HDS 415 – COURSE OUTLINE
• MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY
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• HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
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• MODULE OUTLINE/READING LIST
• Module Title: HDS 415 INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
HDS 415
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Lecturer: Mr Percyslage Chigora
Office: 53
Tel Ext: 211
Email: pchigora2003@yahoo.fr
Office Hours:
Monday 11am-12:30pm.
Tuesday: by appointment. Wednesday 9am11am. Thursday: by appointment. Friday:
1100hrs to 1230 hrs.
HDS 415
PREAMBLE
• The module examines the nature of relations between and
amongst actors in the international system. It analyses the
main theoretical approaches to the study of IR; the works of
well-known IR theorists; and it introduces approaches
important to developing a critical understanding of
international affairs. The module enable students to
understand, why international events occur the way they do;
why certain wars breakout; why certain agreement benefit
one nation more than the other or others; why certain
countries are richer and strong than the others;
HDS 415
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why do some countries do what they like or do not do what
they do not like and yet others just have to do what they
have to do and many others. The module therefore seek to
answer these “why” questions and it is hoped that the
students will have developed a better understanding of
interactions which take place in international system by the
end of the semester. The module begins by conceptualising
international relations/politics and exposing the major
theories in understanding the interactions amongst actors in
the international system. Contemporary developments in the
discipline - Feminist Theory and Post-Modernism - will also
be examined, as well as recent ideas about global
governance, and "globalisation".
HDS 415
• The module proceeds to analyse concepts of
power, sovereignty and diplomacy in
international relations. The module will also
focus on central theme in international relations
like; foreign policy, international/regional/sub
regional organisations, international distribution
of wealth. The module concludes by focusing on
Africa’s international relations.
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• Assignments
• Students taking this module are expected to write a total of
two (2) assignments in the course of the semester of which
one should be written in class. Overall assessment is based
on both written work and student participation in class.
• Each paper must be written in good English and must be
free of errors in grammer, spelling, punctuations and usage,
and should be well referenced (see notes at the end of the
module outline). The cover page should be appropriately
labeled. Unacknowledged use of another's work constitutes
plagiarism.
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• Reference your work correctly. Submitting ideas written
by someone else is not tolerated.
• Test: Friday 9 march 2007 between 1400hrs and
1500hrs
• Assignment Question: “Morality is simply a
cover for the pursuit of its own interests” Discuss
with special reference to relations between states.
Due date Friday 9 march 2007 @ 1500hrs
HDS 415
• INTRODUCTORY LECTURE
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This Section seeks to address the question of
why the study of international relations is important
to Zimbabwean students, and introduces the
module to the students. While themes embracing
the whole field of international relations are
emphasized, attention will be given to particular
case studies that illuminate the general global
patterns in the interaction of actors.
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• Tutorial Questions
• 1a Assess the reasons why Zimbabwean students study
International Relations. Badza Leon
• 1b Critically analyse Zimbabwe’s contemporary International
Relations. CHIBANDA TAWANDA
• 1c International arena will continue featuring change and
continuity. Discuss CHIKWAVAVA CEPHAS
• 1d Reading: John C Garnet “Facts, Values and Concepts”
CHIPFUNDE ADMIRE
• 1e Ibid. “University Teaching of International Politics” DUBE
NOMADUMAZILE
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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: A SURVEY
A)
What is International Relations
B)
The concept of International System
3a “The State centric view has become obsolete to serve as
a useful frame which to base the analysis of international
relations” Support or refute this assertion. FIREYI RHODA
• 3b Critically analyse the concept of International System.
How does the concept help us in understanding
International Relations? GANYANI FUNGAI
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• 3c Compare and Contrast the Mixed Actor and state
actor view in international relations. Guzha
Simbarashe
• 3d Define International Relations. How does it differ
from international system? Hove Jonathan
• 3e Critically trace the development of international
relations as a discipline. Kanonhuwa ndangariro
• 3f Reading: Arnold Wolfers, “The Actors in International
Politics” katemauswa
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• THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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A)
Realist/Power Theory
B)
Idealist Theory
C)
Dependence Theory
D)
Interdependence theory
E)
Systems Theory
F) Integration Theory
G) Feminist Theory
H)
Game Theory
Post Modernist theory
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• 4a The behavior of states in the international system can best be
understood in terms of international politics defined as a struggle
for power. Discuss.KWANGWARE
• 4b State and critique the tenets of the dependency
theory.KWIRIRI
• 4c “The apparent intensification of economic interdependence
between advanced capitalist states and the world’s so called
periphery has challenged both the Marxist and Dependency
Theory’s explanations of the World politics.” Discuss.
