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Table of Contents
Course
Description
Texts
Course
Objectives
Class
Schedule
Course
Requirements
Grading
Attendance
Policy
Honor
Code
Class
Discussion
Critical
Thinking Writing Exercises
Taking
Exams
Bibliography
Course Description:
Study
of the factors conditioning international politics, with emphasis upon the
foreign polices of major powers.
Texts:
Karen Mingst & Jack
Snyder. Essential Readings in World Politics.
John T. Rourke
& Mark A. Boyer. World Politics: International Politics on
the Word Stage, Brief 4th
John T. Rourke. Editor. Taking
Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in World
Politics. Eleventh Edition.
Students may want to make use of Congressional Research
Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs found online at:
http://fpc.state.gov/fpc/c4763.htm
Many of these reports are excellent reviews of foreign policy issues.
Course Objectives:
Upon
completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a capacity for critical and analytical thought about international relations
2. Demonstrate an ability to communicate their knowledge and beliefs about international politics both orally and in writing.
3. Discuss the central features of the international system
4. Identify the principle models used by political scientists in studying international relations and discuss the claims of the major schools of thought within the discipline, explaining how political scientists try to understand international relations
5. Discuss important philosophical and ethical issues associated with the challenges confronting relations among nations.
6. Identify information regarding international relations which is necessary and useful for responsible citizenship
7. Discuss how international politics have shaped and been shaped by the dynamic social forces of the past 100 years
8. Discuss elements of both continuity and change within the international
political system.
Class Schedule:
Click HERE for the on-line
Study Guide for this course. It includes questions to help reading and
reflecting upon the weekly and daily assignment as well as useful links to
various web sources on the thinkers and issues being addressed in those
assignments.
Week 1 Introduction to the Study of International Relations
Jan. 12-16
Read: Rourke &
Boyer, Chpts. 1, 2, 3; Mingst & Snyder, Chpt. 1 - Bald's article on
Thucydides
Special
Topics:
M: Introduction to the study of international relations
W: How do political scientists try to understand international
relations? What are the different levels of analysis employed by students
of international relations? What are the main forces and who are the main actors
shaping international
relations?
F: What were the essential dynamics of the cold war? Does the apparent
triumph of market place economics and western democracy in the world mean we
will live in a more peaceful
word?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 1
Relying in part on the
articles by Kennan and Gaddis in your readings, write a three page essay in
which you explain how the United States perceived the Soviet Union at the onset
of the cold war and then explain some of the essential dynamics of the
international political system during the cold war.
Week 2 Power Politics and Political Realism
Jan.
19-23
Read: Rourke & Boyer, Chpt. 1;
Mingst & Snyder, Chpt. 2 - Articles by Walt and Morgenthau, Chpt. 3 -
Article by Waltz, Chpt. 4 - Articles by Bull, Morgenthau, and Wohlforth
Special Topics:
M: How does
political realism understand the role of power in international relations?
W: How does neorealism (or structural realism)
understand international relations?
F: Do
stability and peace require a balance of power or a clear imbalance of power?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 2
Write a three page essay
in which you explain how political realism attempts to understand international
relations. What are the essential descriptive and normative claims of
political realism? Explain the strengths and weaknesses of this theory.
Week 3 Liberal and Radical Challenges to Power Politics and
Political Realism
Jan. 26-30
Read:
Mingst & Snyder, Chpt. 1 - Article by Wilson, Chpt. 2 - Articles by Doyle,
Frank, and Tickner, Chpt. 3 - Articles by Ruggie and Tickner, Chpt. 4 - Article
by Wallerstein
Special Topics:
M: How does liberalism (or idealism) understand the causes of war and
peace among nations?
How does liberalism (or idealism) challenge power politics and realist theories?
W: How do Marxist and other radical models
try to explain the international system?
F: How do feminist and postmodernist paradigms challenge both realism and
liberalism when it comes
to trying to
understand international relations?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise
No. 3
Write a three page essay in which you explain how liberalism
attempts to understand international relations. What are the essential
descriptive and normative claims of liberalism as it is applied to international
relations? Explain the strengths and weaknesses of this theory.
Week 4 States and Individuals
Feb. 2-6
Read: Mingst & Snyder, Chpts. 5 and 6;
Rourke, Part I - Issue 2; Rourke & Boyer, Chpt. 6
Special Topics:
M: What is the role of the state in world politics?
W: What role do individuals play in world
politics?
