International Politics
Political Science 20303 – Fall 2012
Dr. Carrie Liu Currier
Office: Scharbauer Hall 2012G
Phone: 817-257-6853
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 10AM-11:30AM, and other times available by appointment
E-mail: c.currier@tcu.edu
OVERVIEW
This course is designed to introduce students to the theories and explanations of International Relations (IR).
We will begin with a historical overview of IR, then move into a discussion of the main theories and approaches
used to explain some of the defining events. The theories and approaches we explore include Realism,
Liberalism, Neorealism, Postmodernism, Constructivism, Feminism, and Game Theory. Each will be presented
in detail and should provide a framework for students to make sense of what is going on in the world today.
Other topics covered will include International Security and International Political Economy, addressing issues
of military force, international organizations, trade, finance, and development. Whatever your particular
background may be I want to get you excited about world events and make you more aware of what people/states
do, while analyzing why they do it.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Exams: In this course there will be three exams. These are closed-book, closed-note examinations and will be
given on the following dates: Exam #1 – Sept 20, Exam #2 – Oct 25, and Exam #3 – Dec 13 (3-5:30PM). The
exams are designed to test your understanding of the concepts presented in the readings and the material
discussed in class (including current events). If you have a conflict with the final exam (such as three finals in
the same day) you must submit your request to change the exam time in writing as soon as possible, but no later
than Nov 27 (one week before our last class). Otherwise exam dates can only be changed under exceptional
circumstances – requests will be entertained on an individual basis. Each exam is worth 25% of your grade.
Quizzes: Throughout the semester we will have pop quizzes that cover the assigned readings (textbook and
eCollege articles) as well as current events. The quizzes will require you to include basic factual information and
engage in some analysis of concepts. If you keep up with current events each week and stay on top of the
readings, the quizzes should be straightforward. Quizzes will not be announced and may occur at any time
during our class period. If you miss a quiz because you came late, left early, or did not attend class you will
receive a zero, there are NO make-ups. In the event you miss a quiz and your absence is considered “excused,”
the missed quiz will simply be omitted from your average. The quizzes are worth a total of 15% of your grade.
Participation & Attendance: Throughout the semester we will devote time to discuss relevant current events
(which is why you should be reading a daily newspaper). In addition, I encourage you to ask questions and to
participate in our discussions. This interaction will enable you to learn from your peers and hopefully encourage
you to more critically assess the information presented. Your participation will be graded on the quality and not
necessarily the quantity of your contributions, but you do need to make a regular effort to participate. Disruptive
or annoying behavior (i.e. facebooking, texting, sleeping, or chatting with your neighbors) will negatively affect
your participation grade. If I have to stop class to single you out, it will be treated as the equivalent of a full
absence.
Remember you cannot discuss unless you are here, so at the very least you need to show up! I take attendance in
class seriously, and poor attendance will be penalized. Late arrivals and early departures will be considered halfabsences (quick math lesson: two halves make a whole absence). After your second unexcused absence I will
deduct 2% from your overall grade for each additional absence (excused absences never count against you),
therefore you can be penalized more than just 10% of your grade for excessive absences. The only absences
that TCU considers “excused” are university related absences for official university sponsored events, and those
notifications come to me directly from the university. Otherwise illnesses or other absences can be considered
“excused,” but they are at my discretion. TCU and Campus Life do not give “excused absences” for anything
other than university related business. Illnesses, deaths in the family, etc. may be considered excused by me if
the appropriate documentation is provided, however that documentation must be submitted within one week of
returning to class after the said incident. In other words, you cannot wait until the end of the semester to provide
documentation if you want your absence to be considered “excused.” Keep in mind I may still deny your request
for an excused absence, depending on the circumstances. You should also note that your excuses for absences on
exam days or assignment due dates will be scrutinized more carefully than regular class days and you should not
assume your absence will be “excused.” An unexcused absence on an exam date will result in a zero for that
percentage of your grade. If you miss class, excused or not, you should get the lecture notes from another
student. Participation and attendance is worth 10% of your grade.
