International Relations
Prof. Suresht Bald
Fall 97
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: Theory and Praxis
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the range and complexity of interactions that characterize International Politics, the diversity of actors engaged in these interactions, the forces that structure the actors' options and choices, and some of the sources of tension and concern in the contemporary international system. The course addresses both positive and normative issues. By placing you in the shoes of the decisionmakers it will invite you to identify and examine the options available in crisis and non-crisis situations, and to analyze not only why a particular decision was made but what decision ought to have been made and why.
My intent is to engage you in the drama of world politics while
training you to look beyond the drama to larger theoretical concerns.
I want you to "discover" theory rather than merely read it. To
achieve this I will rely heavily on role-playing, negotiation
exercises, "games", simulations and the case-method approach to
learning. There will be a premium on class participation. I realize
that you may not be used to such participation, but I am convinced
that it will not only make you more comfortable with the English
language but also help you understand what you are studying.
The text used in the class will be the latest edition of T.
Couloumbis & J. Wolfe, Introduction to International
Relations: Power and Justice, and a newsweekly written in
English. You will be expected to read this newsweekly and follow the
news pertaining to a particular part of the world. Every week you
will report in class on what you read in the weekly on your selected
region/country. You will keep a journal in which you will record the
news you read, and write your thoughts on how these news reflect or
explain the theories we discuss in class or study in Couloumbis'
text. The journal will prepare you for your final paper. In this
paper you are to use the information you acquire through the
newsweekly as evidence either to test some of the hypotheses, or,
elaborate on and explain some of the concepts you encounter in the
theoretical readings.
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
|
2 Quizzes (50 pts each) |
100 |
|
Final paper (4 pages) |
200 |
|
Class participation. |
100 |
|
1 paper (2 pages) |
100 |
|
Journal. |
100 |
|
Total.. |
600 |
1. Your willingness to contribute to class discussions;
2. the clarity of your presentations;
3. attendance and attentiveness in class.
REQUIRED READINGS
A Newsweekly written in English
Rourke, Introduction to Politics
Remember to complete assigned readings before the
corresponding class meetings so that you can participate in class
discussions.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1
Introduction to the course
Power, Force, International Law and Justice:
Contending approaches
Melian Dialogue (case)
Week 2
Couloumbis, pp. 1-10
Couloumbis, pp. 10-18
Week 3
Bananas, Beaches and Bases pp. 1-18
Balance of Power
GAME
Couloumbis, pp. 44-50
Week 4
GAME
Couloumbis, pp. 50-58
Discussion of the game.
Week 5
QUIZ
Nation-state and nationalism
Couloumbis, pp. 59-68
Week 6
Couloumbis, pp. 68-75
Falklands/Malvinas war (case)
PAPER DUE
National interest and other
interests
Week 7
Couloumbis, pp. 96-102
Couloumbis, pp. 102-107
Week 8
Student presentations on newsweekly readings
Student presentations on newsweekly readings
Week 9
Couloumbis, pp. 107-113
QUIZ
Decision-making, bargaining and
negotiation
Week 10
Couloumbis, pp.120-126
Gendyn vs Nari, a negotiation exercise you will do in class in groups
of four.
Week 11
Debriefing of the negotiation exercise.
Global political economy
Video: Global Assembly Line
Week 12
Couloumbis, pp. 333-346
Note on the export of pesticides (case)
Week 13
Final paper presentations
Final paper presentations
Papers due.