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Syllabus: International Relations
International Relations
Course hours: TTh 08.00-09.15
TTh 09.30-10.45
Class location: SAB 15
Office hours: T 14.00-16.00
W 14.00-15.00
or by appointment
Professor: Cohn
Office: Sabin 354
Office phone: 319 273 2647
Email: lindsay.cohn@uni.edu
Overview of the Course
This course aims to help you understand events in the world outside of your home
country (for most of us, the United States) and how your government interacts with other
governments and actors on the world scene. It provides some historical background and
the conceptual tools you will need to understand contemporary international relations. It
also aims to help you think critically and analytically about the claims people make about
politics and human behavior, improve the clarity of your written communication, and
evaluate arguments and evidence.
This course is designed to give students a brief introduction to areas of international
relations they may wish to pursue in more depth in other courses, such as security,
international political economy, international law, American foreign policy, and so on.
This course will also touch on some of the hot-button issues in today’s news and politics:
terrorism, environmental issues, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Plagiarism and Cheating
You are here in order to learn, grow, and expand your minds. Any action on your part
which is in essence an attempt to get a grade better than the one that your current level of
effort and understanding deserve is an act of cheating and will be punished as such.
When I ask you questions on an exam, it is because I need to know whether YOU
understand the issue so I know whether to move on or work on it more. Thus it is less
important that you give me the “right” answer than that you give me the answer YOU can
come up with.
Plagiarism is when you submit someone else’s words or ideas as your own without giving
the other person/source due credit. It is still plagiarism even if you feel you had the idea
before you read it somewhere: whoever managed to publish it first must get credit for the
idea. Anything else is an act of dishonesty and will not be tolerated. I will catch it (you
have no idea how easy it is to spot), and you will receive a zero/F on that assignment, and
potentially more serious punishment including recommendation for suspension. It’s not
worth it. Don’t do it.
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Syllabus: International Relations
Requirements and Grading
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Three analysis papers worth 10% each (30% total)
Two essays worth 10% each (20% total)
One midterm exam worth 15%
One final exam worth 15%
The remaining 20% consists of class participation, quizzes, homework, and
strategy games.
Analysis papers are short (approx. 2 pg) papers. Their purpose is to help you understand
what you are reading and get into the habit of asking essential questions of every text you
read. In these papers you are to answer five questions about the chosen reading:
1. What is the author’s central question (in other words, what is the primary question
the author is trying to answer with this text)?
2. What is the author’s central argument (what is his answer to the central question)?
3. What is at least one plausible alternative argument?
4. What evidence does the author present in support of his argument?
5. Is the evidence convincing (why/why not)?
The semester is divided into three sections. You may pick any one day’s readings (NOT
from the GP IR textbook) from EACH SECTION of the semester (three total) and write
your paper on one or more texts from that day’s readings. You are required to answer the
five Qs for only one text, but I will expect you to use the texts together to help you
understand and answer the questions. For example, I frequently assign two texts that pose
two alternative arguments on the same question. You should therefore note as your
answer to Q3 the alternative argument posed in the other text for the day. Only one paper
per day’s readings; papers are due by the beginning of lecture on the day those readings
are assigned (***hard copy always acceptable; I am hoping to have an electronic
document drop, though***).
Essays will be assigned in class as homework. Their purpose is for you to learn how to
understand and argue both sides of an issue, so you will be given a question with at least
two plausible answers and expected to
1. Identify those answers,
2. Discuss their strengths and weaknesses, and
3. Determine which you find more compelling on the basis of the evidence you are
able to muster.
The mid-term and final exams will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and/or
short essay questions.
Class participation will be evaluated on your presence in class, your performance on
any geography, readings, or current events quizzes I may give, and your participation in
discussion and group activities. This does not mean how much you talk, but how
thoughtfully you contribute. I do not expect you to understand everything you read right
away, and asking questions and suggesting possible answers – even ones that may be
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Syllabus: International Relations
incorrect – are both thoughtful contributions. I may occasionally call on specific people,
so it is important that you do the reading and be prepared.
Grading – the exams will be graded on a 100-point scale based on points per question.
The response papers and essays will receive letter grades based on qualitative criteria (see
below). All grades will be transposed into the 4 point scale, which will be tallied for a
final course grade. Grades are also partially at my discretion, meaning that I may choose
to give a student a slightly higher or lower final grade than the exact score, based on e.g.
quality of class participation or of response papers.
