International Studies 214: International Politics
  Spring Semester 2022
Smullin 130
MWF 9:10–10:10

 

Prof. Michael Marks
Office: Smullin 332
Office Tel. 503–370–6932
Administrative Assistant Tel. 503–370–6060
E-mail: mmarks@willamette.edu
Home Page: http://www.willamette.edu/~mmarks
Office Hours: MWF: 8:00–9:00, 10:15–11:15, and by appointment

Course Description

This course introduces students to various important theoretical approaches to the study of international relations and foreign policy analysis. It also applies these approaches to concrete historical cases and current issues of international affairs. The course is designed to familiarize students with the major modes of international relations analysis and to enable them to apply these analyses to substantive issues.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of theory for describing and explaining international political behavior.
2. Distinguish among the main theoretical schools of thought (paradigms) that comprise the field of international relations.
3. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these paradigms as well as arguments made in support of them in the course readings.
4. Develop one’s own approach to international relations, informed by the major theoretical approaches discussed in the course.
5. Write effectively and persuasively analyzing competing paradigms in the study of international relations.
6. Use factual evidence to analyze international relations.

Time Commitment for This Course

Willamette’s Credit Hour Policy holds that for every hour of class time there is an expectation of 2–3 hours work outside of class. Thus, for a class meeting three hours a week such as this one you should anticipate spending 6–9 hours outside of class engaged in course-related activities. For this course you should allocate your time among the following three activities: Reading assigned texts (including preparing weekly chapter summaries of those texts), reading newspapers and/or online news resources on topics relevant to the class, writing the three essay assignments due over the course of the semester.

Course Organization

The course will employ a combination of lectures and classroom discussion. Some class sessions will be devoted to an explanation of the week's topics and themes, while other class meetings will provide a forum for involved discussion of the weekly readings. Therefore, students will be expected to have completed the readings and be prepared to actively engage in the classroom discussion.

About Class Participation

The large size of this class is not particularly suited to classroom discussion. However, people tend to learn better when they verbalize new material. Therefore, students should be prepared to discuss the readings the weeks they are assigned.

Electronic Devices in the Classroom

Laptop computers can assist in note taking and wireless Internet access on campus can aid in organized classroom exercises. However, laptop computers can also be a classroom distraction. Laptop computers are permitted in class for note taking purposes. Additionally, there may be occasions when the class as a whole may want to use the campus wireless network to look things up online. However, please refrain from checking e-mail, online chatting, websurfing, game playing, etc. during class. If you are observed doing so during class time, you will asked to no longer bring your laptop to class. Additionally, cell phones should be turned off prior to class.

Accommodations

Students requiring accommodation should contact the Office of Accessible Education Services (Student Success Hub in Matthews Hall, Phone: 503–370–6737) for consultation and to make the necessary arrangements.

Commitment to Positive Sexual Ethics

Willamette is a community committed to fostering safe, productive learning environments, and we value ethical sexual behaviors and standards. Title IX and our school policy prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, which regards sexual misconduct—including discrimination, harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. We understand that sexual violence can undermine students’ academic success, and we encourage affected students to talk to someone about their experiences and get the support they need. Please be aware that as a mandatory reporter I am required to report any instances you disclose to Willamette’s Title IX Coordinator.  If you would rather share information with a confidential employee who does not have this responsibility, please contact our confidential advocate at confidential-advocate@willamette.edu. Confidential support also can be found with SARAs and at the GRAC (503-851-4245); at WUTalk - a 24-hour telephone crisis counseling support line (503-375-5353); and via the University Chaplains (503-370-6213). If you are in immediate danger, please call campus safety at 503-370-6911. For more resources, visit https://willamette.edu/notalone/index.html

Plagiarism and Cheating Policy

All writing assignments turned in must be your own written work. You may not copy, borrow, or appropriate other authors’ work. Reference to other people’s ideas must include attribution. All references to other authors’ work must be fully documented in the form of citations and/or footnotes, and direct quotes must be indicated as such with quotation marks. Suspected cases of plagiarism will be pursued vigorously and appropriate penalties (including an “F” for the course) will be applied.

Willamette's Plagiarism and Cheating Policy

Managing the Reading List

In order to profit fully from the readings, students should read the material assigned for a particular week before the scheduled classroom discussion. We will discuss the readings assuming that the students have read them ahead of time. It is absolutely necessary that students be prepared to discuss the readings in the weekly discussion sections.

