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PSC 303: International Relations TimeTable

By Prof. Jeremy Lewis, Revised 6 May. 2007 with additional questions for Great Decisions readings, at end of syllabus.
Audiovisual materials will only be used where time and equipment permit.  See APTV list and resources below.
Spring '07 NO classes: 8-9 Mar. (winter break), 26-30 Mar. (spring break), 6 Apr. (Good Friday), W 11 Apr. (Senior test), T 8 May (Dead Day).
Week: [01] [02] [03] [04] [05] [06] [Test] [07] [08] [09] [10] [11] [12] [13] 14] [15+] [Final] [APTV] [Speakers] [Resources] [Videos]
Week Author Chapter: Topic Speakers
Part 1: US Foreign Policy.
Week 1
Th 18 Jan only

McCormick
Introduction to the course
Development of US Foreign Policy:
1: US tradition
Week 2
23, 25 Jan
2: US global involvement [4/e notes]
3: Cold War Consensus & Challenges.
  • What are the US traditions and values in foreign policy?
  • How and when did the US rise to global leadership?
  • What were the elements of the cold war consensus among US policymakers?
  • In what periods have US leaders contested US foreign policy?
  • What caused the end of the cold war consensus?

  • McCormick
    Presidential Doctrines:
    4: American Foreign Policy After Vietnam: From Realism to Idealism and back Again. [New 4/e]
  • PBS: Nixon's China Game; film.

  • -
  • Which presidents have been more realistic and which more idealistic in foreign policy?
  • Event, 
    T 23 Jan 2007
    www.AWAC.US AL World Affairs Council speaker, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi ambassador.
    Week 3
    30 Jan, 1 Feb

    McCormick
    Civilian institutions:
    5: Foreign Policy After the Cold War: Bush & Clinton. [New 4/e]
    Recommended: CNN: Cold War, TV series.
    6: Before and After Sep. 11: George W. Bush. [New 4/e]
    7: President & making of Foreign Policy

    -
  • How has the US struggled to find a world role since the Vietnam war?
  • Have US presidents taken a stronger role in foreign policy leadership in the post cold war world?
  • Contrast the diplomatic successes of Bush (41) and Clinton with the unilateralism of Bush (43).
  • Was W. Bush (43) a different president before and after the 9/11/01 attacks?
  • Compare the enumerated & inherent presidential authority in foreign affairs.
  • Week 4
    6, 8 Feb
    8: Congressional Prerogatives
    9: Diplomatic & Economic Bureaucracies: Duplication or Specialization?
    Article, Gingrich Criticizes State Dept, & Response. 
    -
    -
  • In what ways can the congress compete with the president in setting foreign policy?
  • Do the many rival diplomatic and economic bureaucracies make foreign policy more complex or more effective?
  • Event/TV Optional event, Jan /Feb: USAF Academy Assembly: you (or HC) pay flight & hotel & small registration fee
    President's State of Union Message, Late Jan or early Feb '07, TV
  • Does the US president have a coherent foreign policy doctrine?
  • What new foreign policy initiatives emerged from the speech?
  • recommended
    -
    Week 5
    13, 15 Feb

    McCormick
    Military institutions:
    10: Military & Intelligence Bureaucracies: Pervasive or Accountable?
    Video "One Minute to Midnight" on Cuban missile crisis.
    Informal Institutions:
    11: Political Parties, Bipartisanship & Interest Groups
    12: Media, Public opinion & Process.

    -
    -
    -
    -
  • Do the military and intelligence bureaucracies dominate foreign policy?
  • Can the military and intelligence bureaucracies be consolidated under one command?
  • Can the intelligence community be held accountable without comppromising national security secrecy?
  • How close did the world come to nuclear war in the cuban missile crisis?
  • Do the media, parties and interest groups have much effect on foreign policy?
  • Is the public too ignorant to affect foreign policy?
  • Week 6
    20, 22 Feb