Letter
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
100pt
(93-100)
(90-92)
(87-89)
(83-86)
(80-82)
(77-79)
(73-76)
(70-72)
(67-69)
(63-66)
(60-62)
(0-59)
4pt
4.0
3.67
3.33
3.0
2.67
2.33
2.0
1.67
1.33
1.0
0.67
0
A – you will receive an A if you go above and beyond addressing all the aspects of the
question/assignment and meeting the requirements by introducing novel ideas or
perspectives or by addressing an additional aspect of the topic which seems relevant; if
you successfully integrate course materials in a way that shows you understand and are
not simply repeating back what someone else has said; if you give proper credit wherever
credit is due in a way that anyone reading your work could follow the academic
conversation; and if your work is written in good English with good style, grammar, and
spelling (the Above and Beyond response).
B – you will receive a B if you address all the aspects of the assignment and meet the
requirements; if you integrate course materials correctly in a way that shows you
understood them; if you give proper credit most of the time; and if your work is written in
decent English with no major flaws of style, grammar, or spelling (the Unobjectionably
Decent response).
C – you will receive a C if you address most of the aspects of the question/assignment
but either fail to address important parts of the assignment, fail to integrate much course
material, or include course material in a way that indicates you have not understood it; if
you fail to give proper credit at least most of the time; and/or if your writing contains
flaws of style, grammar, or spelling which detract from its readability and clarity (the
Bare Minimum Required response).
D – you will receive a D if you address few or no aspects of the assignment; integrate
little or no course material (or have failed to understand the material); include little or no
citation; and/or write so poorly that I have trouble reading the paper. The main criterion
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Syllabus: International Relations
for getting a D rather than an F is that you appear to have made an honest effort to do the
assignment and have simply failed (the You Just Did Not Get This response).
F – you will receive an F if you fail to turn in the assignment, if you turn in something
that is plagiarized, or if you turn in something into which you clearly put absolutely no
effort (e.g. one short paragraph for a response paper) (the You Clearly Don’t Care
response).
A grade of I will be given only if a student has completed most of the work for the
semester and is prevented from completing assignments before the end of the semester by
sudden and/or traumatic events, such as a sudden illness or injury, or the death of a loved
one. In order to receive an I, the student must commit (in writing) to complete the work
by a time agreed upon between the student and the professor.
Readings
You can look on Amazon or other sites for used (much cheaper) copies of these texts, but
please make sure you get the correct edition.
Textbook: Joshua S. Goldstein and Jon C. Pevehouse, International Relations, Ninth
Edition (listed below as GP IR)
Reader: Richard K. Betts, Conflict After the Cold War: Arguments on Causes of War and
Peace, Third Edition (listed below as Betts CACW)
Readings not included in one of the texts can be found through the electronic databases
available to you through the library website (or occasionally simply through google). I
expect that every student will do all the readings. I have tried to keep the reading load
manageable (note reading amounts in parentheses next to each lesson), and you will not
be able to participate fully or answer questions well if you have not done the reading.
In addition, I expect students to look regularly at news sources such as the New York
Times, the Washington Post, CNN.com, the International Herald Tribune, BBC News,
etc. Most of these news sources are available for free online.
Help with Reading, Writing, and Study Skills
I encourage you to use the Academic Learning Center’s free assistance with writing,
reading, and learning strategies:
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The Writing Center offers one-on-one writing feedback for all UNI undergraduate
and graduate students. Writing Coaches offer strategies for getting started, citing
and documenting, and editing your work. Schedule appointments at 008 ITTC or
319-273-2361. The Writing Center also offers the Online Writing Guide at
http://www.uni.edu/unialc/writingcenter/.
The Reading and Learning Center helps students transition to college-level
reading and learning expectations at UNI. Students may work with trained
Academic Coaches by signing up for workshops, scheduling appointments, or
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walking in. While appointments are not always necessary, contact the Reading
and Learning Center at 008 ITTC or 319-273-2361 to ensure that an Academic
Coach is available at a time convenient for you. Additionally, students can
register for PPST Reading and GRE Verbal preparation courses or enjoy casual
conversations about classes, majors, programs, and life at UNI at weekly Coffee
Chats.
Technology
We may be using some interactive software that goes through your smartphones, cell
phones, or other devices. I will discuss this with you in class. Obviously, you are
requested to be paying attention in class and not using these devices to be chatting,
surfing the internet, etc.
Disabilities
If you have a disability of any kind (learning, mental, or physical) for which you need
accommodation in the classroom or with assignments/exams, you MUST contact the
Student Disability Services Office and get certification from them. I am afraid I cannot
offer any accommodations unless you have the paperwork from the SDS. If you have a
non-disability-related issue for which you feel you need special consideration (e.g. if
English is not your native language), please come and talk to me about it and I will do
what I can.
