The purpose of this course is to present an historical and topical framework to the study of IR.  The objectives are to generate curiosity about the dynamics of IR, to enlarge working knowledge about the motives, actors, ideas, and institutions that sustain international life, and to foster appreciation of theoretical as well as concrete knowledge about world affairs.

PS 210 is a challenge because it looks outward upon IR -- a realm often characterized by chaos, violence, and sudden change -- and tries to find order.  PS 210 will look at the interplay of thought and evidence -- how people build knowledge about the relations of states, causes of war and terrorism, the preconditions for peace and/or stability, forms and sources of injustice, purposes and roles of governmental and non-governmental international organizations (NGOs), indicators of impending crisis, and causes and consequences of resource scarcities, environmental degradation, globalization, etc.

PS 210 offers multiple perspectives on IR and diplomacy (primarily realsim and idealism.)  It tries to give you some new “ways of thinking” about international forces affecting humanity.  I hope you will emerge from this course with a feel for the breadth and the content of a growing field, with some specific knowledge of areas of particular interest, and with some experience in the intellectual processes that aid in the quest for knowledge.

REQUIREMENTS

• Class discussion on readings and lectures is an integral and encouraged part of the course.
• Student Presentations worth 20 points (see links below.)
• 3 exams 300 points.  Exams entail essays, multiple choice, and short questions.
• 4-5 quizzes (announced ahead of time) worth 15-20 pts each (ONLY 1 make-up.)

Henry Kissinger, Diplomacy, 1994
Daniel Papp - Contemporary International Relations, 2002
New York Times - www.nytimes.com  or  www.washingtonpost.com READ DAILY
Wall Street Journal - http://opinionjournal.com/forms/get_email_page.html (recommended)
Assorted articles emailed to all students (READ and DISCUSS)

 COMMUNICATION 
 

Please ask me in person or email me (ANYTIME) with questions about syllabus, topics, exams, clarifications about readings & lectures, etc.  Or ask our TA - Tim Beishir 

The OUTLINE below indicates the subjects to be discussed and required readings.  Course will follow the outline, however, class discussion is encouraged (as long as we keep on pace) and there will be some flexibility to dwell on some parts at the expense of others according to student interest.
 

DATES, TOPICS, AND READINGS (See Kissinger Link below for pages) 

S/08    Introduction                            Kissinger, Chap. 1-2            
S/13    Morgenthau and realism                  Papp, pp.16-23
S/15    Power and Politics & Realpolitik        Papp, pp. 35-41; Ch. 12
S/17    Balance of Power System & Conflict      Kissinger Ch 4-5; Papp, p.50-64
S/20    World War I:  Causes & Revolution       Kissinger Ch 6
S/22    World War I                             Kissinger Ch 7-8
S/24	Student Presentations 
S/27    Aftermath of WWI                        Kissinger 9-12
S/29    Origins of WWII                                                         
O/1     FILMS                                   
0/4	EXAM
O/6     The Bipolar System and the Cold War     Kissinger Ch 16
						Kiss. pp 333-35,371-73,390-93	
O/8     Cold War                                Kissinger Ch 17
O/11    Containment                             Kissinger Ch 18-19
0/13	Fall Institute - no class
O/15    FILM: Nuclear Strategy for Beginners    Papp pp. 357-377
O/18    Balance of Terror                       Kissinger Ch 20
O/20    Cold War Crises                         Kissinger Ch 21 or 22 & 23-24
O/22    Vietnam                                 Kissinger 1 of Chaps 25-27
O/25    Soviet-U.S. Relations                   Kissinger Ch 28-30
0/27	Student presentations
0/29    The 1990s                               Kiss 31 & Papp p1-16, 65-72, 118-33 
N/1	Exam    
N/3     New World Disorder                      Papp Ch 17 & p347-48, 350-57, 366-75
N/5     Problems of the Third World             Papp Ch 8 & 13
N/8     Problems of Development                 Papp Ch 10-11 
N/10    FILM: JOURNEY TO PLANET EARTH
N/12    Environment                             Papp Ch 16; pp. 485-495
N/15    Scarce Resources                        Papp, pp.504-510
N/17	Make-ups for Quiz/Presentations (Optional)
FINAL EXAM AS SCHEDULED BY REGISTRAR.  Same 70 minute format as mid-term.
      

CLASS PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION EVENTS

• Students will review key leaders, policies, or crises and present materials to class (5 minutes).  
• Students may hold mini debates on current crises or policies.
• Students may critique various readings (5 minutes each).
• Students will highlight/explain various lecture materials.
• Students should meet with Teaching Assistant for out-of-class review sessions.

SAMPLE WEBSITES (pro and con on Global Warming).  Also see Papp text for sites.

www.environmentaldefense.org
www.globalclimate.org

Kissinger Questions	Carnegie	Hulett Op-Ed 3	Go to Review  Sessions
Perils of  Empire	Foreign Relations Council	Development Models	Oral  Presentation
New World Order	Brookings Institution	Rise of US empire	Previous Exams
Hulett op-ed 2	Heritage Institution	Kissinger on Bush	Papp Questions
Hulett op-ed 1	State Department	Bush&WWIV	vita.doc
Detente & Nuke Notes	Krauthammer on Bush