    McCormick
    Current US Policy:
    13: American Foreign Policy Values & Future
    -
    -
    HC Justice
    Reader
    (Reserve)
    Issues of democracy, moderation and multilateralism:
    Thucydides, Pelopponesian Wars: [Maps] [Guide] [Local] www.Perseus.Tufts.edu:
  • "Pericles' Funeral Oration," (ca. 430 BC) [Text, Perseus Project
  • "Mytilene Debate" (ca. 428 BC) [Text
  • "Melian Dialogue" (c.416 BC). [Text] Speeches of Cleon & Diodotus
  • -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  • How will American values guide foreign policy over the next few decades?
  • Will the US remain a superpower for a further generation?
  • What can Thucydides tell us about the universal difficulties of relations among nations?
  • Do democracies initiate wars?  Does the current president have much in common with Pericles?
  • In foreign relations, does might make right -- or is there some room for morality?
  • What arguments can be advanced by war hawks and peace doves in a crisis?
  • Is realism or idealism exemplified by ancient greek diplomacy?
  • HC Justice
    Reader
    (Reserve)
  • Clausewitz, "Limited Aims" from chapters 5 & 6 of On War. (1832). [+]
  • Guest Essay on Just War by Lt. Col. Wray Johnson, PhD. [+]

  • PBS video, Ambush in Mogadishu [1993]
    -
    Larry
    -
  • Should wars be conducted only where tied to political ends?
  • How can wars, which cause destruction, be said to be rational?
  • Is there such a thing as a just war?
  • How can wars be conducted justly, if at all?
  • How has the theory of justice in war developed over the centuries?
  • When is it justified to use heavy firepower in a heavily populated area?
  • Tues 27 Feb TEST Essay and identification questions on McCormick & Thucydides.
    Part 2: Theories of Global Politics.
    Week 7
    27 Feb, 1 Mar
    Rourke 
    [Contents, '03]
    web
    I: Approaches to World Politics
    1: Thinking & Caring about world politics
    2: Evolution of world politics
  • How can one approach the study of world politics?
  • Why should one care about world politics?
  • How has global politics developed over the centuries?
  • Week 8
    6, [8] Mar [break]
    Rourke 3: Levels of Analysis [New to 10/e] -
    -
  • Which of these approaches to studying the world is more effective?
  • What ways might be found to prevent war in the long run?
  • Do we usually place too much emphasis on the actions of states, and not enough on understanding the nature of the system or of mankind?

  • Curtis v.2
    Nation and State versus Mankind:
    Hitler
    -
    -
  • Did Hitler have a coherent, rational political theory?
  • Is nationalism inherently evil?
  • Are there such things as rogue states -- and was Nazi Germany actually one of them?
  • Is Hitler's nationalism and expansionism closely tied to racism -- or are the two mutually independent?
  • Week 9
    13, 15 Mar
    Rourke II: Divergent Political Orientations
    4: Nationalism Tradition [Was Ch.6 -- now all Chap.#  are reduced by 2]
    5: Globalization & Transnationalism alternative
    III: Divergent Organizational Structures
    6: National States Traditional Structure
    7: International Organization alternative
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
    -
  • Is the behavior of nation states the main cause of war and of peace?
  • Can a new world order be achieved via global and transnational organizations?
  • How do national and international organizations actually function -- and how do they contrast?
  • Week 10
    20, 22 Mar

    Curtis v.1
    Rourke
    Might versus Right:
    Hugo Grotius, classic author on the just war.
    IV: Divergent Approaches to Conduct
    8: National Power and Diplomacy Tradition
    9: International Law & Morality alternative
    -
    Charles
    -
    -
    Chanley
  • What are, or should be, the rules of behavior among nation states?
  • Can treaties and common law bind nation states into civilized behavior?
  • How do power and diplomacy reinforce -- or contradict -- each other?
  • Can international law ever replace a balance of power in constraining nation states?
  • 27, 29  Mar Spring Break: 
    Week 11
    3, 5 Apr

