |
Tue, 9 Apr |
· Sim 7 · Thought Paper #6 Due |
AATW Sim: Tessman - Ch 13 |
Thur, 11 Apr. |
· Global Governance & International Internventions |
AATW: · Glennon, Michael J. (1999), “The New
Interventionism: The Search for a Just international Law.” Foreign Affairs (May/June, 78, No. 3),
pp. 2-7 · Kech, Margaret E. and Katherine Sikkink (1998), “Transnational Advocacy Networks in
International Politics: Introduction.” Chaps 1 & 3 in Activists Beyond Borders: Advocacy
Networks in International Politics. Ithaca NY: Cornell University Press. · Ruggie, John (1992), “Multilateralism: Anatomy of
and Institution.” International
Organization, (46, No. 3, Summer), pp. 561-598 |
Tue, 16 Apr. |
· Sim 8 · Thought Paper #7 Due |
AATW Sim: Tessman - Ch 14 |
Thur, 18 Apr. |
· International Political Economy and Global
Development |
AATW: · Gilpin, Robert (1975), “The Nature of
Political Economy.” Chap. 1 from U.S.
Power and the Multinational Corporation. New York: Basic Books. · Birdsall, Nancy (1998), “Life is Unfair: Inequality
in the World.” Foreign Policy, (No.
111, Summer) pp. 76-93 · Krasner, Stephen D. (1976), State Power and
the Structure of International Trade, World
Politics (April), pp. 317-347. |
Tue, 23 Apr. |
· Sim 9 & 10 · Thought Paper #8 Due |
AATW Sim: Tessman - Chaps. 15 &
16 |
Thur, 25 Apr. |
· Globalization |
AATW: · Bova: Chapter 7 · Human Development Report 1999,
“Globalization with a Human Face.” · Daniel Drezner
“Globalizers of the World, Unite!” Washington Quarterly (Winter 1998) · Paul Krugman “For Richer” New
York Times Magazine, Oct 20, 2003 · Thomas M. Callaghy
“Globalization and Marginalization: Debt and the International Underclass.” Current
History, November 1997 · Stiglitz, Joseph (2002) “Globalism’s Discontents”
from Chap. 3, Governing the Economy in Readings in Kesselman,
Mark & Krieger, Joel, Comparative Politics: Political Challenges and
Changing Agendas. Houghton Mifflin Co. |
Tue, 30 Apr. |
· Sim 11 & 12 · Thought Paper #9 Due |
AATW Sim: Tessman - Chaps. 17 &
18 |
Thur, 2 May |
· Make up day and review for final exam · Sim Wrap-up Paper Due |
None |
Saturday, 4 May |
Final Examination
(1:30-4:00pm) |
Study, Study &
Study |
Key:
AATW – America and the World.com
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION:
CELLULAR TELEPHONE/LAPTOP
COMPUTER POLICY
Needless to say, all cellular phones must be turned
off and put away at the beginning of each class meeting. Classes failing to
comply will be issued a stern warning on the first occasion. The entire class
will have a pop quiz over the previous reading assignments/lectures on the
second and subsequent occurrences. Phones, MP3 players and Blackberrys will not be out on desks or
used during any quiz or examination. Laptop computers will be allowed in class,
I still believe that they can assist learning in the classroom. However, if
abuse of the privilege appears to be a distraction in class, then they will be
banned.
Students
With Disabilities
If you qualify for accommodations because of
a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely
manner so that your needs be addressed. Disability Services determines
accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard
322, and www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices
Disability Services' letters for students
with disabilities indicate legally mandated reasonable accommodations. The syllabus
statements and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices
Cheating
and Plagiarism
Cheating (using unauthorized materials or giving
unauthorized assistance during an examination or other academic exercise) and
plagiarism (using another's ideas or words without acknowledgment) are serious
offenses in a university, and may result in a failing grade for a particular
assignment, a failing grade for the course, and/or suspension for various
lengths of time or permanent expulsion from the university. All students of the University of Colorado at
Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity
policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating,
plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and
threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to
the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are
found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to
both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions
(including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion).
Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
The development of the Internet has provided students
with historically unparalleled opportunities for conducting research swiftly
and comprehensively. The availability of these materials does not, however,
release the student from appropriately citing sources where appropriate; or
applying standard rules associated with avoiding plagiarism. Specifically, the
instructor will be expecting to review papers written by students drawing ideas
and information from various sources (cited appropriately), presented generally
in the student’s words after careful analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. An
assembly of huge blocks of other individuals' existing material, even when
cited, does not constitute an appropriate representation of this expectation. Uncited, plagiarized material shall
be treated as academically dishonest, and the paper will be assigned an ‘F’ as
a result. Papers submitted by any student, written in part or in whole by
someone other than that student, shall be considered to constitute fraud under
the University Honor Code, and result in the assignment of an 'F' for the
entire course. If the student is confused as to what constitutes plagiarism,
he/she should review the CU Honor Code on this topic. If you have any questions
regarding proper documentation in your writing, please discuss it with your
instructor.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
The university has received
valid complaints from students regarding the lack of adequate faculty
accommodation for some students who have serious religious obligations, which
may conflict with academic requirements such as scheduled exams. Campus policy regarding religious observances
requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all
students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled
exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, any notification of
absence by email constitutes and excused absence. See full details at: http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html A
comprehensive calendar of the religious holidays most commonly observed by
CU-Boulder students is at http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
The University of
Colorado Policy on Sexual Harassment applies to all students, staff and
faculty. Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual attention. It can involve
intimidation, threats, coercion, or promises or create an environment that is
hostile or offensive. Harassment may occur between members of the same or
opposite gender and between any combination of members in the campus community:
students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Harassment can occur anywhere on
campus, including the classroom, the workplace, or a residence hall. Any student,
staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been sexually harassed should
contact the Office of Sexual Harassment (OSH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of
Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the OSH and the campus
resources available to assist individuals who believe they have been sexually
harassed can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh/
BASIC COURTESY TO YOUR CLASSMATE AND YOUR
INSTRUCTORS
Please arrive on
time and do not leave early.
If you absolutely must leave early, please let me know at the beginning of
class and sit near a door so you do not cause too much disruption. Similarly,
if arriving late, please take a seat as quickly and quietly as possible. Take
care of all your business before class begins; do not leave and return during
class as this creates a disturbance to others.
Taking this
course signifies acceptance of the terms and conditions stated in this syllabus.