DEPAUW UNIVERSITY
Department of Political Science
Political Science 270A&B
International Politics

Professor Nafhat Nasr

Spring Semester 2004 Asbury Hall # 221
TTh 10:00-11:50/2:00-4:00 Office hours:
Asbury Hall 121/117 TTh 4:00-5:00
W 11:00-12:00

General description: This is a lecture-discussion course meant to broadly survey and explain international and world politics as a sub-discipline of political science, and as a field of knowledge. It is designed to introduce students to the meaning, nature, scope, methods, actors, events, issues and trends in world politics. It introduces students to: a)a body of knowledge about facts associated with major issues and events, past and contemporary, b) actors world politics: individual- state-international-global, c)interactions and ecologically determined behaviors with international and/or global dimensions and implications, and d) concepts and theoretical tools of analysis to observe, classify, analyze and critically explain international political phenomena and think about them beyond the content of specific events and specific behaviors. Hopefully, this course will succeed in underlining the significance of understanding world politics as a requisite for educated and informed citizenship in an age of growing interdependence and multilateralism at the global level.

Six themes will guide the implementation of the course and provide constancy for the material, namely:

1. The study of international relations is interdisciplinary, incorporates a multiplicity of analytical perspectives, and entails the investigation of multiple units, or levels of analysis ranging from the individual to the national and the international levels.

2. The state, as an actor, remains to be the center of energy in international relations and world politics. But, gradually the setting for world politics in the last century, and especially since 1945, exhibits, a) growing complex interdependence among states and other international actors as well as new dependencies among states, b) growing globalization, and c) a need for international restructuring, i.e., institutionalization of management and policy making at the international level, in addition to state- centric management of world affairs. Hence, the tension between anarchy and globalism at the international level.

3. The line separating certain aspects of domestic politics from world politics is growing ever weaker and more difficult to identify. Hence, the advent of linkage politics, global issues, the commons and the need for global instruments to manage them.

4. Consequently, center-stage, at the international level, is being gradually shared by intergovernmental actors (IGOs), non-governmental actors (NGOs) international regimes, and transnational actors, in addition to nation-states which remain to be perceived as the most important actors in world affairs, as indicated in "2" above.

5. Superpowership, at least in a military sense, and at certain levels of violence, seemingly remains a virtual reality. However, the end of hegemonic control, in terms of general power and policy, is already a nearly accomplished fact. The determination and management of the international agenda is gradually becoming a global effort.[This semester the class will be asking whether the post September 11,2001 world order which the USA is trying to put together, based on 'hegemonic peace' presents an exception to the rule as stated here, or it simply represents a transient resurgence of hegemonic designs.]

6. In the context of, and as a corollary to, the above themes, national power, national interest, and national behavior are increasingly being determined by economic and ecological manifestations of complex interdependence

7. At some appropriate point, we will be asking whether the interface among the above themes is leading to the conclusion that a "new international order" is unfolding.

Required books:

The following books are required, or *Recommended, and are available for purchase at the Fine Print Bookstore, downtown:

Annual Editions, American Foreign Policy: 04/05, Dushkin, 2004.

Kegley, Charles, et.al., World Politics: Trend & Transformation, 9th Edition, Thomson/Wadsworth, 2004 [basically changed from earlier editions.]

Love, Maryann, Beyond Sovereignty: Issues for a Global Agenda, 2nd edition, Thomson/Wadsworth, 2003.

Nye, Joseph, The Paradox of American Power.

Susan, Strange, Mad Money... Michigan University Press, *R

_________, Retreat of the State *R

White, Jonathan, Terrorism: An Introduction, 4th edition, Thomson/Wadsworth, 2003.

Zakaria, Fareed, The Future of Freedom, Norton, 2003

Also, you are required to subscribe to the New York Times for the duration of the semester. It is imperative to have hard copies of the NYT, because we are going to use it regularly for discussions in class.

Assignments from other sources will be placed on reserve in the Roy O. West Library or will be assembled in packet form for your use, at cost.

Course Goals:

1. Identify and understand perspectives on the study of world politics, and critically use such for the explanation of world politics, and perhaps to develop a student's own perspective on world politics.

2. Identify and understand the levels, or units, of analysis in the study of world politics, and use such to explain world politics, and do independent research using theory for empirical analytical purposes.

3. Identify and explain trends (continuity and change) in world politics.

4. Follow and think about daily news in a meaningful, analytical, and coherent manner.

5. Develop and/or enhance student awareness of and interest in world politics, an important condition for democratic citizenship in the global age.

