INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Pol 3835 sec. 2 Fall 2008 * 3 Credits Blegen Hall, Room 10 Tuesday, 6:20-8:50

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1 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Pol 3835 sec. 2 Fall 2008 * 3 Credits Blegen Hall, Room 10 Tuesday, 6:20-8:50 Instructor: TA: Mr. Isaac Kamola Mr. Denis Kennedy kamo0010@umn.edu kenne365@umn.edu Office Hours: Tuesday 5-6, or by apt. Office Hours: Wednesday10am-noon (Soc. Sci. 1273) (Soc. Sci. 1208) Cafe Hours: Tuesday 1-2 (Hard Times Cafe) I. OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE: Welcome to International Relations, a class designed to examine various theoretical approaches to the study of the international system. It is the starting assumption of this class that the international system is not a fixed and stable reality but instead a conceptual term used to describe a world which is otherwise constantly undergoing intense integration and fragmentation. This class examines two modes through which the international system is integrated and fragmented state violence and the global economy. On the one hand, the contemporary world is marked by considerable conflict and war from Iraq to Darfur to the re-emergence of Russia as a major military competitor. While these conflicts may be taken as signs of a fragmenting international system, it is important to note that many of these conflicts have been waged under the guise of bringing about greater economic, political or religious homogeneity within the international system. On the other hand, there is now greater economic integration today then ever before as relations of trade and finance make the world more and more interdependent. However, economic integration also creates the possibility for greater fragmentation as seen, for example, in the fact that weakness in the U.S. economy is affecting the lives of people around the world. The first half of the semester examines the integration and fragmentation of the world through war and violence. We first examine state-centric arguments about the causes and consequences of war before turning to some empirical examples, such as terrorism, which challenge these theoretical assumptions. We then turn to state building as an example of the most common U.S. attempt to reintegrate post-war regions. The second half of the class focuses on integration and fragmentation within the international economy. We will touch on topics such as globalization, economic development, and the workings of international financial institutions. We conclude the class by looking at Hardt and Negri s influential book Multitude as one theoretical way of envisioning a challenge to the prevalence of war and poverty. 1

2 II. READINGS AND OFFICE HOURS Books There are five required books for this class. They are available at the campus book store or online. Scott Burchill, et al., Theories of International Relations (2 nd edition) (New York: Palgrave, 1996). Mike Davis, Planet of Slums (London & New York: Verso, 2006). Mark Duffield, Global Governance and the New Wars: The Merging of Development and Security (London & New York: Zed Books, 2001). Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri, Multitude: War and Democracy in the Age of Empire (New York: Penguin Books, 2004). Thomas E. Ricks, Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq (New York: Penguin Books, 2007). There is one optional book: Robert J. Art and Robert Jervis, International Politics: Enduring Concepts and Contemporary Issues (8 th edition) (New York: Pearson Longman, 2007). The Art and Jervis book International Politics is a compilation of important articles and book excerpts within the discipline of IR. Many of the readings found in this book are available online and students can opt to download the originals from the course website. It should be noted that in the book these articles are excerpted and, as a result, the versions found in the book are shorter than the originals. Articles in the Art and Jervis book as well as additional readings are posted on the course website. Course Website The course has a WebCT site on which you will find a copy of the syllabus, assignments, and various other documents relating to the class. To access this site, go to: MyToolkit enter x500 click on the link to class website If you are unable to access the website, contact me or the TA and we can assist you. Office Hours You are encouraged to visit Denis and me during our office hours. In addition to one hour of formal office hours, I will also be having cafe hours at the Hard Times Cafe on Tuesdays 1-2 (1821 Riverside Ave; near the corner of Cedar and Riverside, between the Golden Dragon and K Wok). Cafe Hours are designed to build in time to discuss class material, or any other topics, in a more informal setting. 2

