POL S 203 A: Introduction to International Relations

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POLITICAL SCIENCE (POL S) 203
INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Summer 2022: B Term (July 21 -  August 18)
                                          Hybrid Instruction: Monday and Tuesday In-Person 1:50pm - 4:20pm,                                         Wednesday and Thursday Asynchronous Lectures Posted to Canvas

Instructor: Rachel Castellano
Email: rcastell@uw.edu
Office Hours: Tues 10am-12pm, or by appointment
Office Hours are on Zoom, link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/7496334949
Course Website: https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1557933 

Course Description

When are countries most likely to go to war? Given the consensus on climate change and environmental degradation, why do countries struggle so much to cooperate over its protection? What are the benefits and drawbacks of free trade, and why do tariffs and other barriers endure in spite of the benefits of free trade proclaimed by economists? How do states and non-state actors respond to human rights issues? How does international law protect refugees and migrants? These are just some of the questions that are becoming increasingly important in a globalized world.

This course serves as an introduction to the study of international relations. The primary purpose is to provide the theoretical foundations necessary for analyzing and understanding international issues. Students will be encouraged to develop analytical skills in order to formulate their own views concerning issues and policy options facing the international community. This course will prepare students for more advanced topics in international relations, and help them to think critically about a wide range of international events. The ultimate aim is for students to leave the course as more informed and engaged citizens of the world.

Course Requirements

Students are expected to attend all classes, especially because of the short quarter. Students should also come prepared by doing all assigned readings beforehand. If students are absent, it is their responsibility to obtain notes. Final grades for the course are determined by the following components. Required assignments:

• Weekly discussion questions and participation 20%

Participation includes attendance for Monday/Tuesday seminars. Make-up work will be given to students who need to miss class (and reach out beforehand) but it will not count the same as showing up to class. Participation can be gained by engaging in discussions, group work, and coming to office hours.

Students will also need to answer discussion questions for either the Wednesday or Thursday lectures each week (can choose unless otherwise specified). The questions will be posted to and submitted on Canvas. These grades will go towards the overall participation grade. 

• Discussant role 10%

During the first in-person class, students will sign up to be a discussant for one of the Monday or Tuesday seminars. Students will submit 3 discussion questions based on the readings for that day by 5pm the day before class and will also be prepared to present the readings if they are called on. Students will also present (less than 5 minutes) a news article that relates a current event to what we are discussing in class. Students will be graded based on the thoughtfulness of the questions, submitting them on time, and presenting on a news article.

• Short paper 25%

See assignment description on Canvas

• Letter to the editor 25%

See assignment description on Canvas

• Group presentation 20%

See assignment description on Canvas

Readings

All readings for this course will be posted on Canvas. 

Grading Policy and Appeals

Appeals must be made at least 24 hours after, but within one week, of when the assignment was originally returned to the class, or the grade posted online. Appeals simply asking for more points will not be considered. Requests for verbal appeals will also not be considered. To make an appeal, students are required to write a typed memo (no longer than 1 page single-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins) clearly explaining the reasons why they feel the grade they received was inappropriate. Students must submit the memo along with the original graded assignment to their teacher, who will re-grade the assignment. Please note, however, that the instructor reserves the right to re-grade the entire assignment once an appeal is made, which may result in an increase or decrease from the original grade.

Assignment Extension Policy

Because of the condensed nature of this course, extensions for assignments will only be considered for extraordinary circumstances. Students need to communicate with the instructor at least 24 hours prior to the deadline for an extension to be considered. The earlier students reach out, the more likely a new deadline can be sorted.

Accessibility

If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please communicate your approved accommodations to the instructor as soon as possible so we can discuss your needs in this course. If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but are not limited to: mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you should likewise contact DRS at 206-543-8924, email uwdrs@uw.edu, or online at http://disability.uw.edu. DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions.

Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor, and DRS. It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. No alternative accommodations will granted in this course without documentation from DRS. Students interested in obtaining accommodations should thus make appropriate arrangements with DRS as soon as possible in the quarter.

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is a serious offense at the University of Washington. All cases of suspected academic misconduct will be referred to the Arts and Sciences Committee on Academic Conduct, and may result in a grade of 0.0 for the assignment in question in addition to other potential consequences. The instructor takes instances of academic misconduct seriously, and is apt to pursue the most serious sanctions available under university guidelines. University policies and guidelines regarding cheating and plagiarism can be found at https://depts.washington.edu/grading/pdf/AcademicResponsibility.pdf. What constitutes academic misconduct? The University of Washington Student Conduct Code defines it as the following (WAC 478-120-024):

Academic misconduct includes:

(a) “Cheating,” which includes, but is not limited to:

(i) The use of unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; or

(ii) The acquisition, use, or distribution of unpublished materials created by another student

without the express permission of the original author(s).

