POS 160 - 86822: Introduction to International Relations
Fall 2012
Professor: David Muchlinski
School of Politics and Global Studies
Arizona State University
Office Location: Lattie-Coor Hall 6767
Email: dmuchlin@asu.edu
Class Periods: T-Th. 6:00-7:15 PM
Office Hours: M-W 2:00-4:00
PM or by appointment
Course Description
This class introduces the fundamental theories and themes of international politics and
how to apply them to current international political events. This class, in addition to
covering the basics of international relations, also introduces students to the scientific
study of politics in an international setting, as well as broader issues in social science.
Topics to be covered include the three major theories of international relations: Realism,
Liberalism, and Constructivism, international political economy, and topics covering civil
war, environmental degradation, and terrorism. The aim of this class is to provide
students with an introduction to broad theoretical issues in international relations and to
provide an introduction on to how work through conceptual and empirical problems in
the study of international relations within a scientific framework.
Class format will combine both lecture-style presentation as well as class discussions and
occasional in-class opportunities for students to demonstrate their mastery of the subject
matter through interactive exercises designed around topical issues in international
relations. Students are encouraged to be active participants in class through participating
in class discussions, rather than passive recipients of lectures. Many of the ideas and
topics presented here will be new and challenging. Students are encouraged to take
advantage of all opportunities to work through these concepts whether in class, or the
professor’s office hours. The timings of the exams and exercises are listed under the
Course Calendar section. Please be sure to attend those class periods to receive credit.
At the completion of this course students will have the appropriate foundations to
critically analyze current international events and their possible ramifications for US and
international security, be able to convey their ideas in a concise manner, and be able to
use theoretical reasoning and empirical evidence to build their own theories and
interpretations of international events.
There are two required texts for the class:
Spiegel, Steven, Taw, Jennifer, Matthews, Elizabeth, and Williams, Kristen (2012) World
Politics in a New Era 5th Edition Oxford University Press, hereafter WPNE
And
Art, Robert and Jervis, Robert (2011) International Politics: Enduring Concepts and
Contemporary Issues 10th Edition, hereafter AJ
1
Course Organization and Requirements
Course Grading Rubric: Course grades will be assessed on the basis of two midterm
exams, a final exam, and participation in occasional in-class exercises. The grading
breakdown is as follows,



Two Midterm Exams – 20% each, (100 points each)
Final Exam – 40%, (200 points)
In Class Activities – 20%, (50 points each)
There is a total of 500 points available to students in this class. Your grade will be
dependent on the total number of points you earn. The percentage scale is as follows:
90+ = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, 59 or fewer = E. In borderline cases regular
class attendance and thoughtful contributions to class discussion can tip your grade
upward (from a B to a B+, for example).
Note that class attendance is not weighted in the calculation of the final grade, however
attendance is required. I encourage students to come to each class session fully prepared
for the day’s lecture. It will be extremely difficult to pass this class if you do not come to
the lectures, or complete the required reading. This means that if you only read and do
not come to class, or if you only come to class but do not read, you will be missing half
the required material.
Also, be advised that this course is relatively reading intensive. I will try not to burden
students with extensive reading loads in between classes during the week, but since there
are four days between the last class of the week and the first class of the next week, I
expect that students will have plenty of time to complete more extensive reading
assignments over the weekends. Also, reading assignments listed for a particular day
should be read before class begins that day. That is, readings for Tuesdays should ideally
be completed over the weekends and Mondays and readings for Thursdays should be read
during Wednesdays.
We will begin with a lecture on the 23rd, so please be prepared!
Course Blackboard Site
It is expected that all students are already familiar with the ASU Blackboard system. All
class announcements will come directly from Blackboard. All lecture notes will be
posted on the class Blackboard site as well. I will occasionally post additional reading
assignments and possible in class assignment material on the Blackboard site. Every time
something is posted to the Blackboard site, students will receive an email notifying them
that new material has been posted. I will announce when I expect each assignment to be
completed. These announcements are distributed through ASU email, so please
remember to check your inboxes if you do not use your ASU email as your primary
means of electronic communication.
2
Other Policies
ASU rules allow instructors to give a grade of Incomplete (“I”) only in cases of dire
emergency. Incompletes will not be given unless the excuse is determined to be valid by
the professor and is accompanied by official written documentation (i.e. doctor’s note).
There will be no opportunity for extra credit in this course.
Makeup exams will only be given for those who either receive the professor’s permission
before a scheduled examination and provide a written medical excuse such as a
physician’s diagnosis, or give evidence of a genuine emergency. The professor will
determine the definition of a genuine emergency in consultation with individual students.
