PSCI 227: THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Fall 2008: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-2:20 in Kauke 238

Professor Matthew Krain

Office: Kauke 104; x2469

Office Hours: _________________________________________________, and by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The overarching goal of this course is to prepare students to do research in international relations by providing them with a theoretical background in the field. Therefore, this course provides an overview of an array of theories of international relations, from the major debate of (neo)realism vs. (neo)liberalism to the more recent challenge to rationalist explanations by constructivism, to more "radical" challengers such as (neo)marxism and feminist IR theory. We will also examine contending theoretical approaches to some key issues in IR. Through in-depth discussion and a series of papers and exams, students will explore, compare and debate the merits of theories to develop a solid grasp of the different theoretical perspectives and to establish their own theoretical preferences.

READINGS

Throughout the course we will use the following books:

- [VK] Paul R. Viotti and Mark V. Kauppi (1999). International Relations Theory: Realism, Pluralism, Globalism, and Beyond. 3rd Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. [ISBN: 978-0-205-29253-0]

- [MS] Karen Mingst and Jack Snyder (2008). Essential Readings in World Politics. Third Edition New York: W. W. Norton & Co. [ISBN: 978-0-393-93114-3]

- American Political Science Association (2006). The Style Manual for Political Science. Washington, DC: American Political Science Association. (Available on E-RESERVE)

Supplementary readings will be available on-line via our class web page (http://www.wooster.edu/polisci/mkrain/tir08.html) or will placed on electronic reserve through the library (http://eres.library.denison.edu/coursepage.asp?cid=656, password = "theories").

Finally, as with any international relations class, you are expected to keep up with news around the world. This will require you to get your news from two or more of the following sources:

- major national or international newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, The Financial Times, or The Wall Street Journal

- major news websites with reputable global coverage. I have put together a web site with a large number of national and international on-line news sources: http://www.wooster.edu/polisci/mkrain/news.html

- major news magazines with reputable global coverage such as The Economist, Time, Newsweek, or US News & World Report.

- major public news outlets with comprehensive news coverage such as NPR's National Public Radio News (89.3 or 89.7 on the radio) or PBS's The News Hour with Jim Lehrer.

All readings MUST be completed by the class session for which they are assigned. They will be necessary background for lectures and discussion, and you will be held responsible for them, in class and on exams.

EXAMS

This class will have two examinations, each in-class exams, each worth 20% of the final class grade. The September 23rd midterm will be during our normal class time that day. The final exam will be from 2pm to 4pm on December 8th. CHEATING, PLAGIARISM OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, AND WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC FAILURE FOR THE COURSE!

PAPERS

This class will have two papers. The first is an article/book review, due at the beginning of class on October 21^st. Students will present their articles on either October 21^st or October 23^rd. Each student will choose an article or book from a list distributed by the instructor. They must then complete a concise, clear, critical review of no more than 750 words. We will discuss the articles reviewed in class on the due date. This paper is worth 10% of your overall class grade.

You will also be responsible for a larger (13-18 pages) "literature review/theory" paper, due at the beginning of class on November 25^th. This paper provides students with an opportunity to more closely explore one particular theoretical question of interest, and the way in which authors from different theoretical perspectives have approached that question. Students will choose their topic in consultation with the instructor. Papers should address the nature of the problem/puzzle, discuss and evaluate the theoretical arguments involved, and develop a testable hypothesis of one's own. Possible topics will be discussed in class. All papers must be formatted using the APSA Style Manual. Further details will be distributed and/or discussed by the instructor in class. This paper is worth 25% of your overall class grade. REMINDER: CHEATING OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, AND WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC FAILURE FOR THE COURSE!

PARTICIPATION

Participation is encouraged and REQUIRED in this class. Your participation is essential to the smooth and efficient running of the class. The intention is to run the class as an advanced seminar, where students will engage in an open dialogue based on the readings assigned for that day. Thus, students are required to have completed the assigned readings before class and to participate in discussions on a regular basis. Failure to be properly prepared or a lack of quality and fully engaged discussion will result in a significant reduction in the class grade (and overall class quality). My hope is that the classroom will contain an atmosphere in which ideas and opinions will be welcomed and addressed. As such, please note that you will be graded on a number of criteria beyond simple participation, under the rubric of "professionalism".

As part of your participation, you will be required to submit by email at least ONE discussion question per week regarding the readings to be discussed that week. You may focus your discussion question(s) on readings from either the first or second class sessions of that week, but must submit questions for at least ONE CLASS SESSION PER WEEK over the course of the semester. Questions are to be emailed to the instructor and to the class as a whole. More details about this element of your class participation will be discussed by the instructor in class.

