Levy_Intro_IR_Syllabus_Winter2025.pdf
Course Overview:
Why countries go to war? Why is it so hard for them to cooperate over the protection of the environment? Why do some nations remain poor despite increasing standards of living in many parts of the world? International relations (IR) can help us answer these questions.
This introductory course is designed to acquaint students with the theoretical and empirical study of world politics. By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Compare, contrast, and appraise key theories in IR
- Explain both historical cases and current events by drawing on IR theories
- Assess the feasibility and effectiveness of possible policy solutions to modern international problems
- Express their views on the course material and world politics more broadly while respectfully engaging with the views of others
Required Readings:
There is one required textbook for this course, and all other readings will be posted on Canvas under the “Files” tab:
Frieden, Jeffry A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Schultz. 2022. World Politics: Interest, Interactions, Institutions (Fifth Edition). New York City: W.W. Norton. --> hereafter referred to as FLS
This textbook is available directly within Canvas for a reduced price through the Day One Access program; you can access the ebook on the “Home” tab of Canvas. Participation in the Day One Access program is optional, but you must opt out by the payment deadline for Winter 2025, which is Sunday January 26th. You can opt out on Canvas under the “Day One Access Materials” tab. If you have not paid for the ebook version of the textbook by this deadline, you will lose access to the textbook on Canvas. If you decide that the Day One Access program is not right for you, you can purchase or rent the textbook in another format from the University of Washington bookstore or another seller; make sure that you also purchase a version of the textbook with access to Inquizitive or purchase a separate version of Inquizitive.
You are expected to come to class having read the pages assigned for that day and having completed the Inquizitive questions related to the FLS chapters assigned for the previous class on Canvas. You can access Inquizitive from the Canvas “Home” tab. Additionally, please follow international events in a prominent, reputable newspaper such as the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, or The Washington Post.
Assignments:
|
Assignment |
Percentage |
How it will be assessed |
Date |
|
Class Participation |
20 |
1) Participation in quiz sections (8%) 2) 5 pop quizzes in quiz sections (5%) 3) Inquizitive questions on Canvas (7%) |
Throughout the semester |
|
In-Class Midterm 1 |
20 |
Short answers/IDs & 1 essay |
January 28 |
|
In-Class Midterm 2 |
20 |
Short answers/IDs & 1 essay |
February 25 |
|
Final Exam |
40 |
Short answers/IDs & 2 essays |
March 17th 10:30am – 12:20pm |
The pop-quizzes administered in section will concern major news stories from the week which are relevant to the course. The first in-class midterm will focus on the content of Sections 1 (Introduction) and 2 (War); the second will focus on the content in Sections 3 (International Political Economy) and 4 (Institutions). The final exam will cover the entire course, with particular emphasis on Section 5 (Contemporary Issues).