Political Science 41A - 67070
International Studies 14 – 64080
Winter Quarter 2016
Introduction to International Relations
Professor Heidi Hardt
Course Date/Time:
Course Location:
Professor Email Address:
Professor Office Hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 – 9:20 am
SSH 100
hhardt@uci.edu
Tuesdays 9:30-11:00 am or by appointment via email
Teaching Assistants and Email Addresses:
Misbah Hyder
<mhyder@uci.edu>
Alexander Hodge-Wallis
<ahodgewa@uci.edu>
Patricia Rodda
<prodda@uci.edu>
Description of Course Content
Today, international politics have more of an impact on local communities than ever before.
Conflicts, cooperation, economic policy changes and cultural shifts halfway across the globe affect
local markets, employment, immigration flows and the internalization of ideas and beliefs. Processes
of globalization have led to the development of international organizations, human rights regimes,
environmental norms, and coordinated efforts to combat transnational terrorism and trafficking. This
course will introduce students to the core concepts and debates in international relations by studying
these and other contemporary global issues. Students will learn how to analyze these issues through
competing theoretical frameworks.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Understand the key tenets of fundamental International Relations theories
- Gain foundational knowledge of the history and origins of the international system
- Develop the ability to critically analyze contemporary political issues
- Be able to write critically about key issues involving IR theory today
Required Course Materials
 Title: Introduction to Global Politics (Third Edition) – Paper or Ebook
Authors: Steven Lamy, John Baylis, Steve Smith, Patricia Owens
ISBN: 9780199393886
Available at bookstore, on reserve at the UCI Langson Library and on the Web.

Purchase an i>clicker and register it at iclicker.com. If you already have one, you can use it.

DAILY reading of major international news sources (e.g. New York Times, BBC News,
Euronews, Financial Times, The Economist, Foreign Policy, etc.). Available online at the UCI
Langson Library or from your computer via a VPN client. Visit the OIT website for VPN info.
Syllabus Terminology
Lecture = The large course led by Professor Hardt in ELH 100 that occurs twice a week
Discussion/Section = The weekly seminar led by a TA.
TA = Teaching Assistant who is a Political Science Ph.D. student assisting in instruction/grading
1
Grading Rubric
I. Participation (Attendance, section participation, assignments)
II. EEE Online Quizzes
III. Midterm Exam*
IV. Final Exam*
20%
20%
30%
30%
I. Participation
Students are required to attend all lectures and sections, take notes and be active participants.
- SECTIONS: The assigned TA will grade section attendance and participation. The TA will also
create, proctor and grade weekly homework assignments.
- LECTURES: Students’ use of their i>clickers determine their lecture attendance and participation.
Exams draw on material from lectures and discussions in sections as they build on the text. Students
should complete readings BEFORE the date listed on the syllabus.
Lecture participation (5%)
+ Section participation (5%)
+ Section Homework (10%)
= TOTAL Participation = 20% of final grade
II EEE Online Quizzes
Students will take a total of four timed quizzes on the online EEE platform here: https://eee.uci.edu/.
The dates are in the schedule below. Quizzes test comprehension of the readings before attending
lecture. Quizzes must be taken in one sitting. (No stopping or re-starting the quiz.) Collaboration is
NOT allowed and would be considered cheating. Students should understand that consequences may
include a failed grade in this course. Note also that there are no makeup online quizzes.
III-IV. Midterm and Final Exam
Students are required to take all exams and arrive on-time. Exams will take place in lectures. Students
should bring F288 Scantrons for all exams. There are no makeup exams for missed exams1.
Important i>clickers Policy
a. Bring your clicker to every lecture class
Each student must bring his/her own i>clicker to every lecture this term.
Accepted versions: a) the original i>clicker, b) i>clicker c) i>clicker 2 or d) REEF Polling (mobile)
(Using REEF Polling? See Appendix at the bottom of this syllabus for special instructions.)
b. Register your physical i>clicker on the iclicker.com website before Drop Day
To receive credit for responses submitted with i>clicker, students must register by the drop/add
deadline of Jan. 15. Students who register after this time will not receive credit. You must register
your clicker on the i>clicker website: http://www1.iclicker.com/register-clicker/. Use your 8-digit
UCI student ID # in the student ID field. This will allow me to match your responses with your name.
If you’re using a pre-owned clicker, there is no need for the previous owner to unregister, but there is
a one-time fee of $6.99 to register the used remote under your name. If you make a mistake
registering, just register again - the correct information will take precedence and you will not be
required to pay the fee again. If you have an issue and believe you should not have been charged,
please email support@iclicker.com and they will make sure no one pays who should not.