3 III. ASSIGNMENT Writing Assignments Papers (3 x 30) = 90% Short Assignment = 10% Total = 100% The final grade is primarily based on three 5-6 page papers (each worth 30%). For each paper you will receive a series of questions from which you answer one. These questions will require a sophisticated understanding of the texts we read in class and will ask you to analyze, criticize and apply these materials. They do not require outside research. In addition, there will be one short assignment in which is worth 10% of your grade. Class Participation Everyone should come to class with the reading done and ready to discuss the material. I strongly believe that class discussion is a cooperative effort and routine absences degrade the educational experience for yourself and others. In addition, we are covering difficult readings meaning that lecture and class discussion provides an invaluable opportunity to develop the sophisticated understanding of the material necessary to write a quality paper. However, because I do not enjoy being a disciplinarian, there is no formal penalty for missing a few class sessions. That being said, if you do not attend class on a routine basis your grade will be negatively impacted. Similarly, routinely attending class well prepared and actively engaging in class discussion will be grounds for boosting borderline grades. Late paper policy Papers will be marked down one third of a grade every (business) day they are late (i.e. 24 hours late turns a B+ into a B). If you do not turn in a paper you get zero points. If a paper is turned in more than ten days late you automatically receive an F (59%) no matter how good the paper is. Please make sure that you turn all assignments in, even if they are more than ten days late. Failing to do so makes it almost mathematically impossible to pass the class. Later papers will receive no comments, only grades. NOTE: This fairly lenient late policy will be compensated for by the fact that there will be NO extensions given, except in case of an extreme emergency. If an emergency arises, documentation is required (police reports, obituaries, etc.) and I should be notified as soon as possible. Turing in papers I do not accept papers via . If you are handing a paper in either early or late you must place the paper in my mailbox in the Political Science office with a time and date stamp. 3

4 IV. GRADING: Grades A paper provides an original, insightful, and well argued thesis which is defended systematically using proper citation; demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the course material; is well written and thoroughly proofread. B paper proves a more-or-less coherent thesis which is defended; uses sufficient citations; demonstrates an adequate understanding of the course material; is satisfactorily written. C paper provides a basic argument; uses minimal citations; demonstrates minimal understanding of the course material; is poorly written D paper provides no discernible argument; uses few or no citations; does not demonstrate knowledge of the course material; is poorly written F paper Paper is turned in but does not meet basic requirements (too short, does not answer the question, etc.). Not turning in a paper results in a zero. Grade Scale = A = B = D = A = C = D = B = C = D = B = C = F Grade Challenges Grading papers is a difficult task; it is an art, not a science. If you feel your paper has been unfairly graded you should first meet with the TA who graded your paper and have them explain their reasoning for the grade. Please wait 24 hours after the papers are handed back before consulting the TA. If you are still unsatisfied, write a paragraph or more explaining why you think your grade should be changed. the memo to me with a note indicating when you would like to drop by to discuss the paper. When we meet I will review your paper, your written statement, and will have consulted with the TA if necessary. Please note: TAs cannot change grades and I reserve the right to raise or lower any grades. IV. WRITING: The two most important things a person can learn while at University are to write clearly and think critically. Confused writing is a sign of confused thinking and an improvement of writing almost always results in more lucid and critical thinking. As a result, I want everyone in this class to put as much effort into writing their papers as is humanly possible. To aid this, I would encourage you to bring ideas or draft papers to me or the TAs during our office hours. We are more than happy to offer advice on how to develop a thesis, structure your argument, and write more clearly. ed drafts may also be read and commented upon based on the discretion of myself or the TA. Please do not drafts or questions within 36 hours of when the papers are due. I would strongly suggest purchasing a style manual. I like Kate Turabian s A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, but you could also use the Modern Language Association (MLA) s Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Strunk & White s Elements of Style, or any other accepted style manual. Any one of these manuals will help answer many 4

5 questions about punctuation, citations, as well as give general tips about writing thesis statements, outlining your argument, etc. They can be purchased cheaply on-line or in used bookstores (it is not necessary to get the most updated versions). For further help with writing, contact: Center for Writing: Student Writing Support Program 15 Nicholas Hall. (612) (appointment). (612) (information) Note on plagiarism: I take plagiarism very seriously. I will investigate any suspicious papers and submit them to turnitin.com. Anyone caught plagiarizing other people s work will be submitted to the Office of Academic Integrity and dealt with according to the policies explained in the student handbook: If you are caught copying sections of someone else s work and claiming it as your own, you will automatically fail this class. I will also submit the official paperwork and recommend that the University administer the harshest penalty possible, which could include expulsion. Lesser cases of plagiarism will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Disability & Accommodation: If any accommodations are necessary, please contact me during the first week of classes. Split up weeks with reading ie war and violence read some realism and some of the journalistic book or, read some of Polanyi and some of Plant of Slums over two weeks. READINGS NOTE: All readings must be completed before class on the day they are listed. Please bring copies of the readings to class to help facilitate discussion. Week 1: September 2 nd Introduction: IR and ir Introduce syllabus Discussion: International Relations and international relations SECTION I: THE STATE, VIOLENCE AND WAR Week 2: September 9 th Justifying the War in Iraq Ricks, Fiasco, pp Week 3: September 16 th Realism I: A Theory of State Action Jervis, Explaining the Bush Doctrine, in: Art and Jervis, International Politics, pp [book or online] Burchill, Introduction in: Scott Burchill, et al., Theories of International Relations, pp