F: NOTE: Your first
test will be given on Friday, Feb.6. It will count for 1/6 of your semester
grade.
Week 5 Conflict and the Role of Diplomacy
Feb. 9-13
Read: Rourke & Boyer, Chpt. 8;
Mingst & Snyder, Chpt. 4 - Articles by Huntington and from The
Economist
Special Topics:
M: What are the elements of power for
nation-states?
W: What is the role of
diplomacy in relations between nations?
F: What are some of the ideological and cultural sources of conflict
in the world today?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 4
Write a three page essay in which you provide an analysis and critique of
Samuel P.Huntington's article, "The Clash of Civilizations." Are the fault
lines between civilizations going to become fundamental sources of conflict in
the post cold war era? Clearly present the main arguments for and against
the thesis advanced by Huntington regarding future sources of conflict in the
world. Develop your own view as to whether he is right or wrong.
Week 6 Nationalism and Democracy
Feb. 16-20
Read: Mingst & Snyder, Chpts. 10, 11
Special Topics:
M: What roles have nationalism and ethnic identity played in
conflicts between states?
W: How are
democratization and nationalism sometimes a dangerous mixture?
F: Does the spread of democracy
lead to a more peaceful world?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No.
5
Write a three page essay on the following question. Does a more
democratic world mean a more peaceful world? Clearly present the best
evidence on each side of this debate and defend your answer to the question. You
will need to evaluated the democratic peace thesis.
Week 7 War, Military Forces, Doctrines, Arms Races, Proliferation of
Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Terrorism
Feb. 23-27
Read: Rourke & Boyer, Chpt. 10; Mingst
& Snyder, Chpt. 7; Rourke, (Issues 12, 13, 14, 15)
Special Topics:
M: What are the causes of war and terrorism?
W: What are the most significant military forces and doctrines in the
international system today?
F: What are the
principal proliferation issues facing the world today?
Critical Thinking
Writing Exercise No. 6
Write a three page essay on how you think the
United States should address issues of terrorism and the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction.
Week 8 Rational Choice Theory and Game Theory
March
1-5
Read: Rourke & Boyer, Chpt. 8 -
pp. 207-214; Mingst & Snyder, Chpt. 7 - pp. 248-259
Online assignments and handouts on rational choice theory and game theory
Special Topics:
M: How can rational choice theory and game theory be used to understand
international politics?
W: What does game
theory suggest as rational choices in different decision making situations in
international politics?
F: NOTE:
Your second test will be given on Friday, March 5. It will count for 1/6
of your semester grade.
SPRING BREAK MARCH 6-14
Week 9 International Economics: The Role of International Trade, the
Flow of Money, and Multinational Corporations in International Relations
March 15-19
Read: Rourke &
Boyer, Chpt. 11; Rourke, (Issue 10); Mingst & Snyder, Chpt. 8
Special Topics:
M: How has international trade evolved over the past four centuries?
How does trade shape the world today?
W: How
do the international monetary system and multinational corporations shape the
world today?
F: To what extent do
economic conditions, desires, policies, and forces lead to international
conflict?
To
what extent do economic conditions, desires, policies, and forces lead to a more
stable and peaceful world?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 7
Write a three page essay on the following question. Do international
monetary, banking, and trading regimes such as the IMF, World Bank, and WTO make
for a better world? Be explicit in the criteria you employ in your analysis and
offer solid supporting evidence to support your claims.
Week 10 Economic Development and the North-South Divide
March 22-26
Read: Rourke &
Boyer, Chpt. 12; Rourke, (Issues 9 and 11)
Special
Topics:
M: How are economic forces shaping
the world today?
W: What is the significance
of the North-South gap to the international system?
F: What are some of the principal
health issues facing the international system?
Critical Thinking Writing
Exercise No. 8
Write a three page essay on the following question.
Does economic development lead to a more humane and stable world or to greater
injustices and conflict? Be explicit in the criteria you employ in your
analysis and offer solid supporting evidence to support your claims.
Week 11 International Organizations, International Law, and Global
Governance
March 29-April 2
Read: Rourke & Boyer, Chpts. 7, 9; Rourke, Part 5; Mingst &
Snyder, Chpt. 9
Special Topics:
M: How important are international
organizations to the international system?
W:
What are the bases for international law? What role does it play in the
international system?
What are
the scope and limitations on international law?
F: What are the principal issues
involving global governance in today's world?
