PLSC 212
Introduction to International Politics
Eastern Michigan University
Department of Political Science
Winter 2015
Online
Dr. Volker Krause
Office: 602J Pray-Harrold
Phone: 487-0061
Email: vkrause@emich.edu
Office Hours: MW, 12:30-3:00 p.m., or by appointment
Course Prerequisites: None
Course Description:
This course introduces you to concepts, ideas, and debates central to the study of international politics.
The course is divided into four 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 and international
security, focusing on intergovernmental organizations, international law, and nongovernmental
organizations, as well as war and strife. Part 4 addresses economic development and human wellbeing,
focusing on international political economy, human rights, and transnational issues such as the
environment, world health, and crime.
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.
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.
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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:
This course is delivered through EMU-Online and combines readings and PowerPoint presentations with
six essays and four tests in a self-paced learning environment. Given that the course is delivered online
and self-paced, the following are some helpful tips:
 Make sure to work at your own speed – do not fall behind.
 Save and print hardcopies of your work – save your work in other forms of media.
 Maintain a safe and reliable Internet connection – be prepared for interruption in service.
 Maintain an emich email account for EMU – all course correspondence will be sent only to
your emich account.
Required Textbook:
In pursuit of the course objectives, the following textbook 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.
Please make sure you purchase the correct edition of the required textbook. The required textbook is
available at bookstores around EMU. You may also purchase it online through the following link:
http://books.wwnorton.com/books/978-0-393-92195-3/.
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 Assignments:
In order to assess your progress throughout the course, there will be six essays and four tests. Please do
all assignments as scheduled. There will be no extra credit.
 Essays (60 points): Your ability to apply the course material will be demonstrated through
six essays in response to questions related to the readings. All essays will be posted through
EMU-Online
 Essay 1 (10 points): Scheduled Monday, January 5 – Friday, January 16
 Essay 2 (10 points): Scheduled Tuesday, January 20 – Monday, February 9
 Essay 3 (10 points): Scheduled Tuesday, February 10 – Friday, February 20
 Essay 4 (10 points): Scheduled Monday, March 2 – Monday, March 16
 Essay 5 (10 points): Scheduled Tuesday, March 17 – Monday, March 30
 Essay 6 (10 points): Scheduled Tuesday, March 31 – Monday, April 20
 Tests (40 points): Your familiarity with the course material will be demonstrated through
four tests that will cover material from respectively Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the course in a
multiple-choice format. All tests will be posted through EMU-Online.
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 Test 1 (10 points): Scheduled for any 60 minutes, Monday, February 9
 Test 2 (10 points): Scheduled for any 60 minutes, Monday, March 16
 Test 3 (10 points): Scheduled for any 60 minutes, Monday, March 30
 Test 4 (10 points): Scheduled for any 60 minutes, Monday, April 20
Grading Scale:
Through the six essays and four tests, you can obtain a possible total number of 100 points, which are
divided as follows:
 Essays: 60 points
 Tests: 40 points
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 E
Course Outline:
Part 1: Evolution and Characteristics of the Global System and International Actors
Topic:
Readings:
1. Approaches to International Relations
Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 1, pp.
2-17)
2. The Historical Context of Contemporary International
Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 2, pp.
Relations
18-70)
Essay 1: Monday, January 5 – Friday, January 16
Essay 2: Tuesday, January 20 – Monday, February 9
Test 1: Monday, February 9 (any 60 minutes)
Part 2: Levels of Analysis, Theoretical Approaches, and Sources of Foreign Policy Behavior in
International Relations
Topic:
Readings:
3. Contending Perspectives
Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 3, pp.
72-105)
4. The International System
Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 4, pp.
106-129)
5. The State
Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 5, pp.
130-174)
6. The Individual
Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 6, pp.
176-201)
Essay 3: Tuesday, February 10 – Friday, February 20
Essay 4: Monday, March 2 – Monday, March 16
Test 2: Monday, March 16 (any 60 minutes)
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Part 3: Global Governance and International Security
Topic:
7. Intergovernmental Organizations, International Law,
and Nongovernmental Organizations
8. War and Strife
Readings:
Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 7, pp.
202-246)
Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 8, pp.
248-303)
Essay 5: Tuesday, March 17 – Monday, March 30
Test 3: Monday, March 30 (any 60 minutes)
Part 4: Economic Development and Human Wellbeing
Topic:
9. International Political Economy
10. Human Rights
11. Transnational Issues: The Environment, World Health,
and Crime
Essay 6: Tuesday, March 31 – Monday, April 20
Test 4: Monday, April 20 (any 60 minutes)
Readings:
Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 9, pp.
304-349)
Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 10, pp.
350-382)
Mingst and Arreguín-Toft (Chapter 11, pp.
384-429)
Course Policy:
 There will be respect for accepted civil, ethical, and personal codes of conduct in all online
communication. Any violation of such respect for proper etiquette or any slanderous behavior
may lead to sanctions up to removal from the course.
 Although EMU-Online enables me to review all shared course communication and edit or
remove it if necessary, the University and I cannot and will not take responsibility for any
personal messages that students send each other directly through online email.
 Any violation of 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. Students charged
with academic dishonesty may be pursued to the fullest extent of sanctions allowed.
 Make-up tests will be allowed only in the case of documented medical emergencies.
 Incomplete grades will be given only for documented medical emergencies, and must be
negotiated before final grades are due.
 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.
Course Resources:
 If you have questions or comments about class contents, please feel free to email me through
EMU-Online; please keep your questions and comments brief, precise, and to the point so
you may obtain a response as quickly and effectively as possible.
 If you have questions concerning EMU’s Bruce T. Halle Library
(http://www.emich.edu/halle/) and its resources, please contact a librarian, by phone at 734487-0020, or visit the on-line library services at
http://www.emich.edu/halle/askalibrarian.html.
 If you have questions concerning EMU’s computer system or your emich email account for
EMU, please contact the EMU-Online help desk (http://www.emuonline.edu/) by phone at
888-538-0515.
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For issues related to registration and enrollment, please contact EMU’s Office of Records and
Registration by phone at 734-487-4111.
For institutional support for students with disabilities, please contact EMU’s Disability
Resource Center (http://www.emich.edu/disabilities/) by phone at 734-487-2470.
For support related to multicultural issues, please contact EMU’s Center for Multicultural
Affairs ( http://www.emich.edu/cma/) by phone at 734-487-2377.
For academic advising, please contact EMU’s University Advising & Career Development
Center ( http://www.emich.edu/aac/) by phone at 734-487-0400.
For advising in political science, please contact the main office of EMU’s Political
Science Department by phone at 734-487-3113.
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