Politics 214: International Politics
Fall Semester 2008
Smullin Hall Room 130
MWF 9:10-10:10

 

Prof. Michael Marks
Office: Smullin 332
Office Tel. 503-370-6932
E-mail: mmarks@willamette.edu
Home Page: http://www.willamette.edu/~mmarks
Office Hours:
MWF: 10:15-11:15
TuTh: 11:15-12:15

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. Accordingly, the objectives of this course are fourfold:

1. To demonstrate the importance of theory for describing and explaining international political behavior.
2. To train students to think critically. This involves:   
    A. Distinguishing among general theoretical arguments;
    B. Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of different reading selections;
    C. Developing one's own approach to international relations.
3. To illuminate the sources of major international political phenomena throughout contemporary history.
4. To enable students to undertake their own analyses of current foreign affairs.

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.

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 and should be purchased at the University Bookstore:

1. Joshua S. GOLDSTEIN and Jon C. PEVEHOUSE, International Relations (Eighth Edition). New York: Pearson Longman, 2008.

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 Goldstein and Pevehouse International Relations 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

September 3–5: Introduction

1. No readings

September 8–12: How Do We Study International Politics?

1. GOLDSTEIN & PEVEHOUSE: Chapter 1
2. WGS: Reading 18

September 15–19: Realism

1. GOLDSTEIN & PEVEHOUSE: Chapter 2
2. WGS: Readings 5, 6, 8, 28, 29

September 22–26: Liberalism

1. GOLDSTEIN & PEVEHOUSE: Pages 83–93
2. WGS: Reading 2, 17, 23, 37

SEPTEMBER 29: FIRST ESSAY DUE

September 29–October 3: Constructivism and Feminist Theory

1. Goldstein and Pevehouse: Pages 93–121
2. WGS: Readings 4, 35, 36, 38, 39

October 6–10: Marxist Theory and Economic Determinants

1. WGS: Readings 10, 11, 12

October 13–17: Foreign Policy and Decision Making

1. GOLDSTEIN & PEVEHOUSE: Chapter 4
2. WGS: Readings 20, 42, 43, 47

October 20–24: International Conflict

1. GOLDSTEIN & PEVEHOUSE: Chapters 5–6
2. WGS: Reading 45

October 27–31: International Cooperation

1. GOLDSTEIN & PEVEHOUSE: Chapter 7
2. WGS: Readings 27, 31, 32, 33, 34

NOVEMBER 3: SECOND ESSAY DUE

November 3–7: International Political Economy

1. GOLDSTEIN & PEVEHOUSE: Chapters 8–9

November 10–14: Globalization

1. GOLDSTEIN & PEVEHOUSE: Chapters 10–11
2. WGS: Reading 51

November 17–21: “North-South” Relations

1. GOLDSTEIN & PEVEHOUSE: Chapters 12–13

November 24–26: Thanksgiving Week

To be determined.

December 1–5: Future Scenarios I

1. WGS: Readings 16, 52, 53, 55, 59

DECEMBER 8: THIRD ESSAY DUE

December 8–12: Future Scenarios II

1. GOLDSTEIN: Chapter 14
2. WGS: Reading 21