PLSC 212
Introduction to International Politics
Eastern Michigan University
Fall 2014
CRN: 15578
T & Th, 12:30-1:45 p.m., 421 Pray-Harrold
Dr. Judith Kullberg
Office: 601-S Pray-Harrold
Telephone: (734) 487-1404 or (734)
487-3113
Office hours: T & Th. 2-4 and by
appointment
Email: judith.kullberg@emich.edu
Course Description
We live in an increasingly interdependent world, in which events and trends in any country or
region directly or indirectly affect the rest of the globe. For example, rapidly rising standards
of living in China and India over the last decade have increased the global demand for natural
resources and commodities such as food, oil, and steel, driving the global market prices for such
goods higher and increasing the cost of living around the globe. Another example is migration.
Millions of people migrate (move from one country to another) each year in search of a better
life. It is estimated that approximately 200 million people (3% of the world's population) are
living, legally or illegally, outside of their country of birth, often far from their homeland. Some
perform unskilled labor; others bring technical knowledge and skills that are highly valued and
well compensated. Perhaps the most powerful example of the contemporary interdependence of
the world's peoples is environmental degradation. Population growth and constantly increasing
human consumption of natural resources are wreaking havoc on the earth's natural environment
and altering the global climate. A final example of interdependence is that the security of all
people living today is threatened by the existence of weapons with tremendous destructive
capacity. Nuclear weapons that originated in the most scientifically and technologically
advanced nations (the United States and the former Soviet Union) during the Cold War era are
now also in the possession of several less developed and politically unstable nations, such as
North Korea and Pakistan. It is thus quite conceivable that nuclear weapons, and possibly also
chemical and biological weapons (all of which are referred to collectively as "weapons of mass
destruction" or WMD), could fall into the hands of terrorist organizations. This proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction has considerably complicated the international balance of power
and poses a continuing threat to international security.
This course will provide you with theories and concepts that will help you to understand and
analyze these and other phenomena that comprise the complex mosaic of contemporary world
politics. It will introduce you to the major approaches to the study of international relations and
theories about the causes and effects of various global phenomena. We will explore the topics
mentioned above along with more general questions such as the changing nature of the
international system, the causes of war and interstate conflict, the factors that influence
foreign policy decision-making, and the determinants of economic development. In addition, we
will examine a range of problems and controversial issues, such the U.S. invasion and occupation
of Iraq, the response to international terrorism, the role of international law and institutions in
protecting fundamental human rights, and the desirability of free trade and economic
globalization.
Course Objectives
The primary objective of the course is that you deepen your understanding of international
relations (IR). You will acquire a good grasp of basic concepts used in the study of IR. You will
also become familiar with the major theoretical perspectives used in the study of IR, and use
those perspectives to argue for or against particular foreign policy options and propositions.
You will be able to identify and discuss major historical events that shaped the contemporary
international system. You will also acquire a good understanding of that system and the
structure and role of international institutions, particularly the United Nations. You will use
this knowledge to analyze current political events and to develop your own perspectives on
international issues. Finally, you will be encouraged to consider your own role and responsibilities
as a member of the global community.
General Education Rationale
PLSC 212 satisfies the "Knowledge of the Disciplines: Social Science" requirement of the EMU
General Education curriculum because it emphasizes how political scientists acquire and share
knowledge about the world. The course requires students to use the theoretical frameworks of
the study of International Relations (IR) -- including realism, neo-realism, liberalism, and
feminism -- to pose and address questions about contemporary issues and problems, including
interstate disputes and wars, economic globalization, the increasing inequality among rich and
poor nations, protection of human rights, threats to environmental quality and population growth.
Through examination of research on such topics, students become familiar with the process of
social science research and acquire the ability to critically evaluate research designs and the
results from research. The course also provides students an opportunity to gather, examine, and
interpret data, and to report the findings of their research, thus contributing to their
understanding of how inquiry is conducted and knowledge is disseminated in political science. In
sum, the course prepares students for citizenship in a global community by not only giving them
basic factual knowledge of international relations and global processes, but also by providing
them with the tools necessary to understand and explain international events and global
patterns of change.
General Education Social Science Objectives
In this course, you will:
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Acquire an understanding of social science methods and how they are used in the
systematic study of international politics as well as interactions between societies and
cultures.
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Understand and compare the formal and informal social and political structures,
organizations and institutions that comprise the world system.
Explore power relationships among states and the ways in which changes in the global
system across history have affected the developmental trajectories of nations and the
life experiences of their citizens.
Use social science methods to conduct research on topics in international relations and to
make informed decisions regarding international issues.
Learn the differences between qualitative and quantitative data.
Clearly and concisely present the results of research, using both qualitative and
quantitative data.
