Political Science/International Studies 105
International Relations
Summer 2014
Bill Newmann, Political
Science program
Office
Hours: 102 Moseley House, right after class and by appointment;
E-mail:
wnewmann@vcu.edu; Phone Number:
828-8038
Newmann's home page
with links to other course syllabi
(http://www.people.vcu.edu/~wnewmann)
Important
See the note on campus safety at the end of the syllabus
Introduction
This
course is intended to be an introduction to the concepts of international
relations theory and the realities of world politics. Don't worry if you
haven't taken any courses on international relations before. If you haven't
this will get you up to speed on anything you might want to know about
international politics. As a required course for the Political Science degree
and a core course choice for the International Studies degree, this course is
introductory by nature. If you have taken other international relations related
courses this won't be boring: I try to make the discussions we have as relevant
to the present world situation as possible. So much has changed within world
politics over the past decade that scholars are still trying to understand what
it all means. We'll join that discussion over the current state of world
politics and the future of the international system.
The
course will be broken up into three sections. The first section deals with some
of the more theoretical aspects of international relations: the nature of the
international system, the basic concepts of realism, idealism, and
constructivism, the forces of nationalism and transnationalism, national power,
and international law. These are mostly theoretical issues, but we need to get
a firm grounding in some theory before we venture out into the world and its
problems. Essentially, here we lay the groundwork for the substantive
discussions to come.
The
second section is more issue oriented, dealing with issues of international
security. We’ll look at these issues on several levels. First, we’ll on states and why they often go
to war and less often seem to find a way to prevent war. Second, we’ll look at non-state actors. We’ll look at intergovernmental organizations,
the United Nations in particular, and we’ll look at organizations (such as
al-Qaeda) or individuals (and the issue of human rights).
The
third section deals with several issues that have particular relevance to
international politics after the Cold War. We will examine international
political economy, trade, economic competition, the economics of both the
industrialized North and underdeveloped South, the concept of interdependence,
the struggle between globalization and regionalism (forces that are pulling
nations together or pulling them apart), and international health and
demographic issues.
We
will also spend time examining current events, as they crop up from time to
time. Though we
certainly have a lot to do (the entire world in one semester), we can change
the plan of the syllabus as needed. There's no better way to deal with
these issues than to watch history happen and discuss its relevance to the
issues we deal with in class and readings.
The
internet has become an excellent resource for information on international
affairs. In order to help you introduce you to international affairs resources
on the web I will provide a brief run down on the types of websites that exist.
From the syllabus on the web you can jump to a number of sites..
This
course is a required course for Political Science majors (and minors) and a
core course for both the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness program
and the International Studies major (and minor). It also satisfies College of
Humanities and Sciences and University General Education requirements.
Required Texts:
Available at Virginia Book Company and at the VCU Bookstore. In general, if you
have questions or problems with getting the books or the material in the books,
let me know.
Some of the books may be on reserve at Cabell Library room 301. As I get more info on this, I’ll let you
know.
·
Henry Nau. Perspectives on
International Relations, Fourth Edition (Washington, DC: Congressional
Quarterly Press, 2014 978-1-4522-4148-7
(if you want to use a used copy of the 3rd edition, that works too).
·
National Intelligence Council (NIC), Office of the
Director of National Intelligence. Global
Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds, December 2012 http://www.odni.gov/index.php/about/organization/national-intelligence-council-global-trends or http://www.odni.gov/files/documents/GlobalTrends_2030.pdf
·
Robert D. Kaplan. Asia's
Cauldron: The South China Sea and the End of a Stable Pacific (New York: Random House 2014) 978-0812994322
·
Thomas L.
Friedman, The World Is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the
Twenty-first Century (New
York: Picador, Reprint edition 2007) 0312425074
A note on the readings:
Nau’s
book fits this course very well. In the
first few days we’ll be examining the three main theories of international
relations: realism (a focus on power), idealism or liberalism (a focus on
institutions and law), and constructivism (a focus on ideas). Nau’s book uses
this same approach, examining international issues such as war or trade or
human rights from each of these perspectives.
