Professor Changrok Soh
Korea University
E-Mail: crsoh@korea.ac.kr
World Politics: Theory and Practice
I. Course Overview

This course examines leading contemporary theories of world politics, showing how
each theory contributes uniquely to the larger literature. The main objectives of the
course are to provide students with a useful set of analytical tools, an appreciation of
the different approaches to it, and an understanding of some of the major issues facing
contemporary policymakers. The course will also discuss current issues such as
regionalism and humanitarian interventions. In addition, it offers students an
opportunity to refine presentation and discussion skills.
II. Requirements

Students are expected to read all required readings each week and participate in
discussions regularly during lectures.

There will be group presentations. Students will be divided into several groups and
each group will make the presentation on the chosen topic. There is no group paper.
Extra readings for these presentations are recommended.

There will be a midterm and final examination. The midterm will consist of multiple
choice and short answers and it will be an in-class exam. The final will be a takehome 24-hour essay exam. Citations are required! Plagiarism in any form will result
to a lowered or failing grade.
III. Evaluation

Course Participation: 20%


Presentation: 30%
Examinations: 50%
IV. Textbooks
▪
John Baylis and Steve Smith, The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction
to International Relations
▪
World Politics Supplement Reading Packet
V. Topics and Readings for the Course
3/4
▪
Introduction: What is World Politics?
Baylis and Smith: Chapter 1
3/11
▪
▪
Baylis and Smith: Chapter 2-4
Supplementary readings:
o Francis Fukuyama “The End of History”
o Jack Snyder “One World, Rival Theories”
o Thucydides “Melian Dialogue”
3/18
▪
▪
4/1
International Relations Theories: Realism
Baylis and Smith: Chapter 5
Supplementary readings:
o Hans J. Morgenthau “A Realist Theory of International Politics and Political
Power”
o John Mearsheimer “Anarchy and the Struggle for Power”
o Samuel Hungtingon “The Clash of Civilizations”
3/25
▪
▪
History of International Relations: Globalization of World Politics
International Relations Theories: Liberalism
Contemporary Mainstream Approaches: Neo-realism & Neo-liberalism
Baylis and Smith: Chapter 6-7
Supplementary readings:
o Michael Doyle “Liberalism & World Politics
o Hedley Bull “Does Order Exist in World Politics”
o Robert O. Keohane “Neorealism and its Critics”
International Relations Theories: Marxism, Social Constructivism,
Poststructuralism, & International Ethics
▪
Baylis and Smith: Chapter 9-11
▪
Supplementary readings:
o Immanuel Wallerstein “The Rise and Future Demise of the World Capitalist
System: Concepts for Comparative Analysis”
o Alexander Wendt “Anarchy is What States Make of It: The Social
Construction of Power Politics”
o Robert Cox “Social Forces, States and World Order”
4/8
International Relations Structures & Processes: War, Security, & Political
Economy
 [Group 1 Presentation] Ch.16: Gender in World Politics
▪
▪
Baylis and Smith: Chapter 13-15
Supplementary readings:
o Carl Von Clausewitz “War as an Instrument of Policy”
o Barry R. Posen “The Security Dilemma and Ethnic Conflict”
o Robert Gilpin “The Nature of Political Economy”
4/15
International Relations Structures & Processes: International Law, Regimes,
& the United Nations
 [Group 2 Presentation] Ch. 20: Transnational Actors & International
Organizations
▪
▪
Baylis and Smith: Chapter 17-19
Supplementary readings:
o Stephen D. Krasner “Structural Causes and Regime Consequences”
o Robert Keohane and Joseph S. Nye “Power and Interdependence” (Ch.2)
o Robert Alexrod “The Evolution of Cooperation” (Ch.1-2)
4/22
Midterm Examination
4/29
International Issues: Terrorism and Globalization, Nuclear Proliferation &
Global Trade and Finance
 [Group 3 Presentation] Ch. 22: Terrorism & Ch. 23: Nuclear Proliferation
 [Group 4 Presentation] Ch. 27: Global Trade and Finance
▪
Baylis and Smith: Chapter 22, 23 & 27
5/5
No Class - Holiday
5/13
International Issues: Nationalism & Regionalism in International Affairs
 [Group 5 Presentation] Ch. 24: Nationalism
 [Group 6 Presentation] Ch. 26: Regionalism in International Affairs
▪
Baylis and Smith: Chapter 24 & 26
5/20
International Issues: Environment, Culture, Poverty and Development
 [Presentation Group 7] Ch. 21: Environmental Issues & Ch. 25 Culture
 [Presentation Group 8] Ch. 28: Poverty, Development, and Hunger
▪
Baylis and Smith: Chapter 21, 25 & 28
5/27
International Issues: Human Security, Human Rights & Humanitarian
Intervention
 [Presentation Group 9] Ch. 29: Human Security
 [Presentation Group 10] Ch. 30: Human Rights & Ch. 31 Humanitarian
Intervention
▪
Baylis and Smith: Chapter 29, 30 & 31
6/3
▪
Conclusion: Future of World Politics
Baylis and Smith, Chapter 32-33
6/10
Final Examination