Readings
The required reading for the course will primarily come from the textbook below which can be
purchased at the bookstore in the EMU Student Center, online booksellers such as Amazon.com,
or Coursesmart in digital format at less than half the publisher’s retail price
( http://www.coursesmart.com ).
Joshua S. Goldstein and John C. Pevehouse, International Relations (Pearson 2013), 10th
edition, 2012-13 update (ISBN:978-0-205-87526-9).
In addition to selections from the textbook, I will often assign short articles on current events
that are directly related to the themes of the course. I will either distribute these
supplemental required readings in class and/or post them on course eCollege companion site (
http://www.emuonline.edu ).
Course Requirements
Students are expected to:
Read and think!
The surest route to a good grade in this class (or any class) is to complete the assigned
reading. You should complete the reading before the class for which it is assigned. The
reading will introduce you to basic concepts and theories of international relations,
challenge you to think critically about current issues, and encourage you to develop your own
reasoned judgments on these issues. Lectures, discussions, films, and activities in class will
reinforce the knowledge you acquire through reading, but they are not a substitute for
reading. Your mastery of the course concepts and factual information provided in the
readings and lectures will be assessed through quizzes, in-class activities, and exams (see
below).
Attend Class
Class attendance is strongly and positively correlated with performance. To encourage you
to attend class, I will award up to 50 points for attendance and participation, depending on
the percentage of class sessions you've attended (100% attendance = 50 points, 90%
attendance = 45 points, 75% attendance = 37.5 points, etc.). Not including exam days, there
will be 28 class sessions in the term, which means that attendance at each class is worth
approximately 1.8 points. Occasionally, attendance points will be based not only on presence
in class but also on performance on a quiz or participation in an in-class activity.
Use the course eCollege site and check your email
I have created a companion eCollege webpage at www.emuonline.edu . All information
necessary for class (except for the textbook), including the syllabus, assignments, lecture
outlines, relevant videos and supplemental readings will be available on the eCollege site.
The companion site also has links to ancillary materials from the textbook publisher,
including downloadable podcasts and practice tests. In addition, you will submit assignments
using the dropbox on the site and I will return them to you through the companion site.
Scores will also be posted in the online course gradebook. Finally, all course announcements
will not only be emailed to you (you should check your email regularly), but also posted on the
companion site.
Follow world affairs
To achieve the greatest benefit from this course, you should follow the international news.
Recommended news sources include The New York Times and The Washington Post
(available online); periodicals such as The Economist or The Nation; and radio news
broadcasts such as the non-commercial Free Speech Radio News (online at
http://www.fsrn.org or broadcast on WCBN, 88.3 FM, 5:30-6:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri.); National
Public Radio (online at http://news.npr.org or on the hour at WEMU, 89.1 FM or WUOM,
91.7 FM); and BBC news (online at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world or broadcast on WUOM,
91.7 FM, 9:00-10:00 am, Mon.-Fri.). I will occasionally distribute news articles and these
will be considered part of the required reading.
Research
Over the course of the term, you will complete and submit two short, 3-5 page research
papers. These will involve analysis of data on various aspects of international relations using
simple statistics. Each research assignment will be worth 100 points. The first paper will
be due September 30 and the second November 18. Both assignments will be distributed
early in the term.
Debate
During the semester, we will hold four informal debates on the “Let’s Debate the Issue”
section at the end of each chapter in Goldstein and Pevehouse. Each student will participate
in one debate as a member of a 3-4 person team. These debates will require considerable
preparation in the form of research and acquisition of firm knowledge of the topic under
consideration. Teammates, the audience, and I will assess the quality of each participant’s
contribution to the debate. Debate participation will be worth 100 points (approximately
17%) of the final course grade. Guidelines and rubrics for the debates will be distributed in
class and posted on the course reserves web site early in the semester. The makeup
assignment for those unable to participate in the debate (with an excused absence) will be a
4-5 page paper that succinctly present your team’s argument.
Take Exams
Mastery of course concepts will be primarily assessed by means of a midterm exam
(October 21) and a comprehensive final exam (December 16). The midterm will be worth
100 points and the final 150. Exams will be composed of a mix of objective (multiple choice,
true-false, matching, and/or fill in the blank items) and short answer/essay questions. A
study guide will be posted on the eCollege site a week prior to each exam.