It is an excellent way of illustrating the complexity of the issues and
the way different perspectives highlight different ways of thinking about the
world.
The
National Intelligence Council (NIC) is an advisory group for the Director of
National Intelligence, the highest official in the US Intelligence Community.
The NIC is responsible for writing intelligence analyses that go to the
President of the US; its reports represent the Intelligence Community’s
official judgment of a given issue and are usually classified. However, the NIC also produces unclassified
‘global trends” reports every five years, which use scenario planning to make
judgments on what the world will be like in 15-20 years. The analysis is based on input from all
members of the Intelligence Community in the US, as well as academic, business,
and foreign government contributions.
Kaplan’s
book examines what some are calling the “Berlin” of the Far East – the place
most likely to set off a major war between global powers. The South China Sea contains oil and natural
gas and its sea lanes are the routes used by an increasing percentage world
trade. An estimated that 50% of all world oil shipments pass through the South
China Sea and some economists estimate that as much as 50% of all global trade
depends on shipping through the South China Sea (either goods flowing through
the region or energy resources). Almost
all of China’s trade depends on shipping that passes through the South China
Sea. Here’s where it gets messy. China claims nearly all of the South China
Sea as its territory which puts it at odds with the international regime that
defines the economic control of the oceans also puts its territorial claim in
direct opposition to claims made by Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, and the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The US has been committed to freedom of the seas since its founding; it
entered WW I and WW II because of freedom of navigation issues and rivalries
over trade in East Asia. It also
currently has deep trade relations and/or mutual defense treaties with just
about all the nations whose ocean regions China has claimed.
Friedman
has written a book on the globalization trend in the world -- the subtle yet
transforming emergence of a global economy. His analysis looks at the social
and political changes that accompany the global marketplace. He examines both
the good and bad side of globalization though he does lean toward the opinion
that globalization is beneficial in the long run.
Grades
|
5% of the grade |
June 26 |
|
|
Exam 1 |
30% of the grade |
July 1 |
|
Exam 2 |
30% of the grade |
July 14 |
|
Exam 3 (Final) |
35% of the grade |
July 24 |
How to calculate your
grade: Use the percentages from the
above table. So, if you received the following grades, you would calculate your
grades in the following manner:
Congratulations, you got an
A.
I give you this very detailed
formula for a number of reasons. First, you should never be unaware of what
your class average is. You can calculate it at any point in the semester.
Second, there are nearly 400 people in this class, so I cannot calculate all
your grades for you if you have questions. This way, I don't need to. Third, if
your grade is not what you'd like it to be, you should know, and you should
come see me about it. Please do not come to me after Exam 3 and say that you're
having trouble in the class. It's too late at that point. But any time in the
semester that you feel you are having trouble, or not doing as well as you feel
you should, come talk to me. During my office hours and by appointment I am
happy to talk to you about the class
Grading
scale: I use a typical scale: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 55-69.
Borderline grades are considered in the following manner.
·
If your grade is
69.5, 79.5, or 89.5 or higher, then you may be a candidate for a round up to
the higher grade (Notice those numbers in the sentence; do not ask for a higher
grade if your average is a 68 or 78 or 88 or lower; those are not borderline
averages).
·
You may become a
candidate if your grades are borderline and if your
grades have been going up during the semester.
·
That means that
if you are borderline, but your last exam is lower than the previous exams (you
are between a B and C, but your third exam is a C for example), you will
probably get the lower grade.
·
If you are
borderline, and your last exam is higher than the previous exams (you are
between a B and C, but your third exam is a B), you will probably get the
higher grade.
·
Another factor I
consider is the typical grade you receive. Let’s say we have four grades for
the class and three are grades of B and one is a C (bad day) and your average
is a 79.6, you are a candidate for receiving a B
·
There is no extra
credit for this class. Please do not
ask.