6 Morganthau, Six Principles of Realism, in: Art and Jervis, International Politics, pp [book or online] Waltz s The Anarchic Structure of World Politics, in Art and Jervis, International Politics, pp [book or online] Mearsheimer and Walt, An Unnecessary War, Foreign Policy, Jan/Feb, 2003, pp Week 4: September 23 rd Realism II: Anarchy Burchill, Realism and Neo-realism, in: Scott Burchill, et al., Theories of International Relations, pp Mersheimer, Anarchy and the Struggle for Power, in: Art and Jervis, International Politics, pp [book or online] Jervis, Offense, Defense, and the Security Dilemma, in: Art and Jervis, International Politics, p [book or online] Wendt, Anarchy is What States Make of It, in: Art and Jervis, International Politics, pp [book or online] Tickner, A Critique of Morganthau s Six Principles of Realism, in: Art and Jervis, International Politics, pp [book or online] Week 5: September 30 th Empirical Challenges to Realist Theory: Terrorism, New Wars and Insurgency Hoffman, What is Terrorism? in: Art and Jervis, International Politics, pp [book or online] Pape, The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism, in: Art and Jervis, International Politics, pp [book or online] Ricks, Fiasco, pp Hand out questions for Paper #1 Week 6: October 7 th Liberalism: An Alternative View of International Relations? Burchill, Liberalism, in: Scott Burchill, et al., Theories of International Relations, pp Doyle, Kant, Liberal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs, in: Art and Jervis, International Politics, pp [book or online] Gause, Can Democracy Stop Terrorism, in: Art and Jervis, International Politics, pp [book or online] White House, National Security Strategy, 2006, sections: I, VI, VII, and X. [online] Week 7: October 14 th Statebuilding Rotberg, Failed States, Collapsed States, Weak States: Causes and Indicators, in: Art and Jervis, International Politics, pp [book or online] 6

7 Dobbins, Nation-Building: UN Surpasses U.S. on Learning Curve, in: Art and Jervis, International Politics, pp [book or online] Chandrasekaran, Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone (New York: Knopf, 2006), pp. TBA. [online] Payne, Deconstructing National Building, in: Art and Jervis, International Politics, pp [book or online] ***Paper #1 Due*** Week 8: October 21 st Critiques of Realism and Liberalism: Constructivism, Marxism and Postmodernism Reus-Smit, Constructivism, in: Scott Burchill, et al., Theories of International Relations, pp Robert W. Cox, Social Forces, States and World Orders: Beyond International Relations Theory Journal of International Studies: Millennium, Summer 1981, 10(2), [online] Devetak, Critical Theory, in: Scott Burchill, et al., Theories of International Relations, pp Devetak, Postmodernism, in: Scott Burchill, et al., Theories of International Relations, pp Week 9: October 28 th A Critical Theory of State Building Duffield, Global Governance and the New Wars, pp. 1-74, [book or online] SECTION II: THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY Week 10: November 4 th (Election Day) This Crisis of Global Capital Movie: The Crash Hand out IMF and World Bank short assignment Hand out questions for Paper #2 Week 11: November 11 th International Finance Joseph Stiglitz, The East Asia Crisis: How IMF Policies Brought the World to the Verge of a Global Meltdown in Globalization and its Discontents (New York: W.W. Norton, 2003), pp [online] Giovanni Arrighi, The African Crisis: World Systemic and Regional Aspects in New Left Review, May/June 2002, [online] IMF and World Bank short assignment 7

8 Week 12: November 18 th The Internationalization of Poverty I Mike Davis, Planet of Slums, pp Movie: Darwin s Nightmare ***Paper #2 Due*** Week 13: November 25 th The Internationalization of Poverty II Mike Davis, Planet of Slums, pp Hand out questions of Paper #3 Week 14: December 2 nd Hardt and Negri, Multitude, pp Week 15: December 9 th Hardt and Negri, Multitude, pp , , ***Turn in Paper #3 between 8:00am and 4:30pm on Tuesday Dec. 16th in the specially marked box found in Social Science NOTE: If you want to turn in your paper in earlier, it must be turned into the PoliSci office, time stamped, and placed in my mailbox. 8