MACHIWANA
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• 4d “Realism and balance of power politics are a thing of
the past”. Discuss. MAHUNI
• 4e Critically assess the validity of either the systems
theory or the power approaches to the study of
international relations.MAKURACHIBVUMO
• 4f Compare and contract the interdependency and
dependence theories as tools for understanding of
contemporary international relations.MASHASHA
• 4g Discuss the contributions made by Keohane and
Nye to International Relations theory. maurO
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• 4h Discuss the contribution of either the feminist or
post modernist theory to the study of International
relations. Mauto
• 4i Explain how systems theory enables one to
understand the dynamics of International Relations.
Mavhundu
• 4j Critically analyse Morgenthau’s assertion that
international politics like all politics is the struggle for
power.MHUKA
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• 4k Reading: IR Paradigms, Approaches and
theories”www.irtheory.com/know.htm.
MUDANGWE
• 5. STATE AND POWER IN INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS
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A) Concept of state, nation and nation-state
• B) Elements of Power
• C) Power resources and capabilities
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• 5a “The existence of a general balance of power throughout the
international system as a whole, has served to prevent the
system from being transformed by conquest into a universal
empire” Can this be fulfilled in the era of New World Order.
MUZAMANA
• 5b “Morality is simply a cover for the pursuit of its own interests”
Discuss. MUZURUSI
• 5c Define power and distinguish it from authority and
influence.NGUWO
• 5d Explain the meaning of the following terms; state, nation, and
nation-state. NKOMO
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• 5e Reading: Connie L McNeely “The determination of
Statehood” SILLAH
• 6. NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY AND NATIONAL
INTEREST IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
• A)
Sovereignty at Home
• B)
Sovereignty in the International System
• C)
Limits to sovereignty
• D)
National Interest
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• 6a Discuss giving specific examples, the implication of
“war on terrorism” on inter-state relations. TSHUMA
• 6b Using Zimbabwe as your case study critically
examine the possible impact of current international
sanctions measures on Zimbabwe. VIRIRI
• 6e Define national interest and what role does it play
formulating any country’s foreign policy. Zvirikuzhe
• 6f Claims to sovereignty is now a thing of the past.
Discuss. MACHINGAMBI
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• 6g Critically analyse the role that has been played by
globalisation in eroding state sovereignty. BADZA
• 6h Reading; Fareed Zakaria “A plan for Global Security”
CHIBANDA
• 7. FOREIGN POLICY
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A) Factors in Foreign Policy-making
• B) Foreign Policy in Zimbabwe
• 7a Critically analyse the assertion that foreign policy is a
combination of aims and interests pursued and defended by a
given state and its relations with other states. CHIKWAVAVA
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• 7b Critically examine the implications of Zimbabwe Agrarian
reform in International Relations.CHIPFUNDE
• 7c Explain the Afghanistan and the Iraq crisis in the context of
the New World Order. DUBE
• 7d What are the important factors determining the foreign
policies of the African states? NDLOVU
• 7e With reference to country of your choice analse factors
affecting foreign policy. MATESANWA
• 7f “Crisis in any country is a recipe for impacting negatively on
international Relation” Comment on this assertion with reference
to either Zimbabwe or DRC. SAKUPWANYA
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• 7g Foreign Policy vary with the type of issues,
the specific threat or opportunity at hand and the
type and quality of régime. Discuss. FIREYI
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• 7h
1. M. S Rajan. India’s Foreign Policy and
the New Millenium.
• 2.Hasu H Patel . No Master, No Mortgage, No Sale:
Zimbabwe’s Foreign Policy.
• 3.Schwartz Richard. Coming to Terms Zimbabwe in the
International Arena.
• 4. Kubicek Paul. Russian Foreign policy and the West.
• 5. www.gta.gov.zw
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• Rosenau N James, “The Domestic Sources of Foreign
Policy: Introduction”
• 7 Editorial: Can Russia Handle a Changing World.
• 8. DIPLOMACY
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A) Old Diplomacy
• B)
New Diplomacy
• 8a “Diplomacy without arms is like music without
instruments” Rifkind 2003. Discuss.
