POL 380

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Dr. W. J. Lukaszewski         Fall 2006

1.   BRIEF COURSE DESCRIPTION

  Introductory courses to international relations typically include discussions of the terminology and the concepts relevant to the discipline, a historical review of the evolution of the modern state system, explanation of theoretical approaches used in the study of the field, and the roles played by international law and international organizations. In addition to these traditional elements, the course will examine the major theories of the origins of international conflict and review the several approaches used by the international community to achieve a measure of international security. In the light of the attacks of 9/11 and the ensuing “war on terror,” this course will devote considerable attention to terrorism, a phenomenon which is much talked about but not especially very well understood.

2.   REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

LUTZ, James M. and Brenda J. Lutz, GLOBAL TERRORISM, Routledge, 2004.

MORGAN, Patrick M., INTERNATIONAL SECURITY: Problems and Solutions, CQ Press, 2006.

NYE, Joseph S., Jr., UNDERSTANDING INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS: An Introduction to Theory and History, Pearson, 2007.

  Students will be expected to keep abreast of the current events on the international political arena. Newspapers and periodicals such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, all from the US , are highly recommended; also very important is foreign press: Asia Times Online, Financial Times, Independent, The Guardian, The Times of London, Kommersant, Pravda, The Moscow Times. All major countries in the world publish at least one newspaper in English; consequently, being monolingual is no longer an excuse for ignorance of points of view other than our own.

3.   GRADING

  Students' final grades will be based on their performance in the following areas:

  1.   three essay examinations;

  2.   a written research project (details will be given in class);

  3.   constructive participation in class discussions.

4.   ATTENDANCE POLICY

  Students will be expected to attend classes regularly. For emergency purposes, each student   will be allowed no more than four absences. Each additional absence will incur half-a-letter   grade penalty.

    OFFICE HOURS:

    Office: AB1, 315F

    Ext. 41468

    Office hours: Monday: 1-5 pm; Tuesday/Thursday: 2-3:30 pm

5.   STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY

  Students will be held responsible for all information given in class whether or not they are   present during the lecture.

6.   ACADEMIC HONESTY

  All students are expected to engage in all academic pursuits in a manner that is above   reproach. Students are expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in the academic   work both in and out of the classroom.

7.   CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT   

  a.   Students are expected to behave themselves in classroom in a way which promotes their     own learning, does not interfere with the lecture in progress, and does not disturb other     students in the classroom.

  b.   Cell phones, pagers, and other electronic equipment will not be permitted in class       during examinations.

  c.   Students will be excused from attending this class, including examinations, for the       observance of religious holidays, including travel for that purpose. (Religious holiday     is defined as “a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt       from property taxation under Section 11.20, Texas Code…)

  d.   Students wishing to record lectures in this class for their own study purposes may do so,     providing they inform the instructor in advance.

  e.   Students may not bring visitors to the class without prior approval of the instructor.

8.   DISABILITIES POLICY

  It is the policy of Sam Houston State University that individuals otherwise qualified shall   not be excluded, solely by reason of their disability, from participation in any academic   program of the university. Further, they shall not be denied the benefits of these programs   nor shall they be subjected to discrimination. Students with disabilities that might affect   their academic performance should visit with the Office of Services for Students with   Disabilities located in the Counseling Center .

COURSE OUTLINE

I.   Organization of the Course   Aug. 22

II.   Introduction to International Policies   Aug. 24, 29, 31

  Morgan , Ch. 1, 2; Nye , Ch. 1

III.   Origins of the Great 20 th Century Conflicts   Sept. 5, 7

  N, Ch. 2

IV.   Concert of Europe , Balance of Power and World War I   Sept. 12, 14, 19

  M, Ch. 3, pp. 61-67, 109-116

  N, Ch. 3

V.   Collective Security and WWII   Sept. 21, 26, 28

  M, Ch. 7, pp. 61-69, 109-117

  N, Ch. 4

FIRST EXAMINATION   Oct. 3

VI.   The Cold War: Bipolarity and Balance of Terror   Oct. 5, 10, 12

  M, pp. 61-75, 109-132, Ch. 5

  N, Ch. 5

VII.   Terrorism   

  1.   A Brief History   Oct. 17

    Lutz , Ch. 1

    Lecture

  2.   Definition and Typology   Oct. 19, 24

    L, Ch. 2

    Lecture

  3.   State Terrorism   Oct. 26, 31

    L, Ch. 4, 10

  4.   Causes of Terrorism   Nov. 2, 7, 9

    L, Ch. 5, 6, 9, pp. 244-249

  5.   Ideologies   Nov. 14, 16

    L, Ch. 7, 8

SECOND EXAMINATION

VIII. International Law, Intervention, and Peace Maintenance   Nov. 28, 30, Dec. 5

  M, Ch. 10, 11

  N, Ch. 6

IX.   Summary, Review   Dec. 7

FINAL EXAMINATION