Knight, Adam, PhD

English

Seton Hall University Libraries

Seton Hall University eRepository @ Seton Hall Diplomacy Syllabi School of Diplomacy and International Relations Fall 2020 International Relations Theory Adam Knight Dr. Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.shu.edu/diplomacy-syllabi DIPL6000 NB (30032): International Relations Theory Dr. Adam Knight Tuesdays, Duffy Hall 61, 7:35-9:45 pm Contact: knightad@shu.edu Student Hours: Tuesdays, 11-12 noon International relations theory is too broad a thing to thoroughly cover in a single semester. So, rather than this, we will explore some of the most prominent schools of thought in IR theory and their critics. This exploration will cover the concepts, assumptions, and hypotheses that these schools of thought produce. From here, we will attempt to judge these traits and consider what they mean for policymakers. By semester’s end, you may not have a comprehensive understanding of international relations theory, but you should certainly have the tools to conceptually situate and critically evaluate the arguments you’ll encounter during your studies. Course Objectives Over the course of the semester, students will… • Develop a familiarity and command of IR Theory’s schools of thoughts and the ongoing debates therein. • Compare and critically evaluate the concepts, perspectives, and hypotheses these schools of thought produce and apply them to crises. • Cultivate necessary skills for graduate study including efficient and effective reading, constructive discussion, and analytic, evidenced writing.  Required Texts Richard K. Betts, Conflict After the Cold War: Arguments on Causes of War and Peace, 5th Edition, Routledge (New York), 2017 ISBN: 9781138290693* Dan W. Drezner, Theories of International Politics and Zombies, Revived Edition, Princeton University Press (Princeton), 2015 ISBN: 9780691163703 PDFs of the other required readings will be posted on the course site. *Previous editions of the Betts reader exist. Before purchasing one of these earlier editions, make sure that the earlier edition contains all of the required readings. Requirements Quizzes (20%): Ten quizzes will be conducted over Blackboard. Responses to the quiz prompt should be 1 typed page (~325 words) and must use and cite at least one of the assigned readings to receive credit. Participation (10%): We’ll be spending a great deal of time discussing the readings each week. I expect each of you to contribute to that conversation. Midterm (30%): The midterm will consist of 3 prompts. You will answer 2 of them in essays of between 5-7 pages. Introductory and concluding paragraphs (aside from the thesis statement) will not be counted towards this length requirement. Final Exam (40%): The final exam will consist of 4 prompts. You will answer 3 of them in the same way you answered the prompts for the midterm. Coronavirus Safety  In accordance with the Seton Hall pledge, students must wear a mask in class, maintain required social distancing, and not come to class if you are ill. No mask, no class. The pledge can be found here: https://www.shu.edu/health-intervention-communication/seton-hall-pledge.cfm.   Course Format The course will be delivered in a hybrid-flexible (hyflex) mode. Details and student resources for this format can be found at https://www.shu.edu/technology/news/august-hyflex-technology-update.cfm and https://www.shu.edu/technology/hyflex-learning.cfm, respectively. In short, students will be able to attend the course in person or remotely as the lectures and discussions will be broadcast from the classroom via equipment in the room itself. The exceptions to this delivery method will be the first and last sessions, which will be delivered as remote synchronous classes via Teams.  CAPS  As part of our commitment to the health and well-being of all students, Seton Hall University’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers initial assessments, counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, and referral services to the SHU community. The CAPS office is located on the second floor of Mooney Hall, room 27. Appointments can be made in-person or by calling 973-761-9500 during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. In case of a psychological emergency, call CAPS (973-761-9500) at any time to speak to a crisis counselor. For more information, please visit: https://www.shu.edu/counseling-psychological-services/index.cfm  Absence Policy It is necessary to attend each session of the course. Each unexcused absence will result in two percentage points being deducted from the student’s final grade. Absences can be excused at my discretion but notice must be given before class in order to be considered. Disability Services Statement It is the policy and practice of Seton Hall University to promote inclusive learning environments. If you have a documented disability you may be eligible for reasonable accommodations in compliance with University policy, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and/or the New Jersey Law against Discrimination. Please note, students are not permitted to negotiate accommodations directly with professors. To request accommodations or assistance, please self-identify with the Office for Disability Support Services (DSS), Duffy Hall, Room 67 at the beginning of the semester. For more information or to register for services, contact DSS at (973) 313-6003 or by e-mail at DSS@shu.edu.  