PS 580: International Politics

Spring 2010

Dr. Debra Holzhauer

Class web site: http://cstl-cla.semo.edu/holzhauer/ps580/Instructor’s email address: dholzhauer@semo.edu (I will respond to emails

within 48 hours unless otherwise specified. Students must use their SE key for all email correspondence.)

Office Hours: MWF 10-10:50 AM, by appointment in my office, and by instant messaging through Windows Live Messenger

Office: 211J Carnahan HallOffice phone: 651-5137

Meeting time: TTH 2-3:15 PMMeeting place: 210 Carnahan Hall

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND FORMAT: Have you ever wondered how political scientists think about international relations? How they come up with ideas concerning the interactions of the various actors? How they explain why actors might cooperate (or not as the case might be)? Well, if so, then this is the course for you!

Overall, by the end of the semester, you: will have gained a better knowledge of the various political traditions associated

with the study of global politics; will have gained an understanding of some of the major debates among

scholars concerning these traditions; and will have gained insight into how the discipline utilizes these theories and

models to explore global politics.

Generally speaking, this course is organized as an upper division lecture/seminar class. This means that outside of my lectures on the theories of International Relations, I will talk less and you will talk more.  This means that: (a) you MUST come to class prepared (having read the readings and thought about them); and (b) you MUST be prepared to participate (with questions and thoughtful insights about the readings).

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COURSE MATERIALS: Tim Dunne, Milja Kurki and Steve Smith, eds. (2007) International Relations

Theories: Discipline and Diversity. New York: Oxford University Press. o Referred to in the schedule below as DKSo Available for rental

Additional readings are available through links on the class web site (i.e. the “Class Assignments” web page) and through the Kent Library reserve system.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION:Your final grade for this course will be computed on the basis of the following requirements: (1) participation in class discussion; (2) exams (1 in-class quiz and 2 take home exams); (3) a power point presentation; and (4) a portfolio of 6 journal article critiques.

(1) Participation/Attendance:

Attendance.  o While attendance per se is not required of students here at SEMO

(see the University's official statement about attendance), attendance in this class is considered to be vitally important.  

o Class is most effective when there is lively discussion. Because there can be no discussion unless everyone is present, you are expected to attend class regularly. In addition to attendance, you are expected to participate and engage actively in class discussion and dialogue.  This means, among other things, asking insightful questions, making perceptive comments, and showing an understanding of the reading materials.  

o Please remember that you are responsible for all materials covered in this class.  If you find that you cannot attend class, it is expected that you will obtain any missing notes from a classmate. Please do not contact me for this information.

Participation.o Class participation will constitute a significant part of your

attendance/participation grade. Overall, a student who attends all the classes but does not participate in class discussions will only get 80% for this part of the course requirements.

o As part of the assessment process regarding participation, I will pass around a signup sheet at the beginning of each class and it is your responsibility to sign this sheet. Failure to sign this sheet will adversely affect this grade. 

o Regarding absences, per University rules, "if an absence is associated with a university-sanctioned activity," I will allow you to make up any missed assignments, but you MUST inform me before you miss any class(s) for such a reason and you MUST make alternative arrangements with me to complete you missed

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assignments prior to your absence. In addition, if you should miss any class due to a serious illness or a death in the family, please let me know. I will allow you to make up any missed assignments as a result of these reasons, so long as you provide supporting evidence (e.g. a doctor's note, an obituary) for your absence.  Such absences will constitute "excused" absences in this class.

Pop Quizzes.o As a part of the assessment process, this instructor reserves the

right to administer pop quizzes.  Such quizzes will simply consist of students recording their name to the daily sign-in sheet.  Such recorded individuals will be given 5 points for attending class; these points will then be added to the overall point totals of this class.

o Overall, there will be no possibility of making any of these "pop" quizzes up for any reason except for an excused absence.

Class Etiquette Rules:

1. Cell phones are to be turned OFF before class begins.   I will only make exceptions to this rule for individuals that have a reasonable excuse to keep their cell phones ON. Please come and talk to me if you have such a reason.

