Course Overview

This course examines various theories and cases to understand the dynamics of international politics.

Learning Achievement

Through cultivating critical and creative thinking skills, students will be better able to understand various theories of international relations.
By improving analytical and logical skills, students will be able to understand how theories can or cannot be applied to international political events

Competence

This course introduces some of the major theories of international relations, including realism, liberalism, and constructivism. Other relevant topics will also be discussed.

1. General-purpose competence: critical and creative thinking skills.
2. Special competence: understanding international relations, analytical skills on international relations, ability of logical expression on international relations.

Course prerequisites

None, but it is preferred that students have strong interests in the theories of international relations.

Grading Philosophy

Midterm exam (20%), Group presentation (30%) and a take-home final exam (50%).

Details of the take-home exam (due Tue 12/27) will be provided on the 10th week.

About group presentation: Students will be given an assignment to discuss with their group members (week 7). The instructor will announce who will be in the same group (week 7). Each group is expected to give a 5-minute presentation (15 points), and prepare a 1- to 2-page policy paper (15 points). Sample policy paper will be uploaded on Manaba. Each member should contribute. Attendance will be taken for weeks 7-10.

Evaluations is based on how much students understand various theories and concepts in International Relations.

Course schedule

(*Topic subject to change.)
Due to the university policy, this class will now be taught in-person. In case the instructor gets sick and cannot come to campus, online material may be used.
Week 1: Oct 4
- Organizational meeting and introduction
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Week 2: Oct 11

- Perspectives and Level of Analysis: Realism (chapter 1)
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Week 3: Oct 18

- Perspectives and Level of Analysis: Liberalism (chapter 1)
- Perspectives and Level of Analysis: Constructivism (chapter 1)
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Week 4: Oct 25

- Historical Patterns: WWI and WWII (skim chapters 2 and 3)
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Week 5: Nov 1

- Historical Patterns: The Origins and the End of the Cold War (chapter 4)
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Week 6: Nov 15 (No class on Nov 8)
- midterm exam (materials covered until week 5.)
- Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy (Case: Cuban Missile Crisis)
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Week 7: Nov 22

- Dominance and Balance of Power in Today’s World (chapter 5)
- Collective Security, International Institutions (chapter 6)

(*Group presentation members and topic announced.)
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Week 8: Dec 6 (No class on Nov 29)

- Trade (chapter 8)

- Group presentation preparation 1 (attendance taken)
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Week 9: Dec 13

- Clash of Civilizations, End of History (chapter 7)

- Group presentation preparation 2 (attendance taken)
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Week 10: Dec 20

- Group Presentation (attendance taken)

*Details of the take-home exam will be provided.
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Course type

Lectures

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Ohtomo Takafumi

Other information

Always try to think how IR theories can (or cannot) be applied to today's international politics.

Site for Inquiry

Link to the syllabus provided by the university