Department of Government & International Studies
POLS 2130
Foundations of International Relations
Prerequisites:
GIS/European Studies－
POLS 1510 Foundations of Political Science or
EURO 1111-2 Europe: Unity and Diversity
GIS Minor－
Year II standing
Duration/Frequency:
3 hours/week
Language of Tuition:
English
Individual Study Time Required:
42 hours (3 X 14 weeks)
Credits/Units:
3
Number of Contact Hours:
42 (3 X 14 weeks)
Total Assumed Work Load:
6 hours/week
Course Description/Aims and Objectives:
This is a second year, first semester course which introduces students to the
basic concepts, methods and processes of International Relations by focusing on
four major “perspectives” that have framed analytical work in the field, namely
“Realism-Power Politics”, “Dominance-Dependence”, “TransnationalismInterdependency” and “Cultural Interactionism”. International Relations seeks to
build upon and integrate the disciplinary foundations students obtained in the
first-year Political Science and Political Economy courses. It does this through a
“level of analysis” approach and through a problem-solving treatment of issues
relevant, where possible, to Hong Kong’s interaction with its own region and with
other areas of the globe.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) / Competencies:
Knowledge
By the end of this course, students will be able to
1. Outline the fundamental frameworks of four of the theoretical
perspectives utilized by scholars in order to evaluate International
Relations;
2. Identify knowledge in the field of IR and its theoretical foundations by the
use of specific problem-solving applications based on contemporary
world affairs; and
3. Enhanced knowledge of the historical, (geo-) political, ideological, sociocultural, ethnic, and (geo-) economic factors which shape the
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development of and interactions between different actors of the
international system.
Skills
By the end of this course, students will be able to
4. Further develop their ability of thinking independently and politically;
5. Reflectively analyze political issues of contemporary world;
6. Interpret the political developments in Hong Kong and China with
reference to local, regional and global affairs; and
7. Build upon and complement their extant knowledge of East-West
relations obtained in other subjects in the curriculum.
Attitudes
By the end of this course, students will be able to
8. Understand, critically evaluate, interpret, and communicate inter cultural
relationships over time and at various levels of the international system
within requisite theoretical and analytical frameworks;
9. Appraise the complexity and interconnectedness of concepts, theories,
and analytical methods of political science in general and IR in particular;
and
10. Evaluate the acquired knowledge and skills when observing the daily
developments in world politics.
Course Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is International Relations?
The Evolution of Processes and Structures in International Relations
Analytical Dimensions: The “Levels of Analysis” Starting Point
The States System I: Realism/Power and Security; The Balance of
Power
5. The States System II: Alternatives to Power Politics/International Law
6. Radical Alternatives to the States System: Structural Dependency;
World Systems/Underdevelopment and Third World Theories
7. Transnationalism and Interdependency: Globalization and the State
8. Cultural Interactionalism: Huntington’s “The Clash of Civilizations?”
Thesis and Its Critique
9. International Conflicts: Nationalism, Ethnic, Religion and Ideology
10. International Organizations: Their Utility as Agents of Conflict
Resolution and Humanitarian Assistance
11. Regionalist Organizations and the Evolving Global Political Economy
12. International Integration
13. Military Force and Terrorism
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Teaching & Learning Activities (TLAs):
TLAs
ILOs
addressed
1. Lectures
1 to 10
The lectures will examine basic concepts, methods and
processes of International Relations by focusing on four major
“perspectives” that have framed analytical work in the field.
2. Tutorial discussions/ Presentations
4 to 10
Tutorial sessions will be held to discuss basic theories and
research methods introduced in lectures and their applications.
Students will make group presentations on the acquired
knowledge and skills when observing the daily developments in
politics.
Assessment Methods (AMs):
AMs
Weighting
ILOs
addressed
Description of
Assessment Tasks
Active participation in
class discussions,
presentations
20%
1 to 10
Students must attend
all classes and try to
be punctual. All
students are
expected to read the
relevant readings
before the classes.
They should ask
questions, give
comments to the
presenters, and
participate in the
discussion.
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Debates
20%
1 to 10
Students will present
the practical
understanding of
knowledge in the
field of IR and its
theoretical
foundations by the
use of specific
problem-solving
applications based
on contemporary
world affairs.
Term paper
20%
1 to 10
Students are
required to submit a
term paper in
reflecting the
understanding of the
complexity and
interconnectedness
of concepts,
theories, and
analytical methods
of political science in
general and IR in
particular.
Examination
40%
1 to 9
The questions will be
essay-type questions
testing students’
understanding of
basic theories and
research methods
appropriate to
international
relations. As a result,
students can
prepare for more
advanced research
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methods in the
future.
Required Reading:
Baylis, J., & Smith, S. (2005). The globalization of world politics: An introduction
to international relations (3rd ed.). Oxford; New York: Oxford University
Press.
