1 POSC 2601-101: INTERNATIONAL POLITICS Fall 2012 MWF 1:00 – 1:50 Marquette Hall 200
H. R. Friman Office Hours: MWF 2:00-4:00 William Wehr Physics, Room 478
[email protected] / 8-5991
OBJECTIVES: This course covers the basic problems and principles and the major themes, theories, and concepts of international politics. In its narrowest sense, international politics deals with relations between countries. The events of the past several years, however, suggest that we are living in a unique time of change and consistency that challenges traditional explanatory models. The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to the international and domestic sources of cooperation and conflict found in the political-military and political-economic relations between the governments and peoples of countries. The course seeks to do so by introducing students to the major substantive and theoretical issues that characterize the field of International Relations. Students will explore core concepts and their interplay, and the application of prominent explanations, theories, and methodologies in the field. Through this exploration students will develop critical thinking skills and apply these skills in their written and oral work. Such an introduction will prove vital for those students interested in the continued study of international politics, careers with an international dimension, and for becoming an informed citizen in an increasingly globalized world where international politics dynamics increasingly hold sway. REQUIREMENTS: The successful completion of this course will require attention to both course readings and class lectures and discussions. Attendance is required and will be spot checked. As per Marquette policy, excessive absences (more than six absences for a three credit course MWF course) prior to November 16, 2012 will lead to the student being assigned a WA and automatically withdrawn from the course. If a student exceeds the number of allowable absences after this deadline, the course final grade will be lowered (½ a letter grade [A to AB, etc.]) per absence above the allowable number. There will be no make ups for missed quizzes. Paper due dates are known in advance and no late papers will be accepted. Makeups for the midterm and final exam will be at the discretion of the instructor. Academic Honesty policies will conform to those described in the 2012/13 Undergraduate Bulletin. Students will be expected to complete and think about all assigned readings before coming to class. Students are also encouraged to read major national newspapers (e.g., NYT, WSJ, LAT), news magazines (e.g., The Economist), and/or online data sources to be able to follow current international events. The course grade will be based on two exams (a midterm and final), two short critical review papers, and reading quizzes. The direction of borderline grades will be determined by class participation and attendance. The midterm (30% of the grade) and final (30% of the grade) follow the same format: identification of key terms and short essays. Review sheets will be handed out one week in
2 advance to help in preparation for the exams, but keeping up to date on readings and class lecture/discussion will be essential. To develop reading and writing skills, students will also be required to complete two critical review papers (4-5 pages, typed, double-spaced: 30% of the grade). For each paper, the student will write an essay that assesses an assigned article as follows: identify the article's primary argument (thesis); identify the theoretical perspectives and levels of analysis upon which the author's argument is based and proven; and comment critically (noting possible strengths and weaknesses) on how these perspectives and levels have shaped the author's argument and conclusions. To encourage preparation for class and facilitate class discussion, during the course of the semester there also will be short pop reading quizzes. Much like dynamics of uncertainty in international politics the number of quizzes and their timing in the course will be at the discretion of the instructor. Performance on the quizzes will count for the remaining 10 percent of the course grade. GRADE SCALE: The scale is based on 1000 points total: 950-1000 (A), 900-49 (AB), 850-99 (B), 800-49 (BC), 750-99 (C), 700-49 (CD), 650-99 (D), 0-649 (F). REQUIRED TEXTS AND READINGS: There are two required books for the course and both are available through Book Marq and Sweeney’s: 1) Steven L. Lamy, et al., Introduction to Global Politics (New York: Oxford University Press, 2011); 2) Karen A. Mingst and Jack L. Snyder, Essential Readings in World Politics, 4th Edition (New York and London: WW Norton, 2011). Additional required readings will be available through D2L. TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE [adjustments will take place as necessary] I: Introduction August 27-29: Introduction/Overview Read: Lamy, Chapter 1 August 31: POSC Department Assessment Pretest [mandatory: in class] September 3: No class (Labor Day Holiday) Read: Lamy, Chapter 2 Work on improving your world history background. Also use this time to get a head start on the next section of the course. II: Theoretical tools September 5, 7, 10: Realism Read: Lamy, Chapter 3 (pp. 64-75) Morgenthau, “A Realist Theory of International Politics and Power,” 26-30 Morgenthau, “The Balance of Power,” 99-104 Mearsheimer, “Anarchy and the Struggle for Power,” 31-50
3 September 12, 14, 17: Liberalism Read: Lamy, Chapter 3 (pp. 75-90) Kant, “To Perpetual Peace,” 12-15 Doyle, “Liberalism and World Politics,” 50-64 September 19, 21: Theories: Alternative Approaches Read: Lamy, Chapter 4 Wendt, “Anarchy is What States Make of It,” Tickner, “Man, the State, and War III: Actors and Institutions September 24, 26, 28: States and Foreign Policy: Processes and Challenges Read: Lamy, Chapter 5 Jervis, “Cooperation under the Security Dilemma,” 335-349 Jervis, “Hypotheses on Misperception,”192-205 Saunders, “Transformative Choices,” 206-221 October 1: First critical review paper is due in class on Monday October 3. Drawing on the paper criteria noted in the syllabus, complete a critical review of Henry Kissinger, “The Future of U.S.- China Relations – Conflict is a Choice, Not a Necessity,” Foreign Affairs, March/April 2012. Article is available on D2L. October 1, 3, 5, 8: International Organization and International Law Read: Lamy, Chapter 6, Chapter 10 Bull, “Does Order Exist in World Politics?”105-109 Mearsheimer, “The False Promise of Institutions,” 308-319 Fortna, “Does Peacekeeping Work,” 224-232 Power, “Bystanders to Genocide,” 233-253 Snyder and Vinjamuri, “Trials and Errors,” 596-616 IV: Issues in International Politics October 10, 12, 15: States, Security, and War Read: Lamy, Chapter 8 (pp. 223-248) Wilson, “The Fourteen Points,” 17-19 Von Clausewitz, “War as an Instrument of Policy,” 332-326 Schelling, “The Diplomacy of Violence,” 326-334 October 17 (Wednesday): Midterm Exam (in class)
October 19:
Midterm Break
4
October 22, 24, 26: WMD Pursuits Read: Lamy, Chapter 8 (pp. 249-254) Sagan, “Why do States Build Nuclear Weapons?” Article is available on D2L Posen, “A Nuclear Armed Iran,” 375-390 Lieber and Baram, “Containment Breach,” 390-392 October 29, 31, November 2, 5: Terrorism Read: Lamy, Chapter 9 Huntington, “Clash of Civilizations,” 159-166 Kydd and Walter, “The Strategies of Terrorism,” 392-415 November 7, 9, 12, 14: Economic Interdependence and Globalization Read: Lamy Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 Stiglitz, “From Freefall,” 554-573 November 16, 19, 26, 28: Poverty and Development Read: Lamy Chapter 13 Milner, “Globalization, Development and International Institutions,” 493-515 Humphries, Sachs and Stiglitz, “What is the Problem with Natural Resource Wealth? “ 542-554 Thanksgiving Break: No class November 21, 23 November 30: Second critical review paper is due in class on Friday, December 2. Drawing on the paper criteria noted in the syllabus, complete a critical review of Robert Zoellick, “Why We Still Need the World Bank – Looking Beyond Aid,” Foreign Affairs, March/April 2012. Article is available on D2L. V: Beyond the State System December 3, 5, 7: Global Issues Read: Lamy, Chapter 14 Harden, “The Tragedy of the Commons,”616-626 Naim, “The Five Wars of Globalization,” 151-159
Final Exam: Tuesday, December 11, 8:00-10:00 a.m.