GRADING

The grades will be assigned as follows:

NOTES

Note #1: Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Any missed assignment or unexcused exam absence is subject to an automatic failing grade for the course (in other words, you cannot pass the class unless you do all of the work!). Late written assignments will be graded down one full letter grade for each day late. A paper handed in five minutes after the deadline is considered a day late. If you anticipate missing an exam or a paper deadline, consult with the instructor as soon as possible.

Note #2: Students are encouraged to study together and assist one another in learning the material. It is assumed that you have done your own work. In short, DON'T CHEAT AND DON'T PLAGIARIZE (see for instance http://www.wooster.edu/library/plagiarism). Students are reminded that they are obliged to understand, to uphold, and to comply with the Code of Academic Integrity at the College of Wooster. If you have doubts about whether something violates academic integrity, check the Code of Academic Integrity, located in the Scot's Key (http://www.wooster.edu/policies) or at http://www.wooster.edu/policies/coai.pdf. Students who do not understand the Code after having read it should make an appointment to see me to discuss it; indeed, I welcome this discussion and encourage students to see me in advance of any assignment about which they have doubts or questions. PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY VIOLATION OF THE CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY MEANS THE STUDENT'S IMMEDIATE FAILURE IN THE COURSE, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE SUBSEQUENT ACADEMIC DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

Note #3: Students are encouraged to discuss assignments with me during office hours. However, students seeking to change their grade on an assignment or essay portion of an exam should be advised that I reserve the right to alter your grade in either direction (i.e.- if new problems are found during the re-grade the grade would go down).

Note #4: It is your responsibility to inform me ahead of time about factors that are likely to interfere with your performance in the class. Measures for students with disabilities, non-native writers of English and other special issues will be taken in compliance with the college's policies.

SCHEDULE of TOPICS AND READINGS

I. Introduction to the Study of Theories of International Relations

Aug. 26 – Introduction to Theories of International Relations

- Chapter 1 [VK: 1-28]

- Jack Snyder (2004), "One World, Rival Theories" [MS: 4-11]

Aug. 28 – Theories, Images, Hypotheses, and International Relations

- James Rosenau, "Thinking Theory Thoroughly" [VK: 29-38]

- Kenneth Waltz (1979). "Laws and Theories," Chapter 1 in Theory of International Politics. New York: McGraw-Hill (1-17). (E-RESERVE – 3 parts)

- Stephen Van Evera (1997). Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. Chapter 1. (E-RESERVE – 4 parts)

Sept. 2 – Levels of Analysis

- Kenneth Waltz, "Explaining War" [VK: 130-145]

- Kenneth Waltz (2003). "Theory and International Politics – A Theory of International Politics" 3^rd page of interview with Harry Kreisler, Conversations with History, Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley. February 10, 2003. http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people3/Waltz/waltz-con3.html

- Robert Putnam (1988). "Diplomacy and Domestic Politics: The Logic of Two-Level Games," International Organization 42, 3: 427-460. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0020-8183%28198822%2942%3A3%3C427%3ADADPTL%3E2.0.CO%3B2-K

II. Conventional Theoretical Approaches: Realism vs. Liberalism

Sept. 4 – The Theoretical Roots of Classical Realism

- Chapter 2 [VK: 55-88]

- Thucydides, "The Melian Dialogue" [VK: 100-105]

- Niccolo Machiavelli, "On Princes and the Security of Their States" [VK: 105-108]

- Thomas Hobbes, "Of the Natural Condition of Mankind" [VK: 108-111]

- Carl von Clausewitz, "War as an Instrument of Policy" [MS: 334-337].

- Hans Morgenthau, "A Realist Theory of International Relations," and "Political Power" [MS: 56-60]

- Hans Morgenthau, "The Balance of Power," "Different Methods of the Balance of Power," and "Evaluation of the Balance of Power" [MS: 131-137]

Sept. 9 – Classical Realism During and After the Cold War

- Thomas C. Schelling, "The Diplomacy of Violence" [MS: 338-346]

- Robert Jervis, "Cooperation under the Security Dilemma" [MS: 346-359]

- John Mearsheimer, "Anarchy and the Struggle for Power" [MS: 60-79]

Sept. 11 – Neorealism: Structural Realism

- Robert Gilpin, "War and Change in World Politics" [VK: 145-153]

- Robert O. Keohane, "Theory of World Politics: Structural Realism and Beyond" [VK: 153-183]

- Paul Huth, Christopher Gelpi and D. Scott Bennett (1993). "The Escalation of Great Power Militarized Disputes: Testing Rational Deterrence Theory and Structural Realism." American Political Science Review 87, 3: 609-623. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-0554%28199309%2987%3A3%3C609%3ATEOGPM%3E2.0.CO%3B2-A