Critical Thinking Writing
Exercise No. 9
Write a three page essay on the strengths and weaknesses
of the United Nations. Be sure to use appropriate examples in developing this
essay. Generalizations without supporting evidence are of little value. Be
clear on the criteria you are employing in evaluating the effectiveness of the
UN.
Week 12 Human Rights and Environmental Issues
April
5-9
Read: Rourke & Boyer, Chpts. 13,
14; Rourke, (Issue 19)
Special Topics:
M: How are human rights an issue for the
world today?
W: How are environmental issues
sometimes a source of conflict between nation states?
To what
extent may environmental issues be an increasing source of instability in the
international system?
F: NOTE:
You will have your third test on Friday, April 9. It will count for 1/6 of
your semester grade.
Week 13 Transnationalism, Globalization, and Integration
April 12-16
Read: Rourke &
Boyer, Chpt. 5; Mingst & Snyder, Chpt. 12; Rourke, (Issues 1, 4)
Special Topics:
M: What are the principal transnational forces at work today?
W: What issues are raised by
globalization?
F: What issues are
raised by economic and political integration?
Week 14 Regional Issues in the International System Today
April 19-23
Read: Rourke, (Issues
3, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Special Topics:
M: Will the Bush Doctrine lead to a safer and
more stable world?
W: What role will China
play in world politics in the future?
F: What
are the main challenges confronting a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict?
Critical Thinking Writing Exercise No. 10
Write a three
page essay in which you identify the most serious problem facing the world
today. Be sure to explain why this problem is greater than all others.
April 23 Last day of Classes
April 24
Reading Day
April 26-30 Final Exam Period
Your final exam will count for 1/6 of your semester grade. It will be a
comprehensive essay examination.
Your final exam will be given at 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 26.
May 11 Commencement
Course Requirements:
Three Tests
Total scores on ten critical thinking writing exercise
Contribution to class discussion
Final comprehensive exam
Grading:
Your grade will be based upon
three tests given during the course of the semester, your total score on ten
three page critical thinking writing exercises, your contribution to class
discussion, and a final exam. Each of these will count for 1/6 of your
grade. Each of the exams will involve an essay format. The final
examination will be comprehensive.
Attendance Policy:
The
attendance policy for this course is the University policy found in the
University Catalog and Student Handbook.
Honor Code:
Students are expected
to live by the Longwood University Honor Code. All work done for the class must
be pledged. Your instructor will not tolerate any form of cheating.
Class Discussion:
Students
are expected to make contributions to class discussion. Your grade in this
regard will be based upon participation during the semester.
Ten Critical
Thinking Writing Exercises: You will write ten 3 page essays during the
course of the semester. The topics for these short essays are listed in the
course outline. Each paper is worth 10 points and is due at the beginning
of class on the Friday of each week for which a paper is due. Late papers will
lose points.
The papers will follow the Turabian format.
A
shorter version of that style manual can be found on the History style manual at
the following web address: <http://www.longwood.edu/history/HDPTSTS2.htm>
There will be more help on developing these papers found in the Study Guide
for the course. Click HERE for the online
Study Guide for this course.
Taking Exams:
Exams must be
taken on time. You are expected to provide proof for any legitimate reason
(illness, participation in a University-sponsored activity, or recognizable
emergency) you have for missing an exam. Having another test on the dame
day or having problems with the person you are dating are not valid reasons for
missing a test.
Bibliography:
Required
Reading:
Karen Mingst & Jack Snyder. Essential Readings in
World Politics.
John T. Rourke & Mark A. Boyer. World
Politics: International Politics on the Word Stage, Brief 4th
John T.
Rourke. Editor. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial
Issues in World Politics. Eleventh Edition.
Suggested Reading or Reference:
Students may make use of the excellent and very extensive bibliographies provided in the texts.
Other Materials:
W. Raymond Duncan, Barbara Jancar-Webster, Bob Switky. World Politcs
in the 21st Century. New York: Longman, 2001.
Michael G. Roskin
& Nicholas O. Berry. IR The New World of International
Relations. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:
Prentice Hall,
2002.
John T. Rourke, Mark A. Boyer. World Politics.
Fourth Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, 2002.
Jill Steans
& Lloyd Pettiford. International Relations: Perspectives and
Thems. New York: Longman, 2001.
Raymond C. Taras, Rajat
Ganguly. Understanding Ethnic Conflict. Second Edition. New
York: Longman, 2002.