COURSE SYLLABUS We believe in respect for the individual, in personal integrity and in education as a means of improving the human condition. INSTRUCTOR DETAILS INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Samuel R. Schubert e-mail: Samuelschubert30@webster.edu phone: +436504333837 office room: 2.06 COURSE DETAILS TERM: Fall Semester, 2014 COURSE: INTL 5510 PREREQUISITES: POLT 5000 CLASS LIMIT: 20 LAB FEE: TEXTBOOK: REQUIRED READING MATERIALS: See below: Required Reading material: Art, R./Jervis, R. (2010) International Politics: Enduring Concepts and Contemporary Issues, 12th Edition, Longman: New York Mearsheimer, J. (2003) The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, W. W. Norton: New York. Morgenthau, H. (2005, 1948) Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace (7 th Edition), McGraw-Hill: New York. Numerous additional journal articles available via Webster s online library system or class website. Students are advised to acquire access to MyPoliSciKit (www.mypoliscikit.com), which includes review tests, key concepts, and exercises designed to facilitate your understanding of the material. Additional materials you should consider reading: Waltz, K. (1979) Theory of International Politics, McGraw-Hill: New York. 1
COURSE DESCRIPTION Mearsheimer, J. (2003) The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, W. W. Norton: New York. Waltz, K. (2001) Man, the State, and War (Revised Edition), Columbia University Press: New York. Keohane, R.O. (2005) After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in the World Political Economy (Princeton Classic Editions), Princeton University Press: Princeton. Carr, E. H. (1940) The twenty years crisis, 1919-1939; an introduction to the study of international relations, Macmillan: London. Collins, R. / Sanderson, S.K. (2010) Conflict Sociology: A Sociological Classic Updated (Studies in Comparative Social Science) Bull, H. (2002) The Anarchical Society, 3rd edition, Columbia University Press: New York. Keohane, R.O. (ed.) (1986) Neorealism and Its Critics, Columbia University Press: New York. Wendt, A. (1999) Social Theory of International Politics (Cambridge Studies in International Relations), (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge). Gilpin, R. (1987) The Political Economy of International Relations, Princeton University Press: Princeton. Nye, J.S. (2005) Soft Power: The Means To Success In World Politics, Public Affairs: New York. Kindleberger, C. (1973) The World in Depression, 1929-39 (University of California Press, Berkeley, CA) Kennedy, P. ( 1987) The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers: Economic Change and Military Conflict From 1500 to 2000. (New York: Random House). Morrow, J.D. (1994) Game Theory for Political Scientists. (Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ.). Wallerstein, I.M. (2004) World-systems analysis : an introduction (Durham: Duke University Press). This course on IR theories is designed for Graduate students. It is structured around concepts that lie at the heart of competing IR theories. Why choose concepts as opposed to competing schools? There are two reasons. First, there is a lot of cross-over, shared concepts, and fine 2
tuning among and between prevailing theoretical approaches. Second, in order to truly study a theory at the graduate and post-graduate levels, students must read the original texts in full, not merely some overview or summary by a third party. Also important, while some concepts are common throughout the various subfields of Political Science, certain notions take on special meaning in IR, and the name itself - International Relations, implies something different than IP, International Politics, and is greatly different in its meaning to Geopolitics. As students will learn, IR theories cover all of these meanings. This course is reading intensive and it is essential that you read all the texts for the session before coming to class; no exceptions. Failure to do so will result in a F. The first half of the course is dedicated to reading about concepts from competing theoretical approaches, from realism and liberalism to constructivism, dependency, and gender; from state centric to human centric approaches and critiques. In this manner, graduate students, who should already be at least familiar with basic concepts and approaches (from an Introduction to IR course), discover the variety and depth of thought in IR thinking and debate those perspectives. Students will come away with an in-depth understanding of arguments and consensuses that exist