1
Any rare exceptions would be at the discretion of the professor only.
2
c. Clicker frequencies:
 You may need to change your clicker frequency to match the base receiver in the classroom.
Please be familiar with the directions located here:
http://support.iclicker.com/customer/portal/articles/1568408-how-do-students-change-thefrequency-on-their-remotes-?b_id=3390
 The i>clicker base receiver must be plugged in, and often a session must be started before you
will be able to change your frequency.
 An original i>clicker remote always defaults to frequency AA when first turned on, so do not turn
it off during your class once you have turned it on and set your frequency.
 An i>clicker2 remote automatically turns off after 10 minutes of inactivity, but when you turn it
back on it will remain on the last used frequency.
d. Batteries:
It is recommended that you use Energizer, Rayovac, Eveready or another brand name battery in your
clicker. Duracell (and some generic brand) batteries cause a problem in the device due to differences
in the dimensions on the inside of the remote and the positive battery terminal that keep the two from
making contact. Good batteries should last around 200 hours of class time.
Communications Policy
Questions about coursework? Students should first communicate with his/her assigned TA by email
or by visiting his/her office hours. Students can also visit the professor during her office hours.
Students must use their UCI email accounts (not personal emails) for all communications.
(Students will not receive a reply otherwise.)
Pass/Fail Policy
To take this course pass/fail you must request the professor’s permission by the end of the first week.
If you are granted permission, you must pass each and all of the four components of this course.
Electronic Devices Policy
- Laptops/tablets are permitted for note-taking only.
- Electronic devices must be switched to vibrate or silent before lecture begins.
**The professor and/or TAs will ask any student who is not complying to leave the classroom.**
Plagiarism, Cheating and Unethical Behavior Policy
Everything that a student submits must be his or her own work. Proper citation is necessary. For more
information, see “Academic Honesty” in the UCI General Catalogue, or refer to the UCI Academic
Senate Policy on Academic Honesty. The UCI Writing Center has examples of proper citation and
tips on avoiding plagiarism: http://writing.uci.edu/student_resources/ Bringing a fellow student’s
i>clicker to class is a violation of the university’s honor code. Students caught using a remote other
than his/her own will receive a zero for participation and may face additional academic disciplinary
action. Finally, any unethical and/or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated in the classroom.
Disability Services Policy
UCI is committed to respecting and upholding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). All
instructors at UCI are required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with
disabilities so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Students requiring accommodation
should register with the Disabilities Services Center (DSC) at latest by Jan. 152. The DSC will then
2
The only exception is if a disability is identified during the quarter, in which case students should register immediately.
3
provide the professor with necessary information. The DSC is located on campus at 100 Disability
Services Center, Building #313, and more information is available at: http://disability.uci.edu/
Need help? Student Well-being and Personal Safety on and off Campus
- For ANY type of emergency, call 911 or campus police from any phone or call box.
*** Add this number to your cell phone: UCI Campus police (949) 824-5223 ***
- UCI provides a variety of resources and programs designed to help students develop academic
skills, deal with personal and professional situations, and better understand concepts and information
related to their courses. Campus resources include veteran services, LGBT services, developmental
education, advising and mentoring, personal counseling, career services, federally funded programs
and more. See here: http://sss.uci.edu/resources-scholarships/
- Discrimination or sexual harassment (violence, assault, stalking, verbal/physical abuse)?
Contact the UCI Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity
Phone: 949.824.7037 - Web: http://www.oeod.uci.edu/
- Counseling, Resources and/or Victim’s Rights and Reporting Information?
Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE) in UCI Student Center
Phone: 949-824-7273 or Web: http://www.care.uci.edu
COURSE SCHEDULE
The professor can adjust the schedule at any time. Students are responsible for knowing of changes
announced in lecture, sections and email. Absences/tardiness are not an excuse for not knowing.
