Virginia Tech PSCI 3615

Fall 2012 CRN 95542

PSCI 3615: International Relations Theory Mon./Wed. 5:30-6:45 Major Williams Hall 334
Instructor: S. Georgakis Office: 523 Major Williams Hall Office Hours: Tues. 1:30-3:00pm, and by appointment Email: sgeorgakis@vt.edu Course Description: We all know that wars persist. There is global income inequality, global food shortages, and environmental problems. These problems comprise some very important realms of International Relations, and are ones that we spend a lot of time and energy trying to figure out. But how do we begin to understand the reasons behind the fact that over half of the population of Mumbai, India lives in slums? How does one move past the fact stage to the explanation stage? Does it suffice to simply agree that life isnt fair, or can that situation be pushed further, interrogated and investigated? The hows and whys are perhaps the most important questions in International Relations. It is here that theory really becomes important. You will have very little success changing that socio-economic statistic of Mumbai without knowing why or how it has gotten so. Whether it is trying to figure out why it is so hard to cut carbon emissions, or how the fall of the Euro affects the American economy, International Relations theory is all around us. In this course, we will examine major theoretical approaches to the understanding and explanation of International Relations. As a discipline, International Relations is young, emerging in the interwar period of the 20th century. Yet, in its relatively short history, international relations has established several rich theoretical traditions which seek to explain how states interact with each other, as well as with other actors on the international stage like NGOs, IGOs, multinational corporations, and even individuals. Throughout the semester, we will examine the major theoretical trajectories in the discipline of International Relations, including Realism, Liberalism, Marxism, Poststructuralism, Postcolonialism, and Feminist theory, among others. The course is designed to provide students with a thorough knowledge of fundamental concepts spanning these different schools of thought. The course focuses on critical thinking and reading, as well as discussion(s) of the strengths and weaknesses of the various explanations of international relations. Upon completion of the semester, students are expected to be able to engage critically with the dominant perspectives and paradigms within the discipline, as well as being able to apply theories to real-world scenarios. Required Texts: In this class we will have six required texts. I will hand out additional material in .pdf format over the course of the semester. These books should all be readily available at the campus bookstore, or through other, online mediums. Please make sure you have all of the books by the end of the first week of classes. Make sure to bring the relative material to each class session! Brown, Wendy. Walled States, Waning Sovereignty. New York, NY: Zone Books, 2010. ISBN-13: 9781935408086

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Fall 2012 CRN 95542

Carr, E.H. The Twenty Years Crisis. New York, NY: Palgrave, 2001. ISBN-13: 978-0333963777 Dabashi, Hamid. The Arab Spring: The End of Postcolonialism. New York, NY: Zed Books, 2012. ISBN13: 978-1780322230 Ferguson, James. Global Shadows: Africa in the Neoliberal World Order. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-0822337171 Harvey, David. A Brief History of Neoliberalism. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN13: 978-0199283279 Kinzer, Stephen. Reset: Iran, Turkey, and Americas Future. New York, NY: Time Books, 2010. ISBN13: 978-0-8050-9127-4 Class Conduct: The purpose of this class, above all else, is to help deepen our understandings of theories of International Relations. It is the intention of the instructor to help create an open environment where opinions, beliefs, and identities are welcomed openly and without expectations and judgment. For the next 15 weeks, we are a community of sorts; we will learn from and teach each other. In order to help create a nonjudgmental, open classroom community, please be conscientious and respectful of the others in class. Class conduct guidelines include, but are not limited to, the following: o Absolutely no cell phone use in class, if you cant spend 75 minutes without your phone, you may have bigger things to worry about; o No laptop use in class (if you have a particularly strong objection to this, along with a good reason, please come speak to me); o Arrive on time; o If you need to leave early, please let me know at the beginning of the class period; o Refrain from racist, sexist, homophobic, or generally disrespectful language; o Listen attentively and without judgment to others opinions in class, whether you agree or disagree. Class conduct should, in general, be based on common sense. Be kind, respectful, and welcoming of others ideas and opinions, and it will most likely be reciprocated. Grading and Assessment: Your success is based on how much effort you put into the class. I ask that you read, write, and think critically about the world. The good news: there are no busy work assignments, no quizzes, no tests, and no surprises. The trade off is that you are expected to come to class prepared to think. Again, your ultimate success in this class (both in terms of grade and in terms of overall value of the material) comes largely from the effort that you put into the class. The following components make up the overall grade: Class logs = 10% Participation = 15% Essays = 30% [10% each] Portfolio = 25% Final paper = 20% 1. Attendance Full attendance in class is mandatory. Your success in this class largely depends upon attendance and participation in discussions. In order for any absence to be excused, a proper documentation is required (a note from Schiffert does not suffice).

