FOCUS OF THE COURSE:
This course provides an introduction to the study of international politics. It examines a series of major global issues and exposes students to some of the most important concepts, theories, and debates in the field.
COURSE MATERIALS:
The following items are available at the College Store:
All additional readings are on reserve in the Vassar College Library. Hard copies can be obtained from the Reserve Desk at the Library. Electronic copies can be accessed by computer via the Library's electronic reserve list for this course.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
The study of international politics has in recent years been greatly enhanced by the availability of information on the World Wide Web. It is now possible to access newpapers from around the world, foreign and U.S. government agencies, international organizations, and NGOs via computer. There are literally thousands of web sites of interest to students of international politics. You will want to become familiar with many of these. Many sites can easily be located by conducting a search via Google, Yahoo, etc. The Vassar Library offers Subject Research Guides, which provide links to a variety of sources in the following areas: Political Science, International Studies, Africana Studies, Asian Studies, and Latin American Studies.
Although this is not a course in current events, current events may be used to illustrate certain points and may sometimes become topics for discussion. It is thus important that students keep informed about developments in international affairs. This can be done by reading a good daily newspaper (New York Times, Washington Post) and/or a weekly newsmagazine (Newsweek, Time, U.S. News & World Report). It can also be accomplished by regularly reviewing internet news services (e.g., cnn.com, dailynews.yahoo.com). To see how international events are viewed by those outside the United States, students may wish to consult newspapers from other countries. Many are available on-line. Some are also available in hard copy in the current periodicals section of the Library.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Examinations. There will be a midterm and a final examination. The midterm will be given in class on Tuesday, October 12. The final examination will be self-scheduled, according to the procedures for self-scheduled examinations set by the Registrar. Each examination will consist mainly, perhaps entirely, of essay questions. Study questions will be distributed in advance of each examination.
Thought Essay. Each student will write a thought essay (an essay that requires no research beyond readings assigned for the course) of approximately 750 words (3 pages). The assignment will be given on Thursday, September 9, and the paper will be due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, September 14.
Research Paper. Each student will write a research paper of approximately 2500-3000 words (10-12 pages). Students will select their own paper topics, in consultation with the instructor and subject to his approval. A high-quality research paper is not something that can be dashed off in a day or two (though many students try). It is the culmination of a long process that includes formulating a topic, conducting research, refocusing the topic if necessary, conducting additional research, writing outlines, drafting the paper, conducting more research (to fill in any gaps you discover), editing and revising the draft, writing the final version, and and proofreading (not just spell-checking). To help structure this process, the following deadlines will apply:
1. October 28 -- students will submit a proposed topic, with a bibliography of at least five (5) sources. The bibliography must be annotated, which means that there must be a couple of sentences or a brief paragaph describing the source and its value to your project.
2. November 11 -- students will submit an outline of their paper. Outlines should be as detailed as possible.
3. November 23 -- first draft of paper is due at the beginning of class. Each draft will be given to another member of the class who will read it and offer written comments and suggestions for improvement.
4. November 30 -- written comments on drafts are due at the beginning of class; they will be distributed to authors at the end of class.
5. December 6 -- final draft of the paper is due in my mailbox in the Political Science Department Office by 5:00 p.m.
EXTENSIONS AND MAKE-UP EXAMS:
The granting of extensions and make-ups to some students effectively penalizes others whose work might also have benefited from additional time, but who completed an assignment when it was due. In the interest of fairness, then, an extension or permission to take a make-up examination ordinarily will be granted only in cases of personal or family illness or other emergency. An extremely heavy academic workload may, in exceptional cases, justify a brief extension, though not a make-up examination. A student who does not take an examination and who has not been granted permission for a make-up will automatically fail the examination and the course. Late assignments for which no extension has been granted will be penalized a maximum of one-third of a letter grade per day.
ATTENDANCE:
By attending class meetings, and by asking questions and partipating in discussions, a student contributes not only to his or her own education, but to the education of other students as well. Regular attendance is therefore essential. Unexcused absences, if sufficiently large in number, will lead to a lowering of a student's course grade, and in extreme cases could result in failure of the course itself. Absence from class will be excused in cases of personal or family illness or emergency, and in other situations where the instructor deems it to be justified.
