PLSC 212
Introduction to International Politics
Eastern Michigan University
Department of Political Science
Winter 2014
MW, 2:00-3:15 p.m., 419 Pray-Harrold
Dr. Volker Krause
Office: 602J Pray-Harrold
Phone: 487-0061
Email: vkrause@emich.edu
Office Hours: MW, 12:30-2:00 p.m., T, 2:00-4:00 p.m., or by appointment
Course Description:
This course introduces you to concepts, ideas, and debates central to the study of international
politics. The course is divided into three parts. Part 1 deals with the evolution and characteristics
of the global system and international actors, focusing on approaches to international relations as
well as the historical context of contemporary international relations. Part 2 identifies levels of
analysis, theoretical approaches, and sources of foreign policy behavior in international relations,
focusing on three levels of analysis or aggregation (the international system, the state, and the
individual) and four theoretical approaches (realism, liberalism, radicalism, and constructivism).
Part 3 covers global governance as well as international cooperation and conflict over security
and economics, focusing on intergovernmental organizations, international law, and
nongovernmental organizations, war and strife, international political economy, human rights, as
well as transnational issues.
Course Objectives and Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:
Understand and critically reflect on the evolution and diversity of characteristics of
the global system and international actors.
Explain how different levels of analysis and theoretical approaches help to view and
interpret international politics.
Analyze critically political, military, economic, and cultural issues of global diversity
and discuss their impacts on the emergence and management of international
cooperation and conflict.
Develop critical analytical skills essential to research on contemporary events in
international politics.
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In addition to these objectives, the course will also pursue a set of General Education Social
Science outcomes. By taking the course, you will be able to:
Acquire an understanding of social science methods and how they are used to engage
in systematic study of society and culture.
Understand and compare formal and informal social and political structures,
organizations, and institutions.
Explore and understand power relationships and the impact of social change on
different groups and on society in general.
Develop an appreciation of different interpretations of contemporary issues,
institutions, or structures.
Use social science methods and content to interpret and analyze data and reports in
the media and to make informed decisions regarding local, national, and international
issues.
Use basic social scientific research techniques to examine and present information in
a clear and concise manner.
Understand the relation between qualitative and quantitative research.
Course Structure:
The class combines both lectures and discussions. While lectures introduce and explain key
concepts, ideas, arguments, and facts, discussions address critical questions, problems, and issues
identified during lectures. You are expected to be active participants in class discussions and
contribute meaningfully to the explanation, evaluation, and application of concepts and issues
covered in the course. To this end, you are expected to read the assigned material and be well
prepared for each class session.
Required Text:
In pursuit of the course objectives, the following text is required:
Karen A. Mingst and Ivan M. Arreguín-Toft. Essentials of International Relations, 6th
edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-393-92195-3.
(http://books.wwnorton.com/books/Essentials-of-International-Relations/)
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Daily News Sources:
I strongly encourage you to read daily news relevant to international politics. Here are some
suggestions of possible news sources:
BBC: http://www.bbc.com
CNN: http://www.cnn.com
Global Edition of the New York Times: http://global.nytimes.com/
Course Requirements:
Two exams during the semester and a final exam will provide you with opportunities to
demonstrate the extent to which you understand the material covered in class and in the readings.
Exam 1: This exam will be worth up to 30 points, depending on quality; it is due on
Wednesday, January 29 (2:00-3:15 p.m.).
Exam 2: This exam will be worth up to 30 points, depending on quality; it is due on
Wednesday, March 12 (2:00-3:15 p.m.).
Final Exam: This exam will be worth up to 30 points, depending on quality; it is due on
Wednesday, April 23 (1:30-3:00 p.m.).
Class Attendance: Since class performance is strongly related to class attendance, I encourage
you to attend class by awarding you up to 10 points for perfect class attendance.
Grading Scale:
Through the two exams during the semester, the final exam, and class attendance, you can obtain
a possible total number of 100 points, which are divided as follows:
Exam 1: 30 points
Exam 2: 30 points
Final Exam: 30 points
Class Attendance: 10 points
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Your course grade will be determined by your actual total number of points based on the
following scale:
95-100 A
90-94 A87-89 B+
83-86 B
80-82 B77-79 C+
73-76 C
70-72 C67-69 D+
63-66 D
60-62 D0-59 F
Course Outline:
Part 1: Evolution and Characteristics of the Global System and International Actors
Week 1: January 6 and January 8
Topic: Approaches to International Relations
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 1)
Week 2: January 13 and January 15
Topic: The Historical Context of Contemporary International Relations
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 2)
Week 3: January 22
Topic: The Historical Context of Contemporary International Relations (continued)
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 2)
Note: No classes on January 20 (MLK Jr. Day)!
Week 4: January 27 and January 29
Topic: The Historical Context of Contemporary International Relations (continued)
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 2)
Part 2: Levels of Analysis, Theoretical Approaches, and Sources of Foreign Policy Behavior
in International Relations
Week 5: February 3 and February 5
Topic: Contending Perspectives
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 3)
Week 6: February 10 and February 12
Topic: The International System
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 4)
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Week 7: February 17 and February 19
Topic: The State
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 5)
Week 8: February 24 and February 26
No classes (Winter Recess)!
Week 9: March 3 and March 5
Topic: The State (continued); The Individual
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapters 5 and 6)
Week 10: March 10 and March 12
Topic: The Individual (continued)
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 6)
Part 3: Global Governance, International Cooperation and Conflict over Security and
Economics
Week 11: March 17 and March 19
Topic: Intergovernmental Organizations, International Law, and Nongovernmental
Organizations
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 7)
Week 12: March 24 and March 26
Topic: War and Strife
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 8)
Week 13: March 31 and April 2
Topic: International Political Economy
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 9)
Week 14: April 7 and April 9
Topic: Human Rights
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 10)
Week 15: April 14 and April 16
Topic: Transnational Issues
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 11)
Week 16: April 21
Topic: Transnational Issues (continued)
Reading: Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 11)
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Course Policy:
Absence from an exam will be accepted only in cases of documented medical or family
emergencies.
Incomplete grades will be given only for documented medical or family emergencies, and must
be negotiated before final grades are due.
Since I respect your observance of religious holidays, nobody will be penalized or disadvantaged
for missing class on such days.
I will work hard to help any student who has to miss class due to illness, religious holidays, or
unavoidable conflicts.
I will try to offer extensive support in office hours and schedule appointments at other times for
any student who is staying up-to-date but has questions. Conversely, I will give only basic
guidance to a student who lets the course go for no important reason.
I recommend that you take this class only if you are seriously committed to doing the course
work.
Academic dishonesty (including plagiarism and cheating) will not be tolerated and is prohibited
by the EMU Code of Student Conduct. Academic dishonesty evident in any assignment will
result in a score of zero for the assignment.
Violations of the EMU Code of Student Conduct or the University’s Safe Working and Learning
Environment may result in sanctions up to removal from the course or expulsion from the
university.
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