This course will introduce the student to the major theoretical and substantive topics examined by analysts of international relations. Members of the class will conduct research projects using primary data sources. Given the wide variety of learning techniques used in the course regular class attendance is mandatory. Threaded discussions are an important part of this course--you will be expected to participate in them actively and knowledgeably.
Required Readings:
Forsyth, F. The Dogs of War ISBN-10: 0553268465
ISBN-13: 978-0553268461 To be read before start of semester.
Shimko, K. International Relations ISBN 0-618-21548-4
Walt, S.
Taming American Power ISBN 0-393-05203-6
Asimov, I. Foundation
[any edition]
Asimov, I. Foundation and Empire and Second
Foundation [any edition]
New York Times (daily)
Recommended Readings:
Chomsky, N. Hegemony or Survival
Johnson, L. Seven Sins of American Foreign Policy
Lewin, L. Report from Iron Mountain on the Possibility and Desirability of Peace
Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War
Required Films:
Lawrence of Arabia
Battle of Algiers
Paradise Now (outside of class)
Hotel Rwanda (outside of class)
Tora Tora Tora (outside of class)
Planet of the Apes (outside of class)
Failsafe (outside of class)
Dr. Strangelove
Grading:
Your final grade will be computed on the following basis:
Best
Test 20%
Next Best Test 15%
Poorest Test 10%
Research Project 15%
Threads and Participation 20%
Exercises 10%
Article in the Times
5%
Discretionary 5%
Note: Note: Students seeking either an A or an A- grade in the course must read one of the Recommended Readings listed above and submit a four-page paper (essay) dealing critically with the central theses of the book--and looking at these central theses from the perspective of several of the major schools of thought in the field of International Relations.
Note: All assignments and exercises must be satisfactorily completed to pass the course.
Netiquette
The same rules apply online as they do in person. Be respectful of other students. Foul discourse will not be tolerated. Please take a moment and read the following link concerning "netiquette".
http://www.albion.com/netiquette/
Spelling and Grammar: College-level spelling and grammar are required in all work done for this course--including all assignments, email messages, and thread postings. Repeated violation of this rather obvious rule will attract an "E" grade for the semester.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
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All students must always submit work that represents his or her original work, words, or ideas. If any words or ideas are used that do not represent origination from an individual student, the student must cite all relevant sources. The student should also document the extent to which such sources were used. Words or ideas that require citation include, but are not limited to, all hardcopies or electronic publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communication when the content of such communication clearly originates from an identifiable source. In an online course all submissions fall within the scope of words and ideas that require citations if used by someone other than the original author. Academic dishonesty in an Online learning environment could involve:
Failure to respect the intellectual property rights of other people will result in an automatic failing grade for the semester and in possible permanent dismissal from the University. Learn from other people! Build upon what they have learned! But don't steal from them! Plagiarism Detection: The LHUP rules regarding classroom behavior apply to this course. To see the rules go to http://www.lhup.edu/provost/Classroom%20Behavior.doc |
Materials used in association with this course may be subject to copyright protection.
Here is a link to the LHU Library website: http://www.lhup.edu/library/
COURSE SCHEDULE
Aug 31 - Sept 5
Introduction to Course
Select Collaborative Research
Project topics
Film: Lawrence of Arabia
Required Readings: Shimko, ch. 1
Sept 6 - 12
Film: Lawrence of Arabia
Theories of International
Relations
Required Reading: Shimko, re-read ch.1; read ch. 2
Sept 13 - 19
Film: Battle of Algiers
Required Readings: Shimko, re-read
ch. 2; read ch. 3
Sept 20 - 26
Film: Battle of Algiers
Theories of IR
Exercises
Required Readings: Shimko, re-read ch. 3; read ch.4
Sept 27 - Oct 3
Review
Test I
Required Readings: Shimko, ch. 5;
Walt, Introduction,ch.1 & 2
Oct 4 - 10
Research Group #1 Does Power Politics Shape US
Strategy?
Required Readings: Shimko, ch. 6 and ch. 7
Oct 11 - 17
Research Group #2 What Interests Does the WTO
Serve?
Review
Required Readings: Shimko, ch. 8 and ch. 9
Oct 18 - 24
Research Group #3 Do Trade Barriers Prevent
Development?
Test II
Required Readings: Shimko, ch. 10 and ch. 11
Oct 25 - 31
INS Training
Required Readings: Walt, ch. 3 & 4;
Asimov, all
Nov 1 - Nov 7
INS Training
Required Readings: INS manual; Shimko, ch.
12 and ch. 13
Nov 8 - 14
INS debriefing
Film: Dr. Strangelove
Required Readings:
none
Nov 15 - 21
Research Group #4 Are Governments Losing Control?
Required
Readings: Shimko, review; Walt, ch. 5
Nov 22 - 28
Thanksgiving Holiday
Required Readings: Review
Nov 29 - Dec 12
Research Group #5: Should the US Accept the International
Criminal Court?
Required Readings: Review
Test III -- Final Exam
INS scheduled for Saturday November 7, 2009. (If for any reason a student is unable to participate in the INS that student will be required to read N. Chomsky's Hegemony or Survival OR (if you have already read Hegemony or Survival) C. Johnson's Blowback, to write a four-page critical essay on the book, and to give a ten minute presentation on the central theses of the book and to lead a class discussion--complete with handouts and PP presentation--on the central theses for another ten minutes.)
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