Attendance:

Regular class attendance is required, and active participation is expected. Both will figure out in your course grade. If, for some reason, you cannot participate in discussion, please let me know. Students are very strongly urged to stay up to date in doing the assigned readings (an average of 110 pages per week) and in preparing for discussion sessions as will be scheduled.

Class attendance will be kept. You are allowed one free cut. A 3.3% of your grade for the course will be deducted for each of the next three cuts. If you cut class more than a total of four times (not including school-induced cuts,) you will jeopardize your ability to pass the course.

This class meets from 10:00-11:50 and 2:00-3:50 (TR), (Rooms 121, for section A, and 117 for section B, Asbury Hall). It will be conducted in a mostly interactive format. You are urged and encouraged to initiate, and participate in discussion any time during the class meetings. No question will be treated as trivial if you feel the need to ask it. Class attendance and participation in discussion are central to the interactive learning process followed in this course. This is one of the reasons why discussion and attendance will figure out prominently in evaluating your performance in this course and assessing the attainment of the goals of the course.

Examinations:

There will be two in-class examinations, scheduled for Thursday, March 18, and Thursday, May 11th. There will be no final examination. No makeup examinations will be given except for strictly documented legitimate excuses. Should any of the examinations conflict with a religious holey day, arrangements can be made with the instructor to schedule a make-up. Such arrangements should be made at least a week before the scheduled examination, on the student's initiative. These special arrangements do not apply to the due date of the term paper, the submission of which students can plan well in advance.

Please, make every effort to take examinations, and meet deadlines, on time and arrange your travel plans (for vacations, etc.) long enough in advance so they will not conflict with scheduled examinations or submission of the term paper. Such conflicts will not be accepted as excuses for not taking examinations or submitting the term paper on time.

Examinations might be partly cumulative, and will be based on objective and essay-type questions as well as definitions and identifications of important concepts, events, institutions, processes and facts in general. The material required for each of the two examinations will be announced at least ten days before the date of the respective examination.

Other written work:

You are required to write a short research-based term paper not exceeding 1500 words due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 6th, in my office [Asbury Hall # 221.] The choice of topic and scope of the paper will be agreed upon in consultation with the instructor. Choosing the topic and writing the paper will follow the following schedule:

1. Thursday, February 26th, you will submit a typed statement including a topic and a description and scope of the topic, with a tentative bibliography. You are strongly advised not to change your topic after this point simply because you could not find resources to write a paper. Survey the literature before you decide <:>n the topic.

2. Tuesday, March 9th, you will submit a revised and more elaborate statement of your topic and its scope, with an outline of the structure of the prospective paper, and a more detailed bibliography. Items in the bibliography should consist of resources that are physically accessible to you in the DPU libraries, or through inter-library loans, or any other source of information which you can reach or own.

3. Thursday, April 29th, Paper is due in full and final draft. The instructor is prepared to react to a first draft of the paper only if such a draft can be given to him on, or before, Tuesday April 20th. In view of the fact that the due date for the term paper is close to the date of the second examination, the instructor will not be able to read and grade papers before the final examinations period.

Papers will strictly be evaluated on the basis of content, integrity and quality of text and argument, form-documentation. Papers not well edited will be downgraded.

Discussion sessions:

There will be pre-assigned discussion sessions mostly focusing on topical issues, issues in the news, and/or designated aspects of the material covered in this course. When appropriate, questions will be issued in advance to serve as focus for discussion, and individual students (or small groups of students) will be called on to prepare to answer questions and serve as discussants from the floor. Attendance, participation, and presentation will constitute 25% of the grade for the course. You are encouraged to ask questions any time. I repeat, no question is insignificant if you feel the need to ask it. In addition, there will be short discussions, as needed, focusing on international politics in the news. Some of these discussions will be planned in advance and specifically designated groups will be assigned to lead discussion focused on them.

If you have a problem which could affect your performance in this course and you feel I can help, please come to see me about it at your earliest opportunity. Remember: “A stitch in time saves nine."

Grading

The final grade for the course is based on five components: two tests, a term paper, attendance/participation, and discussion. No incomplete grades will be issued at the end of the semester except for legitimate and documented reasons. Incomplete grades must be arranged for before the end of the semester and such arrangements must be approved by Academic Affairs. I am sure that you are aware that grades are earned not given, and that what you earn depends not only on your native intelligence but also on the extent to which you invest time and application on preparing for the course.

The final grade for the course will consist of the following proportions:

Two tests, each 25%
Term paper 25%
Attendance, participation 10%
Presentation 15%

Please, remember that a grade is earned not given.

Important dates:

Feb. 26: Term paper topic statement/tentative bibliography

Mar. 9: Term paper proposal + out-line + bibliography

Mar. 18: First examination

May 11: Second examination

Apr. 29: Term paper due in my office, AH #221, by 5:00 p.m.