GRADING:
The following formula will be used to calculate a student's grade:
Thought Essay -- 10 percent
Research Paper -- 30 percent
Midterm Examination -- 30 percent
Final Examination -- 30 percent
Some adjustment may, however, be made in cases of dramatically improved (or deteriorated) performance during the semester, in cases involving an aberrant performance on a single exercise, in cases where classroom participation has been especially strong or unusually weak, or in other cases where the instructor deems it necessary in order to render a student's final grade an accurate reflection of his or her performance in the course. All written assignments must be completed in order to earn a passing grade. Failure to write an examination or to turn in an assignment will result in failure of the course.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Academic accommodations are available for students with documented disabilities. Please schedule an appointment with the instructor early in the semester to discuss any accommodation(s) that may be needed for this course. All accommodations must be approved through the Office of Disability and Support Services (ext. 7584) as indicated in their accommodation letter.
COMMUNICATING WITH THE INSTRUCTOR:
My office is located in Rockefeller 110A (through the Political Science Department Office). My office hours this semester are Mondays, 2:00-3:00, and Thursdays, 3:00-4:30. I am available at other times by appointment. My office phone is x5558; my home phone is 471-1896. Please do not call me at home before 8:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. E-mail is generally a very good way of contacting me. Send your messages to strock@vassar.edu.
August 31, September 2 The Origins and Nature of the Westphalian International System
Herz, "Rise and Demise of the Territorial State"
September 7 Westphalia and the Challenge of Ethnic Conflict
Gurr, "Ethnic Warfare on the Wane"
September 9 Westphalia and the Challenge of Globalization
Mathews, "Power Shift"
Kobrin, "Electronic Cash and the End of National Markets"
Rodrik, "Sense and Nonsense in the Globalization Debate"
I: Peace and Security
September 14, 16 Realism: Anarchy and the Balance of Power
Mearsheimer, "Why We Will Soon Miss the Cold War"
September 21 Liberalism: Political
Russett and Oneal, Triangulating Peace, chaps. 1-3
September 23 Liberalism: Economic
Russett and Oneal, Triangulating Peace, chap. 4
Copeland, "Economic Interdependence and War: A Theory of Trade Expectations"
September 28 Liberalism: Institutional
Russett and Oneal, Triangulating Peace, chaps. 5-6
Mearsheimer, "The False Promise of International Institutions"
September 30 The Culturalist Challenge to Liberal Optimism
Huntington, "Clash of Civilizations"
Russett and Oneal, Triangulating Peace, chap. 7
October 5, 7 The Changing Nature of the Security Problem
Ayoob, "The Security Problematic of the Third World"
Laqueur, "Postmodern Terrorism"
David, "Internal War: Causes and Cures"
October 12 Midterm Examination
II: The Production and Distribution of Wealth
October 14, 26 The Origins and Nature of the Contemporary International Economic System
Lairson and Skidmore, International Political Economy, chaps. 1-5
October 28 Conflict and Cooperation among Developed States
Lairson and Skidmore, International Political Economy, chaps. 6-7
November 2, 4 Underdevelopment: Diagnoses and Prescriptions
Lairson and Skidmore, International Political Economy, chaps. 8-11
November 9 The Special Problem of Third World Debt
Lairson and Skidmore, International Political Economy, chap. 12
I: Human Rights
November 11 The Evolution and Internationalization of Human Rights
Donnelly, Universal Human Rights, chaps. 1-3
Binion, "Human Rights: A Feminist Perspective"
November 16 Universalism and Cultural Relativism
Donnelly, Universal Human Rights, chaps. 4-7
November 18 The Politics of International Human Rights
Donnelly, Universal Human Rights, chaps. 8-10
II: Environment and Ecological Sustainability
November 23 Major Environmental and Ecological Problems
Lairson and Skidmore, International Political Economy, chap. 13
November 30 Environmental Problems as a Potential Cause of Conflict
Homer-Dixon, "Environmental Scarcities and Violent Conflict: Evidence from Cases"
Postel and Wolf, "Dehydrating Conflict"
December 2 International Politics of the Environment
Durbin, "Trade and the Environment: The North-South Divide"
December 7 Conclusion to the Course