• 8b Trace the origin of the concept of
Diplomacy.GANYANI
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• 8c Compare and contrast old and new
conceptions of diplomacy. GUZHA
• 8e Joseph Frankel, “diplomacy” HOVE
• 8d Sir Richard Nicholson, “Origins of Organized
Diplomacy” KANONHUWA
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9. INTERNATIONAL
ORGANISATION/REGIONAL/SUB REGIONAL
ORGANISTION
• A) United Nations
• B) Commonwealth
• C) ACP Countries
• D) NAM
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• 9a The United Nations has failed to serve its intended
purpose rather it has been used by the most powerful
states to pursue their national interest. Support or refute
this assertion giving specific and concrete
examples.KATEMAUSWA
• 9b “The United Nations is sprawling and highly
bereaucratised structure which excessively costly,
mismanaged and inefficient, corrupt and with low quality
staff.” Can this assertion be justified?KWANGWARE
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• 9c Suggest ways of reforming the UN to address new
problems arising with increased interdependence of
international actors.KWIRIRI
• 9d With the end of the Cold war, the Non-Aligned
Movement has lost the major rationalisation for its
continued existence. Critically discuss. MACHIWANA
• 9e Critically examine the need for continued existence
of NATO in the current international situation.MAHUNI
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• 9f “The end of Cold war reinvigorated the UN and raised
expectations with regard to its primary responsibility for
marinating peace and security” Discuss. MAKURACHIBVUMO
• 9g The UNSC’s central role in the maintenance of international
peace and security has been eroded by the use of the “coalition
of the willing”. Discuss giving concrete examples. MASHASAHA
• 9h “It is not is not easy to evaluate the performance of the United
Nations separately from member states”. Comment on this
assertion with reference to weakness of the UN. MAURO
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• 9i Discuss the role played International Governmental
Organisation in International Relations. MAUTO
• 10.
NORTH-SOUTH GAP
• A)
Wealth in the North
• B)
Poverty in the South
• 10a The costs of globalisation far outweigh the intended
benefits for undeveloped economies. Discuss
MAVHUNDU
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• 10b “The bipolar world of the cold war is gone…We
have a New World Order.” (Olson) Discuss.MHUKA
• 10c In the context of the current global order examine
whether the processes of regionalisation and
globalisation are leading to greater integration.
MUDANGWE
• 10d Discuss the view that contemporary globalisation
trends further enhance Africa’s exploitation by the
developed world. MUVHUTI
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• 10e Reading: Francis Fukuyama, “Their Target: The Modern
World”
• 10f Reading; Benjamin Barber “Jihad vs. McWorld”
• 11.
AFRICA IN THE POST-COLD WAR INTERNATIONAL
SYSTEM
• A)
African International Relations
• B)
The African Union
• C)
Regional Integration and co-operation
• D)
Conflict in Africa
• E)
Africa and globalisation forces
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• 11a Discuss Mbeki’s African Renaissance in the context
of the African Union and NEPAD. MAZAMANA
• 11b “The Somalia and Rwandan crises show that Africa
needs a new and equipped OAU” Discuss with specific
reference to the emergence of the African Union.
MUZURUSI
• 11c What is the impact of the DRC conflict on African
international Relations.NGUWO
• 11d Examine the role played by the OAU and its
successor the AU in enabling interaction of actors?
NKOMO
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• 11e Discuss the prospective merits and demerits
of NEPAD to African economies. sillah
• 11f John Mearsheimer, “The False Promise of
International Institutions”.
HDS 415
• Hints on Writing Essays and Assignments
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• Preparing an essay involves reading, analysing
collected material, constructing an argument
outline and discussing with other students.
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• Essay assignments in this module have two primary
purposes:
• i). to help the student develop skills in reading,
selection of relevant information, organising ideas
within a logical framework and writing grammatical
and simple and clear English.
• ii). to encourage sound, independent judgement
that comes from individual reading and thought,
and intense discussions of the essay topics with
other students.
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• NB* Only those essays that put forward a wellconsidered, clearly-written and logical personal
viewpoint based on independent reflection and wide
reading, will be considered as deserving high marks.
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In writing an essay, the student should never take
anything for granted or assume that the reader will
automatically know what is being discussed, but should
always strive to be clear and simple without being
pedestrian in approach.