I treat students, as I should, with trust, compassion, and respect. I want to make your experience in this course as stimulating and as academically productive as possible. If you invest your honest best in this course, you will learn a lot and will be rewarded fairly, based on clear and objective criteria of evaluation. Should you feel, at any time, that a problem is coming between you and your performance in this course, see me at your earliest, whatever the problem might be, if you feel that you can share it with me. Good luck in Political Science 270-A & B.

GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE COURSE

I. ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AND OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE: Focus on structure & themes. (One class meeting = two hours) Feb.3

II. THE MEANING AND STUDY OF WORLD POLITICS (WP) (two class meetings) [Part I in Kegley & Wittkopf -K&WJ Feb.5,IO

1. Definition of WP
2. The Scope of WP
3. Analytical Dimensions: Actors, Levels of Analysis, and Interactions
4. The Study of WP: Approaches and Perspectives

@ Discussion, Feb. 10

III. THE SETTING OF WORLD POLITICS: WORLD POLITICS SINCE 1945; THE CHANGING AGENDA (five class meetings) [Readings from Keylar] Feb. 12,17,19,24,26

This section of the course summarizes major trends, events, concepts, and changes in IP in the last century or so, with particular emphasis on WP since 1945. Class lectures and discussions will underline major systemic developments, concepts, and trends, such as: balance of power, polar systems, and strategy in the nuclear age, the Cold War, decolonization, detente, globalism, nonalignment, and the implications and trends consequent to those developments.

Ordinarily this part of the course, as I teach it, will take about double the length of time we are allowing for its coverage this semester, but in view of the need to devote greater attention to American policy as it manifests itself post-9/11 and cover significant current issues, we will all but briefly gloss over it using the outline of the main text as our guidepost, thus allowing more time to discuss the nature, dynamics, and implications of American uni- polarity in sections of the course that follow.

The following topics will be covered:

1. The contemporary international system before 1945: balance ofpower

2. Post 1945 system: Cold War, decolonization-neocolonialism, non-alignment, restructuring the international system

3. Limits of power in the age of globalization and WMD (end of hegemony?)

4. Lull or collaboration: detente & arms control

5. Collapse of the prevailing order: a international order?

6. The advent of globalism

@ Discussion, Feb.17
@ Discussion, Feb.26

IV. LEVELS OF ANALYSIS: ACTORS & INTERACTIONS (six class meetings; Test-1 inside this section of the course) [PARTs II & IV in K&WJ Mar. 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18

A. Actors:

1. Inside States: Individuals/Leaders/groups
2. The State: economic system, social system, political system [goals & aspirations]
3. International Systems & Organization: Inter-governmental organizations (NGOs,)
and regimes
4. Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Transnational Actors

@ Discussion, Mar.9

B. Interactions:

1. power, foreign policy
2. Patterns of conflict and collaboration - [West-West, North-South, 'East'- West]-
We might choose to focus on terrorism & security

*Test-I March 18

@ Discussion, March 30 (first hour?)

V. ISSUES IN THE GLOBAL AGE (four class meetings)[Part III in K&W; also Love's Beyond Sovereignty] Mar .30/ Apr. 1,6,8

A discussion of globalization and the issues and implications entailed in the process of moving in a global direction. Emphasis on the role of the UN in Global politics, global governance, and the fading away of the state.

1. Why globalization?

2. Implications of globalization

@ Discussion, April 8 (second hour?)

VI. FOCUS ON TOPICAL ISSUES OF THE DAY [we will read portions of selected books; Test-II inside this section of the course] Nine class meetings: April 13,1 5,20,22,27,29 / May 4,6,11

@ This section of the course will be a heavily discussion oriented segment

1. The "paradox of American power" [three class meetings]

2. Terrorism: meaning, nature & types, and management [three class meetings]

* April 29, paper due before 5:00 p.m., in my office, AH # 221

3. "The future of freedom:" Problems of global democratization [three class meetings]

*Test II, May 11, in class

VII. CONCLUSION OF THE COURSE (one class meeting, time permitting) May13

No Final Examination

DETAILED OUTLINE & SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS
[Readings with 'R' are Recommended]

I. ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AND OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE [Feb.3]

*Read the syllabus carefully

II. THE MEANING AND STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

1. Definition and Scope of IP [Feb.5]

*Kegley& Wittkopf (K&W), World Politics, ch.1
*W. Olson, Theory & Practice in International Politics, 7th edition, #47 (packet) *Russett & Starr (RS), ch. I R

2. The Study of WP: Analytical Dimensions, Approaches and Perspectives
[Feb.5-10]

*K&W, ch.2
*John Baylis, The Globalization of World Politics, ch.6 [Realism,] 8 [Liberalism]
(packet)
*RS, ch. 2 R

