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Student Learning Outcomes -

• A successful student will understand the role of NATO, the UN and national state leaders in decision-making on intervention.
• Critically analyze any of the contending theoretical formulations of InternationalRelations: Liberalism/Neoliberalism institutionalism, Realism and Non-realism, the Radical Perspective, Constructivism, Hegemonic Stability Theory.
• Critically analyze the role of the United States in the International Political Economy:

Description -

Analysis of the contending theoretical formulations of international relations, the international political economy, factors of sovereignty, nationalism, relations between the core, semi-periphery and peripheral countries, the role of the World Trade Organization in international trade relations, international terrorism and global warming. The impact of international terrorism and international security on world politics are systematically analyzed in the context of an increasingly unipolar world as the struggle for hegemony ensues. The honors course is a full seminar with advanced teaching methods, focusing on major writing, reading, and research assignments, student class presentations, group discussions and interactions.

Course Objectives -

1. Analyze range of theoretical formulations of international relations theory.
2. Compare and contrast contending views of international political economy.
3. Understand and utilize current research trends in international relations theory.
4. Analyze semi-peripheral and peripheral nation states' relations with core nations in global economy.
5. Evaluate the role of the United States in the international community.
6. Analyze role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in global trade relations.
7. Analyze the impact of terrorism on international relations.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment -

Course Content (Body of knowledge) -

1. Introduction to the intellectual foundations of international relations as an academic discipline
1. Liberal institutionalism
2. Hobbesian realism and its contemporary variant of neo-liberalism
3. Marxist and neo-Marxist thinking
4. Contribution of dependency theory to international relations theory
5. Contribution of world systems theory to international relations theory
2. Liberal theories of international relations
1. Origins of liberalism in reaction to mercantilism
2. Contributions of Adam Smith and David Ricardo
3. Assumptions of liberalism as rational, utility-maximizing actors
4. Limitations of economic role of government
3. Marxist theory of international relations
1. Origins of Marxist perspective as a reaction to liberalism
2. Assumptions of Marxist perspective
3. Classes as dominant actors in the political economy
4. Classes acting in their material economic interests
5. Exploitative nature of capitalism and the international division of labor
4. The realist theory of international relations
1. Intellectual contributions of Hobbes, Machiavelli, Colbert and List
2. Emergence of realism in the 1930s
3. Assumptions of realism
4. Nation-states as dominant actors
5. Nation-states as power-maximizers
6. Nation-states as rational actors
7. Theory of hegemonic stability
8. Realism, political processes, and complex interdependence
9. Roles of international organizations
5. Contribution of dependency theory to international relations theory
1. Dependency as a socio-economic and political concept
2. Structural dependency as a socio-economic and political concept
3. The gap between rich and poor countries
4. Domestic inequality
5. Convergence and divergence
6. The state, growth, and inequality
7. Role of multilateral agencies in dependent underdeveloped states
8. The World Trade Organization in international trade
6. World systems theory contribution to international relations theory
1. Emergence of world capitalist system in 16th century Europe
2. Role of agriculture in the development of world capitalist system in 16th century
3. Incorporation of areas into world system
4. Concept of core, semi-periphery, and periphery
5. Contemporary function of world capitalist system
7. Role of non-government organizations (NGO) in the international political economy
1. The role of the United Nations in international relations
2. The role of specialized agencies of of the UN in international relations
3. The role of UNCHR in international conflict

Methods of Evaluation -

1. Consistent and systematic participation in seminar
2. Oral presentations (PowerPoint) of assigned topics
3. Development of research paper topic, thesis, outline and analytical model utilizing the scientific method of analysis
4. Development of 20 page research paper demonstrating critical, analytical, research and writing skills
5. Presentation of extract of research paper assignment to seminar

Representative Text(s) -

Disciplines -

Method of Instruction -

1. Formal weekly lectures
2. Oral group presentations (PowerPoint) on assigned topics
3. In-class seminar-style discussions on assigned topics of critical importance to class material, with intensive and systematic participation from students
4. Small group discussions on current issues in international relations
5. Instructor meets in extra session with all seminar students in a series of individual and small group learning communities, out-of-class, to work together on students' research and presentation preparation

Lab Content -

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing and Outside of Class Assignments -

1. Weekly assigned readings from texts, of between 200-300 pages, on module for week
2. Five to six pages of written outline of required weekly reading assignments
3. Development of research paper topic, thesis, outline and analytic model
4. 20 page critical analytical research paper assignment utilizing the scientific method
5. Students work closely with instructor individually and in small groups on leading assigned seminar discussion topic, presentation, and research paper assignment