Office Hours: MF 9:30-11:00, and by appointment (no appointments on Wednesdays)
Office: Glatfelter 315
Phone: 337-6039
E-mail:
International
Relations
Prof. Kurt Mills
POL 103
Gettysburg College
Spring 2004
Office Hours: MF 9:30-11:00, and by appointment (no appointments on Wednesdays)
Office: Glatfelter 315
Phone: 337-6039
E-mail:
Over the past few years,
the global political environment has undergone vast change. The end of the Cold
War has made new kinds of interactions possible. Old empires have crumbled,
and enemies have been transformed into allies. At the same time, new threats
and opportunities are emerging, and the world is increasingly becoming a “global
village.” Individual states are realizing that there are many issues that
they can no longer handle alone, including threats to the environment and security.
Increasingly, states are turning towards global organizations, such as the United
Nations, to cooperate on these issues. Paradoxically, concurrent with increasing
globalization we can see increasing localization, with the spread of communal
conflict, which also has significant international consequences. We will all
be affected by the dramatic events taking place within, beyond, and across borders,
and it is important that we try to understand the way the world works and the
impact we can have on it.
This course is an introduction to international relations—the wide variety
of interactions and political relationships that occur across borders. It is
both theoretical and issues-based. It is theoretical in that it will introduce
you to the major theoretical approaches to the study of world politics. During
the course of the semester we will revisit these theoretical perspectives to
apply them to the real world and to provide critiques of the theories. It is
issues-based in that we will look at some of the major current issues facing
the international community today. Throughout the course you will acquire the
tools necessary to analyze and think critically about world politics. It is
not intended to provide you with answers, but rather to help you develop the
ability to ask questions and investigate them in a rigorous and critical manner.
It is an introduction to continuing debates in international relations and will
provide you with a solid foundation for further study of world politics.
I start with the assumption
that you will learn more the greater you are involved with the material covered
in class. Thus, there will be elements of class discussion as well as lectures,
debates, exams, and interactive activities.
The formal requirements for the course are as follows:
1) Do the Reading. To gain an adequate understanding of the basic concepts
and to be able to participate in class discussion, you must do all of the assigned
reading. All reading is due the first day of class for the week it is assigned.
Most readings on the syllabus can be found on Blackboard or elsewhere online
as indicated. I may also distribute short readings via e-mail, reserve, or handouts.
One book is required and is available at the bookstore: Maryann Cusimano Love,
ed., Beyond Sovereignty: Issues for a Global Agenda, 2nd edition (referred
to as Love).
2) Follow the News. Throughout the semester, we will tie the concepts
and ideas covered in the course to current international political events. During
many, if not most, class meetings we will start with a brief discussion of some
of the most important international developments, and following the international
news regularly will help provide a common base from which all of us can work.
You are thus responsible for keeping up with international news on a daily basis
and should be prepared with questions and comments on the international news.
Good sources of international news are: The New York Times (www.nytimes.com);
The Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com);
National Public Radio (also online: www.npr.org);
The Independent (www.independent.co.uk);
The Guardian (www.guardian.co.uk).
3) Class Participation And Attendance. Class attendance is crucial since
much of the class is based on what goes on in the classroom, and you will be
unable to fully engage with the material in the course if you do not attend
class on a regular basis. Nonattendance will also inevitably be reflected in
your exam and other grades, since you will miss crucial information and discussion
by not showing up for class. Beyond attendance, however, one of the best ways
for me to ensure that you have mastered the course material is to evaluate your
participation in class. Thus, you are expected to take an active part in the
general discussion in the class. This includes the regular news discussions
mentioned above, as well as discussions of class materials. In addition, you
will participate in an ongoing Blackboard discussion. Each week you are expected
to contribute at least comment on the class discussion board. It should relate
to something you have read or talked about in class that week. You may respond
to other classmates’ comments. Quality of comments and questions is valued
more than quantity. Further, part of participating means being respectful of
the opinions of others in the class. Thus, while you may not agree with what
may be expressed by a fellow student (or the professor), you are expected to
listen and respond in a respectful manner. Finally, If I detect an ongoing pattern
of nonattendance, this can negatively affect your grade. 20% of final course
grade.