Recommended Readings Selected from:
Agnew, J. A. (2003). Geopolitics: Re-visioning world politics (2nd ed.). London;
New York: Routledge.
Art, R. J., & Jervis, R. (2007). International politics: Enduring concepts and
contemporary issues (8th ed.). New York: Pearson/Longman.
Barry Jones, R. J., Jones, P. M., Dark, K., & Peters, J. (2001). Introduction to
International Relations. Manchester; New York: Manchester University
Press.
Beitz, C. R. (1999). Political theory and international relations. Princeton, N.J.:
Princeton University Press.
Beylerian, O., Lévesque, J., Raoul-Dandurand Chair of Strategic and Diplomatic
Studies, & Université du Québec à Montréal. (2004). Inauspicious
beginnings: Principal powers and international security institutions after the
cold war, 1989-1999. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press.
Bleiker, R., Chan, S., & Mandaville, P. G. (2001). The zen of international
relations: IR theory from east to west. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire;
New York, N.Y.: Palgrave.
Booth, K., & Wheeler, N. J. (2008). The security dilemma: Fear, cooperation and
trust in world politics. Basingstoke England; New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Boucher, D. (1998). Political theories of international relations: From Thucydides
to the present. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press.
Bourantonis, D., Ifantis, K., & Tsakōnas, P. I. (2008). Multilateralism and security
institutions in an era of globalization. London; New York: Routledge.
Brown, C., Nardin, T., & Rengger, N. J. (2002). International relations in political
thought : Texts from the ancient Greeks to the first world war. Cambridge;
New York: Cambridge University Press.
Brown, M. E., Miller, S. E., & Lynn-Jones, S. M. (1996). East Asian security.
Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.
Bueno de Mesquita, B. (2003). Principles of international politics: People's power,
preferences, and perceptions (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: CQ Press.
Burchill, S., & Burchill, S. (2001). Theories of international relations (2nd ed.).
Basingstoke, Hampshire; New York: Palgrave.
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Buzan, B. (1990). The european security order recast: Scenarios for the postcold war era. London; New York: Pinter Publishers.
Buzan, B., & Little, R. (2000). International systems in world history: Remaking
the study of international relations. Oxford; New York: Oxford University
Press.
Buzan, B., & Wæver, O. (2003). Regions and powers: The structure of
international security. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Chernoff, F. (2005). The power of international theory: Reforming the link to
foreign policy-making through scientific enquiry. London; New York:
Routledge.
Clark, I. (1999). Globalization and international relations theory. Oxford; New
York: Oxford University Press.
Clark, M. T., & Johns Hopkins University. (1991). The tragic science of political
realism: Power, necessity and deliberation in Thucydides.
Clinton, W. D. (2007). The realist tradition and contemporary international
relations. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press.
Constantinou, C. M. (2004). States of political discourse: Words, regimes,
seditions. London; New York: Routledge.
East, M. A., & Robertson, J. (2005). Diplomacy and developing nations: Postcold war foreign policy-making structures and processes. London; New York:
Routledge.
Eschle, C., & Maiguashca, B. (2005). Critical theories, international relations and
'the anti- globalization movement’: The politics of global resistance. London;
New York: Routledge.
Fierke, K. M., & Jørgensen, K. E. (2001). Constructing international relations:
The next generation. Armonk, N.Y.: M.E. Sharpe.
Flint, C., & Ebrary, I. (2006). Introduction to geopolitics. London: Routledge.
Freedman, L. (1989). The evolution of nuclear strategy (2nd ed.). Houndmills,
Basingstoke, Hampshire: Macmillan in association with the International
Institute for Strategic Studies.
Gamble, A., & Payne, A. (1996). Regionalism and world order. Houndmills,
Basingstoke, Hampshire: Macmillan.
Gerber, J. (2008). International economics (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson Addison
Wesley.
Goldman, K. (1994) The logic of Internationalism. London; New York: The New
International Series: Routledge.
Goldstein, J. S., & Pevehouse, J. C. (2008). International relations (8th ed.). New
York: Pearson Longman.
Griffiths, M., O'Callaghan, T., & Roach, S. C. (2008). International relations: The
key concepts (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.
Grygiel, J. J. (2006). Great powers and geopolitical change. Baltimore: Johns
Hopkins University Press.
Harrison, E. (2004). The post-cold war international system: Strategies,
institutions, and reflexivity. New York: Routledge.
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Harrison, N. E. (2006). Complexity in world politics: Concepts and methods of a
new paradigm. Albany: State University of New York Press.
Hauss, C. (2001). International conflict resolution. London; New York: Continuum.
Hobson, J. M. (2000). The State and International Relations. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Holsti, K. J. (2004). Taming the sovereigns: Institutional change in international
politics. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press.
Holsti, K. J. (1992). International Politics. A Framework for Analysis. (6th ed.).