GRADES:
25% Exam #1 (Sept 20)
25% Exam #2 (Oct 25)
25% Exam #3 (Dec 13)
15% Quizzes
10% Participation/Attendance
Grades are determined on the following scale:
A 93-100
B 83-86
A- 90-92
B- 80-82
B+ 87-89
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 63-66
D- 60-62
F 0- 59
MISC. POLICIES:
Blue/greenbooks: You are required to turn in three blue/greenbooks at the beginning of the semester, one for
each of your exams. You must turn in all three SMALL sized blue/greenbooks WITHOUT your names on them,
PRIOR to the first exam. At the exam the blue/greenbooks will be redistributed at random and will have a
specific stamp on it unique to that specific exam. This is to ensure the books do not have notes written in them.
Only stamped books (with the specific color/type of stamp designated on the question sheet) will be accepted.
Any answers written in a book without the appropriate stamp will not be graded.
Academic integrity: TCU has a code of academic integrity that I expect you all to follow. In particular, I think
it is important to stress the penalties that will be inflicted on students who plagiarize or cheat in this course.
Plagiarism is when you take someone else's words, without using quotations or proper citation, and attempt to
use them as your own. If any portion of your written work is plagiarized or you are found cheating on
assignments or exams, you will receive a zero on the assignment/exam and will be subjected to further academic
discipline according to the University's policies. Collaboration with other students on any assignments or exams
in this class is strictly prohibited and is considered cheating. To review the student code of conduct you should
visit the following: http://www.studentaffairs.tcu.edu/handbook/code.htm
Statement on Disability Services – Texas Christian University complies with the Americans with Disabilities
Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding students with disabilities. Eligible students
seeking accommodations should contact the Coordinator of Student Disabilities Services in the Center for
Academic Services located in Sadler Hall, 11. Accommodations are not retroactive, therefore, students should
contact the Coordinator as soon as possible in the term for which they are seeking accommodations. Further
information can be obtained from the Center for Academic Services, TCU Box 297710, Fort Worth, TX 76129,
or at (817) 257-7486.
REQUIRED READINGS:
1) Goldstein, Joshua and Jon Pevehouse. 2012. International Relations, Brief 6th ed. NY: Pearson.
2) Supplemental articles are available electronically on eCollege for you to download. These articles are
marked with an asterisk (*) in the syllabus.
2
3) Furthermore, you are required to read one of the following national newspapers: New York Times or
Christian Science Monitor every day for the rest of your life – but at the very least for the duration of
this class 
COURSE TOPICS/READING SCHEDULE
Readings are to be done by the first date listed for each new topic
Dates:
Topics & Assignments
Readings
Part I - Theories
8/21
8/23 & 8/28
8/30 & 9/4
9/6 & 9/11
9/13 & 9/18
9/20
Introduction
Historical Foundations of IR
Realism & Power Politics
IR Brief Ch 1
IR Brief Ch 2
Liberalism, Neoliberalism, Postpositivism
Foreign Policy
IR Brief Ch 3
*Kroenig – Time to Attack Iran
Exam #1
Part II – International Security
International Conflict
IR Brief Ch 4
Military Technology & Weapons Systems
10/9 – no class, mid-semester break
International Organizations
* Moss – 5 Things the Pentagon
isn’t telling us on China
*Zenko – 10 Things about
Drones
IR Brief Ch 6
10/23
International Law & Human Rights
*Sacco – Portrait of the Hague
10/25
Exam #2
9/25 & 9/27
10/2, 10/4, 10/11
10/16 & 10/18
Part III – International Political Economy
10/30 & 11/1
International Trade
IR Brief Ch 5
11/6 & 11/8
The Euro Crisis and International Currency
Debates
* Eichengreen – When
Currencies collapse
* Moravcsik –Europe after Crisis
North-South Gap & Development
IR Brief Ch 7
*Zoellick – Why we need the
World Bank
11/13, 11/15, 11/20
11/22
11/27 & 11/29
12/4
12/13 (Thurs)
No class – Thanksgiving Break
Environmental & Population Issues
Looking Towards the Future
Exam #3 (3-5:30PM)
3
IR Brief Ch 8
*Lomborg – Environmental
Alarmism