International Relations
Spring 2008 --- PSC 124.200 --- M/W/F, 8.25-9.20am ---- 115 Hall of Languages
Hans Peter Schmitz
340 Eggers Hall
Monday/Tuesday, 9.30-10.30am
hpschmit@maxwell.syr.edu
Haley Swedlund
027 Eggers Hall
Monday: 10am-Noon
hjswedlu@maxwell.syr.edu
Class web site: http://faculty.maxwell.syr.edu/hpschmitz/PSC124.htm
_______________________
The course introduces students to actors, issues, and processes in contemporary international relations. It will
offer a brief history of the international system and give an overview of its current state of affairs. The course
will focus on central global debates on topics such as war and peace, human rights, economic interdependence,
nationalism and ethnicity, the global environment, and developmental disparities. Students are encouraged to
explore and discuss the changing roles of states, international institutions, multinational corporations, and nongovernmental organizations in emerging forms of global governance.
Class requirements
The minimum requirements for successful completion of this class include (1) regular reading of the required materials before the class sessions
(2) regular attendance and active participation (Monday/Wednesday)
(3) mid-term and final exam
(4) participation in a simulation on the topic of United Nations reform (Friday)
What counts?
a. Attendance/participation
b. Mid-term exam (March 5)
c. Final exam (TBA)
d. Simulation (presentation and position papers)
20 per cent
20 per cent
20 per cent
40 per cent
Required readings
(available at SU Bookstore)

Henry R. Nau 2007, Perspectives on International Relations. Power, Institutions, and Ideas, CQ Press,
1-933116-46-3.
Regular reading of a major international newspaper (e.g., New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian or
Le Monde) and usage of the WWW are strongly recommended. I will begin every class session with a
discussion of current international affairs.
Schedule
Part I: Introduction
Week One (January 14/16/18): Understanding world politics
Monday: Course introduction and overview.
Wednesday: Nau, introduction, pp. 1-13.
Friday: Introduction to the simulation on United Nations reform.
Week Two (January 21/23/25): The Prisoners’ Dilemma
Monday: Martin Luther King Day
Wednesday: Nau, chapter 1 (Prisoners’ Dilemma), pp. 14-24.
Friday: Playing the Prisoners’ Dilemma.
Part II: Theories and Actors in International Relations
Week Three (January 28/30/Feb 1): Theories of IR
Monday: Nau, chapter 1, pp. 24-42 (Challenges to Realism).
Wednesday: Snyder, Jack 2004: 'One World, Rival Theories.'
Friday: Introduction to the issue of United Nations reform.
(Optional readings: Nau, chapter 2 and 3; pp. 43-93)
Week Four (February 4/6/8): Understanding the state system
Monday: Nau, chapter 4 (World War II), pp. 94-117.
Wednesday: Nau, chapter 5 (Cold War), pp. 118-147.
Friday: UN reform, assignment of roles and research topics.
Week Five (February 11/13/15): Post-Cold War period
Monday: Nau, chapter 6 (Failed states and terrorism), pp. 148-180.
Wednesday: Nau, chapter 15 (Global governance), pp. 373-392.
Friday: Nau, Conclusion (A democratic peace?), pp. 393-401.
Week Six (February 18/20/22): Theory of international institutions
Monday: Keohane/Martin, ‘The Promise of Institutionalist Theory.’
Wednesday: Jost, ‘International Law.’
Friday: Masci, ‘The United Nations.’
Week Seven (February 25/27/29): Practice of international institutions
Monday: Alesina/Perotti, ‘The European Union.’
Wednesday: Jost, ‘Future of the European Union.’
Friday: Sbragia, ‘The EU constitution.’
Week Eight (March 3/5/7): Mid-term week
Monday: Mid-term preparation
Wednesday: Mid-term
Friday: no class
Week Nine (March 10-14): Spring vacation
Part III: Issues in global affairs (Security, welfare, and governance)
Week Ten (March 17/19/21): Global human rights I
Monday: Cmiel, ‘Human rights.’
Wednesday: Roth, ‘The Case for Universal Jurisdiction’
Friday: Good Friday
Week Eleven (March 24/26/28): Global human rights II
Monday: UN reform, The Human Rights Council
Wednesday: Human rights in the Balkans
Friday: International Studies Association
Week Twelve (March 31/April 2/4): Global inequalities
Monday: Nau, chapter 7, pp. 184-207.
Wednesday: Nau, chapter 8, pp. 208-230.
Friday: UN reform, Global trade.
Week Thirteen (April 7/9/11): Global development
Monday: Nau, chapter 11, pp. 282-308.
Wednesday: Nau, chapter 12, pp. 309-331.
Friday: UN reform, Millennium Development Goals.
Week Fourteen (April 14/16/18): Global environment
Monday: Nau, chapter 14, pp. 353-372.
Wednesday: Clemmitt, ‘Climate Change.’
Friday: UN reform, NGO participation.
Week Fifteen (April 21/23/25): Global security
Monday: Nau, chapter 13, pp. 334-352.
Wednesday: UN reform, The Security Council.
Friday: UN reform, Peacekeeping/R2P.
Week Sixteen (April 28): Course evaluation
Monday: Preparation for final exam (Date: TBA)
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