POL 472: International Relations
Dr. Brian Anderson
 

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Books:

Goldstein, Joshua S., and Jon C. Pevehouse. International Relations, current edition.

Rourke, John T., ed. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in World Politics, current edition.

An additional book on a specific IR issue; used for the book analysis assignment.

Grade Breakdown:

Test 1 15% + 5%  OR
Test 2 15% + 5%
Test 3 (Final Exam) 20%
Book analysis 15%
Research paper 25%
Participation 5%
TOTAL 100%
Course Content:

HOW DO COUNTRIES GET ALONG?

How We Investigate World Politics
        -Competing theories of international relations
        -Why studying foreign affairs is important
        -Explaining war and peace

How Countries Participate in World Politics
        -Which people are important?
        -Creating and implementing foreign policy

How the World was Changed by 9-11
        -The September 11 attacks and America's War on Terror
        -Is Iraq part of the War on Terror?

CHALLENGES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Conflict: Inevitable?
        -The causes of war: past, present and future
        -How we fight: conventional and unconventional warfare
        -Current hotspots and hopes for resolution

Cooperation: Possible?
        -The United Nations and "world government"
        -Economic integration and the prospect of political integration to follow

"NEW" CHALLENGES IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

International Economic Order
        -The international monetary system
        -Trade pacts and regionalism
        -MNCs: wielding influence from Columbus to Cameroon

The North-South Divide
        -Neocolonialism and its consequences
        -Making development work

Earthly Matters
        -Does an integrated culture help or hinder our world?
        -Health concerns in a crowded world
        -Energy consumption and environmental destruction 
        -Green politics goes global

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