Readings

The following two books are required:

1. Paul D’Anieri, International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs (Fifth Edition). Boston: Cengage, 2021.

2. Phil Williams, Donald M. Goldstein, Jay M. Shafritz (eds.), Classic Readings and Contemporary Debates in International Relations (Third Edition). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2006.

Note: The D’Anieri International Politics book has an accompanying website. The website is integrated with the textbook and offers additional chapter-by-chapter materials, including simulations, web link exercises, information revolution exercises, chapter summaries, and practice tests to help you master course material. Utilizing the website is not mandatory, but you may find some of the materials useful as you read the book. Consult the textbook for more information on accessing the companion website.

Writing Assignments

1. There will be three take-home writing assignments. Questions will ask the students to analyze and evaluate some feature of the preceding weeks’ thematic discussions as covered in class and in the readings. No research is required for these take-home writing assignments.

2. Each week, except those weeks in which essays (above) are due, students are to choose one of the course readings for that week and hand in, in class on Monday of that week, a short (no more than one paragraph) summary of the reading’s main points, along with a discussion question for that reading.  These assignments are due in class on Mondays. No credit will be given for late submissions of these reading summaries.

Grading

The final grade will be computed as follows: First writing assignment: 20%; Second and third writing assignments: 35% each; Weekly summaries of course readings, 10%. In addition, the instructor reserves the right to raise final grades for superior classroom participation, and lower final grades for deficient classroom attendance.

Incompletes will be given only under exceptional circumstances such as serious illness. You may appeal any of your grades during office hours only after you have handed in a typed, reasoned memorandum detailing the specific reasons why you think the grade you received is not justified.

Late writing assignments will be assessed a one-third grade penalty per day (e.g., a B+ paper handed in a day late receives a B, two days late a B–, etc.).

Course Schedule and Weekly Reading Assignments

January 10–12: Introduction

1. No readings

January 14–21: How Do We Study International Politics?

1. D’Anieri: Chapters 1–2
2. Williams, Goldstein, Shafritz: Reading 18

January 24–28: Realism

1. D’Anieri: Chapter 3, section on Realism (pages 53–70)
2. Williams, Goldstein, Shafritz: Readings 5, 6, 8, 28, 29

January 31–February 4: Liberalism and Domestic Politics

1. D’Anieri: Chapter 3, section on Liberalism (pages 70–83) and Chapter 5
2. Williams, Goldstein, Shafritz: Reading 2, 17, 23, 37

FEBRUARY 7: FIRST ESSAY DUE

February 7–11: Constructivism and Feminist Theory

1. D’Anieri: Chapter 4, sections on Constructivism and Feminism (pages 92–107)
2. Williams, Goldstein, Shafritz: Readings 4, 35, 36, 38, 39

February 14–18: Marxist Theory and Economic Structuralism

1. D’Anieri: Chapter 4, section on Economic Structuralism (pages 84–92) and conclusion (pages 107–111)
2. Williams, Goldstein, Shafritz: Readings 10, 11, 12

February 23–25: Foreign Policy and Decision Making

1. D’Anieri: Chapter 6
2. Williams, Goldstein, Shafritz: Readings 20, 42, 43, 47

February 28–March 4: International Conflict

1. D’Anieri: Chapters 8–9
2. Williams, Goldstein, Shafritz: Reading 45

MARCH 7: SECOND ESSAY DUE

March 7–11: International Cooperation

1. D’Anieri: Pages 172–185 of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13
2. Williams, Goldstein, Shafritz: Readings 27, 31, 32, 33, 34

March 14–18: International Political Economy

1. D’Anieri: Chapters 10–11

March 21–25: Spring Break

No classes

March 28–April 1: Globalization

1. D’Anieri: Pages 185–204 of Chapter 7 and pages 402–426 of Chapter 14
2. Williams, Goldstein, Shafritz: Reading 51

April 4–8: Global Inequality

1. D’Anieri: Chapter 12

April 11–15: Future Scenarios I

1. Williams, Goldstein, Shafritz: Readings 16, 52, 53, 55, 59

APRIL 18: THIRD ESSAY DUE

April 18–22: Future Scenarios II

1. D’Anieri: Chapter 15
2. Williams, Goldstein, Shafritz: Reading 21

April 25–27: Application of Course Themes to Current Events

Students should bring to class for each class session this week at least one news article (from a newspaper, news magazine, or online news source) about a recent or current issue involving international politics.