Policy on Incompletes Incompletes will be given only in exceptional cases for emergencies. Students wishing to request a grade of Incomplete must provide documentation to support the request accompanied by a Course Adjustment Form (available from the Diplomacy Main Office) to the professor before the date of the final examination. If the incomplete request is approved, the professor reserves the right to specify the new submission date for all missing coursework. Students who fail to submit the missing course work within this time period will receive a failing grade for all missing coursework and a final grade based on all coursework assigned. Any Incomplete not resolved within one calendar year of receiving the Incomplete or by the time of graduation (whichever comes first) automatically becomes an “FI” (which is equivalent to an F). It is the responsibility of the student to make sure they have completed all course requirements within the timeframe allotted. Please be aware that Incompletes on your transcript will impact financial aid and academic standing. Academic Integrity & Dishonesty Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will be reported to the administration, and may result in a lowered or failing grade for the course and up to possible dismissal from the School of Diplomacy. See University and School standards for academic conduct here: https://www.shu.edu/student-life/upload/Student-Code-of-Conduct.pdf and http://www.shu.edu/academics/diplomacy/academic-conduct.cfm. Resources for academic integrity are on the course Blackboard page. Citation Style Papers should utilize one of the Chicago Manual of Style citation formats:  Author-Date or Notes and Bibliography. The guidelines for these formats are on the course Blackboard page. Graduate Student Resources • Graduate Services Guide (General for all programs): https://library.shu.edu/gradservices/  • Diplomacy Graduate Remote Research Guides: https://library.shu.edu/diplomacy-remote  • Data Services Guide (with form to request data support): https://library.shu.edu/data-services  Caveat I reserve the right to alter this syllabus. Each edit shall be accompanied by an explanatory announcement. Course Outline and Readings 8/25 Week 1 REMOTE: Wait, what is this class? • Syllabus • Drezner pp. 1-36 [RECOMMENDED] • Stephen Van Evera, Guide to Methods for Students of Political Science, pp. 7-21 [PDF: RECOMMENDED] 9/1 Week 2: Realism Questions: What does a realist care about in IR? What doesn’t a realist care about? • Drezner: Realpolitik of the Living Dead • Betts: Thucydides, “The Melian Dialogue” • Kenneth N. Waltz “The Anarchic Structure of World Politics” [PDF] • John Mearsheimer “Anarchy and the Struggle for Power” [PDF] • Hans Morgenthau, “The Six Principles of Political Realism” [PDF] • Betts: John Mearsheimer, “Why We Will Soon Miss the Cold War” [RECOMMENDED] Quiz 1 Due 9/8 Week 3: Liberalism Questions: Which assumptions in realism does liberalism challenge? Which does it accept? • Drezner: Regulating the Undead in a Liberal World Order • Betts: Immanuel Kant, “Perpetual Peace” • Betts: Robert O. Keohane and Joseph S. Nye, “Power and Interdependence” • Stanley Hoffman, “Uses and Limits of International Law” [PDF] • Michael W. Doyle, “Kant, Liberal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs” [PDF] • Betts: Michael W. Doyle, “Liberalism and World Politics” [RECOMMENDED] Quiz 2 Due 9/15 Week 4: War Questions: Where does war come from according to realism and liberalism? What should world leaders do in light of this? • Betts: Thomas Hobbes, “The State of Nature and the State of War”  • Betts: Kenneth N. Waltz, “Origins of War in Neorealist Theory” • Betts: Norman Angell, “The Great Illusion”  • James Fearon, “Rationalist Explanations for War” [PDF] • Stephen Van Evera, “Offense, Defense, and the Causes of War” [PDF] Quiz 3 Due 9/22 Week 5: The Liberal Democratic Peace? Questions: What is the liberal democratic peace? How does it work? Does it even work? • John M. Owen, “How Liberalism Produces Democratic Peace” [PDF] • Christopher Layne, “Kant or Cant, The Myth of the Democratic Peace” [PDF]  • Bruce Russett and John Oneal, Triangulating Peace Ch. 2 [PDF] • Bruce Russett, Christopher Layne, David E. Spiro, and Michael W. Doyle “The Democratic Peace” [PDF] • Betts: Edward D. Mansfield and Jack Snyder “Democratization and War” [RECOMMENDED] Quiz 4 Due 9/29 Week 6: The English School and Constructivism  Questions: What is anarchy, really? Do ideas or society have any roles to play in world politics? • Drezner: The Social Construction of the Living Dead • Alexander Wendt, “Anarchy is What States Make of It” [PDF] • Betts: Hedley