Introduction to International Relations POLI PWAD 150 Spring 2007 Dr Mark Crescenzi 364 Hamilton Hall Office 962 0401 Email crescenzi unc edu Office Hours Mondays 12 30 2 00 Thursdays 2 00 3 30 Course Objective This course is designed to achieve two objectives to introduce you to some of the most important issues of international politics and to introduce you to some analytic concepts that can be used to study these issues The course is designed to teach you how to think about politics in the global arena and to prepare you for more advanced courses in international relations To achieve these objectives the course is divided into four sections In the first two sections we focus on what has long been considered the central problem of international politics war and peace and develop the realist and the liberal perspectives on the problem of war In the third and fourth sections we focus on a few lesstraditional concerns of international politics the international economic system and globalization economic development terrorism and environmental degradation Course Requirements Your grade for this course will be based on your performance on two midterm exams and one final exam one essay and participation in your recitation section Each midterm exam is worth 20 of your grade 40 total The final exam is worth 20 of your grade The essay is worth 20 of your course grade The recitation section will count for the remaining 20 of the final grade The recitation is a required component of this course Exams The exams are in class closed book notes They will be a combination of multiple choice and essay questions Please come early on exam days so we can get settled in time to use the entire class period for the exam You must turn in your exam to your own TA Exams not handed directly to your TA will not be accepted Policy on Unexcused Absences and Make Up Exams You are required to be present for all scheduled exams The only allowable exception to this policy is a documented medical emergency If you miss a scheduled exam you will be allowed to take a make up test but there will be a substantial penalty Essay Assignment You are required to write one paper during the semester The basic assignment is to take one section of the course readings lectures etc and apply it to an event or set of events in world politics The essay is due in class on April 25th but you are encouraged to turn it in earlier Your TA will provide details in your recitation section Course Readings Readings for this course will be available at the bookstore and or accessible from Blackboard Books to Buy Understanding International Conflicts by Joseph S Nye Jr 6th edition 2007 Longman Press Political Economy and Global Affairs by Andrew C Sobel 1st edition 2005 CQ Press Other Policies Please try to observe these additional policies Phones Turn them off before class Please no calls no IMs no text messaging etc Laptops are permitted only if you are taking notes No email no IM no games no web surfing Email Please try to remember that there are over 250 of you Consequently I cannot answer all email and it may take me some time to respond If you need to notify me of something important e g absence from an exam come to my office hours before the exam If you have an emergency and can t inform me in person you may do so by email but you will need to follow up with an office visit when you are able If you have course related questions that require a detailed response from me i e review questions right before a test email is not likely to work Come see me during office hours IMPORTANT The Honor Code is in effect in this class and all others at the University I am committed to treating Honor Code violations seriously and urge all students to become familiar with its terms set out at http instrument unc edu If you have questions it is your responsibility to ask me about the Code s application All exams written work and other projects must be submitted with a statement that you have complied with the requirements of the Honor Code in all aspects of the submitted work 1 Lecture Schedule and Readings I Realism Systemic Wars and the Structure of the International System Jan 10 Introduction Jan 15 No Class Monday Jan 17 and 22 Why are they Fighting Realism and International Conflict Reading Joseph Nye Understanding International Conflicts Chapters 1 2 Andrew Sobel Political Economy and Global Affairs Chapter 3 Jan 24 Power and Order in World Politics Reading Andrew Sobel Political Economy and Global Affairs Chapter 4 Jan 29 Power Transition and the First World War Reading Joseph Nye Understanding International Conflicts Chapter 3 The Fourteen Points BB The Atlantic Charter BB Jan 31 Feb 5 The Treaty of Versailles the Second World War and the American System Reading Joseph Nye Understanding International Conflicts Chapter 4 Andrew Sobel Political Economy and Global Affairs Chapter 8 Feb 7 The Cold War Reading Joseph Nye Understanding International Conflicts Chapter 5 Andrew Sobel Political Economy and Global Affairs Chapter 9 1 From an August 21 2003 Memo from Robert Shelton Provost and Judith Wegner Chair of the Faculty 2 II Liberalism Conflict and Cooperation in the International System Feb 12 Liberalism and Zones of Peace Reading Nye pp 43 51 James Lee Ray Does Democracy Cause Peace BB Sobel pp 251 275 Feb 14 19 Liberalism and the Conditions of Peace and Prosperity Reading Gilady and Russett Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution BB Sobel Chapter 9 Feb 21 Ethnic Conflict in the International System Reading Nye Chapter 6 Burg Why Yugoslavia Fell Apart BB Hagen William The Balkans Lethal Nationalisms Foreign Affairs Jul Aug 1999 pp 52 64 BB Ottoway Mariana Post Imperial Africa At War BB FEB 26 TEST 1 Feb 28 Rationality and The Prisoners Dilemma Reading The Prisoners Dilemma BB Sobel Chapter 2 Sobel pp368 370 March 5 More of The Prisoners Dilemma is Cooperation Possible Reading Bueno de Mesquita Cooperation Through Repeated Interaction BB Ziring et al The United Nations International Organization and World Politics pp 27 31 34 52 BB Sobel pp 364 371 Social Traps March 7 Collective Action Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution Reading Sobel Chapter 13 III Globalization and the International Political Economy March 19 Introduction to IPE and the International Economic System Reading Sobel Chapter 5 March 21 and 26 Mechanisms at the Core of Global Liberalism Reading Sobel pp 117 128 March 28 April 2 Who Wins and Who Loses From Globalization Reading Burtless