San José State University
College of Social Sciences/Political Science Department
POLS 4, Introduction to International Relations, Spring 2016
Course and Contact Information
Instructor:
Karthika Sasikumar
Office Location:
Clark 451
Telephone:
(408) 9241361
Email:
karthika.sasikumar@sjsu.edu
Office Hours:
MW 10.30 to 11.30 AM and Th 12.30-1.30 PM
Class Days/Time:
Classroom:
Course Description This course introduces students to the systematic study of international relations. The
course is based on the idea that all political interactions take place between actors with their own interests, and
within institutions that have their own incentives and authority. Both international security and political
economy will be studied. The specific topics that will be taken up are the causes of war; the influence of
domestic politics on war, global trade, finance, and development; and the international politics of the
environment.
GE Learning Outcomes
This course satisfies the requirements for General Education (Area D3). Therefore, students will write two
essays of approximately 500 words each in order to satisfy the writing requirement.
The specific Student Learning Outcome that will be assessed this semester is SLO 2: “Students will be able to
identify the dynamics of ethnic, cultural, gender/sexual, age-based, class, regional, national, transnational, and
global identities and the similarities, differences, linkages, and interactions between them.”
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INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, POLS 4, SPRING 2016
Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
CLO1. Demonstrate knowledge of key facts about world politics
CLO2. Demonstrate comprehension of key concepts in theories in the discipline of International Relations by
applying them to real-world problems
CLO3. Synthesize and evaluate the above theories, as shown by proposed resolutions to real-world problems
CLO4. Discuss major social issues in a civil and collaborative manner
Required Texts/Readings
Textbook
The required textbook for the course is Jeffry Frieden, David Lake, Kenneth Schultz, World Politics 3rd edition.
I have chosen the e-book as the default required textbook, because it is the cheapest. You can also purchase a
paperback (ISBN 9780393938098), or the three-hole punch version (ISBN 9780393277296), if you prefer. You
are NOT required to bring the textbook to class. I have put five textbooks on reserve at the library. If you wish,
you may buy the previous editions of the textbook, which are cheaper.
The class will rely heavily on the course management software Canvas. To access the course, go to
sjsu.instructure.com. Your 9-digit SJSU ID is your username, and your password is the same as for my.sjsu.edu.
This course should appear under the Courses tab (top menu) when you log in to Canvas. Students should be
aware that announcements, assignments and general information (including modifications to the syllabus) may
be posted on Canvas or communicated in class.
For this course, you will need a computer with Internet access. Success in the course requires active
participation by logging in multiple times a week for updates, to complete assignments, and to have virtual
discussions with the instructor. For questions relating to Canvas, please contact Ecampus at
http://www.sjsu.edu/ecampus/students/#studentresource
Technical support is provided at the following places on campus when you are having technical difficulties such
as password reset, browser problems, and computer problems:
•
University Help Desk (Clark Hall 102) is the first point of contact for service and support to help you
with password resets, login issues, email support Phone: 408.924.2377 Email: help@help.sjsu.edu Hours: Mon
– Thu 8am - 9:45pm, Fri 8:00am – 4:45pm http://www.sjsu.edu/helpdesk/
•
A.S. Computer Services Center (Student Union, 3rd floor) Phone: 408.924.6976 Hours: Mon - Thu
8:00am – 10:00pm; Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm http://as.sjsu.edu/ascsc/index.jsp
•
PC Help Line assists you with troubleshooting issues with your PC. Phone: 408. 924.1111
Course Requirements and Assignments
SJSU classes are designed such that in order to be successful, it is expected that students will spend a minimum
of forty-five hours for each unit of credit (normally three hours per unit per week), including preparing for class,
participating in course activities, completing assignments, and so on. More details about student workload can
be found in University Policy S12-3 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-3.pdf.
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INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, POLS 4, SPRING 2016
CLO
Assignment
Total points
Due dates
Quizzes
Number Points
each
4
10
1
40
Take home essays
Online discussions
2
3
30
30
2/22, 3/9,
4/6, 5/2
3/14; 4/11
TBA
2 &3
4
15
10
Quizzes be multiple choice and timed (online). Take home essays will be approximately 500 words each and
will be written over a period of 5 days. Discussions are mandatory and will be graded. You will be responding
to a prompt and engaging in conversation and debate with your classmates.