    Rourke
    Peace & Prosperity:
    V: Pursuing Peace
    10: National Security Tradition
    11: International Security Alternative
    VI: Pursuing Prosperity
    12: International Economy Global Road Map [New 10/e]
  • How can security be achieved by states pursuing defense and alliances?
  • Can cooperative action among states produce a world peace?
  • With the decline in the cost of transport and communications, can global trade transform relations among states?
  • Week 12
    10, 12 Apr
    Rourke 13: Nat. Competition Tradition
    14: Int. Economic Cooperation Alternative
    Preservation:
    VII: Pursuing Preservation
    15: Preserving Human Rights
    16: Preserving the Global Commons
  • Is economic competition or cooperation the key to development?
  • Without a world government, how can human rights be upheld?
  • Can we create a global civil society in the absence of a world government?
  • Part 3: Contemporary Issues and Theories.
    Research Paper with Bibliography Due Tuesday, Week 13.
    Week 13
    17, 19 Apr

    Web pages

     

    Jeremy Lewis, Montgomery Advertiser, 3 articles on war with Iraq, 2003-04:
  • "War on Iraq tests faith in leaders " 16 Apr '03 
  • "Blair takes a larger risk than Bush ..." 18 Apr '03 
  • "Bush thrives on war" 19 Apr '03 

  • JRT Lewis, For the Record, on War with Iraq, APTV, 29 Dec. '04.
  • Is there a justification for war with Iraq?
  • What are the domestic risks of war for Blair and W. Bush?
  • What is the strategy behind a war of transformation?
  • How well is the war with Iraq being implemented? 
  • How long should the US military garrison be maintained?
  • JRT Lewis, Battle of the Falklands /Malvinas (May-June 1982) Lecture outline
  • Why did the battle happen?
  • What was the paradox of strategy on each side?
  • How did the technology and expertise of each side compare?
  • Why was the war won by the smaller army?
  • Week 14
    24, 26 Apr
    FPA, Great 
    Decisions
    selections
    Great Decisions in Foreign Policy, 2007, topics for discussion: NEW
    1. U.S. and Middle East
    2. Climate Change
    6. War Crimes
  • What is the curve of US involvement in the middle east?
  • Who are the US allies and adversaries in the middle east?
  • 1 Ballot B: Should US strategy require democratization in the middle east -- or just stability?
  • 1 Ballot C: Should the US ever deal with those it labels terrorist groups?
  • 1A: Should the US isolate Iran -- or engage Iran with diplomacy, or with force?
  • 2 How strong is the evidence for global warming -- and should we expect resource wars?
  • 2 Ballot C: Is climate change merely an unscientific hoax -- or is the evidence persuasive?
  • 2 Should US strategy be premissed on global warming, and should we build forces for resource wars?
  • 2A: Should the US develop a crash program of conservation and alternative energy resources?
  • 2B: What should the US do to reduce carbon emissions from cars, businesses, and cities?
  • 2 Ballot D: Should the US ratify the Kyoto protocol and other "green" treaties?
  • 6 How should war crimes be defined?
  • 6 Should war cirmes arrest powers & jurisdictions be limited to failed states or weak states?
  • 6 Should the US participate in war crimes trials?
  • 6A: should the detainees be kept as now -- or subjected to military tribunals, or criminal courts?
  • 6B: does international jihadist terrorism render obsolete ideas of international legal rights?
  • 6 Ballot C: what institution should try war criminals, and how?
  • FA, Agenda: America in the World (1997) readings removed to bottom of page.
    speaker notes AL World Affairs Council: www.AWAC.US
    Week 15
    1, 3 May
    FPA, Great 
    Decisions
    selections
    Great Decisions in Foreign Policy, 2007, topics for discussion: NEW
    7. Central Asia
    8. Children
  • 7 What are the common problems of central Asian states?
  • 7 How can central Asia be assisted in developing politically and economically?
  • 7 Ballot A: Will the Shanghai Cooperation Organization threaten US influence in Central Asia?
  • 7 Ballot A: Should the US maintain a presence in Central Asia to balance China & Russia?
  • 7 Should the US decline to aid countries that are not democratic?
  • 8 How are children exploited in developing countries, and on what scale?
  • 8 How can states, international bodies and nonprofits seek to reduce this exploitation of children?
  • 8 Ballot A: What are the most important problems for the world's children?
  • 8 Ballot B: Should the US decline to send aid to a country that exploits children?
  • Dead day, T 8 May FINAL Comprehensive Essay Examination, 11:30 W 9 May

