International Relations

Prof. Kurt Mills

POSC 230
James Madison University
Spring 2003

Office Hours: T Th 2:00-3:30, and by appointment
Office: Maury 217
Phone: x86952
E-mail: mills2ka@jmu.edu

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. Unless otherwise noted, the readings on the syllabus can be found in the course reading packet. 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. The best paper for international news is the New York Times, which is available on the Internet (www.nytimes.com). The Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) is another good source of news. I will distribute information on subscribing to these papers at a reduced rate.

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. 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. While participation is not a fixed portion of your grade, it can help to boost your grade. That is, if your final grade is between two grades and you have participated well in class and attended class on a regular basis, then you will get the higher grade. If I detect an ongoing pattern of nonattendance, this could also negatively affect your 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 11, you will be given a blank map and asked to identify a number of countries. 10% of final course grade. World Map.

5 ) Quizzes. Throughout the semester there will be 6unannounced quizzes. They will be short, administered at the beginning of class, and designed to gauge whether you are doing the reading. If you miss a class when a quiz is given, or come in late, you will not be able to take it later. I will throw out the lowest grade. Thus, each quiz is worth 3 points. 15% of final course grade.

6) Debates on a Current International Issue. About eight or nine 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 4 or 5 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.

6) Midterm And Final Exams. These will be a combination of essay, short answer and identification. 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 February 25, and the Final will be given during the exam period. The Midterm exam will count for 25%, and the Final exam for 40%, for a total of 70% 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 have an e-mail address that they check regularly. I will distribute announcements and other materials via e-mail.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a very serious offense within the university community, and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Suspected plagiarism and other similar academic violations will be dealt with according to the Honor Code.

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. 14, 16)
•Read the syllabus
•Love: Maryann Cusimano Love, “Global Problems, Global Solutions,” pp. 1-42
•Robert Kaplan on NPR—listen to two interviews with Robert Kaplan on National Public Radio discussing his book Warrior Ethics Part 1 and Part 2 (in class)

Week 2: Theories of International Relations: An Overview
(Jan. 21, 23)
•Walter Clemens, Dynamics of International Relations, pp. 6-11
•Stephen Walt, “International Relations: One World, Many Theories,” Foreign Policy 110 (Spring 1998): 29-46
•Kurt Mills, Human Rights in the Emerging Global Order: A New Sovereignty?, pp. 9-26
•J. Ann Tickner, Gender in International Relations, pp. 1-25

•Viewing the World Through Maps

Week 3: Theories of International Relations: The Global System
(Jan. 28, 30)
•Kenneth Waltz, “The Anarchic Structure of World Politics” in Robert J. Art and Robert Jervis, International Politics: Enduring Concepts and Contemporary Issues, 5^th Edition (hereinafter referred to as International Politics), pp. 49-69
•Helen Milner, “A Critique of Anarchy,” in International Politics, 4^th Edition pp. 70-5
•Alexander Wendt, “Anarchy Is What States Make of It,” in International Politics, pp. 75-82
•Reserve: 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
•Barry Buzan, “Conclusions: System versus Units in Theorizing about the Third World,” in Stephanie Newman, ed., International Relations Theory and the Third World

Week 4: How Did We Get Here?: The Cold War and Beyond
(Feb. 4, 6)
•Reserve: “Great-Power Rivalries and Relations,” Charles Kegley and Eugene Wittkopf, World Politics: Trend and Transformation, pp. 85-122
•Movie: Faces of the Enemy

Week 5: National Security
(Feb. 11, 13)
•President Bill Clinton, “A National Security Strategy for a New Century,” December 1999
•President George W. Bush, “The National Security Strategy of the United States,” September 2002
•J. Ann Tickner, Gender in International Relations, pp. 26-66
•"Why We Fight," This American Life (December 20, 2002) (Online)

Week 6: International Security
(Feb. 20)
•Lawrence Freedman, “International Security: Changing Targets,” Foreign Policy 110 (Spring 1998): 48-63
•Reserve: Michael T. Klare, “The Era of Multiplying Schisms: World Security in the Twenty-First Century,” in Klare and Chandrani, eds. , pp. 59-77
•Michael T. Klare, “The New Geography of Conflict,” Foreign Affairs (May/June 2001): 49-61
•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: Midterm Exam/Professor Out of Town
(Feb. 25, 27)

Week 8: International Organization
(Mar. 3, 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
•Steven Ratner, “International Law: The Trials of Global Norms,” Foreign Policy 110 (Spring 1998): 65-80
•Robert Keohane, “International Institutions: Can Interdependence Work?” Foreign Policy 110 (Spring 1998): 82-96

Week 9: Globalization
(Mar. 18, 20)
•Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye, “Globalization: What’s New? What’s Not (And So What?)” Foreign Policy 118 (Spring 2000): 104-19
•Jan Art Scholte, Globalization: A Critical Introduction, pp. 41-88
•Jeffrey Sachs, “International Economics: Unlocking the Mysteries of Globalization,” Foreign Policy 110 (Spring 1998): 97-111
•“Globalization’s Last Hurrah,” Foreign Policy (Jan./Feb. 2002) (Online)

Week 10: International Political Economy
(Mar. 25, 27)
•Reserve: “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
•Helen Milner, “International Political Economy: Beyond Hegemonic Stability,” Foreign Policy 110 (Spring 1998): 112-23

•Maps of World Poverty from Le Monde Dilpomatique

Week 11: Transborder Problems
(Apr. 1, 3)
•Love: Vicki Golich, “The Nature of the Nature Problem, “ pp. 267-300
•Garret Hardin, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” in International Politics, pp. 508-13
•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. 8, 10)
•Rhoda Howard and Jack Donnelly, “Human Rights and World Politics,” in International Politics, pp. 30-48
•Mills, “Human Rights in the Emerging Global Order,” pp. 36-53
•Love: Art Kane, “Leaving Home: The Flow of Refugees”, pp. 301-322
•Handout: Barbara Crossette, “The Century of Refugee Ends. And Continues.” The New York Times (December 31, 2000)

Week 13: Humanitarian Intervention
(Apr. 15, 17)
•Movie: The Triumph of Evil
•Chantal de Jonge Oudraat, “Humanitarian Intervention: The Lessons Learned,” Current History 99 (December 2000): 419-29
•Howard Tolley, Jr., “President Clinton’s Response to Kosovo” (Online)

Week 14: TBA
(Apr. 22, 24)

Week 15: The Future: International Relations or Global Politics?
(Apr. 29, May 1)
•Love: Maryann Cusimano Love, “Mind the Gaps,” pp. 323-344
•Love: Maryann Cusimano Love, “Sovereignty’s Future: Changes Among Us,” pp. 345-65
•Jessica Tuchman Mathews, “Power Shift,” in International Politics, pp. 534-46
•“Naming a New Era,” Foreign Policy 119 (Summer 2000): 29-69
•Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye, “Power and Interdependence in the Information Age,” Foreign Affairs 77 (September/October 1998): 81-94