2. You MUST come to class on time and to not leave early.  It is disruptive to the class, and especially for me, when people walk in late and/or leave early.  

3. Portable technology (e.g. laptops, PDAs, electronic dictionaries, and recording devices, etc...) are allowed in this class, but you MUST first gain permission from me before you bring any portable technology into the classroom.  Still, there is one caveat to this rule -- I reserve the right to rescind any permission I might give sanctioning such technology.

4. Finally, please be respectful to everyone within this class; this includes maintaining an atmosphere of civility and one free of harassment.  Alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct will be adjudicated in accordance with the established procedures of the judicial system. (http://www6.semo.edu/stuconduct/) Examples of uncivil behavior include carrying on extraneous conversations in class (these interfere with the learning atmosphere in the classroom), harassing a fellow student or the instructor (both within class and in emails; this includes sexual harassment), using unacceptable language towards someone in class or in emails, and physical violence. 

It is important to note that these rules will apply throughout the class.  If anyone breaks these rules, I reserve the right to take remedial action as I see fit, unless already specified.

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(2) Exams:

There will be 1 in-class quiz and 2 take home exams in this class.  Quiz.

o This exam will cover the materials covered in the first part of our class (i.e. the basics of the international system and international relations).

o It will consist of 5 identification terms, worth 5 points each, for a total of 25 points. The date for this quiz is listed in below.

o Please keep in mind that this is your only in-class exam in this class.

Take Home Exams. o There will be 2 take home exams in this class. These exams will be

distributed in class and posted in the class Forum 1 week before they are due in the class DropBox.  On each of these exams, you will be expected to answer several open-ended questions (i.e. essay questions). It should go without saying, but it won’t, that all course materials—readings and class discussions/lectures—are fair game for both exams.

o While both of these exams will not be cumulative per se, they are progressive in that you will have to retain some knowledge of the materials covered throughout the course.  Having said this, your final exam will consist of 1 cumulative question in addition to its regular components. As a result, your final exam will be worth more than your first take home exam. 

Only under VERY SEVERE CIRCUMSTANCES will students be allowed to make up an exam, and then only when the instructor is contacted before the start of the exam (or prior to its being turned in to the class DropBox) and when supporting documentation can be provided.

o Thus, please make any travel plans long in advance so they will not conflict with scheduled examinations. Overall, such conflicts will not be accepted as excuses from taking examinations on time.

(3) Power Point Presentation:

Every student in class will be responsible for presenting one of the assigned class readings to the class using a power point presentation. 

The goals of this assignment are two-fold.  o First, the assignment will help students to hone their presentation

and verbal skills. o Second, it will encourage students to more actively participate in

class through a short teaching demonstration.  In this presentation, you will be expected to:

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o present the key elements of the reading (i.e. thesis, supporting evidence, how this reading fits within the literature/debates about the topic, and the author's conclusion); and 

o address what questions the article raises with regard to the debates concerning the larger topic at hand.

The presentation should be around 10-15 minutes long.  You will be graded in 2 ways for this assignment. 

o First, you will be graded on the basis of your presentation (i.e. your overall summary of the article, your demeanor during the presentation, etc...). 

Grading criteria for this presentation is also available through a link on the “Class Syllabus” web page.

o Second, you will also be graded on whether you post an electronic copy of your presentation to the class DropBox. 

This electronic copy is due in the class DropBox by 2:00:00 PM on the day you are expected to present your power point presentation.  Failure to turn in this electronic copy will result in your presentation being penalized 10%.

You must turn in a hard copy of your 5 top article preferences (from the Presentations Readings list), listing them 1 through 5 (one being your first choice and five your fifth choice) by the beginning of class on Thursday, January 28.

o In choosing your preferences, it would be very advantageous to select readings from different parts of the course.  This is so because otherwise you may end up with an article not on your preferred list.

o You will be able to go to the class Forum no later than Monday, February 1 to find out which article you were assigned for this presentation.