among leading IR theorists. The second part of the class focuses on one of the masterpieces of IR theory, namely Morgenthau s Politics Among Nations, published and updated over 7 editions since 1948. The knowledge gained from the first part of the course, will greatly enhance students ability not only to critique, but also to appreciate the fine differences between Classical Realism and its descendants and a wide variety of contemporary theories and their antecedents. Graduate Catalogue Course Description: Students consider the growing literature on international relations theory, classical and modern, including realism, liberalism, feminism, behavioralism, globalism, and Marxist and imperialist theories, and the people who have elaborated these ideas and the context in which they did so. Students methodologically critique and compare theories, as well as gain an appreciation for the relevance of theory for international relations. COURSE OBJECTIVES / LEARNING OUTCOMES Recognize and locate distinct theoretical perspectives in the study of international politics. Explain commonalities and differences in fundamental theories pertinent to the study of international relations. 3
Apply theoretical models and perspectives to analyze and explain historical events, actors, institutions and the behavior of states, as well as the current and changing international balance of power. Evaluate the explanatory power of competing theoretical approaches using real case examples. Critique and suggest basic modifications to existing theories. GRADE BREAKDOWN Assignments and Grading: : 20% Literature review of contemporary theories on a particular subset of IR theory; Due: Week 5. 20% Comparative theoretical analysis of a major international crisis occurring between 1980 and 2010; Due: Week 7 15% Oral presentations of journal articles/chapters; Weeks 2-8 20% Midterm exam (various IR theories) 20% Final exam (neo-classical Realism vs. the rest) 5% Participation Grade Scale: A 94+ *Disturbances: Since every student is entitled to full participation in class or exams without A- 90-93.99 B+ 87-89.99 B 83-86.99 B- 80-82.99 C+ 77-79.99 C 73-76.99 F -72.99 interruption, disruption of class by inconsiderate behavior is not acceptable. Students are expected to treat the instructor and other students with dignity and respect, especially in cases where a diversity of opinion arises. Students who engage in disruptive behavior are subject to disciplinary action, including removal from the course. All and any use of a cell phone is strictly prohibited during class. Students using a cell phone may be sent out of the classroom, which may result in an unexcused absence. If a calculator is needed in any class, the student must bring a calculator and not a cell phone. It is up to the individual instructor to rule on the use of laptops or I-pads. Instructors have the right to prohibit students use of such electronic devices. UNIVERSITY POLICIES Students are required to inform themselves of WUV academic policies. A full list of these policies is available on the WUV website: www.webster.ac.at/academics/academic-policies Academic Honesty & Cheating: The University is committed to high standards of academic honesty. Students will be held responsible for violations of these standards. A special Honor Code that the Vienna Student Council 4
has developed applies to students and faculty. Any student found cheating on any part of the course work (homework assignment, term paper, quiz, exam, etc.) will automatically be given an F for the course. Any student found to be helping another student to cheat will likewise be given an F for the course. In each case, the student will also be put on disciplinary probation for the remainder of her or his stay at Webster. If the student is found to have engaged in cheating a second time, s/he will be automatically expelled from the University. Faculty members are held responsible for upholding and enforcing the Honor Code. Academic Work: Students are required to save digital or hard-copy files of any and all materials they use for any assignment in any WUV course. Upon the instructor's request they have to provide complete text documentation for any sources they have used. Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class sessions of this course. In the case of unavoidable absence, the student must contact the instructor and provide written documentation. The student is subject to appropriate academic penalty for incomplete or unacceptable makeup work, or for excessive or unexcused absences. Excused absences based on submitted documentation must not exceed four class sessions when the course meets twice a week and two class sessions when the course meets only once a week. If there are more absences, academic penalty (as for the unexcused absences) applies automatically. It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the course. Otherwise, s/he has to accept the grade resulting from missed attendance, missed tests, etc. In the case of unexcused absences, the instructor must lower the student's grade by one letter grade and inform the student of the action if a student misses several class sessions (equivalent of 4 hours for an 8-week course and 6 hours for a 15-week course). If a student misses 6 hours for an 8-week course and 9 hours for a 15-week course, the instructor must assign the grade of F and inform the student of the action. It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the course. WEEKLY SCHEDULE Week 1 BASIC CONCEPTS (Lecture and brief discussion): - What you will learn in this class and what you will not. - So what are theories, hypotheses, and questions? 5
Mon. 25 August - Actors and levels of analysis - Structure/Agency - War, Peace (negative and positive), and Rivalry - Relative vs. absolute gains - Balance of power - Systems - Theories of Conflict - Theoretical schools and their relations Core Readings in Theorizing IR: Morgenthau, H.J. "Six Principles of Political Realism" (Art/Jervis) Wendt, A.E (1987) The Agent-Structure Problem in International Relations Theory, International Organization, Vol. 41 (3) Nye, J. and Welch, D. (2007) Is there an enduring logic of conflict in world politics in Nye/Welch (2007) Understanding Global Conflict and Cooperation, New York: Longman; pp. 1-32. Recommended further reading: Carr, E. H. (1940) Chapter 4: The Harmony Of Interests. The Utopian Synthesis in The twenty years crisis, 1919-1939; an introduction to the study of international relations, London: Macmillan. Full text online at: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/carr.htm Burchill, S., Linklater A. (2005) Introduction in Burchill et al (2005) Theories of International Relations, Third edition, London: Palgrave. Reus-Smit/Snidal (2010) Between Utopia and Reality: The Practical Discourses of International Relations in Reus_Smit/Sindal (2010) The Oxford Handbook of International Relations, New York: Oxford University Press; pp.:3-37. Lake, D. A. (2010) The State and International Relations in Reus_Smit/Sindal (2010) The Oxford Handbook of International Relations, New York: Oxford University Press; pp.:41-61. Week 2 Mon. 1 Septembe r BASIC CONCEPTS: Power, Balance, Perception, Idealism vs. Materialism, Geopolitics, System Order (Anarchy vs. Hierarchy) Core Readings: 6
Thucydides, "The Melian Dialogue" (Art/Jervis) Clausewitz, K. (1873) Chapter 1: What is War? in On War, London: Trübner, Full Text Online at http://www.clausewitz.com/readings/onwar1873/bk1ch01.html Mackinder, H.J. (1904) "The geographical pivot of history", The Geographical Journal, 23, pp. 421 37. Waltz, K (1979) Anarchic Orders and Balances of Power, (Chapter 6) in Waltz, K. (1979) Theory of International Relations, New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 102-28. Mearsheimer, J.J. "Anarchy and the Struggle for Power" (Art/Jervis) Wendt, A. "Anarchy Is What States Make of It" (Art/Jervis) Kugler/Organski Power Transition: A retrospective and prospective evaluation from Handbook of War Studies (Provided in class). Further Recommended Readings: Nye, J.S. (2011) Power and foreign policy, Journal of Political Power, 4:1, pp. 9-24 (and also see: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/newsevents/publications/insight/international/joseph-nye) Ray, J.L. / Bentley, P. (2010) Power Concentration and Interstate Conflict: Is There a Connection?, Journal of Theoretical Politics 22(4): 407 429. Ram, M.M. (2009) Powerful Actors Make A Difference: Theorizing Power Attributes Of Nonstate Actors, International Journal of Peace Studies (14:2) Spykman, N.J. (1938) 'Geography and foreign policy, I'. The American Political Science Review, Vol. 32, No. 1, 28-50. And 'Geography and foreign policy, II'. The American Political Science Review, Vol. 32, No. 2, 213-236. Kaplan, R. D. (2009) The Revenge of Geography, Foreign Policy, (172), 96-105. Li, J. (2002) 'State fragmentation: Toward a theoretical understanding of the territorial power of the state'. Sociological theory, Vol. 20, No. 2, 139-156. Deudny, D (2000) Geopolitics as Theory: Historical Security Materialism, European Journal of International Relations Vol. 6(1). Week 3: Mon. 8 Septembe r Basic Concepts: Mitigating Anarchy, The Security Dilemma, Uses of Force, Balancing and other responses to anarchy. Core readings: Oye, K. "The Conditions for Cooperation in World Politics" (Art/Jervis) 7