Illness
If you are sick and believe you may be contagious, please do us all a favor and stay
home. Please let me know (preferably before class) that you will be out because of
illness. It will be your responsibility, NOT MINE, to get notes from a classmate and/or
from eLearning. If you are out frequently for illness and are afraid that this will adversely
affect your grades, you may speak to me about extra credit opportunities.
Confidentiality
I am open to anyone who needs help or guidance, but you must know up front that I am
legally required to inform the Office of Compliance and Equity Management and/or the
Dean of Students if I believe there is harassment, discrimination, violence, abuse, or other
prohibited activity going on. I am not allowed to keep your secrets. In cases of alcohol or
substance abuse, I strongly encourage you to seek advice from the Counseling Center or
the Student Health Center, as they are in a far better position than I am to help.
Course Outline
Week 1
1. Introduction: Politics, Science, and Political Science (21 Aug)
2. Logic and Argument I (23 Aug) (4)
* Robert Wright, “Sharing the Burden of Peace”, New York Times 18 January 2011, Opinionator.
Google it. PLEASE PRINT and BRING TO CLASS
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Week 2
3. International Relations (28 Aug) (61)
* GP IR, Ch. 1, “The Globalization of International Relations” pp.3-39; “The Wars of the World”
pp. 153-157; “The International System” pp. 50-63; “Alliances” pp. 63-71
4. ***NO CLASS TODAY*** (30 Aug)
* Homework: go to www.sporcle.com and try some of the geography quizzes (click “geography”
and then look at the list of most popular quizzes). You may NOT do US states or capitals, or
countries of North America. You may do the world, Europe, Africa, Asia, or South America. Be a
sport! Print out (use print preview) your results and bring them in on Tuesday. Prizes!
Week 3
5. Logic and Argument II (4 Sep) (<10)
* Charles Krauthammer, 2002/03, “The Unipolar Moment Revisited” The National Interest
Winter 02/03. Google it. PLEASE PRINT and BRING TO CLASS along with Robert Wright
article and earlier 5 Qs exercise.
* Essay assigned
6. The Security Dilemma (6 Sep) (18)
* Betts CACW, Thomas Hobbes, “The State of Nature and the State of War” pp. 66-69 *** ON
NB***
* Betts CACW, Robert Jervis, “Cooperation Under the Security Dilemma,” pp. 412-427
Week 4
7. Writing Workshop (11 Sep)
*Essay assignment due
8. Realism (13 Sep) (49)
* GP IR, “Realism” and “Power” pp. 43-49, “The Waning of War”, “Causes of War”, “Conflicts
of Ideas”, and “Conflicts of Interests” pp. 157-189
* Betts CACW, Richard K. Betts and Thomas J. Christensen, “China: Can the Next Superpower
Rise Without War?” pp. 631-642
Week 5
9. Power and Force (18 Sep) (40)
* GP IR, “Strategy” pp. 71-77, “Conventional Forces” pp. 195-207, “Weapons of Mass
Destruction” pp. 210-222, “States and Militaries” pp. 222-227
* Betts CACW, Niccolo Machiavelli, “Doing Evil in order to Do Good” pp. 61-65
10. ***NO CLASS TODAY*** (20 Sep)
Week 6
11. Power and Economics (25 Sep) (40)
* Jesse Helms, 1999, “What Sanctions Epidemic”, Foreign Affairs 78(1): 2-8
* John and Karl Mueller, 1999, “Sanctions of Mass Destruction,” Foreign Affairs 78(3): 43-53
* Arne Tostensen and Beate Bull, 2002, “Are Smart Sanctions Feasible?” World Politics 54(3):
373-403
12. Rationalism and Bargaining (27 Sep) (39)
* James Fearon, 1995, “Rationalist Explanations for War”, International Organization 49(3): 379414 ***ON NB***
* Betts CACW, Thucydides, “The Melian Dialogue”, pp. 56-60 ***ON NB***
***************END SEGMENT ONE***************
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Syllabus: International Relations
Week 7
13. Review (2 Oct)
14. Mid-Term (4 Oct)
Week 8
15. Anarchy and Law (9 Oct) (44)
* GP IR, “International Law” 254-274; “Roles of International Organizations”, “The United
Nations”, pp. 233-254
* Charter of the United Nations, (http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/index.shtml), Preamble,
Chapter I (Purposes and Principles), Chapter VI (Pacific Settlement of Disputes), Chapter VII
(Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace), and Chapter XIV (International Court of Justice)
***ON NB***
16. International Crimes and War Crimes (11 Oct) (6+)
* Geneva Conventions Common Article 3 (available through http://www.icrc.org) ***ON NB***
* Betts CACW, Stanley Milgram, “How Good People Do Bad Things” pp. 184-190
Week 9
17. Liberalism and the Democratic Peace (16 Oct) (39)
* GP IR, “Liberal Theories” and “Domestic Influences” pp. 83-103, “Constructivism” pp. 121126, “Marxism” and “Peace Studies” pp. 128-136
* Betts CACW, Immanuel Kant, “Perpetual Peace”, pp. 122-128
18. More Liberalism: The European Union (18 Oct) (~30)
* GP IR, “Globalization and Integration”, “Integration Theory”, and “The European Union” pp.