(4) Portfolio:  

Throughout the semester, you will be assembling a portfolio of journal article critiques.

Overall, there are 3 goals associated with this assignment. o First, students will become familiar with some of the current

scholarly literature being published within the International Relations discipline.

o Second, students will become more familiar with some of the scholarly developments within the various IR theoretical traditions.

o Third, you will continue to hone your writing and analytical skills as you complete this assignment.

Specifically, this portfolio should consist of 6 critiques of a variety of articles chosen from various academic journals. (NOTE: If you wish, you may include up to 1 additional critique, allowing you to “drop” the lowest

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score). In general, a critique is a critical analysis of an article of scholarly substance; for additional information about what a critique should include, see below.

o You are more than welcome to incorporate articles listed on the Presentations Readings list within this portfolio. This list is available through the class web site.

o However: you may only include up to 2 of these readings; and you may not utilize the reading you yourself are presenting

(although you are welcome to utilize an article that someone else is presenting).

Although each critique will be graded individually, your portfolio should group these critiques together in a single “package” with a separate title page.

An electronic copy of your portfolio is due towards the end of the semester by 11:59:00 PM, Friday April 23 in the class DropBox.

o DropBox accepts the following types of file formats: word documents (extension--.doc or .docX).

o Any paper emailed or physically handed in to me will be penalized 1 full letter grade.

Two words of caution are in order here.   First, it is to your advantage to turn in at least one “draft copy” of a critique no later than March 11 (i.e. before Spring Break). While I will not grade this draft, I will provide you with some feedback so that you don’t end up being “surprised” at the end of the semester. Second, because the end of the semester is such a busy time for all of you, it is to your advantage to work on this project throughout the semester.

Formatting of your journal critiques:o You should first include a full bibliographic citation for your journal

article.   You should use MLA formatting within these bibliographic citations. 

o Immediately following your bibliographic citation, you should include a BRIEF synopsis of the article. A paragraph or two will suffice.

o The bulk of your critique should be an analysis of the article. A “critique” is NOT a “criticism,” but rather an inquiry into the theoretical and substantive arguments presented in the article. To put this in another way, a “critique” goes beyond simply assessing whether or not the author did “a good job” in making his case and/or saying “this is a great article.” In constructing your analysis, you should direct your attention to the following types of questions:

What theoretical tradition does the author work from?  Does s/he add to this tradition in any substantial way?

How well does the article fit into this tradition? For example, might any of your readings be applicable in helping you to understand the article? 

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How might critics from other traditions respond to the author’s arguments? Again, are your readings of any value in this regard?

o You should also include a conclusion to your journal entry.  In particular, you should discuss whether or not you find the overall argument to be convincing and how this article adds to the overall theoretical tradition in which it is part.

Grading criteria used to assess each individual journal entry is available on the “Class Syllabus” web page.

Some additional information concerning this assignment:

1. Each critique is to be typed/word processed in a readable format (e.g. double spaced, font size 12 with default margins). Each critique should be treated separately in this regard (i.e. start each critique on a new page).

2. You should include your bibliographic citation (using MLA formatting) at the beginning of the appropriate journal critique, with the critique immediately following. In addition, if you choose to include references to another source (like your readings), these too must be properly cited, preferably at the end of the critique. Needless to say, all direct quotes should be properly noted.

3. Don’t forget that your portfolio is to be turned in as a single package with a separate title page.  In addition, you should include page numbers within your portfolio.

4. You may not turn in the portfolio late UNLESS YOU HAVE FIRST CLEARED THIS WITH ME. In addition, should you turn in this assignment late, you will be penalized a half a letter grade per day (not class period) that it is late.

5. Finally, writing does count. You will be graded on the mechanics (e.g. sentence structure, punctuation, spelling), and organization (e.g. coherence, paragraphing) as well as on content.