Students who are participating in university-sanctioned activities that require them to
miss class must identify themselves to the professor early in the semester and provide a
copy of their travel schedule in order to receive permission to make up missed exams.
University Policies
Statement About Students with Disabilities
Disability Accommodations: Qualified students with disabilities who will require
disability accommodations in this class must make their requests to me at the beginning
of the semester either during office hours or by appointment. Note: Prior to receiving
disability accommodations, verification of eligibility from the Disability Resource Center
(DRC) is required. Disability information is confidential and will not be made publically
available.
Establishing Eligibility for Disability Accommodations: Students who feel they will need
disability accommodations in this class but have not registered with the Disability
Resource Center (DRC) should contact the DRC immediately. Their office is located on
the first floor of the Matthews Center Building. DRC staff can also be reached at: 480965-1234 (V) and at 480-965-9000 (TTY). For additional information visit:
http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/ed/drc/. Their office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM,
Monday through Friday.
3
University Academic Integrity Policy
All students are to be notified of ASU’s academic integrity policy. Further, it is the policy
of the Political Science department to fail any student who has been found to engage in
academic dishonesty. These students will fail the class with a grade of “XE” for
academic dishonesty. This grade will be permanently reported on the student’s transcript
and permanent academic record. A grade of “XE” indicates that you failed the class
because of academic dishonesty. You will be put on academic probation and can be
expelled from ASU. So that ignorance is no excuse, please read about ASU’s academic
integrity policy here:
https://provost.asu.edu/sites/default/files/AcademicIntegrityPolicyPDF.pdf
Course Calendar – Tentative1
Week 1 (August 23) – Introduction to International Relations
Tues: No Class, Syllabus available on Blackboard, Professor’s introduction
Thurs: WPNE pp. 3-17
Week 2 (August 28 & 30) – Theories of World Politics
Tues: WPNE pp. 20-38, AND AJ pp. 9-16
Thurs: WPNE pp. 38-52
Week 3 (September 4 & 6) – The Peace of Westphalia to World War II
Tues: WPNE pp. 59-108.
Thurs: AJ pp. 37-59
Week 4 (September 11 & 13) – The Cold War
Tues: WPNE pp. 111-135
Thurs: WPNE pp. 137-155
1
The class calendar is tentative and subject to change without (much) advance notice. I will notify
students through Blackboard of any change in schedule at the beginning of a week, and will update this
syllabus with corrected versions as needed. Until further notice, this schedule is binding.
4
Week 5 (September 18 & 20) – The Modern International System
Tues: WPNE pp. 201-235
Thurs: AJ pp. 150-163
Week 6 (September 25 & 28) – Security and International Relations
Tues: WPNE pp. 239-258 AND review pp. 24-27 AND AJ pp. 93-114
Thurs: AJ pp. 79-93 AND In Class Exercise #1
Week 7 (October 2 & 4) –International Political Economy
Tues: Midterm #1
Thurs: WPNE pp. 337-360 skim all but Ricardo’s model and FDI
Week 8 (October 9 & 11) – IPE Continued
Tues: WPNE pp. 365-377 AND AJ pp. 265-282
Thurs: AJ pp. 282-292
Week 9 (October 16 & 18) – More IPE: Development
Tues: Fall Break – No Class
Thurs: WPNE pp. 379-393 AND AJ pp. 323-338
Week 10 (October 23 & 25) – Development Continued
Tues: WPNE pp. 393-413
Thurs: AJ pp. 339-348
Week 11 (October 30 and Nov 1) – Conclusion of IPE: The Global Financial Crisis
Tues: Selected readings posted to Blackboard
Thurs: Selected readings continued
Week 12 (November 6 & 8) –The Environment, Civil Wars, and Terrorism
Tues: WPNE pp. 457-489 AND AJ pp. 502-514
Thurs: Readings continued from Tuesday AND In Class Exercise #2
5
Week 13 (November 13 & 15) – Terrorism
Tues: WPNE pp. 304-318
Thurs: AJ pp. 398-412
Week 14 (November 20 & 22) – Midterm #2 and Thanksgiving
Tues: Midterm #2
Thurs: Thanksgiving Break, No Class
Week 15 (November 27 & 29) – Civil Wars
Tues: Selected readings posted to Blackboard AND AJ pp. 424-445
Thurs: Selected readings continued
Week 16 (December 4 & 6) – Review
Tues: Review
Thurs: Review
Thursday, December 13 4:50-6:50 PM, Final Exam
6