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Fall 2012 CRN 95542

You have two (2) absences over the course of the semester to use at your discretion. Beyond these two, each absence from class will have a negative impact on your final grade. For every class session you miss (after the two allowed absences, of course) your final grade will be lowered by a third of a letter grade. Believe it or not, it is really THAT important to me that you come to class. I understand that life sometimes gets in the way of commitments. I do not need to know the reasons behind the use of your two class absences; they are to be used at your discretion. However, beyond two unexcused absences, you will need to come see me (with proper documentation for any excused absence), as this will severely affect your learning and ability to meaningfully participate in the class. Please make sure you make contact with me before the absence rather than afterwards. 2. Class Logs Reacting to class discussions and readings is extremely important in the learning process. Rather than having students complete reaction papers that are turned in weekly, each student will keep a journal of class logs. After each class, students are expected to write about 100-150 words of reflection on anything from the reading/class. What single thing stood out to you the most? It can be a comment by me or another student, a life experience of yours that fits into the topic being discussed, or something that really made you uncomfortable. You dont get something? Have a question? This is all territory for the class logs. You should have an independent notebook for the class logs (i.e. dont use the same one for class notes). It can be a blue book, a composition notebook (preferred), or a spiral notebook. I will collect the notebooks once halfway through the semester, and then again at the end of the semester. I cant grade your opinion or what you find valuable in the class, so class logs are graded based on completion. Hopefully you will find them to be a useful exercise that not only shows the power of reflection and journaling, but allows you to go back later on to the finer points or details of the class that stood out to you. While the big picture stuff is always important, sometimes it is the details that can really make or break a learning experience. These class logs will also help you when you write your essays. * A word of warning: While it may be incredibly tempting to NOT keep up with these logs on a daily basis, it will be both difficult for you and obvious to me if you wait until they are due to try and make them up. If logs are vague and unspecific, or were clearly not given attention, you will not receive the points for them. This is an exercise in specificity, which should help you and your learning in the class; it is not busy work. Remember, these take the place of weekly reaction papers (that would otherwise be turned in and graded), so I urge you to stay disciplined and find value in the experience of keeping a journal of class reactions. It may seem tedious at first glance, but it should be a very useful and worthwhile use of your time over the course of the semester. 3. Participation You will be expected to make regular and critical contributions that help to foster discussion in the classroom. Active communication and discussion will not only help you to better understand the material, it will help you help your classmates, and will make the class more stimulating and interesting overall. Active participation in the classroom is highly encouraged. Participation is worth 15% of your overall grade. I understand, however, that a 40 person full classroom is not always the most inviting place to speak in public, and it creates a bit of anonymity. To increase the value of discussion, for about 20 minutes each Wednesday, the class will break into discussion groups (these will be assigned after the first week of classes). Your discussion group will stay the same throughout the semester with the hope that in a smaller