 

COURSE GRADING:Your final grade will be computed as follows: Participation and Discussion 55 pointsIn-class Quiz 25 pointsExam #1 100 pointsFinal Exam 130 pointsPower Point Presentation 50 pointsPortfolio (including 6 critiques) 180 points (each critique is worth 30 points)Pop quizzes ? points

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TOTAL 540 POINTS

Two important notes are warranted here.  First, an online Gradebook is utilized in this class so that you can easily track your grade throughout the semester.  Second, it is my policy in this class to not "curve" grades.

DISABILITIES:If any student in this class has any special needs due to a disability, please notify me during the first week of class.  I will do my best to accommodate your needs. Students may obtain official information about the University's policies and services surrounding physical or learning disabilities from Learning Assistance and Disability Support Services (http://www6.semo.edu/lapdss/).  Students can contact Disability Support Services at 573-651-2273.

ACADEMIC HONESTY:I am very concerned about academic honesty in this class and expect you to take this code very seriously. Academic dishonesty as defined by Southeast Missouri State University includes "those acts which would deceive, cheat, or defraud so as to promote or enhance one's scholastic record. Knowingly or actively assisting any person in the commission of an above-mentioned act is also academic dishonesty." (p.12)  Academic dishonesty includes the acts of plagiarism and cheating.

Please be aware that if I find any instance of academic dishonesty, I will require that you meet with me about the assignment under question, as per University policy. After conferring with you about this issue, if I feel that the violation is not egregious, it is up to my discretion to resolve this issue with you informally by having you repeat the assignment, after receiving additional instruction as provided by the University Library, Writing Center, or other University resources. Once you have repeated the assignment, the matter will be considered by me and the University to be resolved. If on the other hand, I feel that the violation is egregious, I consider it to be within my power to simply award you a "0" for the assignment. In addition, your actions will be referred to the Departmental Chairperson (of Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion) for judicial action.

I would suggest that everyone takes the time to read this code fully as I have not listed all elements or steps associated with this code. The University's official statement about academic honesty, including plagiarism, may be accessed at: http://www.semo.edu/bulletin/pdf/2008Bulletin.pdf, pp. 18-21. 

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An Unabashed Plug for THE MODEL UNITED NATIONS CLUB at SEMO:Located here on campus is a Model United Nations Club of which I am the faculty advisor.  In addition to discussing matters relevant to the UN, the club also hosts a Model UN conference for area high schools and participates in several simulated United Nations events throughout the school year.  Current plans call for the club to attend a simulation in St. Louis this semester (in February) and a conference in Chicago next fall.  If you are interested in learning more about this, please feel free to stop by and talk to me or check out the club's web site (http://cstl.semo.edu/modelun/).

Detailed Course Schedule

Disclaimer:  All assignment due dates and details may be subject to change; you should check the “Class Assignments” web page for periodic updates.

 Please don't forget that all required readings are available either through the links listed below or

through the Kent library reserve system. In addition, if you want to view any suggested readings over these various topic areas, please go to the class web site – the “Class

Assignments” page.  

Date Subject Readings Notes1/19 Introduction

and Class Orientation

 

1/21 What's the Difference between International and Domestic Politics

    

1/26 Overview of the Contemporary International System

Karen Mingst (2008) "Chapter 2: 'The Historical Context of Contemporary International Relations", pp. 15-53. (on reserve)

 

1/28-Overview continued

Diehl, The Politics of Global Governance. ANNOUNCEMENT: A

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2/9 pp. 9-24 (“International Governmental Organizations”) (on reserve)

Kim Reimann. (2006) “A View from the Top: International Politics, Norms and the Worldwide Growth of NGOs” International Studies Quarterly 50(1): 45-67.

Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye, “Complex Interdependence”, pp. 122-125 (on reserve)

James Rosenau, “The Two Worlds of World Politics”  pp. 114-121. (on reserve)

Mingst and Snyder, Essential Readings in World Politics. pp. 146-165 (“Systemic Leadership, Evolutionary Processes and International Relations Theory: The Unipolarity Question.”) (on reserve)

Mingst and Snyder, Essential Readings in World Politics.  pp. 195-202. (“The Real New World Order”) (on reserve)

Mingst and Snyder, Essential Readings in World Politics. pp. 176-194.  (“Sharing Sovereignty: New Institutions for Collapsed and Failing States”) (on reserve)

hard copy of your top 5 article preferences for your upcoming Power Point presentation are due at the beginning of class on 1/28.  Here is the list of articles from which you can choose from for this assignment.

