PS 530: Seminar in International Relations
Wednesday, 3-5:45 p.m.
Fall 2012–Caldwell 212
Office: Caldwell 218.
- Dr. Heidi Hobbs
Office Hours: Wednesday 1-3 p.m.
and by appointment
Phone: 919-513-4389
E-mail: Heidi_Hobbs@ncsu.edu
Course Overview:
This course is designed to introduce the dominant paradigms in international relations
today. First, a survey of traditional and contemporary approaches and theories of
international relations will be explored as a foundation. We will look at the way in which
the historical development of the field of international relations has paralleled changes
in the international system. We will then examine the concept of globalization and the
many ways it is defined and interpreted today, particularly as it relates to issues of
global concern. Our study will conclude with an overview of what we can expect in the
future for international relations, using current books and articles as a way to explore
the issues.
Learning Objectives:
The following learning objectives will guide our inquiry:
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develop an understanding of international relations theory,
identify how to apply those theories to real world conditions,
advance the critical thinking skills that will enable us to write effectively on these
topics, and ultimately,
imagine a world of unlimited possibilities!
Required Texts:
Three texts will be required for purchase. The Viotti and Kauppi book can be bought at
the NCSU bookstore. Other materials will be available through e-link or electronic
reserve. The syllabus and web materials may be accessed through Moodle at
http://moodle.wolfware.ncsu.edu/.
Scott, Gregory M and Garrison, Stephen M. The Political Science Student Writer's
Manual, 7th ed. Boston: Longman, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-0-205-83012-1 – This book is
available on www.coursesmart.com ($17.99) as well as through Amazon as a Kindle
download ($30.35) or just for purchase ($34.99).
Veseth, Michael. Globaloney 2.0. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2010. ISBN:
9780742567467 This is also available through Amazon as a Kindle download ($14.39)
or just for purchase ($24.95).
Viotti, Paul R. and Kauppi, Mark V. International Relations Theory, 5th ed. Boston:
Longman, 2012. ISBN: 9780205082933.
Current Affairs: While one specific source will not be required, you should also keep up
with current international affairs via your preferred method - print (NY Times, The
Economist, The Christian Science Monitor, The Washington Post Weekly, etc.) or media
(NPR, BBC, CNN, etc.)
Course Assignments:
The Course assignments include mandatory weekly readings from the texts and other
materials the instructor may assign. Late assignments will not be accepted.
The writing assignments will include a variety of exercises to reflect the different styles
common to the field. The short essays (2-3 pages) will examine theoretical approaches.
They are designed to explore the relationships between the different readings and
approaches, as well as the applicability of these approaches to current international
issues.
The second assignment is a reading report drawn from the primary theory authors.
There will also be an opportunity for you to lead the class in a discussion of the
reading. The reading reports should be short - no more than one page and posted to
the Moodle site by the day after presentation. On presentation day, please bring 2
copies of your paper - one for me and one for you to follow. They are scored on a 10
point scale.
The third assignment will be an editorial, developing your position on a current event
that might be suitable for a newspaper article.
The fourth assignment will be a book review of your book of choice. You will be given
an opportunity to choose a popular book that addresses international issues. Following
explicit guidelines, you will prepare a review of the book (2-3 pages) and have an
opportunity to present your critique to fellow students.
The final assignment will be an issue paper (10-12 pages). You will choose a global
issue of current concern and discuss which paradigm offers the most insight into it,
noting the weaknesses of the other approaches and how your approach will offer the
best solutions. A handout will be posted that more explicitly defines this assignment.
You will also be expected to give a very brief summary of your findings (3-5 minutes)
the last day of classes – November 28.
Class participation is also required and is evaluated on the basis of general preparation
and attendance. It is expected that students will be on time for class, not leave early,
and notify the instructor in advance if they are unable to attend any session. Because
this class only once meets weekly, more than one absence may result in a lower grade.
There are three grade points for all written work: content, style and analysis -CSA.