Sept. 16 – Idealism / Liberalism

- Chapter 3 [VK: 199-205, 219-225]

- Immanuel Kant, "To Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch" [MS: 14-17]

- Woodrow Wilson, "The Fourteen Points" [MS: 26-28]

- Michael Doyle, "Liberalism and World Politics" [MS: 80-93]

- Andrew Moravcsik, "Taking Preferences Seriously" [VK: 246-256]

Sept. 18 – Neoliberalism: Complex Interdependence and Multilateralism

- Chapter 3 [VK: 210-219]

- Robert O. Keohane & Joseph Nye Jr., "Realism and Complex Interdependence" [VK: 307-319]

- John Ruggie, "Multilateralism: The Anatomy of an Institution" [VK: 331-340]

- Anne-Marie Slaughter, "The Real New World Order" [MS: 195-203]

Sept. 23 – MIDTERM EXAM

III. Some Theoretical Alternatives to (Neo)Realism and (Neo)Liberalism

Sept. 25 – "The English School" of IR Theory: Law and Order in International Relations

- Hugo Grotius, "War, Peace, and the Law of Nations" [VK: 410-15]

- Hedley Bull, "Does Order Exist in World Politics?" [VK: 127-30]

- Dale Copeland (2003). "A Realist Critique of the English School," Review of International Studies 29, 3: 427-441. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/ejc/article.cgi?issn=02602105&issue=v29i0003&article=427_arcotes

Sept. 30 – Constructivism

- Alexander Wendt, "Anarchy is What States Make of It: The Social Construction of Power Politics" [VK: 434-59]

- Margaret E. Keck & Kathryn Sikkink, "Transnational Advocacy Networks in International Politics" & "Human Rights Advocacy Networks in Latin America" [MS: 279-290]

- John Gerald Ruggie (1998). "What Makes the World Hang Together? Neo-Utilitarianism and the Social Constructivist Challenge" International Organization, 52,4: 855-885. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0020-8183%28199823%2952%3A4%3C855%3AWMTWHT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-8

Oct. 2 – Feminist IR Theory

- J. Ann Tickner, "Man, the State, & War: Gendered Perspectives on National Security" [MS: 118-125]

- R. Charli Carpenter (2005). "Women, Children and Other Vulnerable Groups": Gender, Strategic Frames and the Protection of Civilians as a Transnational Issue" International Studies Quarterly, 49,2: 295-334. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=00208833&issue=v49i0002

Oct. 7 – Marxism and Neo-Marxism

- Chapter 4 [VK: 341-60]

- Tony Smith (1987). "Thinking Like a Marxist" in Thinking Like a Communist, 39-66 (Chapter 2). New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Co. (E-RESERVE)

- V. I. Lenin. Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism. Excerpts [MS: 18-24]

- Immanuel Wallerstein, "Patterns and Perspectives of the Capitalist World-Economy" [VK: 369-377]

-- Oct. 9: No Class: RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY (YOM KIPPUR)

-- Oct. 14^th = No Class: FALL BREAK

-- Oct. 16^th = No Class: DR. KRAIN IN MOSCOW

Oct. 21, 23 – Discussion of Article Reviews

[ARTICLE REVIEW PAPERS DUE 10/21]

Oct. 28 – Writing Literature Reviews & Developing a Theoretical Argument

- Knopf, Jeffrey W. (2006). "Doing a Literature Review" PS: Political Science and Politics 39, 1: 127-132. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=10490965&issue=v39i0001&article=127_dalr

- Richards, David L, Ronald D. Gelleny and David H. Sacko (2001). "Money with a Mean Streak? Foreign Economic Penetration and Government Respect for Human Rights in Developing Countries." International Studies Quarterly, 45, 2: 219-239. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/ejc/issue.cgi?issn=00208833&issue=v45i0002. [read pp. 219-225].

- Krahmann. Elke (2005). "American Hegemony or Global Governance? Competing Visions of International Security." International Studies Review, 7, 4: 531-545. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/ejc/issue.cgi?issn=15219488&issue=v07i0004.

IV. Competing Perspectives on Key Issues in International Relations

Oct. 30 – Theories of Foreign Policy Decision Making

- Chapter 3 [VK: 205-10]

- Robert Jervis, "Perception and Misperception in International Politics" [VK: 257-69]

- Ole Holsti, "Crisis Decision Making" [VK: 269-80]

- Graham Allison, "Conceptual Models and the Cuban Missile Crisis" [VK: 280-97]

- Judith Goldstein and Robert Keohane, "Ideas and Foreign Policy" [VK: 297-306]

Nov. 4 – Deciding (Not) to Intervene: Rwanda (1994), Iraq (2003), and Darfur (?)