(b) “Falsification,” which is the intentional use or submission of falsified data, records, or other

information including, but not limited to, records of internship or practicum experiences or

attendance at any required event(s). Falsification also includes falsifying scientific and/or

scholarly research.

(c) “Plagiarism,” which is the submission or presentation of someone else’s words, composition,

research, or expressed ideas, whether published or unpublished, without attribution. Plagiarism

includes, but is not limited to:

(i) The use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another

person without full and clear acknowledgment; or

(ii) The unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or acquired from an entity

engaging in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.

(d) Prohibited collaboration.

(e) Engaging in behavior specifically prohibited by an instructor in the course of class instruction

or in a course syllabus.

(f) Multiple submissions of the same work in separate courses without the express permission of

the instructor(s).

(g) Taking deliberate action to destroy or damage another’s academic work in order to gain an

advantage for oneself or another.

(h) The recording of instructional content without the express permission of the instructor(s),

and/or the dissemination or use of such unauthorized records.

If you are uncertain what constitutes plagiarism, please ask

the instructor. The Political Science/JSIS/LSJ/CHID Writing Center also offers guidance on

plagiarism, general advice on writing, and related issues of academic integrity:

http://depts.washington.edu/pswrite/forstudents.html.

Classroom Expectations

Some of the material covered in this course may be controversial. While debate is expected and in fact encouraged, students are required to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Instances of aggressive or other improper behavior toward other students, TAs, or the instructor, which is in contravention of the university’s Student Conduct Code will be reported to the Office of Community Standards & Student Conduct (for further information, see https://www.washington.edu/cssc/).

Questions and Communication

If you have any straightforward administrative or logistical questions not of a personal nature (e.g. readings for the week; location of exam, etc.), please consult the website and syllabus first, and then email your instructor if you are still uncertain. Answers to most such questions are often on the website or syllabus. Email is the preferred form of contact for these matters. All e-mail related to the course should begin with the Subject Heading “POL S 203: ...” Substantive questions related to course material will not be answered via email – instead, please see your instructor during office hours or make an appointment. Expect a reply from the instructor to emails within 24 hours, excluding weekends. The instructor will not respond to emails with questions whose answers are found in the syllabus or on the course website. If you do not receive a reply within 24 hours, assume that the answer to your question is provided in the available course resources.

Religious Accommodations  

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for the accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodation...). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).

Course Schedule

The following is a schedule of topics and readings for the course. The schedule is subject to change based on the pace of the class. The instructor will clearly announce any changes.

Week 1: Introduction 

Thursday, July 21:  Welcome to Class; Core Concepts and Theories 

• FLS  Intro
• Snyder, J. 2004. “One World, Rival Theories.”  Foreign Policy (10 pages)
• Zvobgo, K., & Loken, M. 2020. “Why Race Matters in International Relations.” Foreign Policy (7 pages)

Introduction Worksheet Due Sunday, July 24 at 11:59pm

Week 2 - International Security

Monday, July 25: The Puzzle of War

• FLS Ch.2 Excerpt pg.65-69; and Ch.3 Excerpt pg.92-107.
• Fazal, T.M., & Poast, P. 2019. “War Is Not Over: What the Optimists Get Wrong About Conflict.” Foreign Affairs (10 pages)
• Walt, S. 2022. “An International Relations Theory Guide to the War in Ukraine.” Foreign Policy (7 pages)

Tuesday, July 26: Why Bargaining Can Fail

• FLS Ch.3 Excerpt pg.107-135 
• Posen, B.R. 2020. “Do Pandemics Promote Peace? Why Sickness Slows the March to War.” Foreign Affairs (4 pages)
• Brown, R., Hurlburt, H., & Stark, A. 2020. “How the Coronavirus Sows Civil Conflict: Pandemics Don’t Bring People Together – Sometimes They Pull Societies Apart.” Foreign Affairs (7 pages)

Wednesday, July 27: Rallying ’Round the Flag! Domestic Politics, Diversion, and War 

• FLS Ch.4 Excerpt pg.144-162
• Hetherington, M.J., & Nelson, M. 2003. “Anatomy of a Rally Effect: George W. Bush and the War on Terrorism.” PS: Political Science and Politics 36(1): 37-42.