I will explain this the first
day of class. For the instructions follow the link. Here you can find Printable
Blank Maps to study from.
EXAMS: The exams will be
multiple choice. Before the exam I will place a review
sheet on line, linked to this syllabus, below this paragraph. This review sheet
should be used as your study guide for the exam. The review sheet will include
some terms that are from the readings only, so that you can go back and review
those items from the readings. Once you have the review sheet, feel free to ask
me questions about the terms. This is the best way to study for the exam. If
you understand the terms on the review sheet, you can define each one and see
how each one relates to the larger concepts and issues we've discussed in
class, you should do just fine on the exam.
After the grades are ready, they will be posted on blackboard.
The reviews will be right
here when they are posted
COURSE AND RE
Important:
1. Do all readings before the
assigned class period.
2. The PPT slides are not
necessarily full of information. After
the first day you’ll see what I mean.
Most are illustrations, but some may contain info that can be used in
class as a reference. Take a look at the
PPT for the upcoming lecture before class and decide which slides might be
useful to bring to class. If I think
something is particularly useful, I will let you know.
Day 1: June 23: Introduction:
The Nature of the International System
·
No Readings
·
Nature
of the International System PPT
·
Links to general
information on nation-states
Day 2, June 24: Realism, Idealism, Constructivism or Power, Law,
Identity
·
Nau, Chapter 1, pp. 37-71 and Chapter 2.
·
Theories
of International Relations PPT
·
Links on military power
·
Links on International
Law (also War Crimes Tribunals)
Day 3, June 25: Realism, Idealism, Constructivism or Power, Law, Identity (continued)
·
Nau, Chapters 3 and Chapter 4, pp. 149-182
Day 4, June 26 The
Evolution of the International System
·
Map Quiz
·
Nau, Chapter 4, pp. 182-196.
·
NIC, pp. 1-58
·
The
Future of the international
system?
Day 5, June 30: The Future of the International System?
·
NIC, pp. 59-133.
Day 6, July 1: The Causes of War and Peace
·
Exam 1
·
War and
Peace.ppt (for second exam)
·
No readings
Day 7, July 2: The Causes of War and Peace
·
Nau, Chapter 5
Day 8, July 3: Nationalism and Transnationalism
· Nau, Chapter 6
Day 9, July 7: Non-State Actors: IGOs
·
Kaplan, Chapters
1-2
· International Organization PPT
·
Links to the United
Nations System
·
Links to UN
Peacekeeping Operations
·
Links to International
Organizations that are not part of the UN System
·
Links to Regional
Organizations
Day 10, July 8: Non-State Actors: NGOs: The Good:
·
Nau, Chapter 7, pp. 289-314
·
Kaplan, Chapters
3-4
Day 11, July 9: Non-State Actors: NGOs: The Bad: Terrorism
·
Kaplan, Chapters
5-7
·
Links to
sources on Terrorism,
homeland security, and emergency management
·
Links to sources
on Weapons
of Mass Destruction
Day 12, July 10: South China Sea: Creating Rules and Trying to
Enforce Them
·
Kaplan, Chapter 8
and Epilogue
Day 13, July 14: Intro to International Political Economy
·
Exam 2
·
No Readings
·
Intro to International
Political Economy PPT (for third exam)
Day 14, July 15: Intro to International Political Economy (continued)
·
Nau, Chapter 8
Day 15, July 16: Rich and Poor Nations
·
Friedman
, Chapter 1, Chapter 2, pp. 51-77.
Day 16, July 17: The Developing World and Globalization
·
Nau, Chapter 9, pp. 385-431.
·
Friedman, Chapter
2, pp. 77-93
Day 17, July 21: Economic Development
and the Environment
·
Friedman, Chapter
2, pp. 93-167.
·
International
Environmental issues PPT
·
Links to sources
on the Global
Environment
Day 18, July 22: Economic Development and Global Health
·
Friedman, Chapter
2, pp. 167-199 and Chapter 3.