4) Map Quiz. An important part of understanding international
relations is being familiar with how the world is divided up politically—in
others words, knowing what countries are where. On February 6, you will be given
a blank map and asked to identify a number of countries. 10% of final course
grade. World
Map
5) Web Issue Journal You will choose a current international issue and do
background research on it. Then, over the course of the semester you will follow
your issue in the news, making note in at least one journal entry a week of
news items relevant to the issue. In each entry, you should reflect on how the
news item relates to the class, including the major theorretical perspectives
we have discussed. The last journal entry will be a short essay (approximately
750-1000 words) in which you reflect on how your issue fits in with the theories
and other issues we have discussed in class during the course of the semester.
All of this will be uploaded to your web page on a regular basis. It is hoped
that you will also bring the information and insights about your country into
regular class discussion. This final essay will be due on your web page on the
last day of class. While you are constructing your Web page, feel free to add
other resources, such as maps and links to other sources of information about
your issue. You may consult with the Student Technology Assistants available
in the Library for help with constructing your web page, and they will hold
training sessions for the class. 20% of the final course grade.
6) Debates on a Current International Issue. Several times during the
semester members of the class will participate in formal debates on current
international topics. Each person will participate in one debate, on a team
with about 3 people. Debate topics and dates will be distributed by the second
week of class. You will have an opportunity to express your preference on which
issue you would like to debate, and I will try as much as possible to construct
teams based on those preferences. You will not get to choose which side of the
debate you will be on. You will meet with me to discuss your debate preparation.
On the day of the debate you will hand in an outline of your main points and
a list of sources you consulted during your research. 10% of final course grade.
7) Midterm And Final Exams. They may be completely in-class, or there
may be a take-home essay component to them. The Midterm will be given the week
of March 1, and the Final will be given during the exam period on May 15. The
Midterm exam will count for 15%, and the Final exam for 25%, for a total of
40% of the final course grade.
Other Policies:
The policies in this syllabus will be strictly adhered to. If you are unable
to follow these policies at any time during the semester, please consult with
me in person as you become aware of any difficulty. Do not wait until the end
of the semester to raise your concerns.
You are encouraged to come talk with me about questions you may have regarding
the material in the class. I will also be happy to discuss your performance
in the class with you at any time.
E-mail: All class members must check their Gettysburg e-mail address
regularly. I will distribute announcements and other materials via e-mail.
Honor Code: Any instances of academic dishonesty will be dealt with according
to the honor code. If you have questions of what might constitute an infraction
of the honor code, including plagiarism, please feel free to talk with me.
Class Conduct: This class will be conducted in an open and supportive
manner. Please be respectful others in the classroom, and expect the same respect
from your classmates.
Papers: All papers are to be typed, double-spaced, in a 12 point font.
You are responsible for all errors in your papers, including grammatical and
spelling mistakes.
Late Assignments: Late assignments will be significantly penalized.
Failure to complete an assignment is grounds for failure in the course.
I reserve the right to modify this syllabus during the course of the semester.
Participation in this course implies acceptance of all of the policies and
requirements stated in this syllabus.
Week 1: Introduction
(Jan. 23)
•Read the syllabus
Week 2: Theories of International Relations: An Overview
(Jan. 26, 30)
•Research presentation in the Library (Jan. 30)
•Love: Maryann Cusimano Love, “Global Problems, Global Solutions,”
pp. 1-42
•Blackboard: Walter Clemens, Dynamics of International Relations,
(Lanham, MD 1998): 5-11
•Blackboard: Stephen Walt, “International Relations: One World,
Many Theories,” Foreign Policy 110 (Spring 1998): 29-46
•Blackboard: Kurt Mills, Human Rights in the Emerging Global
Order: A New Sovereignty?, pp. 9-36
•Blackboard: J. Ann Tickner, Gender in International Relations,
(New York: Columbia University Press, 1992) pp. 1-25
Week 3: Theories of International Relations: The Global System
(Feb. 2, 6)
•Blackboard: “International Systems” in Glenn Hastedt
and Kay Knickrehm, International Politics in a Changing World (New York:
Longman, 2003): 98-132
•Blackboard: Alexander Wendt, “Anarchy Is What States Make
of It,” in International Politics, pp. 75-82
•Blackboard: James N. Rosenau, “The Dynamism of a Turbulent World,”
in Michael Klare and Yogesh Chandrani, eds., World Security: Challenges for
a New Century, pp. 18-35
Week 4: How Did We Get Here?: The Cold War and Beyond
(Feb. 9, 13)
•Blackboard: “Great Power Rivalries and Relations,”
Charles Kegley and Eugene Wittkopf, World Politics: Trend and Transformation,
pp. 99-122
•Movie: Faces of the Enemy
Week 5: National Security
(Feb. 16, 20)
•Online: Howard Dean, “Restoring
American Leadership: A New Direction for American Foreign Policy”
•Online: President George W. Bush, “The
National Security Strategy of the United States,” September 2002
•Blackboard: J. Ann Tickner, Gender in International Relations,
pp. 26-66
Week 6: International Security
(Feb. 23, 27)
•Blackboard: Lawrence Freedman, “International Security: Changing
Targets,” Foreign Policy 110 (Spring 1998): 48-63
•Blackboard: Michael T. Klare, “The Era of Multiplying Schisms:
World Security in the Twenty-First Century,” in Klare and Chandrani, eds.
