University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Political Science 335: International Relations Theory
Fall 2015
HHH 407: 2-2.50pm MWF
Instructor: Dr. Stephen M. Hill
Telephone: (715) 836 2092
Office: Hibbard Hall (HHH) 417
E-mail: hills@uwec.edu
Office Hours: Thurs. 10-11am and by appointment
Course Objectives
Whether or not we are conscious of it, we all theorize. We look at the world through particular
`lenses’ that help us choose relevant facts and explain events we witness. The principal objective of
this course, therefore, is to make you conscious of your own theorizing and provide a survey of some
of the main theoretical approaches developed by others to explain and understand international
relations. You will be encouraged to analyze, evaluate and criticize each of these theories in order
to appreciate both their importance and limitations.
UWEC Learning Goals and Outcomes
This class will contribute to your achievement of the following UWEC Liberal Education Learning
Goals: 1) Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Natural World; 2) Creative and Critical Thinking;
3) Effective Communication; 4) Individual and Social Responsibility; 5) Respect for Diversity
Among People; 6) Integrative Learning.
Definitions of these goals are available at http://www.uwec.edu/Libed/about/upload/UW-EauClaire-Liberal-Education-Learning-Goals-and-Outcomes.pdf
Course Requirements
This course requires that students already possess a general background in world politics and
therefore Pols 122 `Introduction to World Politics’ is a prerequisite. Class will meet three times per
week and will involve a combination of lecture and discussion. Please note that while every effort
will be made to keep precisely to the schedule listed in the course outline, the instructor reserves
the right to amend the content of the course and its schedule when the need arises. Final grades
will be based on the following:



Active participation in class discussion. Meaningful participation will require careful reading
of all assigned materials
First Exam: Based on readings and material covered in class between weeks 1-7 (inclusive)
– Mon Oct 19
Final Examination: Based primarily on readings and material covered in class between
weeks 8-15 (inclusive) – 5pm Thurs Dec 17
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
Paper. Due at the beginning of class on Wed Dec 2 Late submissions are strongly
discouraged. Three percentage points will be deducted for each day the paper is late.
Extensions may be granted, but only if they are requested well in advance of the deadline
and if there is compelling justification. The paper prospectus is due by 5pm Fri Oct 30
Important Dates

September 9
Last day to register for or add full-semester courses without
instructor’s approval

September 16
Last day to drop full-semester fall courses with no record.
Last day to register for or add full-semester fall courses
without dean’s approval. Last day to change grade basis
to/from Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory or Audit. After this date
a Change of Registration form with proper signatures is
required.

