POLS 180-02: Introduction to International Relations
Syllabus
Week 01
9/1/09
- Syllabus Review/Survey
- Maps
- Survey of general knowledge
9/3/09
- Introduction
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 1, pp. 1-21.
- How do we begin to think about the World?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 2, pp. 22-44.
Week 02
9/8/09
- What happens if we don’t think in human terms?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 3, pp. 45-69.
- Who do we think we are?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 4, pp. 70-96.
9/10/09
- How do religious beliefs affect politics?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 5, pp. 97-122.
- Why do we obey?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 6, pp. 123-146.
- QUIZ 1
Week 03
9/15/09
- How do we find out what’s going on in the world?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 7, pp. 147-169.
- Why is people’s movement restricted?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 8, pp. 170-191.
9/17/09
- Why is the world divided territorially?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 9, pp. 192-219.
- How does the nation-state work?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 10, pp. 220-243.
Week 04
9/22/09
- Do colonialism and slavery belong to the past?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 11, pp. 244-270.
- How is the world organized economically?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 12, pp. 271-293.
9/24/09
- Why are some people better off than others?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 13, pp. 294-319.
- How can we end poverty?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 14, pp. 320-343.
- QUIZ 2
Week 05
9/29/09
- Why do some people think they know what is good for others?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 15, pp. 344-369.
- Why does politics turn to violence?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 16, pp. 370-396.
10/1/09
- MIDTERM EXAM
Week 06
10/6/09
- What makes a great power?
- Zakaria, Chapter 1, pp. 3-12.
- Why do states expand?
- Zakaria, Chapter 2, pp. 13-43.
10/8/09
- How did America become a great power?
- Zakaria, Chapter 3, pp. 44-89
- Zakaria, Chapter 4, pp. 90-127
- QUIZ 3
Week 07
10/13/09 FALL BREAK [No Class]
10/15/09
- What can we learn from America’s expansion then and now?
- Zakaria, Chapter 5, pp. 128-180.
- Zakaria, Chapter 6, pp. 181-192.
Week 08
10/20/09 How are emerging powers redefining global competition?
- The West’s East
- Khanna, Part I, pp. 3-64.
10/22/09
- Affairs of the Heartland
- Khanna, Part II, pp. 65-120.
- QUIZ 4
Week 09
10/27/09
- Is the Monroe Doctrine over?
- Khanna, Part III, pp. 121-170.
10/29/09
- In Search of the “Middle East”
- Khanna, Part IV, pp. 171-256.
Week 10
11/3/09
- Asia for Asians
- Khanna, Part V, pp. 257-320
11/5/09
- Is this a post-American world?
- Khanna, Conclusion, pp. 321-342.
- QUIZ 5
Week 11
11/10/09
- Is this the Asian Century?
- Mahbubani, Introduction & Chapter 1, pp. 1-50.
11/12/09
- Why is Asia rising now?
- Mahbubani, Chapter 2, pp. 51-100.
Week 12
11/17/09
- Why is the West not celebrating?
- Mahbubani, Chapter 3, pp. 101-126.
11/19/09
- What does De-Westernization entail?
- Mahbubani, Chapter 4, pp. 127-174.
- QUIZ 6
Week 13
11/24/09
- Is the West incompetent and Asia competent?
- Mahbubani, Chapter 5, pp. 175-234.
11/26/09 THANKSGIVING RECESS [No Class]
Week 14
12/1/09
- Does Asia have the prerequisites for global leadership?
- Mahbubani, pp. 235-280.
12/3/09
- Debate and Discussion
- No Readings.
- QUIZ 7
Week 15
12/8/09
- What makes the world dangerous?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 17, pp. 397-426.
- What can we do to stop people harming others?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 18, pp. 427-453.
12/10/09
- Can we move beyond conflict?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 19, pp. 454-482.
- What can we do to change the world?
- Eadkins & Zehfuss, Chapter 20, pp. 483-501.
Week 16
12/18/09 – 8:30 to 11:30 am
FINAL EXAMINATION