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2/11 QUIZ; What's a Theory and What does it Do?

DKS, Introduction Gabriel Almond and

Stephen Genco (1977) “Clocks, Clouds and the Study of Politics.” World Politics 29(4): 489-522.

Reinhard Meyers . “The Role of Theory in the Study of International Politics: Sketches for a Fuller Academic Biography.”

ANNOUNCEMENT: Begin to think about the value of a draft critique.

2/16 IR as a Field of Study: Overview of the Paradigm Debate

DKS, chapters 1 & 2  Milja Kurki (2006)

“Causes of a Divided Discipline: Rethinking the Concept of Cause in International Relations Theory.” Review of International Studies 32(2): 189-216.

Steve Smith (2000) “The Discipline of International Relations: Still an American Social Science?” British Journal of Politics and International Relations 2(3): 374-402.

 

2/18 NO CLASS -- ISA Conference

  Use this day to catch up on your reading.

2/23-2/25

Classical Realism

DKS, chapter 3 Presentation

Readings 

3/2-3/4

Neorealism DKS, chapter 4 Presentation

Readings

 

3/9- Classical DKS, chapter 5 Presentation

ANNOUNCEMENT: All Draft Critiques must

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3/11 LiberalismReadings be turned in

electronically to the Class DropBox by 2:00:00 PM on 3/11.

3/16-3/18

NO CLASS -- Spring Break

   

3/23-3/25

Neoliberalism DKS, chapter 6 Presentation

Readings

 

3/30-4/1

Marxism DKS, chapter 8 Presentation

Readings

ANNOUNCEMENT: Midterm exams will be distributed on 3/30 at the end of class

4/6 -4/8

Feminism DKS, Chapter 10

Presentation Readings

ANNOUNCEMENT: an electronic copy of your Take Home Exam #1 is due in the class DropBox by 2:00:00 PM on 4/6.

4/13-4/15

Constructivism DKS, Chapter 9 Thomas Risse.  

(2000) "Let’s Argue: Communicative Action in World Politics." International Organization 54: 1–41.

Emanuel Adler.  (1997) "Seizing the Middle Ground." European Journal of International Relations 3(3): 319-364. (interlibrary loan pending)

Tim Dunne.  (1995) "The Social Construction of International Society." European Journal of International Relations 1(3): 367-389. (interlibrary loan pending)

Presentation Readings

 

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4/20-4/22

English School DKS, Chapter 7 Presentation

Readings ANNOUNCEMENT: 4/22 is the last day to drop a full semester class.

ANNOUNCEMENT: An electronic copy of your portfolio is due in the Class DropBox by 11:59:00 PM on Friday, April 23.

4/27 Green Theory DKS, Chapter 13 Presentation

Readings  

4/29 Post Structuralism

DKS, Chapter 11 Presentation

Readings

5/4 Post Colonialism

DKS, Chapter 12 Presentation

Readings ANNOUNCEMENT: The Final Exam will be distributed today at the end of class today.

5/6IR and Theory, revisited

DKS, Chapters 14 and 15

Christine Sylvester. (2007) "Whither the International at the end of IR?" Millennium: Journal of International Studies 35(3): 551-573. (pending interlibrary loan)

Patrick Thaddeus Jackson and Daniel Nexon . (2009) "Paradigmatic Faults in International Relations Theory." International Studies Quarterly 53(4): 907-930.

Hiski Haukkala . (2009) "Toppling the Straw Men without Erecting Others: Is

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Theoretical Integration in the Study of International Relations Feasible?" Conference Paper (ISA)  

5/11 FINAL EXAM   ANNOUNCEMENT: An electronic copy of your Final Exam is due in the Class DropBox by 2:00:00 PM today.

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