Grading Scale
The total number of possible points that you can earn on the assignments, the debate,
quizzes/activities, and exams is 600. The course grade will be based on the percentage of the
600 points earned, according to the following scale:
558-600 A
540-557 A522-539 B+
498-521 B
480-497 B462-479 C+
438-461 C
420-437 C402-419 D+
378-401 D
360-377 D0-359 F
Late Assignments and Makeup Exams
Except in cases of serious illness or family emergency, late assignments will not be accepted. When
requesting an extension on an assignment, you must document the illness or emergency. Similarly, if
you cannot participate in a debate or take an exam at the scheduled time due to a universityexcused absence, illness, or emergency, you must contact me prior to the debate or exam to
reschedule, along with an official excuse or evidence of the situation. Makeup exams will be in allessay format.
Classroom Etiquette
We will be considering many controversial issues during the semester and much class time will be
devoted to discussion of these issues. In order to have an open and interesting exchange of ideas,
we all must respect the right of others to express their views. Interruption when another person
is speaking, disparagement of the ideas or views of others, and any other behavior that disrupts
the class or interferes with the exchange of ideas will not be tolerated.
Academic Dishonesty
Plagiarism -- the unacknowledged use of the words or ideas of another person as one's own – is
forbidden by the EMU Code of Student Conduct. Any assignment that is plagiarized, even in part,
will receive a score of zero. Similarly, cheating on an exam is forbidden and will also result in a
zero score on the exam. A handout on plagiarism will be distributed in class with the first
research paper assignment and posted on the course eCollege site.
Schedule of Topics & Readings
September 4
Overview of the Course
September 9
Problems and Concepts in the Study of World Politics
Goldstein & Pevehouse, pp. 1-21 (to “Global Geography”)
September 11
Geography, History, and the Changing International System
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 1, pp. 21-41
Debate: Globalization: Vanishing State Power?
September 16
Realism
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 2, "Realist Theories," pp. 33-63 (up to “Alliances”)
September 18
Realism: Alliances and Strategy
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 2, pp. 63-83.
Debate: Can the United States and China Peacefully Coexist?
September 23
The Critique of Realism, Part I: Liberalism and Social Theories
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 3, pp. 85-103 (up to “Marxism”)
September 25
The Critique of Realism, Part II: Marxism, Peace Studies, Feminism
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 3, pp. 103-125
Debate: Legislative Quotas for Women: An Effective Tool for Equality?
September 30
Foreign Policy: Making Policy
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Chapter 4, pp. 127-135
October 2
Foreign Policy: Domestic Influences
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 4, pp. 136-151
Debate: Should Legislatures Play a Role in Deciding Whether to Use Military Force?
October 7
War and Conflicts of Ideas
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 5, pp. 153-177 (to “Conflicts of Interest”)
October 9
Conflicts of Interests
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 5, pp. 177-191
Debate: The United States and Russia: A New Cold War?
October 14
Conventional Forces and Terrorism
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 6, pp. 193-209 (to “Weapons of Mass Destruction”)
October 16
WMD and State-Military Relations
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 6, pp. 209-231
Debate: Negotiations with North Korea: Progress Toward Disarmament or Fool’s Errand?
October 21
***Midterm Exam***
October 23
International Organization & Law
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 7, pp. 233-264 (up to “Human Rights”)
October 28
International Human Rights
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 7, pp. 264-281
Debate: Human Rights: A Hollow Promise to the World?
October 30
Trade and World Order
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 8, pp. 283-294 (up to “Trade Regimes”)
November 4
Trade Regimes and Economic Globalization
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 8, pp. 294-319.
Debate: Are Free Trade Agreements Good for the Global Economy?
November 6
Global Finance and Business
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 9, pp. 321-341 (up to “Multinational Business”)
November 11
Global Business
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 9, pp. 341-353
Debate: Foreign Direct Investment: Engine of Growth or Tool of Exploitation?
November 13
International Integration
Goldstein & Pevehouse, pp. 355-370 (up to “The Power of Information”) and 384-85
Debate: Has European Integration Gone as Far as Possible?
November 18
The Power of Information
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 8, pp. 370-383
November 20
The State of Planet Earth: The Environment and Natural Resources
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 8, pp. 387-409 (up to “Population”) and 422-23.
Debate: Stopping Global Warming: Who Should Pay?
November 25
The State of Planet Earth: Population and Disease
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 8, pp. 409-421.
November 27
Thanksgiving Break
December 2
The North-South Gap
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 12, pp. 425-440 (to “Theories of Accumulation”) and 458-59
Debate: Immigration Reform: Should Illegal Immigrants in the United States Have a Path to
Citizenship?
December 4
Causes of the North-South Gap
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 12, pp. 440-457
December 9
International Development: Paths to Growth
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 13, pp. 461-483
December 11
International Development: Capital Flows and Foreign Assistance
Goldstein & Pevehouse, Ch. 13, pp. 484-497
Debate. Foreign Aid: A Solution to Development or a Source of Problems?
Tuesday, December 16,
9:30-10:30 a.m.
***Final Exam***