I. Fundamentals of International Relations
Jan. 5
Introduction – Why International Relations Matter
HW: Buy book, buy/register clicker, read syllabus (and of course do readings)
Jan. 7
Introduction to Global Politics
Lamy et al. - Ch. 1
Jan. 12
A Brief History of Global Politics
Lamy et al. - Ch. 2
Jan. 14
IR Theory: Realism v. Liberalism
Lamy et al. - Ch. 3
** Noon EEE QUIZ #1 Deadline**
Jan. 19
IR Theory: Critical Theory, Constructivism and Feminist IR Theory
Lamy et al. - Ch. 4
Jan. 21
Global Actors: The State and Sovereignty
Lamy et al. - Ch. 5 pp. 133-153
Jan. 26
Global Actors: IOs and International Law
IOs: Karns and Mingst Ch. 1 (TAs will distribute)
Int’l Law: Lamy et al. – Ch. 6 pp. 171-186
** Noon EEE QUIZ #2 Deadline**
Jan. 28
Global Actors: NGOs and Transnational Actors
Lamy et al. - Ch. 7 (skim pp. 224-226 and skim pp. 228-231)
4
II. Global Issues: Economic, Social and Environmental
Feb. 2
International Political Economy: Fundamentals
Lamy et al. - Ch. 11 – pp. 346-361
Lamy et al. – Ch. 12 - pp. 374-389
Feb. 4
International Political Economy: Globalization Debates
Lamy et al. - Ch. 11 – pp. 361-373
** Noon EEE QUIZ #3 Deadline**
Feb. 9
Environmental Issues and a Guest Lecture by Prof. Katherine Mackey:
“Global Change and the Earth system:
Exploring Causes, Consequences, and Solutions”
Lamy et al. - Ch. 14 (Skim p. 447 and p. 458)
Feb. 11
Poverty, Development and Hunger
Lamy et al. - Ch. 13 (Skim pp. 416-418)
Feb. 16
** MIDTERM **
III. Global Issues: State Security to Human Security
Feb. 18
Traditional Security
Lamy et al. - Ch. 8 – pp. 244-281
Feb. 23
Human Security and Human Rights
Feb. 25
Lamy et al. - Ch. 10 pp. 308-340
Refugees: Lamy et al. – Ch. 5 pp. 140-141
Mar. 1
International Intervention and Conflict Management
UN: Lamy et al. - Ch. 6 pp. 187-197
Regional: Hardt 2013 Article (Shared folder)
** Noon EEE QUIZ #4 Deadline**
Mar. 3
Transnational Security: Trafficking
Human Trafficking: Shelley 2010 Ch. 1 pp. 1-18 (Shared folder)
Human Trafficking: Molland 2012 Ch. 1 pp. 1-14 (Shared folder)
(Optional) Drug Trafficking: Shelley 2012 Article (Shared folder)
Mar. 8
Transnational Security: Terrorism
Lamy et al. - Ch. 9
Mar. 10
Review Day
Come prepared to ask questions in class about any material covered
Mar. 15
** FINAL EXAM
Time: 8:00 (two hours long)
Location: Our normal classroom
5
APPENDIX
Special instructions for REEF Polling
 REEF Polling is a mobile app for your phone/laptop. If a student chooses this option, he/she is
responsible for costs and any internet access issues. To create a REEF Polling account, visit
https://reef-education.com or download the app for iOS or Android (app coming Fall 2015).
Creating an account automatically starts a free 14-day trial subscription. Please use this trial
period to make sure REEF will work for all of your i>clicker classes before purchasing a
subscription, as it is not possible to receive a refund after you purchase a subscription.
 All new i>clicker remotes will now ship with a complimentary digital access code for REEF
Polling. Students can use this code to try REEF for one quarter at no charge. Once you create
your REEF account, you do not need to do anything else to register. Just be sure that your account
has the following profile information: Email: Your UCI email address; Student ID: 8-digit
student number When you sign up on the website, it says your ID # is optional, but it is required
to properly sync with UCI’s gradebook.
 At the end of your trial, should you decide to purchase a REEF subscription, you can do so in a
variety of subscription lengths using your credit card online or through in-app purchase with your
smartphone or tablet; this subscription includes an unlimited number of courses.
Best Practices for Reef Polling
 Wifi connections tend to work better than 3G or 4G wireless data connections through your
carrier. When you connect with wifi, make sure you are choosing UCI mobile access.
 Disconnect from any previous tasks such as watching a movie or playing a game, etc… (anything
requiring large bandwidth)
 Refrain from downloading large amounts of data (not related to the class) and/or performing
computer or social media updates during the class. Discontinue these activities immediately prior
to the start of class.
 Disable wifi on your device until getting to your seat. (Some devices may want to latch onto the
first access point they see upon entering the room, even if you move to the other side of the room
right next to a different access point)
 If your wifi doesn't have a particularly strong signal at your seat, get up and move to another seat.
 If you have problems before starting REEF, turn off wifi on your device and then turn it back on
to re-establish the best connection.
 Turn off or disable wifi on all mobile devices other than the device you are using for REEF. (Cell
phones are additional devices connecting to the wireless network.)
 If you have problems during a REEF session, log out and log back in again. If your cellular or
wifi connection is not stable, it is possible that REEF could "hang" without acknowledging that I
have started a session. Logging out and logging back in again can "reset" REEF's connection
settings so that your device recognizes that a session has begun.
6