University Policies
General Expectations, Rights and Responsibilities of the Student
As members of the academic community, students accept both the rights and responsibilities incumbent upon all
members of the institution. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with SJSU’s policies and
practices pertaining to the procedures to follow if and when questions or concerns about a class arises. See
University Policy S90–5 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S90-5.pdf. More detailed information on a variety
of related topics is available in the SJSU catalog, at http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/catalog/rec12234.12506.html. In general, it is recommended that students begin by seeking clarification or discussing
concerns with their instructor. If such conversation is not possible, or if it does not serve to address the issue, it
is recommended that the student contact the Department Chair as a next step.
Dropping and Adding
Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc.
Refer to the current semester’s Catalog Policies section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html.
Add/drop deadlines can be found on the current academic year calendars document on the Academic Calendars
webpage at http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars/. The Late Drop Policy is available at
http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of the current deadlines and
penalties for dropping classes.
Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.
Consent for Recording of Class and Public Sharing of Instructor Material
University Policy S12-7, http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-7.pdf, requires students to obtain instructor’s
permission to record the course and the following items to be included in the syllabus:

“Common courtesy and professional behavior dictate that you notify someone when you are recording
him/her. You must obtain the instructor’s permission to make audio or video recordings in this class.
Such permission allows the recordings to be used for your private, study purposes only. The recordings
are the intellectual property of the instructor; you have not been given any rights to reproduce or
distribute the material.”
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INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, POLS 4, SPRING 2016

o It is suggested that the greensheet include the instructor’s process for granting permission,
whether in writing or orally and whether for the whole semester or on a class by class basis.
o In classes where active participation of students or guests may be on the recording, permission of
those students or guests should be obtained as well.
“Course material developed by the instructor is the intellectual property of the instructor and cannot be
shared publicly without his/her approval. You may not publicly share or upload instructor generated
material for this course such as exam questions, lecture notes, or homework solutions without instructor
consent.”
Academic integrity
Your commitment, as a student, to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University. The
University Academic Integrity Policy S07-2 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S07-2.pdf requires you to be
honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of
Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The Student Conduct and Ethical Development website is available
at http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/.
Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible,
or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 at
http://www.sjsu.edu/president/docs/directives/PD_1997-03.pdf requires that students with disabilities
requesting accommodations must register with the Accessible Education Center (AEC) at
http://www.sjsu.edu/aec to establish a record of their disability.
POLS 4 Spring 2016 Course Schedule
Schedule is subject to change with fair notice on Canvas.
Course Schedule
Week
Date
Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines
1
Feb 1 (M)
Intro, no reading
1
Feb 3 (W)
Ch.2 interests: what do actors want from politics?
2
Feb 8 (M)
Ch.2 interactions: why can’t actors get what they want?
2
Feb 10 (W)
Ch. 2 institutions +game theory
3
Feb 15 (M)
Ch. 3 What is the purpose of war?
3
Feb 17 (W)
Ch. 3 Do wars happen by mistake?
4
Feb 22 (M)
1st quiz (Chapter 1 of textbook)
4
Feb 24 (W)
Ch.4 Whose interests count? Do politicians spark wars?
5
Feb 29 (M)
Ch.4 Military and special interest groups
5
Mar 2 (W)
No class, online office hours
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INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, POLS 4, SPRING 2016
Week
Date
Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines
6
Mar 7 (M)
Ch. 4 Do democracies fight each other?
6
Mar 9 (W)
2nd quiz (Chapters 2-4 of textbook)
7
Mar 14 (M)
7
Mar 16 (W)
Ch. 7 What’s so good about trade?
First take home due
Ch.7 Why do governments restrict trade?
8
Mar 21 (M)
Ch. 7 Explaining trends and patterns
8
Mar 23 (W)
Ch. 8 How and why do people invest overseas?
9
Apr 4 (M)
Ch. 8 Why is international finance controversial?
9
Apr 6 (W)
10
Apr 11 (M)
10
Apr 13 (W)
3rd quiz (Chapters 7-8 of textbook)
Ch. 10 Why is development hard to achieve?
Second take home due
Ch. 10 Are rich countries responsible?
11
Apr 18 (M)
Ch. 10 Development policies and politics
11
Apr 20 (W)
12
Apr 25 (M)
Ch. 13 Why are good intentions not enough?
Ch. 13 Why do polluters usually win?
12
Apr 27 (W)
Ch. 13 How can institutions promote cooperation?
13
May 2 (M)
13
May 4 (W)
4th quiz (Chapters 10 and 13 of textbook)
Ch. 14 Can the spread of WMD be stopped?
14
May 9 (M)
Ch. 14 Will China and the US fight?
14
May 11 (W)
Ch. 14 Will globalization continue?
15
May 16 (M)
Ch. 14 Global government?
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INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, POLS 4, SPRING 2016