Thursday, July 28: Are Democracies Distinctive? Assessing Democratic Peace and Victory

• FLS Ch.4 Excerpt pg.175-191
• Barnhart, J.N.,Trager, R., Saunders, E., & Dafoe, A. 2020. “Women’s Suffrage and the Democratic Peace: Female Voters Slow the March to War.” Foreign Affairs (6 pgs)

Week 2 Discussion Questions Due Sunday, July 31 at 11:59pm

Week 3: Global Governance, Nonstate Actors and Human Rights

Monday, August 1: United Nations, Statehood, and the Challenges of Global Governance

• FLS Ch.5 Excerpt pg.216-225
• Notaras, M. & Popovski, V. 2011. “The Responsibility to Protect” United Nations University (3 pageS) 
• Skim: U.N. Charter (25 pages)

Tuesday, August 2: Human Rights and Intervention

• FLS Ch.12 Excerpt pg.550-560
• Barnett, M. N. 1997. “The UN Security Council, indifference, and genocide in Rwanda. Cultural Anthropology”, 12(4), 551-578.
• Power, S. 2001. “Bystanders to Genocide: Why the United States Let the Rwandan Tragedy Happen.” The Atlantic (30 pages)

Wednesday, August 3: Civil Society and Nonprofits 

• Elliot, J. & Sullivan, L. 2015. “How the Red Cross Raised Half a Billion Dollars for Haiti and Built Six Homes” ProPublica (11 pages)
• Merry, S. 2016. Seducations of Quantification (Chapter 1) (26 pages)

Thursday, August 4: Climate Change and Environmental Cooperation

• Táíwò, O. & Cibralic, B. 2020. :The Case for Climate Reparations.” Foreign Policy (10 pages)
• Victor, D.G. 2006. “Toward Effective International Cooperation on Climate Change: Numbers, Interests, and Institutions.” Global Environmental Politics 6(3): Abridged version pg.515-522.

Letter to the Editor Due Friday, August 5 at 11:59pm

Week 3 Discussion Questions Due Sunday, August 7 at 11:59pm

Week 4: International Political Economy

Monday, August 8: International Trade

• FLS Ch.7 Excerpt pg. 308-337
• Krugman, Paul. 1994. “Competitiveness: A Dangerous Obsession.” Foreign Affairs 73(2): 28-44

Tuesday, August 9:  International Finance 1 – Multinational Corporations (MNCs) to the Rescue?

• FLS Ch.8 Excerpt pg. 367-373, 390-396
• Kristoff, N. 2009. “Where Sweatshops are a Dream.” New York Times Op-ed (3 pages)
• Silverstein, K. 2010. “Shopping for Sweat: The Human Cost of a Two-Dollar T-shirt.” Harper’s Magazine (9 pages)

Wednesday, August 10:  International Finance II – Do States and Debt Mix? The Promise and Perils of Sovereign Lending

• Listen to NPR’s Planet Money Podcast. 2016. “A Hedge Fund, A Country, and a Big Sailboat.”(March 11). (About 15 minutes) https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/03/11/470136949/episode-689-a-hedge-funda-country-and-a-big-sailboat
•  Abi-Habib, M., &  Bradsher, K. 2020. “Poor Countries Borrowed Billions from China. They Can’t Pay It Back.” New York Times (May 18). (7 pgs)

Thursday, August 11: International Monetary Relations

• FLS Ch.9 Excerpt pg.409-437
• Kirshner, J. 2013. “Bringing Them All Back Home? Dollar Diminution and U.S. Power.” Washington Quarterly 36(3): Abridged version pg.550-559.

Short Paper Due Friday, August 12 at 11:59pm

Week 4 Discussion Questions Due Sunday, August 14 at 11:59pm

Week 5: Migration and Final Presentations 

Monday, August 15:

• FLS Ch.8 Excerpt 397-403
• This American Life - Episode 770: 2nd Story - How the Other Side Leaves (18 min)
• Katz, M. 2020. “The World’s Refugee System Is Broken.” The Atlantic 

Tuesday, August 16: Final Presentations, Reflections, & Evaluations 

Wednesday, August 17: Work on group presentation write-up

Thursday, August 18: Work on group presentation write-up

Presentation Write-up Due Friday, August 19 11:59pm