New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Huntington, S. P. (1996). The clash of civilizations and the remaking of world
order. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Jackson, R. H. (1990). Quasi-states: Sovereignty, international relations, and the
third world. Cambridge England; New York: Cambridge University Press.
Jackson, R. H., & Sørensen, G. (2003). Introduction to international relations:
Theories and approaches (2nd, rev. and expand ed.). Oxford; New York:
Oxford University Press.
Jahn, B. (2006). Classical theory in international relations. Cambridge, UK; New
York: Cambridge University Press.
Kegley, C. W., & Raymond, G. A. A multipolar peace : Great-power politics in the
twenty- first century. New York: St. Martin's.
Keohane, R. O., & Nye, J. S. (2001). Power and interdependence (3rd ed.). New
York: Longman.
Kjellén, B. (2008). A new diplomacy for sustainable development: The challenge
of global change. New York: Routledge.
Kleinschmidt, H. (2000). The nemesis of power: A history of international
relations theories. London: Reaktion Books.
Kurian, G. T. (2002). Dictionary of world politics. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press.
LaFeber, W. (2008). America, russia, and the cold war, 1945-2006 (10th ed.).
Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Laqueur, W. (1977). Terrorism. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.
Lebow, R. N. (2007). Coercion, cooperation, and ethics in international relations.
New York: Routledge.
Legro, J. (2005). Rethinking the world: Great power strategies and international
order. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press.
Linklater, A. (2000). International relations: Critical concepts in political science.
London; New York: Routledge.
Lowson, S. (2003). International Relations. Short Introduction. Oxford; Polity.
Miller, S. E., & Lynn-Jones, S. M. (1993). The cold war and after: Prospects for
peace (Expand ed.). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Mingst, K. A. (1999). Essentials of international relations (1st ed.). New York:
W.W. Norton.
Morgenthau, H. J. Politics among nations: The struggle for power and peace (5t ,
rev ed.). New York: Knopf.
Nicholson, M. (2002). International Relations. A Concise Introduction. (2nd ed.).
Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan.
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Nye, J. S. (1997). Understanding international conflicts : An introduction to theory
and history (2nd ed.). New York: Longman.
O'Kane, R. H. T. (2007). Terrorism (1st ed.). Harlow: Pearson Longman.
Page, S. (2000). Regionalism among developing countries. Basingstoke,
Hampshire England: Macmillan Press.
Pease, K. S. (2000). International organizations: Perspectives on governance in
the twenty-first century. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
Pettman, R. (2001). World politics: Rationalism and beyond. New York: Palgrave.
Puchala, D. J. (2003). Theory and history in international relations. New York:
Routledge.
Roberts, B. (1995). Order and disorder after the cold war. Cambridge, Mass.:
MIT Press.
Robinson, P. (2008). Dictionary of international security. Cambridge, UK; Malden,
MA: Polity.
Roselle, L., & Spray, S. L. (2008). Research and writing in international relations.
New York: Pearson/Longman.
Roskin, M. G., & Berry, N. O. (2002). IR The New World of International
Relations (5th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Russett, B. M., Kinsella, D. T., & Starr, H. (2004). World politics: The menu for
choice (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Schiavone, G. (1997). International organizations: A dictionary (4th ed.). London:
Macmillan Reference.
Smith, H. (2000). Democracy and international relations: Critical theories,
problematic practices. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Macmillan.
Solomon, H. (2008). Challenges to global security: Geopolitics and power in an
age of transition. London; New York: I.B. Tauris.
Stetter, S. (2007). Territorial conflicts in world society: Modern systems theory,
international relations and conflict studies. London; New York: Routledge.
Sullivan, M. P. (2001). Theories of international relations: Transition vs.
persistence. New York: Palgrave.
Sutter, R. G. (2008). Chinese foreign relations: Power and policy since the cold
war. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield.
Vasquez, J. A. (1998). The power of power politics: From classical realism to
neotraditionalism. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press.
Wagner, R. H. (2007). War and the state: The theory of international politics. Ann
Arbor: University of Michigan Press. ‘
Wallerstein, I. M. Geopolitics and geoculture: Essays on the changing world system. Cambridge England; New York: Cambridge University Press.
Waltz, K. N. Man, the state and war: A theoretical analysis. New York: Columbia
Univ. Press.
Weber, C. (2005). International relations theory: A critical introduction (2nd ed.).
London; New York: Routledge.
Weigall, D. (2002). International Relations. A Concise Companion. London:
Arnold.
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Wendt, A. (1999). Social theory of international politics. Cambridge; New York:
Cambridge University Press.
Wight, M., Porter, B., Wight, G., & Yost, D. S. (2005). Four seminal thinkers in
international theory : Machiavelli, Grotius, Kant, and Mazzini. Oxford: Oxford
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Wyn Jones, R. (2001). Critical theory and world politics. Boulder, Colo.: Lynne
Rienner Publishers.
Syllabus prepared by: Dr. Krzysztof Sliwinski / September 2010
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