Day 19, July 23: Human Rights
·
Nau, Chapter 7, pp. 315-325
·
Friedman, Chapter
4 and 15.
·
Links to sources
on Human Rights
·
Links to sources
on International
Humanitarian Crises
Exam 3, July 24.
Where can you find information on
international affairs?
This is the questions students always ask me: “Where
do I find good information on international affairs? I’m looking for something
unbiased and something that doesn’t always look at the world through American
eyes (as in how do these developments affect the US).” Here’s the short answer:
For day by day coverage of events in the world:
World
News Network: http://wn.com/ This
is a site which covers day-by-day events by creating links to major news papers
around the world. So if something is
happening in Pakistan, for example, there will be several links to stories
about the event from web-based sources in S. Asia, E. Asia, Europe, N. America… It also
has links to regional windows with coverage that is more focused. It even has links to issue-specific
compilations of links on various issues.
For example, the science page has sections for stories on AIDS, Biotech,
cloning…
On a weekly basis:
The
Economist: www.economist.com. This is a Britain-based weekly which covers
world politics and world business. There
really is nothing else like it in the comprehensive nature of its coverage. You can also buy it on the newsstand, but the
web is free. It covers world politics
very well.
Long Term Views of Crisis and Conflict:
International
Crisis Group: www.crisisweb.org. This is the International Crisis Group, a non-profit
organization that studies, analyzes, and makes recommendations about how to
resolve various crises in the world.
There is nothing better for the in-depth examination of current world
events and the dilemmas of problem solving and peace making. It has reports (30-50 pages), briefings
(10-30), and a weekly briefing (Crisis Watch), which you can get on the web
site or sign up for e-mail delivery.
VCU Policies
Email Policy
Electronic mail or "email" is considered an
official method for communication at VCU because it delivers information in a
convenient, timely, cost effective, and environmentally aware manner. This
policy ensures that all students have access to this important form of
communication. It ensures students can be reached through a standardized
channel by faculty and other staff of the University as needed. Mail sent to
the VCU email address may include notification of University-related actions,
including disciplinary action. Please read the policy in its entirety: http://www.ts.vcu.edu/kb/3407.html
VCU Honor System: Plagiarism and Academic Integrity
The VCU honor system policy describes the
responsibilities of students, faculty, and administration in upholding academic
integrity, while at the same time respecting the rights of individuals to the
due process offered by administrative hearings and appeals. According to his
policy, "members of the academic community are required to conduct
themselves in accordance with the highest standards of academic honesty and
integrity." In addition, "All members of the VCU community are
presumed to have an understanding of the VCU Honor System and are required to:
·
Agree to be bound
by the Honor System policy and its procedures;
·
Report suspicion
or knowledge of possible violations of the Honor System;
·
Support an
environment that reflects a commitment to academic integrity;
·
Answer truthfully
when called upon to do so regarding Honor System cases, and,
·
Maintain
confidentiality regarding specific information in Honor System cases.
Most importantly, "All VCU students are presumed
upon enrollment to have acquainted themselves with and have an understanding of
the Honor System." (The VCU INSIDER, VCU Honor System 131-132).
The Honor System in its entirety can be reviewed on
the Web at http://www.provost.vcu.edu/pdfs/Honor_system_policy.pdf
or it can be found in the 2011-12
VCU Insider at http://www.students.vcu.edu/insider.html
In this class, because coursework will be
collaborative at times, particular issues of integrity arise. You should not
copy or print another student's work without permission. Any material (this includes
IDEAS and LANGUAGE) from another source must be credited, whether that material
is quoted directly, summarized, or paraphrased. In other words, you should
respect the work of others and in no way present it as their own.
Student Conduct in the Classroom
According to the VCU Resource Guide, "The
instructional program at VCU is based upon the premise that students enrolled
in a class are entitled to receive instruction free from interference by other students.