    Extra Resources:

  • In spring 2007, look out for these PBS documentaries, valuable for international relations material:
  • Guest Speakers:
  • Notes of speakers, 2006-2007

  • Resources: See also these notes from previous guest speakers or reports:

  • AL World Affairs Council: Paul Smyke, World Economic Forum, "Globalization of Trade"
  • Graham Fuller, "America's Uncomfortable Relationship with Nationalism", Stanley Foundation Report 2006. [Local PDF]
  •  Speakers, spring 2005: [notes]
  • Wing. Comdr.. Chris Luck, RAF.  "The US and Europe. [PPT]" [Speaker]
  • Dr. Edward Morse, Russia, Saudi Arabia & oil ascendancy.
  • Col. Steven Wright,  PhD candidate, Tufts U., Air War College, "Communitarian [DOC] and Cosmopolitan [DOC] IR Theory," [Diagram] [PPT] [DOC]
  • Dr. Grant Hammond, Air War College,  "Technology, Globalization and Non-State Actors: A Revolution in Security Affairs"
  • How are the strategic landscape, the nature of politics, the state and the state system all being transformed?
  • Richard Chambers, PhD, "16th Century SuperPower: The Ottoman Empire of Süleyman the Magnificent." [Maps]
  • Did the confrontation of the Ottomans and the Hapsburgs in the 16th C. bear considerable resemblance to that of the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. in the 20th c.?
  • To what degree did it establish the Ottoman Empire/Turkey within the diplomatic milieu of Europe where it remains until today?
  • Dr. Sudha Mohan speaks on India & Pakistan Relations, 2005. [Itinerary] [Notes] [MAPS]
  • What are the sources of friction between India and Pakistan?
  • Could nuclear balance actually draw India and Pakistan towards peace?
  • "India-U.S. Relations," CRS Report July 31, 2006:  http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33529.pdf
  • "Pakistan-U.S. Relations," CRS Report July 27, 2006:  http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33498.pdf
  • Politics in Korea, 1870s-2005. [PPT] [Html Slides] [Essay, Htm] [Essay, Doc]
  • The US has always enjoyed secure borders.  How can a country with a history of invasions, and an insecure border, achieve economic and political development?
  • What contrasts can be drawn between the sufferings under empire endured by the Koreans and the Irish?
  • The Troubles in Northern Ireland [PPT, large] [HTML slides]
  • How has conflict been rooted in Irish society via religion, ethnicity and colonialism?
  • How did Ireland achieve independence and partition?
  • Why did the troubles in N. Ireland flare up in 1969 after 50 years of relative peace?
  • What responses to terrorism are permissible in a democracy?
  • Should a democracy negotiate with terrorists where it cannot defeat them?
  • How did the Good Friday peace agreement seek to control the conflict?
  • What are the prospects for a functioning local democracy in N. Ireland /Ulster?
  • FA Readings, Agenda: America and the World, 1997 edition,Selections presented by students:
  • Fukuyama, "The End of History?"
  • Huntington, "No Exit: The Errors of Endism."
  • Doyle, "Liberalism and World Politics."
  • Huntington, "The Clash of Civilizations?"
  • Ajami, "The Summoning."
  • Without a Hegelian clash of ideologies, is there any further history?
  • Is there a universal liberal democracy in the making?
  • Has the clash of civilizations gone so far as to replace the clash of nation states?
  • Is the islamic world actually unified as a civilization?
  • Mearsheimer, "Back to the Future: Instability in Europe."
  • Keohane, "Response to Back to the Future."
  • Krugman, "Competitiveness: A Dangerous Obsession."
  • Luttwak, "From Geopolitics to Geo-Economics: Logic."
  • Kapstein, "Workers and the World Economy."
  • After the cold war, is Europe inherently unstable?
  • Does competitiveness breed insecurity?
  • Does the global economy serve all economic classes well?
  • President W. Bush, National Security Strategy 2002, Document [PDF]