Walt, S.M. "Alliances: Balancing and Bandwagoning" (Art/Jervis) Jervis, R. "Offense, Defense, and the Security Dilemma"(Art/Jervis) Gary Schaub, G. (2009) When Is Deterrence Necessary? Gauging Adversary Intent, Strategic Studies Quarterly, Winter. Art, R.J. "The Four Functions of Force" (Art/Jervis) Schelling, T.C. "The Diplomacy of Violence" (Art/Jervis) Fearon, J. Rationalist explanations of war (Art/Jervis) Posen, B. "Emerging Multipolarity: Why Should We Care?" (Art/Jervis) Kagan, R. The Return of History (Art/Jervis: Contemporary Issues) Discussion Theme: War of interests or necessity vs. choice. See: http://www.cfr.org/iraq/war-necessity-war-choice/p18273 Further Recommended Reading: Hoffmann, S. "The Uses and Limits of International Law" (Art/Jervis) Keohane, R.O "International Institutions" (Art/Jervis) Ikenberry, J. and Wright. T. (2008) "Rising Powers and Global Institutions", A Century Foundation Report (http://72.32.39.237:8080/plone/publications/2008/2/pdfs/pb635/ikenberry. pdf). World Bank Shape of Violence today (Art/Jervis). Moseley, A. (2011) "Just War Theory" in The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ISSN 2161-0002, http://www.iep.utm.edu/justwar/. Art, R. The Fungibility of Force (Art/Jervis) Downes, A. To the shores of Tripoli? Regime change and its consequences (Art/Jervis). Pape, R. (2005) Soft Balancing against the United States, International Security, Vol. 30(1): 7-45 Walt S. (2005) Taming American Power Foreign Affairs, September/October. Danilovic, V. (2002) Balance of Power and Power Shifts: Global Interests at Stake in When the Stakes Are High: Deterrence and Conflict among Major Powers, Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press. pp. 71-97. Week 4: Basic Concepts: International Political Economy, The Global Commons, Hegemonic power/ stability, Marxist IR (World Systems/historical materialism), and liberalism. Core Readings: 8
Mon. 15 Septembe r Gilpin, R. "The Nature of Political Economy" (Art/Jervis) Hardin, G. "The Tragedy of the Commons" (Art/Jervis) Jervis, R. "The Era of Leading Power Peace" (Art/Jervis: Contemporary Issues) Snidal, D. (1985) The limits of hegemonic stability theory, International Organization, vol. 39(4): 579-614 Wallerstein, I. (1974) The Rise and Future Demise of the World Capitalist System: Concepts for Comparative Analysis Comparative Studies in Society and History, Vol. 16(4): 387-415. Teschke (2002) Theorizing the Westphalian System of States: International Relations from Absolutism to Capitalism, European Journal of International Relations Vol.(8)1. 5-48. Moravscsik, A. (1997) Taking Preferences Seriously: A Liberal Theory of International Politics, International Organization Vol. 51(4). Doyle. Kant, Liberal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs (Art/Jervis) Further Recommended Readings: Katzenstein, P., Keohane, R.O., and Krasner, S.D. (1998), International Organization and the Study of World Politics, International Organization 52, 4, Autumn 1998, pp. 645 685 Hiscox, M.J. "The Domestic Sources of Foreign Economic Policies" (Art/Jervis) Gilpin, R (1988) The Theory of Hegemonic War, The Journal of Interdisciplinary History, Vol. 18(4): 591-613. Michael C. Webb and Stephen D. Krasner. "Hegemonic Stability Theory: An Empirical Assessment", Review of International Studies (1989) 15, 183 98 Terry Boswell and Mike Sweat. "Hegemony, Long Waves, and Major Wars: A Time Series Analysis of Systemic Dynamics, 1496-1967," International Studies Quarterly (1991) 35, 124. Teschke, B. (2010) Marxism in Reus-Smit/Sindal (2010) The Oxford Handbook of International Relations, New York: Oxford University Press; pp.:163-187 Marx/Engels, The Communist Manifesto, (See: http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/61/pg61.html) Keohane, International Institutions: Can Interdependence work? (Art/Jervis) Keohane/Nye, Complex Interdependence and the Role of Force (Art/Jervis) Moravcsik, A. (2010) Liberal Theories of International Relations: A Primer Week 5: Basic Concepts (1): Critical Theory, Constructivism, and Feminism Basic Concepts (2): Back to the Future (Realism). 9
