1 GVPT 708A – Seminar in International Relations Theory Fall 2010 Tuesdays 12:30-3:15pm Tydings 0139 Prof. Paul Huth Office: Morrill 2102B 314-8481 Office Hours: M 1-3 [email protected] & by appointment This seminar introduces students to contemporary scholarship in the study of international relations and world politics. The course is divided into four main sections. In the opening section we begin with an overview of major theoretical frameworks and approaches that are commonly adopted by scholars. In section two we turn our attention to scholarship on questions of war and peace, while in section three we focus on international political economy. In the concluding section we examine questions related to study of international law and institutions. Throughout the semester we will examine important scholarly debates, assess the strengths and weaknesses of scholarship, and consider new direction for future research. The course is designed as the core seminar for Ph.D. students enrolled in the Government and Politics graduate program who have chosen international relations as one of their areas of specialization. Course Requirements: A) Seminar participation is worth 25%. Students are expected to contribute to seminar discussions each week, lead seminar discussions on a couple of occasions, and present their research design proposal. Everyone is expected to come to the weekly meetings of the seminar with questions to ask and comments to make. B) Students will write a research design paper that it worth 50%. A 2-3 page preliminary summary of the paper is due on October 26 while the final draft is due December 10. I will discuss this assignment in more detail to make sure you understand the nature of a research design and my expectations of you. C) A final exam is required and worth 25%. This will be given during the final exam period and will cover the central concepts, theories, and empirical findings presented in the course. Readings: I have ordered a number of books that you can buy from the University Book Center and Maryland Book Exchange. All books, however, have been put on reserve at McKeldin Library so it is not essential to purchase the books if costs are prohibitive. The journal articles are available through the Library’s databases, searchable via Research Port. Also, students are strongly encouraged to work together in creating an informal course pack of2 weekly readings. Professor Huth has copies of all the weekly readings from books that can be used by the students to create the course pack. Books Ordered for Purchase: Guzman, How International Law Works. Glaser, Rational Theory of International Politics. Reiter, How Wars End. Schafer and Crichlow, Groupthink Versus High –Quality Decision Making in International Relations. Jensen, Nation-States and the Multinational Corporation. Bates, When Things Fall Apart. Stiglitz, Making Globalization Work. Books Recommended for Purchase: Bueno de Mesquita, Principals of International Politics, ch.3. Seminar Schedule and Readings August 31: No class Section I: Different Theoretical Approaches to the Study of International Relations SEPTEMBER 7: Introduction and Key Concepts Thomas Biersteker, “State, Sovereignty and Territory” in Walter Carlsnaes et al eds., Handbook of International Relations, 157-76. David Lake, Hierarchy in International Relations, chs.1-2. David Baldwin, “Power and International Relations” in Walter Carlsnaes et al eds., Handbook of International Relations, 177-91. Thomas Risse, “Transnational Actors and World Politics” in Walter Carlsnaes et al eds., Handbook of International Relations, 177-91. Meredith Reid Sarkees and Frank Whelon Wayman, Resort to War, ch.2. Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, Principals of International Politics, ch.3.3 SEPTEMBER 14: Realist and Neo-Liberal Institutionalist Approaches Overview on theory in the social sciences: Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, Principals of International Politics, Appendix B. Charles Glaser, Rational Theory of International Politics, chs.1-3,6. Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye, Power and Interdependence, chs. 1-2 and Afterward. Robert Keohane, After Hegemony, chs.4-6. Kenneth Abbott and Duncan Snidal, “Why States Act through Formal International Organizations,” The Journal of Conflict Resolution 42, 1 1998. SEPTEMBER 21: Domestic Politics and Constructivism Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, Principals of International Politics, ch.1. Ronald Rogowski, “Institutions as Constraints on Strategic Choice” in David Lake and Robert Powell eds., Strategic Choice and International Relations, 115-36. Etel Solingen, “Mapping Internationalization” International Studies Quarterly 45,4 2001. Paul Kowert, “Foreign Policy and the Social Construction of State Identity” in Robert Denemark ed., The International Studies Encyclopedia Alexander Wendt, “Anarchy is What States Make of it: The Social Construction of Power Politics,” International Organization 46,2 1992. Alastair Iain Johnston, Social States, ch.1. James Fearon and Alexander Wendt, “Rationalism v. Constructivism” in Walter Carlsnaes et al eds., Handbook of International Relations, 52-72. Section II: War and Armed Conflict in International Politics SEPTEMBER 28: Coercive Bargaining Overview: Vesna Danilovic and Joe Clare, “Deterrence and Crisis Bargaining” in Robert Denemark ed., The International Studies Encyclopedia4 James Fearon, “Rationalist Explanations for War,” International Organization 49,3 1995. Bahar Leventoglu and Ahmer Tarar, “Does Private Information Lead to Delay or War in Crisis Bargaining?” International Studies Quarterly 52,3 2008. William Reed et al, “War, Power, and Bargaining” Journal of Politics 70,4 2008. Shuhei Kurizaki, “Efficient Secrecy” American Political Science Review 101,3 2007. Christopher Gelpi, “Crime and Punishment: The Role of Norms in Crisis Bargaining,” American Political Science Review 91,2 1997. Dan Reiter, How Wars End, chs.2-3, 11. OCTOBER 5: Domestic Sources of War and Peace Overview: Steve Chan, “Progress in the Democratic Peace Research Agenda” in Robert Denemark ed., The International Studies Encyclopedia Gerald Schneider, “Economics and Conflict” in Robert