Bull, “Society and Anarchy in International Relations”  • K. J. Holsti, “Theorizing the Causes of Order: Hedley Bull’s The Anarchical Society” in Theorizing International Society: English School Methods, [PDF] • J. Samuel Barkin, “Realist Construcivism” [PDF; RECOMMENDED] Quiz 5 Due 10/6 Week 7: Neo-Conservatism, Colonialism, and Race Questions: What similarities exist between neo-conservatism and the theories we’ve discussed so far? Why is democracy so important in it? How does Ayoob’s idea of security change realism? Why does Kayaoglu argue that out idea of the state carries the baggage of colonialism? Why is this significant? • Drezner “Neoconservatism and the Axis of the Evil Dead” • Betts: Francis Fukuyama “The End of History?” • Mohammed Ayoob, “Subaltern Realism” [PDF] • Turan Kayaoglu, “Westphalian Eurocentrism in International Relations Theory” [PDF] Quiz 6 Due 10/13 Week 8: Feminism and Critical Theory Questions: What does Tickner challenge in Morgenthau and what does she confirm? Why do the three branches Drezner produce such different predictions? What similarities can you draw between Cox and the authors we have read thus far? • Drezner: “The Supergendered Politics of the Posthuman World” • J. Ann Tickner “A Critique of Morgenthau’s Principles of Political Realism” [PDF] • Christine Sylvester, “The Art of War/The Question of War (in Feminist IR) [PDF] • Robert W. Cox, “Social Forces, States and World Orders: Beyond International Relations Theory” [PDF] • Betts: J. Ann Tickner “Men, Women, and War” [RECOMMENDED] • Richard Ashley, “The Poverty of Neorealism” [PDF; RECOMMENDED] • Robert Gilpin, “The Richness of the Tradition of Political Realism” [PDF; RECOMMENDED] Quiz 7 Due 10/20 Week 9: Varieties of Power: Offense/Defense Questions: Why does the distinction between offensive power and defensive power matter? Can this difference be effectively measured? • Betts: Robert Jervis, “Cooperation Under the Security Dilemma” • Betts: Jack S. Levy “The Offensive/Defensive Balance of Military Technology” • Charles L. Glaser, “Realists as Optimists: Cooperation as Self-Help” [PDF] • James W. Davis, Bernard I. Finel, and Stacie E. Goddard; Stephen Van Evera, Charles L. Glaser, and Chaim Kaufmann, “Taking Offense at offense defense” [PDF] 10/23: MIDTERM DUE 10/27 Week 10: Civil Wars Questions: What is the difference between a civil war and an interstate war? Why is this significant? Why are they so difficult to end? • Marie Olson Lounsbery and Frederic Pearson, Civil Wars: Internal Struggles, Global Consequences ch. 1 [PDF] • Roy Lickider, “Civil War Outcomes” [PDF] • Betts: Chaim Kaufmann, “Possible and Impossible Solutions to Ethnic Civil Wars” • Caroline A. Hartzell and Matthew Hoddie, “Crafting Peace through Power Sharing” [PDF] 11/3 Week 11: Varieties of Power 2: Nuclear Weapons and the Balance of Power Questions: Walt and Schweller both expand on Waltz’s idea of the balance of power. How do their versions work? Are nuclear weapons pacifying deterrents or ticking timebombs? • Stephen Walt, “Alliance Formation and the Balance of World Power” [PDF]  • Randall Schweller, “Bandwagoning for Profit” [PDF] • Betts: Kenneth N. Waltz, “Why Nuclear Proliferation May Be Good” • Robert Jervis, “Losing Control in Crises” [PDF] • Henry D. Sokolski, “Our Not So Peaceful Nuclear Future” [PDF] • Thomas C. Schelling, “A World Without Nuclear Weapons” [PDF] Quiz 8 Due 11/10 Week 12: Domestic Politics and IR Questions: Why is it so hard to incorporate domestic politics in theories of international relations? • Drezner: Domestic Politics: Are All Zombies Local • Robert Putnam, “Diplomacy and Domestic Politics: The Logic of Two-Level Games” [PDF]  • Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, “Domestic Politics and International Relations” [PDF] • Fareed Zakaria, “Realism and Domestic Politics: A Review Essay” [PDF] Quiz 9 Due 11/17 Week 13: Bureaucratic Politics and Psychology Questions: Allison posits three models of how the Cuban Missile Crisis played out with three different levels of analysis. Why does this difference matter? • Drezner: Bureaucratic Politics: The “Pulling and Hauling” of Zombies • Graham T. Allison, “Conceptual Models and the Cuban Missile Crisis” [PDF] • Drezner: We’re Only Human: Psychological Responses to the Living Dead • Jack S. Levy, “Prospect Theory, Rational Choice, and International Relations” [PDF] • Betts: Robert Jervis, “War and Misperception” [RECOMMENDED] Quiz 10 Due 11/24 Week 14: What Comes Next? • Drezner: Conclusion… or So You Think • Drezner: Epilogue: Bringing the Brain Back In • Betts: Robert Gilpin, “Hegemonic War and International Change” • Betts: Richard K. Betts and Thomas J. Christensen, “China: Can the Next Superpower Rise Without War?” • Drezner: A Very Important Note about Zombie Networks [RECOMMENDED] 12/1 Week 15: Remote Review FINAL EXAM: December 10   

DIPL 6000 NB International Relations Theory

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DIPL 6000 NB International Relations Theory

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