- Samantha Power, "Bystanders to Genocide: Why the United States Let the Rwandan Tragedy Happen" [MS: 290-310]

- James Fallows (2004). "Blind into Baghdad," Atlantic Monthly. Jan./Feb. 2004. (E-RESERVE)

- John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt (2003). "An Unnecessary War." Foreign Policy. January/February 2003. http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/bush/walt.htm

- Aaron Brown (2008). "Heart of Darfur: Interview with Nicholas Kristoff" Wide Angle. Aired on PBS on July 1, 2008. http://pbs.gen.in/wnet/wideangle/episodes/heart-of-darfur/nicholas-kristof/1377/

Nov. 6 – Understanding Communal Conflict

- Benjamin Valentino, Final Solutions: Genoicde in the Twentieth Century. Excerpts [MS: 368-388]

- Barry Posen, "The Security Dilemma and Ethnic Conflict" [MS: 388-398]

- Anthony Oberschall (2000). The Manipulation of Ethnicity: From Ethnic Cooperation to Violence and War in Yugoslavia. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 23, 6: 982-1001. http://www.la.wayne.edu/polisci/dubrovnik/readings/oberschall.pdf OR http://www.ingentaconnect.com/search/expand?pub=infobike://routledg/rers/2000/00000023/00000006/art00002&unc

Nov. 11 – A Clash of Civilizations?

- Samuel P. Huntington, "The Clash of Civilizations" [MS: 203-209]

- Yahya Sadowski, "Political Islam: Asking the Wrong Questions?" [MS: 210-226]

- Amartya Sen, "Universal Truths" [MS: 598-601]

- Michael Ignatieff, "The Attack on Human Rights" [MS: 601-609]

Nov. 13 – Terrorism

- Robert Pape, "The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism" [MS: 398-418]

- Max Abrahms. "Why Terrorism Does Not Work" [MS: 418-440]

- Mia Bloom (2004). "Devising a Theory of Suicide Terror" in Dying to Kill: The Global Phenomenon of Suicide Terror, Chapter 4. New York: Columbia University Press. http://www.international.ucla.edu/cms/files/bloom.0227.pdf

Nov. 18 – Out of Bounds?: Rogue States and Transnational Terrorist Networks

- George W. Bush. "The National Security Strategy of the United States of America" [MS: 47-54]

- Barak Mendelsohn (2005). "Sovereignty Under Attack: The International Society Meets the Al Qaeda Network" Review of International Studies. 31,1: 45-68. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=02602105&issue=v31i0001

- Elizabeth N. Saunders (2006). Setting Boundaries: Can International Society Exclude ‘Rogue States'?" International Studies Review 8: 23-53. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/cgi-bin/sciserv.pl?collection=journals&journal=15219488&issue=v08i0001&article=23_sbcises1

Nov. 20 – International Governmental Institutions

- John Mearsheimer, "The False Promise of International Institutions" [MS: 319-331]

- Craig Murphy, "International Organization and Industrial Change" [VK: 383-396]

- Erik Voeten, "The Political Origins of the UN Security Council's Ability to Legitimize the Use of Force [MS: 251-273]

- Andrew Moravcsik, "A Too Perfect Union? Why Europe Said ‘No'" [MS: 273-279]

Nov. 25 – Weapons of Mass Destruction [LIT. REVIEW & THEORY PAPERS DUE]

- Scott D. Sagan "How to Keep the Bomb From Iran" [MS: 360-368]

- John Mueller, Retreat From Doomsday. Excerpts [MS: 242-249]

- Carol Cohn and Sarah Ruddick. "A Feminist Ethical Perspective on Weapons of Mass Destruction" [MS: 458-477].

-- Nov. 27^nd (THANKSGIVING BREAK): No Class

Dec. 2 – International Political Economy

- James Fallows (1993). "How the World Works," Atlantic Monthly. Dec. 1993. (E-RESERVE) OR http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rlh&an=9404280183

- Robert Gilpin, "The Nature of Political Economy" [MS: 479-486]

- Helen V. Milner, "Globalization, Development, and International Institutions" [MS: 486-508]

- Valentine M. Moghadam, "Female Labor, Regional Crises, and Feminist Responses" [MS: 551-568]

Dec. 4 – Should International Relations Theory Have Practical Applications?

- Joseph S. Nye, Jr. (1998). "Theory and Practice in International Relations," Interview with Harry Kreisler, Conversations with History, Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley. April 8, 1998. http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/conversations/Nye/

- Stephen Walt (2005). "The Relationship Between Theory and Policy in International Relations" Annual Review of Political Science, 8,1: 23-48. http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/pdf/10.1146/annurev.polisci.7.012003.104904

Dec. 8 – FINAL EXAM: 2:00 p.m – 4:00 p.m.