Content: how good your information is, how well did you research your topic; (30%)
Style: how well is your paper written in terms of organization, spelling, punctuation, and
citation; (30%)
Analysis: how well have you brought your critical analytical skills to bear in preparing
your argument. (40%)
The grading distribution for the course is as follows:
Essays (30% - 15% each)
Reading Report (10%)
Book Review (15%)
Editorial (15%)
Issue paper (30%)
Total 100%
Overall course and the final issue paper grades will be computed on an A-F continuum
as follows:
A+ = 97-100
A = 93-96
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 63-66
D- = 60-62
F = 59 or below
University policies for student responsibilities and disabilities:
“Students are responsible for reviewing the PRRs which pertain to their course rights
and responsibilities. These include: http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-04-25-05 (Equal
Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy Statement),
http://oied.ncsu.edu/oied/policies.php (Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity),
http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-11-35-01 (Code of Student Conduct), and
http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-50-03 (Grades and Grade Point Average).
Academic Integrity is expected at all times. Cheating and plagiarism are clearly defined
by the NC State Code of Student Conduct and will not be tolerated.”
“Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In
order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with
Disability Services for Students at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 919515-7653. For more information on NC State's policy on working with students with
disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Regulation (REG 02.20.01)."
Course Outline:
Week 1: Overview of Course
Aug. 22 Introduction
Overview of course
Reading and writing for international relations
Book review options, Editorials
Reading Report assignments
Readings: Scott and Garrison, Part I. Chapters 1-5.
Week 2: The Study of International Relations
Aug. 29
The Study of International Relations and the Changing International System
Realism, Liberalism, Globalization and Beyond
Scope and Methods
Theory vs. Practice
Readings: Viotti and Kauppi, Chap. 1 and selected readings: Rosenau, Walker.
E-reserve: The Hedley Bull-David Singer Debate (“International Theory: The Case for a
Classical Approach” and “Incomplete Theorist: Insight without Evidence” in Vasquez,
John A., ed. Classics of IR, 3rd. ed)
Lepgold, Joseph and Nincic, Miroslav. Beyond the Ivory Tower (New York: Columbia
University Press, 2001), Chapter. 1.
Recommended reading: Levitt, Steven D, and Dubner, Stephen J, Freakonomics (New
York: Harper Collins, 2005) or Suprefreakonomics, 2010.
http://freakonomicsbook.com/
Website of interest: http://www.irtheory.com/
Question for reflection: Where do you see yourself in the Bull-Singer debate?
Week 3: Realism: the Politics of Power
Sept. 5 The Origins of Realism and its Critics
Readings: Viotti and Kauppi, Chapter 2, and selected readings: Thucydides,
Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, Waltz and Nye.
McLure, J. (2012, February 21). Russia in turmoil. CQ Global Researcher, 6, 81-104.
Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/globalresearcher/
Question for reflection: Can you identify current or recent international leaders who
have embraced the Machiavellian tradition?
Essay I Question: Has realism withstood the test of time or is it an outdated
paradigm in a globalized world? (Due Sept. 12)
Week 4: The Liberal Tradition
Sept. 12 Liberal Theory
TODAY IS INTERDEPENDENCE DAY!
http://www.interdependencemovement.org/iday-2012.php
Readings: Viotti and Kauppi, Chapter 3, and selected readings: Brooks, Keohane.
E-reserve: McLure, J. (2011, February 15). Sub-Saharan democracy. CQ Global
Researcher, 5, 79-106. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/globalresearcher/
Beary, B. (2012, January 17). Emerging Central Asia. CQ Global Researcher, 6, 29-56.
Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/globalresearcher/
Question for reflection and classroom debate: What is the relationship of liberalism to
democratization?
Week 5: World Systems Theory and the Marxist Legacy
Sept. 19 Dependency and Class system theory
How to write an editorial
Book report selections due
Readings: Viotti and Kauppi, Chaps. 4 and selected readings: Hobson, Bush,
Wallerstein,
Scott and Garrison, Chapters 6, 7 and 8.
E-reserve: Kingsbury, A. (2011, August 2). Communism today. CQ Global Researcher,
5, 367-394. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/globalresearcher/
McLure, J. (2012, May 15). State capitalism. CQ Global Researcher, 6, 229-256.
Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/globalresearcher/
Christopher Chase-Dunn, Matheu Kaneshiro, James Love, Kirk Lawrence and Edwin
Elias, “Neoliberalism, Populist movements and the Pink Tide in Latin America,”
http://irows.ucr.edu/papers/irows58/irows58.htm
Essay II Question: What has sustained the popularity of the class system
perspective in poor nations? How does it translate into the modern era? (Due
September 26)
Week 6: The Third Debate
Sept. 26 Constructivist, Postmodern, and Critical Theory Approaches
Readings: Viotti and Kauppi, Chapters 6, 7, and selected readings: Wendt, Finnemore,
Booth, Campbell.
Question for reflection: Does the agent-structure conceptualization offer a meaningful
alternative for understanding international relations today?
Week 7: Feminist Approaches to IR Theory
Oct. 3
Readings: Viotti and Kauppi, Chapter 8 and selected readings: Young, Tickner.
E-reserve: Glazer, S. (2012, April 3). Women's rights. CQ Global Researcher, 6, 153180. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/
Video: Keeley Stucke, Women’s Rights: Raising the Glass Ceiling. Hamilton, NJ:
Films for the Humanities and Social Sciences, 2010.
http://proxying.lib.ncsu.edu/index.php?url=http://digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?ai
d=1238&xtid=39351
Week 8: The English School and Normative Applications
Oct. 10 History, Theory and Values - Political Culture
.
Readings: Viotti and Kauppi, Chapter 5 and 9 and selected readings: Grotius, Dunne,
Bull, Carr, Rawls, Obama
Question for reflection: What constitutes a "good" theory of international relations?
Does theory have practical applications?
Final Assignment Discussion – topic due Oct 17, project due last day of class
Reading: Scott and Garrison, Part III and IV
E-Reading for final assignment: Jennifer Sterling Folker, chapter 11.
Week 9: The Post-Globalization Era
Oct. 17 What is Globalization? Where is it today?
Reading: Michael Veseth, Globaloney.
Website: http://www.globalization101.org
Video: Globalization at a Crossroads http://digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=1238&xtid=39350
Recommended Readings for Globalization Background:
E-reserve: Keohane, Robert O. and Nye, Joseph, “Globalization: What’s New? What’s
Not? (And So What?), Foreign Policy, Spring 2000, pp. 104-119.
Mittleman, James H. "Globalization: An Ascendant Paradign?," International Studies
Perspectives, February 2002, 3:1. pp. 1-14.
Friedman, Thomas. The Lexus and the Olive Tree or The World is Flat
http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/
Steger, Manfred. Globalization: A very short introduction.
Steger, Manfred. Globalization: The Greatest Hits, A Global Studies Reader.
Issue Paper topic due
Week 10: Current Issues: Politics
Oct. 24
Book reports and Editorials due this week and the following three as they pertain
to the subjects
Readings:
Clemmitt, M. (2011, August 5). U.S.-Pakistan relations. CQ Researcher, 21,
Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/
653-676.
Flamini, R. (2012, February 7). Rising tension over Iran. CQ Global Researcher, 6, 5780. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/globalresearcher/
Week 11: Current Issues: Economics and Sustainability
Oct. 31
Readings:
Hack, C. (2012, July 3). Hosting the Olympics. CQ Global Researcher, 6, 305-328.
Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/globalresearcher/
Stier, K. J. (2012, June 5). China in Latin America. CQ Global Researcher, 6, 257-280.
Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/globalresearcher/
Week 12: Current Issues: Social and Cultural
Nov. 7
Readings:
Hartman, L. (2012, August 7). Islamic sectarianism. CQ Global Researcher, 6, 353-376.
Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/globalresearcher/
Beary, B. (2011, September 20). Saving indigenous peoples. CQ Global Researcher, 5,
447-472. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/globalresearcher/
Week 13: International Cooperation: Regional Integration and International
Organizations
Nov. 14
Readings:
Beary, B. (2012, April 17). Future of the EU. CQ Global Researcher, 6, 181-204.
Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/globalresearcher/
Price, T. (2012, March 20). Assessing the United Nations. CQ Global Researcher, 6,
129-152. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/globalresearcher/
Week 14: Thanksgiving – No Class
Nov. 21
Week 15: Report and Reflection
Nov. 28 Issue papers due and discussed