@ Discussion: Pros and cons of globalization, [Feb. 10]

III. THE SETTING OF WORLD POLITICS: WORLD POLITICS SINCE 1945; THE CHANGING AGENDA

1. The Contemporary International System, before 1945 (balance of power) [Feb.12]

*K& W, fe-read ch.1
*William Keylor (Keylor), The Twentieth Century World. 4th ed. "Prologue" [Packet]
*James L. Ray, (JLR), Global Politics, (7th ed.), ch. 1 R

2. The Post-1945 International Order: the Cold War System, Decolonization, Neocolonialism, Nonalignment, and the Restructuring of the International System [Feb.17]

*Keylor, ch. 2, “Peace of Paris”, 8, "Formation of the bipolar world" 11, "Rise of China and Cold War in Asia" [Packet]
*JLR, ch.2 R

@ Discussion: What was wrong with the restructuring of the global system. [Feb. 17]

3. The Limits of Power in the Age of Globalization & WMD (end of hegemony?) [Feb.19]

4. Lull or True Collaboration? Detente & Arms Control [Feb.19]

*Keylor, ch. 10 "Detente and Multipolarity" [Packet]

5. Collapse of the prevailing Order: A System of Chaos? [Feb.24]

*Seyoum Brown, as in W.Olson (9th ed.,) #1 "Explaining the Transformation of World
Politics," [Packet]
*John Baylis (et.aI.), eds. (JB), The Globalization of World Politics, ch. 5 [Packet]
*Richard Lebow (et. al.), We All Lost The Cold War ch. 1, 14, & Post-script [Packet] R

6. The Advent of Globalism:A new international order in the making? [Feb.26]

* JB, ch. 1, "the globalization of world politics," [Packet]
*Keylor, ch. 22, "a unipolar world or a new multilateralism ?"[Packet]

@ Discussion: can there be unilateralism without hegemony in the current global
condition? [Feb.26]

IV. LEVELS OF ANALYSIS IN THE STUDY OF WORLD POLITICS: ACTORS & INTERACTIONS*******

A. Actors

1. Inside States: Individuals/leaders/groups [Mar.2]

*K&W, ch. 3
*JLR, ch. 3,4 strongly R

2. The State: economic system, social system, political system (goals, needs, & aspirations) as they Relate to Foreign Policy [Mar. 4, 9]

*JLR, ch. 5,6 strongly R

@ Discussion: capitalism and foreign policy in an anarchy? [Mar. 9]

3. International System and Organization: Boundaries, Characteristics, Structure, Constituents, Resources, Rules, and Issues, AND IGOs, NGOs [Mar.9, 11]

*K&W, ch.5
*JLR, ch. 10, 11, 12 R
*RS, ch. 4, 5 R

B. Interactions

1. Power, Foreign Policy [Mar. 11, 16]

*K&W, ch.3 (reread,) & 12
*RS, ch.6 R

2. Patterns of Interaction: conflict and collaboration [West-West, "East"-West, North-South] [Mar. 16]

*K&W, ch.11, 4, 6
* JLR, ch. 7, 8, 9 strongly R
*RS, ch.7, 8 R

*Test-I March 18, in class

V. ISSUES IN THE GLOBAL AGE

A discussion of globalization and issues and implications entailed in the process of moving in a global direction. Emphasis on the role of the UN in global politics, global governance, and the fading away of the state

1. The Advent of Global Issues: the ecology of International Politics; a quick survey of predominant issues in the Global System [Mar.30-Apr. l, 6, 8]

@ Discussion: citizenship in the global age, [Mar.30]

*K&W, ch.7, 8, 10,13,14,15
*JLR, ch. 13, 15 R

@ Discussion: globalization without globalism, [Apr.8]

VI. FOCUS ON TOPICAL ISSUES OF OUR TIME

We will read portions of selected books dealing with topical concerns.

@ This portion of the course is a heavily discussion oriented segment

1. The "paradox of American power" [Apr.13, 15, 20]

*Specific readings from J. Nye's TBA

2. Terrorism: meaning, nature & type, and management [Apr.22, 27, 29]

*Specific readings from J. White TBA

* April 29th, paper due by 5:00 p.m., in my office AH # 221

3. The future of freedom: problems of global democratization [May 4, 6]

*Specific readings from F. Zakaria TBA

*Test-II, May 11, in class [material for the test to be announced in early May]

VII: CONCLUSION OF THE COURSE (one class meeting, time permitting) [May 13]

*KW, ch.16 "Ten Questions about Twenty-First-Century Global Politics"

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