November 11
Last day to file withdrawal from the University with “W”s.
Last day to withdraw from individual full-semester classes.
Grading
The calculation of your final grade is based on the following:
First Exam
25%
Final
30%
Prospectus
and Paper
30%
Participation
15%
FINAL GRADE:
93-100%
A
73-76%
C
90-92%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
AB+
B
B-
70-72%
67-69%
63-66%
60-62%
CD+
D
D-
77-79%
C+
Reading
The core texts for the course are:
1) Henry R. Nau, Perspectives on International Relations, 3rd ed. 2012.
2) Karen Mingst and Jack Snyder, Essential Readings in World Politics, 5th ed., 2014.
Both of these texts are available at the bookstore.
Along with the essential reading included for each week, students are expected to read a quality
newspaper (i.e. New York Times or Washington Post) in order to keep abreast of changing
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international events. Journals held in the library and available through the library’s databases are
also invaluable; in particular International Organization, International Relations, International
Security, European Journal of International Relations, International Studies Quarterly and American
Political Science Review.
Class notices and material to be used for discussion will be made available on the course D2L site
and sometimes through e-mail. Students must therefore regularly check both the course D2L site
and their e-mail accounts.
The Paper
Each student will write a paper of between 10-11 sides (typed, double spaced, 12-point font) in
length. Students should develop a question that compares two of the main theories on a particular
issue or methodological approach. Examples will be given during class.
A paper prospectus is due by 5pm on Fri Oct 30. It should be no more than 2 pages long and should
include a synopsis of the theories/question/issue you are addressing and an annotated bibliography
of three sources you intend to utilize. These sources must be books or journal articles (websites can
be used when writing the full paper). Submit a hard copy to me in class and upload a copy into the
appropriate drop-box on D2L.
Papers must also be submitted in hard copy and uploaded electronically into the appropriate
drop-box on D2L.
Papers will be evaluated against the following criteria: adherence to requirements, quality of
analysis and argument, organization, sufficiency of empirical content, grammar and style, and
adequacy and correctness of citation. Each paper should use at least five different sources. Be sure
to acknowledge ideas and quotes taken from sources through the use of citations when necessary
and the provision of proper bibliographic information.
Attendance Policy
As per University regulations, attendance at all classes is compulsory. Students who have a
compelling reason to miss class must inform me at the earliest possible occasion. Attendance will
be taken throughout the semester and will be reflected in the participation grade awarded to each
student at the end of the course. Students who miss two classes in succession (without a valid
reason) may be provided with an e-mail warning. Students absent for more than one week without
a valid reason should consider withdrawing from the course.
Civility
Civility in the classroom encourages the expression of different viewpoints and the exchange of
ideas. Whilst respecting the views of others we must endeavor to express our own in a sensitive
manner. Civility also includes arriving to class on time, packing away materials only after the
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instructor has finished speaking at the end of class and using computers only for taking notes. Not
being civil in this way disrupts the learning environment for everyone.
Academic Integrity
I consider any academic misconduct in this course as a serious offense, and I will pursue the
strongest possible academic penalties for such behavior. The disciplinary procedures and
penalties for academic misconduct are described in the UW-Eau Claire Student Services and
Standards Handbook (http://www.uwec.edu/sdd/publications.htm) in the section titled,
“Chapter UWS 14—Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures.”
Students with Disabilities
Any student who has a disability and is in need of classroom accommodations, please contact the
instructor and the Services for Students with Disabilities Office in Centennial Hall 2106 at the
beginning of the semester.
Course Schedule
Week 1:
What is IR theory? (Sept 2-4)
Nau, `Introduction’, pp.1-20 and `Levels of Analysis’, pp.56-68
Mingst: Snyder, One World, Rival Theories, pp.2-10.
Weeks 2-3:
Classical Realism (Sept 7-18) No class Sept 7
Nau, pp.29-36, 23-24, 72-87, 103-113, 129-130, 139-145
Mingst: Thucydides, Melian Dialogue, pp.11-12; Morgenthau, A Realist Theory of
International Relations, pp.32-36; Morgenthau, The Balance of Power, pp.99-105.
Weeks 4-5:
Structural Realism: Defensive and Offensive Neorealism (Sept 21-Oct 2) Sept. 30
Visiting Speaker: Feminism and Indian Politics
Nau, p.112, 145-150.
Mingst: Waltz, Why Iran Should Get the Bomb, pp.467-470; Mearsheimer, Anarchy
and the Struggle for Power, pp.37-56
Week 6-7:
Power-Transition Theory (Oct 5-16).
Nau,`Power-Transition and Hegemonic Decline’, pp.113-114, 266-279.
Mingst: Ikenberry, et al, Unipolarity, State Behavior, and Systematic
Consequences, pp.106-129.
First Test Mon Oct 19
Week 8-9:
Liberalism (Oct 21-Oct 30) Paper prospectus due Oct 30 by 5pm
Nau, pp.36-44, 87-93, 114-121, 131-139, 279-290.
Mingst: Wilson, The Fourteen Points, pp.14-16; Doyle, Liberalism and World Politics,
pp.50-64; Gartzke, Capitalist Peace or Democratic Peace? pp.532-536.
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Week 10-11:
Neoliberalism (Nov 2-13)
Nau, pp.24-27.
Mingst: Keohane, After Hegemony, pp.338—354; Hardin, The Tragedy of the
Commons, pp.707-717; Mearsheimer, The False Promise of International
Institutions, pp.355-366.
Weeks 12-13: Identity (Nov 16-27). No class Friday Nov 27
Nau, pp.45-53, 27-29, 93-99, 122-125, 150-156, 290-292.
Mingst: Wendt, Anarchy is What States Make of It: The Social Construction of Power
Politics, pp.73-97; Finnemore, Legitimacy, Hypocrisy and the Social Structure of
Unipolarity, pp.153-172; Finnemore, The Purpose of Intervention, pp.496-520;,
p.121; Keck and Sikkink, Transnational Advocacy Networks in International Politics,
pp.382-393.
Week 14-15:
Critical Theory (Nov 30-Dec 11). Paper due Wed Dec 2
Nau, pp.53-56, 99-101, 125-127, 157-158, 418-437.
Mingst: Gilpin, The Nature of Political Economy, pp.523-531; other readings to be
assigned from D2L.
Final – 5pm Thurs Dec 17th
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