Mon. 22 Septembe r Core Readings: Hurd, I. (2010) Constructivism in in Reus_Smit/Sindal (2010) The Oxford Handbook of International Relations, New York: Oxford University Press; pp.:298-316 (provided in class). Guzzini, S. (2005) The Concept of Power: a Constructivist Analysis, Millennium - Journal of International Studies, 33: 495. Theory Talk #37 with Robert Cox on World Orders, Historical Change, and the Purpose of Theory in International Relations (http://www.theorytalks.org/2010/03/theory-talk-37.html). Tickner, J.A. "A Critique of Morgenthau s Principles of Political Realism" (Art/Jervis) Bull, H. (1966) International Theory: The Case for a Classical Approach, World Politics, Vol. 18(3): 361-377. Rose. G. (1998) Neoclassical Realism and Theories of Foreign Policy, World Politics, 51, pp.: 144-172 Further recommended reading: Shapcott R. (2010) Critical Theory in in Reus_Smit/Sindal (2010) The Oxford Handbook of International Relations, New York: Oxford University Press; pp.:327-345. Linklater, A.(1997) The transformation of political community: E.H.Carr, critical theory and international relations, Review of International Studies Vol 23,pp. 321-338 Guzzini, S. (2000) A Reconstruction of Constructivism in IR, European Journal of International Relations, 6(2): 147 182. Cox, R. (1981) Social Forces, States and World Orders: Beyond International Relations Theory Millennium - Journal of International Studies; Vol. 10 (2). Whitsworth, S. (2010) Feminism in in Reus_Smit/Sindal (2010) The Oxford Handbook of International Relations, New York: Oxford University Press; pp.:391-407 Tickner, J.A. (1992) Gender in International Relations: Feminist Perspectives on Achieving Global Security, New York: Columbia University Press Keohane, R. O. (1989) International Relations Theory: Contributions of a Feminist Standpoint, Millennium - Journal of International Studies, 18: 245-253 10
Mearsheimer, J.J. (2005) E.H. Carr vs. Idealism: The Battle Rages On International Relations, Vol 19(2): 139 152. Bull, H. (1977) The Anarchical Society: A study of order in world politics, New York, Columbia University Press. Dunne, T. (2010) The English School in Reus-Smit/Sindal (2010) The Oxford Handbook of International Relations, New York: Oxford University Press; pp.:267-285. Hoffman, S. (1986) Hedley Bull and His Contribution to International Relations, International Affairs, Vol. 62(2): 179-195 Zakaria, F. (2008) The Future of American Power, Foreign Affairs May/Jun2008, 87(3), pp.: 18-43 FYI: simple breakdown of realist schools: Classical realism (Morgenthau) vs. Neorealism/Structural Realism (Waltz) Offensive realism - Mearsheimer Defensive realism - Waltz, Walt, Van Evera Neoclassical realism - Zakaria Liberal realism ('English School') Week 6: Mon. 29 Septembe r MOGENTHAU S THEORY An in-depth re-examination of Morgenthau s Politics Among Nations. The remaining weeks are dedicated to a thorough reading of Morgenthau s neoclassical realist masterpiece, Politics among Nations. Through this reading we will be able to understand the revisit Morgenthau s profoundly important theory about state behavior from the perspective of having read later works and revisions of IR theory. Specifically, we will discuss whether Morgenthau s model of the world has been rejected or rather confirmed by newer theories. If time permits, we will also read and discuss Mearsheimer s Tragedy of Great Power Politics. Concepts: - The Realism Theory - The Science of studying international politics - Interstate politics and the global struggle for power - The roles of ideology and prestige - Understanding and evaluating National Power 11
Readings: Morgenthau : v.-176 THE LIMITATIONS OF NATIONAL POWER Concepts: - The system of balance - Normative views and moral supremacy - Sovereignty and international law - Nationalistic universalism - The various totalities of war Readings: Morgenthau : 177-398 Week 7: Mon. 6 October ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING PEACE Concepts: The roles of disarmament, collective security, and conflict management The notion of international government and the World State The notion of a global community The state and diplomacy Some posthumous updates of Morgenthau s theory Readings: Morgenthau : 399-621 Discussion and Debate on Mearsheimer. Week 8: Mon. 13 October Discussion and Debate on Mearsheimer. Remaining time open for discussion / extensions or changes. 12
NOTE: CONTACT HOURS Graduate courses are only offered in an 8- week term format and meet 1-time per week for 4 hours. Graduate Mid-term and final exams sessions are scheduled in 2-hour block sessions in addition to weekly class meeting times (36 total contact hours). Please see the Graduate Course Schedule/Timetable on the website for specific exam dates/times: www.webster.ac.at/academics/graduate-programs 13