353-369
* Robert Kagan, 2002, “Power and Weakness”, Policy Review 113(June/July) ***ON NB***
* Essay assigned
Week 10
19. International Political Economy (23 Oct) (38)
* GP IR, “Theories of Trade” pp. 281-292; “Globalization and Finance”, “The Currency System”
pp. 319-328; “State Financial Positions” and “Multinational Business” pp. 331-349
20. Economics and Globalization (25 Oct) (33)
* GP IR, “Trade Regimes” and “Economic Globalization” pp. 293-315; “Central Banks” and “The
World Bank and the IMF” pp. 328-331; “The Power of Information” pp. 370-378
* Essay assignment due
Week 11
21. The Environment (30 Oct) (22)
* GP IR, “Interdependence and the Environment”, “Managing the Environment”, “Natural
Resources” pp. 385-407
22. The Environment and Development (1 Nov) (43)
* Patricia Adams, 1992, “The World Bank and the IMF in Sub-Saharan Africa: Undermining
Development and Environmental Sustainability”, Journal of International Affairs 46(1): 97-117
* Anonymous, 2011, “The Food Crisis: A Look at Short-term Concerns and the Long-term
Problems that Exacerbate Them”, paper for UNI Senior Seminar: Environmental Issues and
International Security, 1-23
*****************END SEGMENT TWO*****************
Week 12
23. Religion and Politics (6 Nov) (25)
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Syllabus: International Relations
* Yahya Sadowski, 2006, “Political Islam: Asking the Wrong Questions?” Annual Review of
Political Science 9: 215-240 ***ON NB***
24. Civil War and Ethnic Conflict (8 Nov) (59)
* Barbara F. Walter, 1997, “The Critical Barrier to Civil War Settlement,” International
Organization 51(3): 335-364
* Carter Johnson, 2008, “Partitioning to Peace: Sovereignty, Demography, and Ethnic Civil
Wars,” International Security 32(4): 140-70
Week 13
25. Stabilization and Reconstruction (13 Nov) (30)
* Betts CACW, Edward D. Mansfield and Jack Snyder, “Democratization and War”, pp. 347-359
* Stephen Biddle, Michael O’Hanlon, and Kenneth M. Pollack, 2008, “How to Leave a Stable
Iraq” Foreign Affairs 87(5): 40-58
26. Humanitarian Intervention (15 Nov) (24)
* Jon Western and Joshua S. Goldstein, 2011, “Humanitarian Intervention Comes of Age”,
Foreign Affairs 90(6): 48-59
* Benjamin Valentino, 2011, “The True Costs of Humanitarian Intervention”, Foreign Affairs
90(6): 60-73
Week 14
*** NO CLASS THIS WEEK – THANKSGIVING BREAK***
Week 15
27. Terrorism (27 Nov)
*GP IR, “Terrorism” pp. 207-210
* Betts CACW, Osama bin Laden, “Speech to the American People” pp. 541-545
* Yossi Klein Halevi, 2001, “The Asymmetry of Pity,” The National Interest 65: 37-44
28. Strategy: Afghanistan and Iraq (29 Nov) (39)
* Kenneth Pollack, 2002, “Next Stop Baghdad,” Foreign Affairs 81(2): 32-47
* Kevin Woods, James Lacey, and Williamson Murray, 2006, “Saddam’s Delusions: the View
from the Inside” Foreign Affairs 85(3): 2-26
Week 16
29. Foreign Policy (4 Dec) (24)
* GP IR, “Making Foreign Policy”, pp. 103-117
* Betts CACW, Kahneman and Renshon, “Why Hawks Win,” pp. 191-194
* E. Root, 1922, “A Requisite for the Success of Popular Diplomacy,” Foreign Affairs 1(1): 3-10
30. Global Order and Review (6 Dec) (18)
* Betts CACW, Ikenberry and Slaughter, “A World of Liberty Under Law,” 625-630
* George F. Kennan, 1985/6, “Morality and Foreign Policy,” Foreign Affairs 64(2): 205-218
Week 17
*** FINAL EXAMS ***
8am section: 08.00-09.50 Tuesday 11 Dec
9.30am section: 08.00-09.50 Wednesday 12 Dec
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