, pp. 59-77
•Blackboard: Michael T. Klare, “The New Geography of Conflict,”
Foreign Affairs (May/June 2001): 49-61
•Blackboard: Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye, “ Complex Interdependence
and the Role of Force,” in Robert Art and Robert Jervis, International
Politics, pp. 229-45
Week 7: International Organization
(Mar. 1, 5)
•Love: Maria Green Cowles, “International Organizations and
Transsovereign Problems: The New Battleground,” pp. 43-70
•Love: Maryann Cusimano Love, “Nongovernmental Organizations:
Politics Beyond Sovereignty,” pp. 71-94
•Foreign Policy: Steven Ratner, “International Law: The Trials
of Global Norms,” Foreign Policy 110 (Spring 1998): 65-80
•Foreign Policy: Robert Keohane, “International Institutions:
Can Interdependence Work?” Foreign Policy 110 (Spring 1998): 82-96
Week 8: Midterm/TBA
(Mar. 8, 12)
Week 9: Globalization
(Mar. 23, 25)
•Blackboard: Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye, “Globalization:
What’s New? What’s Not (And So What?)” Foreign Policy
118 (Spring 2000): 104-19
•Online: Jan Art Scholte, “What
Is Globalization? The Definitional Issue — Again,” Centre for
the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, The University of Warwick, CSGR
Working Paper No. 109/02, December 2002
•“Measuring
Globalization: Economic Reversals, Foreign Momentum, Foreign Policy
Week 10: International Political Economy
(Mar. 29, Apr. 2)
•Blackboard: “Trade and Monetary Issues in a Globalized Political
Economy” and “The Plight and Policy Posture of the Less Developed
Global South” in Kegley and Wittkopf, World Politics: Trend and Transformation,
pp. 206-244, 105-144
•Love: Richard A. Love and Maryann Cusimano Love, “Multinational
Corporations: Power and Responsibility,” pp. 95-118
Week 11: Transborder Problems
(Apr. 5, 8)
•Love: Vicki Golich, “The Nature of the Nature Problem, “
pp. 267-300
•Garret Hardin, “The Tragedy
of the Commons,” Science 162 (1968): 1243-48
•Love: Stephen E. Flynn, “The Global Drug Trade versus the
Nation-State,” pp. 167-194
•Love: Martha Crenshaw and Maryann Cusimano Love, “Networked
Terror,” pp. 119-142
•Love: Richard A. Love, “ The Cyberthreat Continuum,”
pp. 195-218
Week 12: Human Rights and Refugees
(Apr. 16)
•Blackboard: Rhoda Howard and Jack Donnelly, “Human Rights
and World Politics,” in International Politics, pp. 30-48
•Love: Art Kane, “Leaving Home: The Flow of Refugees”,
pp. 301-322
Week 13: TBA
(Apr. 19, 23)
Week 14: Humanitarian Intervention
(Apr. 26, 30)
•Movie: The Triumph of Evil
•Blackboard: Chantal de Jonge Oudraat, “Humanitarian Intervention:
The Lessons Learned,” Current History 99 (December 2000): 419-29
Week 15: The Future: International Relations or Global Politics?
(May 3, 7)
•Love: Maryann Cusimano Love, “Mind the Gaps,” pp. 323-344
•Love: Maryann Cusimano Love, “Sovereignty’s Future: Changes
Among Us,” pp. 345-65
•Blackboard: “Naming a New Era,” Foreign Policy
119 (Summer 2000): 29-69