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Fall 2012 CRN 95542

setting, discussion will have a greater impact and will be more valuable. I will give talking points, questions, or have the group come up with particularly important questions/concerns about the readings and topics at hand. The group setting will also be a space for sharing reflections from the class logs. 4. Essays Each student will be responsible for three essays over the course of the semester, based on the books we read. These essays will be prompted and the prompts will be handed out in class at least a week before the due date. Each essay should be 3-3.5 pages single-spaced (no less than 3, no more than 4), typed with 1 margins, standard 12pt font, title, page numbers, staples, full citations, and complete (and properly formatted) bibliographic information. These are professional documents, and you will be penalized if your paper is not properly formatted. Each essay is worth 10% of your final grade. It is not possible to pass the class and not complete ALL essays; you may not forfeit the points for not doing an essay. Essays are to be turned in class on their assigned due date. More information to follow in class. 5. Portfolio (10 assignments, total of 100 points) Its the last week of classes and you have a final paper to write. You have a vague idea of what you are going to write about, but the night before its due, you get some coffee, head to the library, pull an all-nighter and crank out something resembling a coherent paper. Its not fun to write, and its not fun to read. Were going to avoid of this nightmare scenario of seemingly inevitable procrastination with a portfolio project leading up to the final paper. You will be building your final paper over the course of the semester, and it will essentially be constructed by the time the due date rolls around. Almost every week, students will turn in a piece of the portfolio, which will be read and graded. These pieces will form the basis of your final paper. Each assignment will advance you through the paper writing process and will make your final paper a procrastination-free affair. You will be doing all the work of the final paper in small steps over the course of the semester so that when it comes time to write the final draft, it is basically already written and will just need to be cleaned up. This will cut down on your stress at the end of the semester, and will be a much better use of your time and energy. Portfolio assignments will include: 1. Possible Topics (3 or 4 options with description [about 2-3 sentences] of each). 5 points 2. One page brainstorming exercise (what do you already know about the topic, what about the topic interests you, what are the associated policies and treaties, what do you need to research, etc.). 5 points 3. Possible topics (Reconsider your topics after you have completed the brainstorming exercise. Same instructions as assignment 1). 5 points 4. Annotated bibliography (1 to 2 paragraphs on at least 5 sources). 10 points 5. Thesis Statement (should be about a paragraph. State your argument; you may want to identify the relevant goals, problems and solutions for your issue). 10 points 6. Potential sources ((list of at least ten sources books, scholarly articles, news articles). 10 points

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Fall 2012 CRN 95542

7. Two page problem statement. Draft the main problem that you would like to address in your paper. 15 points 8. Two page stating your main argument. Draft the main argument of your paper. 15 points 9. Rough draft, as complete as possible, APA formatted. 20 points

10. One page reflection on value of portfolio process and paper. 5 points The assignments will be discussed more in class. I will send out an email detailing what is expected each week for the respective assignment. Portfolio assignments are due on the Friday of the assigned week, by 5pm, via dropbox on Scholar. 6. Final Paper Each student will choose a problem or topic related to international relations to analyze over the course of the semester with their portfolio, and will eventually turn it into a final paper. You must pick at least one theory or perspective that we use in class in your final paper. The paper must identify the problem at hand, incorporate a framework to better understand/answer the problem, give context and background, and explain why the theory that you choose works the best to understand the problem, as well as why others dont work as well. These papers do not simply consist of summaries of historical circumstances, etc. Rather, they must delve head first into analysis and theorization of International Relations. Ultimately, you will be making arguments about what needs to be done and why, but they can only come after you first set the stage for how you (along with your theoretical paradigm) help us to better explain and analyze the topic. These papers must be research basedstay away from your opinion. There is a huge different between critical thought and opinion. More important than anything else, your papers must draw on the experience and knowledge gained through the semester. The final paper will be between 10-12 pages, double-spaced, with proper and complete bibliographical information. You can choose between Chicago, MLA, or APA citation styles, but it must be formatted consistently and accurately. The final paper will be due FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2012 BY 9:00PM IN MAJOR WILLIAMS 523. Grading Scale: A AB+ B BC+

94-100 90-93 88-89 84-87 80-83 78-79

C CD+ D DF

73-77 70-72 67-69 63-66 60-62 0-59

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Fall 2012 CRN 95542

Class Readings and Assignments: Assigned readings are an integral component of the course, and keeping up with the reading and participating during lecture on the basis of your own understanding of what you have read is the single best way to succeed in this course. Students are expected to real all assigned reading prior to the class section in which it will be discussed; i.e. reading listed under Aug. 27 will be discussed on August 27th. Students will need to come to class prepared for discussion, having read all material assigned for that day.