Accordingly, in classrooms, laboratories, studies, and other learning areas,
students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly and cooperative
manner so that the faculty member can proceed with their [sic] customary
instruction. Faculty members (including graduate teaching assistants) may set
reasonable standards for classroom behavior in order to serve these objectives.
If a student believes that the behavior of another student is disruptive, the
instructor should be informed." Among other things, cell phones and
beepers should be turned off while in the classroom. Also, the University Rules
and Procedures prohibit anyone from having ".in his possession any
firearm, other weapon, or explosive, regardless of whether a license to possess
the same has been issued, without the written authorization of the President of
the university..." See http://www.students.vcu.edu/rg/policies/rg7conductguide.html
and the VCU Resource Guide for more information: http://www.students.vcu.edu/insider.html
Certainly the expectation in this course is that
students will attend class with punctuality, proper decorum, required course material,
and studious involvement.
The VCU Resource Guide contains additional
important information about a number of other policies with which students
should be familiar, including Guidelines on Prohibition of Sexual Harassment,
Grade Review Procedure, and Ethics Policy on Computing. It also contains maps,
phone numbers, and information about resources available to VCU students. The VCU
Resource Guide is available online at the link above or through the
Division of Student Affairs.
Students with Disabilities
SECTION 504
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 require that VCU provide an "academic adjustment" and/or a
"reasonable accommodation" to any individual who advises us of a
physical and/or mental disability. To receive accommodations, students must
declare their need for disability-related accommodations with the Disability
Support Services Office (DSS). The DSS office is located in the Student
Commons, Room 102. The office phone number is 828-2253. The Director of
Disability Support Services is Joyce Knight. More information is available at
the Disability Support Services webpage: http://www.students.vcu.edu/dss/
If you have a physical or mental impairment that
requires an academic adjustment or accommodation, arrange a meeting with me at
your earliest convenience. Additionally, if your coursework requires you to
work in a lab environment, you should advise me or department chairperson of
any concerns you may have regarding safety issues related to your
limitation(s). This statement applies not only to this course but also to every
other course in this University.
Statement on Military Short-Term Training or
Deployment
Military students may receive orders for short-term training or deployment.
These students are asked to inform and present their orders to their
professor(s). For further information on policies and procedures contact
Military Services at 828-5993 or access the corresponding policies at http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/bulletins/about/?Default.aspx?uid=10096&iid=30704
and http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/BULLETINS/undergraduate/?uid=10096&iid=30773.
Excused Absences for Students Representing the
University
Please be aware that students who represent the university (athletes and
others) do not choose their schedules. Student athletes are required to attend
games and/or meets. All student athletes will give you their schedule in the
beginning of the semester. The Intercollegiate Athletic Council (IAC) strongly
encourages you to treat missed classes or exams (because of a scheduling
conflict) as excused absences and urges you to work with the students to make
up the work or exam.
Campus Emergency information
1. What to Know and Do To Be
Prepared for Emergencies at VCU: Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts (http://www.vcu.edu/alert/notify).
Keep your information up-to-date. Within the classroom, the professor will keep
her phone on to receive any emergency transmissions.
2. Know the safe evacuation route from each of your
classrooms. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in on-campus classrooms.
3. Listen for and follow instructions from VCU or other
designated authorities. Within the classroom, follow your professor's
instructions.
4. Know where to go for additional emergency information
(http://www.vcu.edu/alert).
5. Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police
(828-1234). Report suspicious activities and objects.
VCU Mobile
The VCU Mobile application is a valuable tool to get
the latest VCU information on the go. The application contains helpful
information including the VCU directory, events, course schedules, campus maps,
athletics and general VCU news, emergency information, library resources,
Blackboard and more. To download the application on your smart phone or for
more information, please visit http://m.vcu.edu/http://m.vcu.edu/.
Class registration required for attendance
Please remember that students may only attend those classes for which they have
registered. Faculty may not add students to class rosters. Therefore, if
students are attending a class for which they have not registered, they must
stop attending.