International Politics

This course will explore important areas of research and major theoretical traditions in the study of "international relations." Like political science in general, international relations is a highly fragmented field in terms of its basic methods, theoretical approaches, and explanatory goals. Consequently, this course aims at providing some insight into a few of the more salient theoretical and substantive concerns in international politics research, including international political ecology, international political security, international political community, and international political economy. Most importantly, however, it seeks to move beyond rigid conventional construction of "international relations" in order to highlight new concerns in post-Cold War times of highly globalized inter/trans/intra/sub/post/supranational politics, which are becoming the basis of the "New World Order."

Our goals in this course, then, are to gain:

1. A preliminary acquaintance with some of the major topics and themes of inquiry in international politics as an introduction to more advanced work.
2. An exposure to a varied group of classic and contemporary readings, including more recent innovative theoretical projects.
3. An ability to evaluate and produce scholarly research in the area of international relations.

The format of the course will emphasize class discussion and debate. Everyone is expected to participate actively in class discussion as well as to help lead discussion in one or more class sessions during the term. You will be graded for this activity.

There will be three writing assignments for the course:

• Weekly reading journals, recording your critical but professionally argued reactions to the assigned readings to organize your thoughts for class discussion, test your appraisal of the texts with the instructor, and dialogue with yourself about each set of ideas;
  
  
• One short critical paper (8-10 pages) on a work or author under study in the seminar, representing your attempt to write a professionally developed review essay or literature critique;
  
  
• One long analytical paper (15-18 pages) reflecting more sustained analysis of a topic, chosen by you and approved by the instructor, that relates to international politics. The longer paper might provide a preparatory platform for your Master's thesis, or it could simply be directed at an issue or topic of great interest to you in the area of international politics.

The reading journals will be 10 percent of the final grade, class participation and presentations will be 20 percent of the final grade, the short paper will be 30 percent, and the longer research paper will be 40 percent.