Political Science 2223

Introduction to International Politics

Spring 2007

Class: MW 9:00-9:50, Math 100

Office Hours: M 1:00-2:00, T 10:00-11:00, and by appointment

Webpage: sobek.colorado.edu/~leblang

Course Description

The focus of this course is on the central question of international politics: What causes conflict and cooperation between states. This course addresses these questions in both their historical and contemporary contexts. That is, it seeks to understand (1) How the international system evolved, and (2) How political and economic forces shape the functioning of that system today. In order to fully understand these questions, this course will operate on three different, yet related levels. We will be concerned with the philosophical foundations of conflictual and cooperative behavior as they are played out in the scholarship of international politics. On a second level, we will develop some theoretical tools to analyze developments in the international system. Finally, we will examine some concrete cases of where there is cooperation and conflict between states

Course Requirements

There is a great deal of reading in this course--some of it very difficult. As a result, the fundamental requirement for successful completion of this class is that you actively Read the material. By active reading, I mean that you Read and ask yourself if you understand the fundamental arguments being made by the author. If you do not, ask. The only way I know if and what you (don't) understand is if you ask questions in class.

Your course grade will be evaluated based on performance in both the lecture and recitation components of this class. In the lecture component you will have a midterm and a final examination each worth 35% (for a total of 70%) of your total grade. Performance in your recitation will comprise the other 30%. Each TA with provide you with a syllabus that outlines your responsibilities within your particular recitation.

I will post my lecture notes on the course website. While these notes do contain an outline of the lecture material they do not exhaustively cover or include all relevant material.

Course Policies

(1) The Boulder Provost’s Disability Task Force recommended syllabus statement:

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices

(2) Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, I need to know about conflicts at least a week prior to the missed assignment.

See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

(3) Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See polices at:

http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at

http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code

(4) The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh

(5) All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at

http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/

Readings

Jeffry Frieden, David Lake and Kenneth Schultz (FLS). International Relations: interests, Interactions, and Institutions (New York: WW Norton) which is forthcoming in 2009. We have been granted access to a preliminary version of this text--links to the chapters are included below--so feedback would be appreciated.

There are also a number of additional required readings which I have linked to the syllabus.

Tentative Schedule and Readings

FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, May 7, 1:30 - 4:00 in Math 100