POL S 524 Syllabus Spring 2025 Kim.pdf
This graduate seminar offers a survey of key topics and debates in the field of international security. Throughout the course, we will examine foundational and contemporary questions such as: Why and when do states go to war or make peace? What are the consequences of war? Do democracies have advantages in international crisis bargaining? Do reputations matter in international politics? How much do individual leaders make a difference? Do military alliances mitigate the risk of conflict, or do they increase it? Do nuclear weapons stabilize or destabilize international relations? The main purpose of this course is to critically engage with broad theoretical arguments - not to learn about any particular country or war.
The course is divided into three main parts. The first section addresses different approaches to studying international security, ranging from the distribution of power in the international system to individual politicians. The second section focuses on how states can manage threats to their security by augmenting their power, forming alliances, and using military force. The final section will address contemporary challenges such as terrorism, intrastate violence, nuclear proliferation, and emerging technology.
The main goal of the seminar is to help students: (1) gain familiarity with influential and cutting-edge literature in international security; (2) develop the ability to critically read scholarly articles by focusing on their strengths, limitations, and potential improvements; (3) develop their skills in conducting independent research, including identifying original research questions, developing logically sound arguments, and developing appropriate research designs to test their theories' predictions; (4) enhance their ability to write and present effectively; and (5) learn how to draw implications that are relevant to policy.