POL 131 Introduction to International Relations Fall 2015 16 Instructor SHAZA FATIMA KHAWAJA Room No. 210 Email Shaza.fatima@lums.edu.pk Course Basics Credit Hours 4 Course Distribution Core Elective Open for Student Category POL/ Econ&Pol COURSE DESCRIPTION The pre mid course is dedicated to the importance of the discipline of International Relations and its practical significance. Mainstream theories in of the discipline, their explanations, interpretations and applications in practical terms will be analyzed. In broad terms these include Realism, Liberalism and Marxism. The post mid course revolves around critical theories and alternative approaches to International Relations and global politics. International relations theory is in the end addressed with respect to the phenomenon of globalization and its consequential events like humanitarian intervention, security dilemma, terrorism, development, environmental issues etc. COURSE OBJECTIVES The essential objective of this course is to equip students with the basic conceptual and theoretical tools essential to understand the International Relations discipline and recognize its relevance and importance with respect to various events taking place around the globe especially as the aftermath of globalization. This content of this course will provide students with sufficient understanding to decide whether they would like to continue with this discipline and if so, will be enough to permit them to take any higher level International Relations course offered. Learning Outcomes By the end of the course, the content of the lectures is expected to enable students to recognize and understand the basic theories in IR. Also there will be a fair understanding regarding the past and ongoing debates amongst and within these theories and theorists. Case studies and class discussions should enable the students to relate relevant theories to the real life examples and experiences. They should also be equipped to form informed opinions on various international issues. Along with the case study discussions, the presentations in the middle and at the end of the course period will develop their critical analysis abilities and will allow them to question and debate on the texts of the theories. Grading Breakup and Policy Class Participation (announced class discussions): 10% Attendance: 10% Presentation: 10% Quizzes (2): 10% Midterm Examination: 30% Final Examination (Post mid course) : 30%
Examination Detail Midterm Duration: 110 Minutes Exam Specifications: Closed books/closed notes Final Exam Duration: 110 minutes Exam Specifications: Closed books/closed notes COURSE OVERVIEW Lecture Topics Recommended Readings Objectives/ Application 1 Introduction Diversity and Disciplinarity in Steve Smith, Introduction: Diversity and Disciplinarity in International Relations Theory, pp. 1 12 What do theories share? Diversity and Disciplinarity 2 3 4 International Relations and Social Science From International Politics to World Politics: A historical perspective Classical Realism Mijla Kurki and Colin Wight, International Relations and Social Science, pp. 13 25 Steve Smith, John Baylis and Patricia Owens, From the Cold War to the War on Terror, The 72 86 Tim Dunne and Brian C. Schmidt, The Realism, pp.92 105 The philosophy of social science in IR: a historical overview Contemporary IR Theory: Science and the fourth debate Case Study: Exploring key implications of meta theoretical differences in IR theory Historical overview of political events from 1989 War on Iraq Perspective on evolution of politics from international to global Theories of world politics The four theories and globalization Globalization and its precursors Globalization: myth or reality? Classical Realism on theory and order Classical realism and change Classical realism on nature of theory Case study: Classical realist analysis of Iraq 5 Structural Realism John J. Mearsheimer, Structural Realism, pp. 71 88 Defensive vs. Offensive realism Why do states want power? How much power is enough? Case Study: Can China rise peacefully? 6 Liberalism Tim Dunne, Liberalism, The 110 121 Core ideas of liberalism Democratic peace theory Commercial peace theory Regime theory Liberalism and globalization
7 Neo Liberalism Neo realist v. neo liberal debate Lahore University of Management Sciences Lisa Martin, Neo Liberalism, pp. 109 126 Supplementary: Steven L. Lamy, Contemporary mainstream approaches: Neo Realism and Neo Liberalism, The 125 139 Development of Neo Liberal Theory Rules versus power Principal agent approaches Case Study: IMF Conditionality Neo neo Debate Neo Liberals and Neo realists on Globalization 8 9 10 The English School Marxism Tim Dunne, The English School, pp. 127 148 Andrew Linklater, Marxism, 3 rd Edition, pp. 110 137 Stephen Hobden and Richard Wyn, Marxist Theories of International Relations, The Globalization of World Politics, pp. 142 159 The Interpretive mode of Inquiry International society: between system and world society Case Study: Human Rights Historical materialism and purpose of critical theory Western Marxism and Critical Theory Class, production and international relations in Marx s writings nationalism and imperialism World systems theory Gramscianism the changing fortunes of Marxism in IR Marxism and IR Theory today Contemporary critical analysis of Global power 11 Class Discussion: Can China Rise Peacefully? 12 Revision 13 MIDTERM 14 Critical Theory Richard Davetak, Critical Theory, 3 rd edition, pp. 137 160 15 Social Constructivism Christian Reus Smit, Constructivism Theories of International Relations 3 rd edition, pp. 188 202 The main Constructivist Tenets Constructivism and Rationalism Constructivism as middle ground Consistent Constructivism Constructivism and Global Change Case Study: The construction of NATO expansion 16 Post Modernism Richard Devetak, Postmodernism, 3rd edition, pp. 161 187 pp.185 187 Power and Knowledge in IR Textual Strategies of Postmodernism Problematizing Sovereign States Beyond the paradigm of sovereignty: Rethinking the Political
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Post Structuralism Feminism and Gendered Theories Post Colonialism Green Theory and Environmental Issues Brief overviews: Cosmopolitanism, Hegemonic Theory Lahore University of Management Sciences David Campbell, Poststructualisms, International Relations Theories, pp. 203 228 Jacqui True, Feminism, Theories of International Relations 3rd edition, pp. 216 234 J. Anne Tickner, Gender in World Politics, pp. 264 276 pp.181 184 Siba N Grovogui, Postcolonialism, International Relations Theories, pp 230 245 pp.187 189 Mathew Peterson, Green Politics, 3rd ed. pp. 235 257 John Wolger, Environmental Issues, The Globalization of World Politics, pp. 350 366 Richard Shapcott, International Ethics, The Globalization of World Politics, pp. 194 200 Interdisciplinary Context of Post structuralism The reaction of IR to Poststructuralism The critical attitude of Poststructuralism Understanding discourse Discourses of World Politics Case Study: Images of Humanitarian Crisis Feminist Theories Feminists define gender Putting a Gender lens on global politics Gendering security Gender in the Global Economy Empirical Feminism Analytical Feminism or Normative Feminism International Morality and Ethics Orientalism and Identities Power and Legitimacy in International Order Case Study: The Suez Canal Crisis Environmental issues on the International Agenda: A Brief History The functions of international environmental cooperation Climate Change The Environment and international Relations Theory Green Political Theory Global Ecology Ecocentricism Limits to growth, Post Development Green rejections of the state systems Objections of the green arguments for decentralizations Greening of global politics 25 26 Globalization and International Relations 27 Class Discussion 28 Revision Anthony McGrew, Globalization and Global Politics, The 14 32 Steve Smith, John Baylis, Patricia Owens, Introduction, The 1 13