Introduction to International Relations

COURSE AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Course: PSC 1003

Semester: Fall 2013

Time: Mon, Fri 3:45-5

Location: Bell 108

INSTRUCTOR

Lawrence Olson

Monroe 426

Office hours: Mondays 1-3

INTRODUCTION

In a globalizing world, problems that were once considered the prerogative of the state impact the international arena and have become issues of concern for people living all over the world. How, for example, should the United States respond to recent changes in the Arab world, especially within the context of the War on Terror? More broadly, how should the United States respond to repressive regimes throughout the world? How should the world community respond to international terrorism? What should the role of the United States be in the world arena? How will globalization affect the lives of the average American citizen? How does the economic downturn in the United States affect other countries around the world? What should be done in the face of these problems? Global politics and the question of how the United States should tackle these issues has become a central issue in political discourse in this country.

The objective of this course is to give a basic theoretical understanding of the central questions of international relations as a field of study. Such an understanding will allow you to apply these theories to the real world in which we live. Due to the size of the class, the course will be primarily lecture. However, I intend to incorporate some discussion into the class, focusing primarily on the application of the theories you will learn to real world events. As such, it is crucial that you keep up with the reading. Furthermore, following the news will be a great benefit to you as well.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Nau, Henry. Perspectives on International Relations, 3rd ed. CQ Press, 2011.

Online readings available through the Electronic Reserves section on Blackboard

LEARNING OUTCOMES

As a result of completing this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the three major perspectives in international relations (realism, liberalism, and identity).

2. Use these perspectives to analyze events in the international arena.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

This course meets twice a week, and there are no sections. The grading distribution is listed below. There will be 3 exams throughout the course of the semester. None of the exams are cumulative; each will focus on the corresponding third of the class. The paper will be a research project, the details of which I will give you within the next few weeks. I take attendance every week, and this will factor into your participation grade. If you know you will be absent from class, please let me know in advance, and any necessary arrangements can be made.

Paper Submission Policy

All papers must be submitted as hard copies in class on the due date listed below. I do not accept email submissions. I will make exceptions to this policy on a case-by-case basis if there is some reason that you cannot turn in the paper in class (for example, an excused absence). If I give you permission to submit the paper by email, you must also turn in a hard copy of the paper in my mailbox in Monroe 440. Late papers will be penalized one letter grade per day.

GRADING

First Exam: 20%

Second Exam: 25%

Final Exam: 25%

Paper: 20%

Participation: 10%

NOTE: IN ACCORD WITH UNIVERSITY POLICY, THE FINAL EXAM WILL BE GIVEN DURING THE FINAL EXAM PERIOD AND NOT THE LAST WEEK OF THE SEMESTER

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

I personally support the GW Code of Academic Integrity. It states:: “Academic dishonesty is defined as cheating of any kind, including misrepresenting one's own work, taking credit for the work of others without crediting them and without appropriate authorization, and the fabrication of information.” For the remainder of the code, see:

SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES (DSS)

Any student who may need an accommodation based on the potential impact of a disability should contact the Disability Support Services office at 202-994-8250 in the MarvinCenter, Suite 242, to establish eligibility and to coordinate reasonable accommodations. For additional information please refer to:

UNIVERSITYCOUNSELINGCENTER (UCC)202-994-5300

The University Counseling Center (UCC) offers 24/7 assistance and referral to addressstudents'personal, social, career, and study skillsproblems. Services for students include:

-crisis and emergency mental health consultations

-confidential assessment, counseling services (individual and small group), and referrals

http://gwired.gwu.edu/counsel/CounselingServices/AcademicSupportServices

SECURITY

In the case of an emergency, if at all possible, the class should shelter in place. If the building that the class is in is affected, follow the evacuation procedures for the building. After evacuation, seek shelter at a predetermined rendezvous location.

Date / Topic / Reading
8/26/13 / Introduction to the course
8/30/13 / Basic Concepts: The State, Power, and Levels of Analysis / Ch 1: 21-24, Nye, Clinton
9/6/13 / Perspectives: Realism / Ch 1: 29-36
9/9/13 / Perspectives: Liberalism and Identity / Ch 1: 24-29, 36-53
9/13/13 / Realism: Balance of Power: World War I / Ch 2: 81-87, Ch 3: 103-114
9/16/13 / Identity: Nationalism and Conflict / Ch 3: 122-125, Ch 4: 150-156
9/20/13 / Liberalism: Interdependence and Collective Security / Ch 4: 131-139, Ch 8: 271-272
9/23/13 / Realism: The Cold War / Ch 5: 163-178, Ch 8: 272-279
9/27/13 / Liberalism: The Cold War / Ch 5: 187-195, Ch 8: 282-283
9/30/13 / First Exam
10/4/13 / Iran / Online readings
10/7/13 / Terrorism / Ch 7
10/11/13 / Ethnic Conflict / Ch 7
10/14/13 / Syria / Online readings
10/18/13 / History of Globalization / Ch 8
10/21/13 / How Globalization Works / Ch 9
10/25/13 / Critical Theory: Global Injustice / Ch 13
10/28/13 / The Globalization Debate / Online readings
11/1/13 / Second Exam
11/4/13 / Trade, Investment and Finance / Ch 10
11/8/13 / Development: The East Asian Miracle / Ch 11: 361-380
11/11/13 / China / Online readings
11/15/13 / Development: Latin America / Ch 11: 381-392
11/18/13 / Brazil / Online readings
11/22/13 / Development: Africa/Middle East: The Resource Curse / Ch 12
11/25/13 / Environment / Ch 14
12/2/13 / Human Rights and International Law / Ch 15
12/6/13 / Global Governance: The EU
Paper Due / Ch 16: 493-495, 503-511