UNIT 1: Why Theory? Realism and Liberalism Week 1 Aug. 27 (M) Hello! Aug. 29 (W) Inayatullah and Blaney, International Relations and the Problem of Difference, pg. 1-8 [.pdf found on Scholar]; Carr, Twenty Years Crisis; Prefaces (cv-cviii) and Ch. 1-3 (p. 3-41) Week 2 Sept. 3 (M) Carr, Twenty Years Crisis; Ch. 4-6 (p. 42- 88) Sept. 5 (W) Carr, Twenty Years Crisis; Ch. 7-8 (p. 91-134) Week 3 Sept. 10 (M) Carr, Twenty Years Crisis; Ch. 9-11 (p. 135-177) Sept. 12 (W) Carr, Twenty Years Crisis; Ch. 12-14 (p. 178-220) *Portfolio assignment #1 due on Friday Sept. 14 UNIT 2: Democracy, the West and the Rest Week 4 Sept. 17 (M) Huntington, The Clash of Civilizations [Available on Scholar] Sept. 19 (W) Said, Introduction to Orientalism [available on Scholar] *Portfolio assignment #2 due on Friday Sept. 21 Week 5 Sept. 24 (M) Kinzer, Reset, Intro. and Chpt 1-2 (p. 1-58) Sept. 26 (W) Kinzer, Reset, Chpt. 3-4 (p. 59-115) * ESSAY #1 DUE IN CLASS Week 6 Oct. 1 (M) Kinzer, Reset, Chpt. 5-6 (p. 116-175) Oct. 3 (W) Kinzer, Reset, Chpt. 7-8 (p. 176-218

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Fall 2012 CRN 95542

*Portfolio assignment #3 due Oct. 5 Week 7 Oct. 8 (M) Dabashi, Arab Spring, Intro. and Chpt. 1-2 (p. 1-58) Oct. 10 (W) Dabashi, Arab Spring, Chpt. 3 (p. 59-88) *Portfolio assignment #4 due Oct. 12 Week 8 Oct. 15 (M) Dabashi, Arab Spring, Chpt. 4-5 (p. 89-137) Oct. 17 (W) Dabashi, Arab Spring, Chpt. 6-7 (p. 138-170) * CLASS LOGS DUE *Portfolio assignment #5 due Oct. 19 Week 9 Oct. 22 (M) Dabashi, Arab Spring, Chpt. 8-9 (p. 171-217) Oct. 24 (W) Dabashi, Arab Spring, Chpt. 10-11 (p. 218-254) *Portfolio assignment #6 due Oct. 26 UNIT 3: Neoliberalism and the Global Week 10 Oct. 29 (M) Fukuyama, The End of History? [Available on Scholar] Oct. 31 (W) Harvey, Brief History of Neoliberalism, Intro. and Chpt. 1-2 (p. 1-63) * ESSAY #2 DUE IN CLASS Week 11 Nov. 5 (M) Harvey, Brief History, Chpt. 3 and 5 (p. 64-86; 120-151) Nov. 7 (W) Harvey, Brief History, Chpt. 7 (p. 183-206); Kaplan, The Coming Anarchy [link available on Scholar] *Portfolio assignment #7 due Nov. 9 Week 12 Nov. 12 (M) Ferguson, Global Shadows, Intro. and Chpt. 1 (p. 1-49) Nov. 14 (W) Ferguson, Global Shadows, Chpt. 2-3 (p. 50-88) *Portfolio assignment #8 due Nov. 16 Week 13 Thanksgiving Break (Nov. 19 23) Week 14 Nov. 26 (M) Ferguson, Global Shadows, Chpt. 4 and 6 (p. 89-112; 155-175)

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Fall 2012 CRN 95542

Nov. 28 (W) Ferguson, Global Shadows, Chpt. 7-8 (p. 176-210) *Portfolio assignment #9 due Nov. 30

UNIT 4: Borders and the Future of the State Week 15 Dec. 3 (M) Brown, Walled States Chpt. 1 (p. 7-42) Dec. 5 (W) Brown, Walled States Chpt. 2 (p. 43-73) * ESSAY #3 DUE IN CLASS Week 16 Dec. 10 (M) Brown, Walled States, Chpt. 3 (p. 73-106) Dec. 12 (W) Brown, Walled States, Chpt. 4 (p. 107-134) * CLASS LOGS DUE *Portfolio assignment #10 due on December 14, stapled to the front of the final paper FINAL PAPER DUE: Friday, December 14, 2012 but 9:00 pm in Major Williams 523.