Thinking Internationally Yet? |
Welcome to POLS 184: Intro to IR Spring 2006 - Instructor: Randall D. Smith |
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| Description:
This course seeks to provide an introduction to international relations, also referred to as world politics. The design of this course serves to familiarize students with the theories, issues and economic underpinnings of international relations. It thereby utilizes ideas from seminal theoretical works in the field to explore current international issues. This course contains a two-fold purpose. First, it serves as a gateway to more advanced courses in international relations. Second, it provides students with a degree of “international literacy”. After examining some of the alternative ways of thinking about international relations, this course analyzes international security and international political economy. The course begins with an introduction to the two major theories and a variety of concepts that allow for further investigation. This includes the different conceptions of actors and institutions, and the dynamics of their interaction in the international arena. Second, this course explores the age-old interaction of states conceived as war and peace. Finally, this Introduction investigates the involvement in, of, and between markets and the state. This section includes discussions on trade, finance, globalization and other related topics. A better understanding of international relations emerges through emphasizing the core theoretical conceptions of decision-making processes by each actor, its policy choices, and the impact of those choices on the world population. Text: Kegley, Charles W., and Eugene R. Whittkopf. 2004. World Politics: Trend and Transformation (9th Edition). Wadswoth/Thomson. Belmont, CA, USA. Objectives and Outcomes: 1. To give students an historical background of international policy choice. 2. To acquaint students with the realist, liberal and other models of international interaction. 3. To provide an understanding of how our government differs from, or appears similar to that of other states. 4. To encourage students to participate actively as global citizens. 5. To give students the background to make informed judgments about current political controversies. 6. To teach students about the impact of international relations issues on their lives. 7. To introduce students to classic and contemporary research in the field. Course Methodology: This course utilizes several different teaching techniques to explain the substantive material: 1. Lecture Session – The instructor shares his knowledge, thoughts, and ideas with you on the various topics, books, and articles. He welcomes your input on this material. 2. Discussion Session – This portion of the course provides students a chance to voice their opinion about international relations in a free and open manner, which comprises the participation portion of the students’ grades. 3. Audio-Visual Aids – The instructor utilizes items such as the overhead projector, maps, films, videotapes, computers, musical recordings and other items where appropriate. Examinations and Grading: This course involves a total of three (3) non-cumulative examinations. Each exam covers the textbook readings, the classroom lectures, and class discussions. This class requires only one paper. At a later date I disseminate further instruction regarding this assignment. Your performance determines your course grade in the following manner: 100 points possible = Test I 100 points possible = Test II 100 points possible = Test III 100 points possible = Paper 100 points possible = Participation 500 points possible = Total The determination of the participation portion of your grade first involves attendance. The necessity of attending every class session thus reflects in this portion of your grade. This participation portion also involves your active contribution to class discussions. Class participation provides the opportunity of receiving an “A” in this course. Therefore, I establish some guidelines for discussion. Concern your comments with the topics of international relations. An open manner conducts this discussion. Feel free to disagree with me, American foreign policy, the policies of other states and organizations, and with your classmates. However, this discussion reflects the university atmosphere in that it unfolds in an intelligent manner and you must support your opinion with facts (that may mean research). Interruption, use of slurs and making fun of other students encounters strict prohibition. |
All work requires standard grammatical English and prompt attention to due dates. I cannot grade what I cannot read. If I cannot read an assignment I ask you once to rewrite it, and after that first warning you either receive a reduced grade or no credit. Cheating and plagiarism also encounter strict prohibition and require that I deal with them according to UIC policy and procedure |
| Course and Topic Outline:
Theoretical Approaches to International Relations Week of 01/09/06 – Introduction to International Relations: Modes and Levels of Analysis; The “IR Language”. Read Kegley and Whittkopf, Chapter 1. 01/16/06 – Martin Luther King, Jr., Day holiday. No classes. 01/18/06 and 01/23/06 – Realist IR Theory: Read Kegley and Whittkopf, Chapter 2. 01/25/06 and 01/30/06 – Liberal IR Theory: Read Kegley and Whittkopf, Chapter 5. 02/01/06 and 02/06/06 – The Impact of Theory on Foreign Policy: How Theory Choice Determines Level of Analysis: Read Kegley and Whittkopf, Chapter 3. 02/08/06 and 02/13/06 – The Impact of Theory on Foreign Policy: How Levels of Analysis Constrain the Impact of Institutions and Environments. 02/15/06 and 02/20/06 – The Expectation of Rationality: Meanings, Bounds, and Games: Read Kegley and Whittkopf, Chapter 4. 02/22/06 – Review for Test I, Test I. Traditional IR Concerns Week of 02/27/06 – Power: Read Kegley and Whittkopf, Chapter 12. Week of 03/06/06 – Causes of Conflict: Read Kegley and Whittkopf, Chapter 11. Week of 03/13/06 – Nuclear Weapons, Defense and Deterrence: Read Kegley and Whittkopf, Chapter 13. Week of 03/20/06 – Spring vacation. No classes. Week of 03/27/06 – Prevention of War: Read Kegley and Whittkopf, Chapters 14 & 15. 04/03/06 – Review for Test II, TEST II. Contemporary IR Concerns 04/05/06 – Terrorism and Human Rights: Read Handout, Week of 04/10/06 – Development: Read Kegley and Whittkopf, Chapter 6 & 7. Week of 04/17/06 – Globalization and International Political Economy: Read Kegley and Whittkopf, Chapters 8 & 9. 04/24/06 – Environment: Read Kegley and Whittkopf, Chapter 10. 04/27/06 – Review for Test III, TEST III. |
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I announce the due dates for the paper as the semester progresses. I anticipate both a first draft due date and a final draft due date. This syllabus remains subject to change at the instructor’s discretion, without prior notice. Students with disabilities who require accommodations for access and participation in this course must be registered with the Office of Disability Services (ODS). Please contact ODS at (312) 413-2183 (voice) or (312) 413-0123 (TTY). Please also inform the instructor so that appropriate accommodations may be made. |
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University of Illinois at Chicago POLS 184: Introduction to International Relations -Summer 2005- Instructor: Randall D. Smith |
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| POLS: 184 Introduction to International Relations 2006 Spring Semester Syllabus |
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| Instructor: Randall D. Smith Office: BSB 1170-A
Email: rsmith14@uic.edu Office Phone: (312) 413-3279 Website: http://www.oocities.org/randall_d_smith/ Office Hour: Monday 1:30-2:30 |
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