INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
COURSE TITLE AND INFORMATION
POLS-202-01, International Relations, Partridge Hall 261, Tuesday and Fridays 11:30-12:45 PM.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Contemporary world politics is heavily influenced by various actors and theories. Sometimes world
events enrage or motivate us. International relations are a key component to domestic and global
policy, law, and affairs. This class will serve as an introduction to the different elements of international
relations like state and non-state actors, organizations, people and how they interact with each other.
CLASS POLICY
Every student shall conduct themselves in a reasonable, respectable, and academic manner during the
duration of the class, particularly in class participation. Every student should hand in their assignment
on time and take tests on the designated time, as no late assignments or test will be accepted unless in a
case of emergency. Any student who commits plagiarism will receive an immediate F for the course and
will be reported. All other questions you may have you should refer to your student handbook.
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
1. Prescribed reading in textbooks and supplemental materials via handouts, links, or blackboard.
Before the start of each class the assigned readings must be completed to receive credit.
2. Reaction Essays, which span the duration of the course, cite only material read and covered.
3. Examinations, to be completed at the midterm and final class of the course.
CLASS ASSESSMENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Class Participation: 10%
Reaction Essays: 30%
Midterm Examination: 30%
Final Examination: 30%
TEXTBOOK INFORMATION
Required Text: This book must be obtained for the class
Jeffry A. Frieden, David A Lake, Kenneth A. Schultz, World Politics, Second Edition, 9780393912388
Supplemental Text: Will be offered on Blackboard thus bring to class via printout or on device
 (GP) Steven Lamy, Introduction to Global Politics, 9780199934072
 (IRT) Paul R. Viotti, International Relations Theory, 9780205082933
 (IR) Keith L. Shimko, International Relations, 9781111833138
 (IOGG) Thomas G. Weiss, International Organization & Global Governance, 9780415627603
CONTACT INFORMATION: Yiannis Konstandinos Floropoulos, MA
Phone: 973-655-4238 (Main Office), E-mail: floropoulos.yiannis@gmail.com
Page 1
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
DATE
January 21
Tuesday
January 24
Friday
January 28
Tuesday
January 31
Friday
February 4
Tuesday
February 7
Friday
February 11
Tuesday
February 14
Friday
February 18
Tuesday
February 21
Friday
February 25
Tuesday
February 28
Friday
SUBJECT
 Introduction to Class, Political Science
and International Relations development
 Introduction to major approaches,
paradigms, and schools of thought
 Schools of Thought: Realism/Neorealism
 Recap and “The Trap” documentary on
History and effect of Game Theory.
 Schools of Thought: Liberalism
 Schools of Thought: Neoliberalism and
economic institutionalism
 Schools of Thought: Capitalism and
Economic Structuralism
 Schools of Thought: Critical Theory,
Feminism
 Understanding Interests, Actors, and
Institutions
 War Relations, “Why we fight”
 Power Politics, “Power Principles
Documentary”
 Alliances, Collective Security, The United
Nations (brief)
ASSIGNMENTS
 Buy Books, read syllabus,
 Always check Blackboard
 WP, Introduction, xxii-xxii
 IR, Chapter 2, 35-57
 GP, 72-83
 IRT, 39-54, 72-82
 IOGG, 93-104
 WP, 74-79 & IRT, 54-60
 GP 83-92, IOGG 105-117
 IRT, pages 129-147
 GP, 93-99 & IOGG 118-131
 IR, 135-152, 163-179
 GP, 106-115 & IOGG 169-179
 IR, 189-218
 GP, 115-127 & IOGG, 180-191
 IRT, 322-328, 331-337
 WP, Chapter 2, 42-62

 WP Pages 84-105,
 WP Pages 136-15
 IR, Chapter 3, 60-75
 WP Pages 179-193
 IR, Chapter 10, 241-259
 WP, 172-178, 193-212
ITEMS DUE
Midterm posted
by Friday, March
7, 2014.
March 4
Tuesday
March 7
Friday
 Human Security, and Civil War
 Terrorism and State Response “South of
the Border” Documentary




March 11
Tuesday
March 14
Friday
March 18
Tuesday
March 21
Friday
March 25
Tuesday
March 28
Friday
April 1
Tuesday
 SPRING BREAK
 Finish Midterm
 International Trade (1) New Rulers of the
World Documentary Segment
 International Trade (2) Santa’s
Workshop
 International Financial/Monetary
Relations
 International Financial Relations, end
with IMF video on why financial crisis
 Start with “Meltdown Part 1”, then
International Monetary Relations, part 1







Page 2
GP, 318-340 & IOGG, 524-534
WP, 219-242
Global Security, 63-88
WP, 242-262
WP Pages 268-287
IR, Chapter 6, 135-145
WP pages 287-296,
IR, Chapter 6, 146-152
WP, Chap 8, pages 322-337
IR, Chapter 7, 163-179
WP, Chap 8, pages 334-347
 WP pages 354-371
Reaction Paper
posted Friday,
February 11 due
February 25
Reaction Paper
due Friday,
February 25, 2013
Midterm due
Tuesday, March
18, 2013
Reaction Paper
posted March 25
Reaction Paper
due Tuesday,
April 4
Friday
April 8
Tuesday
April 11
Friday
 International Monetary Relations, part 2
 WP Pages 367-384
April 8, 2014
 Development Poverty and Wealth (1),
Coltan Documentary Continued
 Development Poverty and Wealth (2),
Coltan Documentary Continued
 WP pages 390-407
 GP 407-413
 WP pages 407-419
Paper due today
April 15
Tuesday
April 18
Friday
April 22
Tuesday
April 25
Friday
April 29
Tuesday
May 2
Friday
 Global Governance, UN (again more)
 GP, 172-199
 Break
 IR, Chapter 9, 215-230
 International Law and Norms, Human
Rights (1)
 Human Rights (2)








May 6
Tuesday
May 9
Friday
May 13
Tuesday
 LAST DAY OF CLASS, The future of
International Relations and final lecture
 No Class
 The Global Commons, Global
Environmental Issues
 Governing the Commons, Environmental
Law and Regimes
 Final Exam Tuesday, May 13 @ 1-3 PM
 May 14 is the last day of the Spring 2014
Semester.
Page 3
WP, pages 425-450
IR, 215-231
WP, pages 456-473, 486-490
GP, 309-318
IR, Chapter 13, 323-336,
WP, pages 496-507, 518-524
GP, 450-460
Lecture
Paper topic
posted April 22nd
due May 6
 WP, final Chapter and Study!
Paper due today,
May 6
 Study! Final Exam is being
held in class no exceptions
 Good Luck and See you
During the Summer Session
or Fall 2014!!!