Professor Totten rtotten@ucla.

edu Office Hours: Wednesdays, 6-8pm, Bunche 4250

Syllabus
PS20: WORLD POLITICS
Summer Session A: June 24-August 2 Mondays and Wednesdays: 3:15pm-5:20pm Classroom: Haines 39 Course Overview This course introduces you to World Politics and International Relations (IR), one of the main subfields in the Political Science discipline, and it will help you think about how the world works. As a discipline, IR/World Politics focuses on the political, military, economic, and cultural interaction of state and non-state actors at the global level. The field thus encompasses a diverse array of topics, from economic development to military conflict, from the environment to international institutions. In this class, we will be exploring key concepts, issues, paradigms, and processes of international relations in order to provide you with the general knowledge and analytic tools necessary to understand, evaluate, and respond to a complex array of problems in the contemporary world. We will also be reading short articles and excerpts from academic works by International Relations scholars to get a first-hand "feel" for the types of exciting research in the sub-field. Learning Objectives By the end of the course, you should be able to: Explain and critically evaluate the major paradigms/theoretical approaches in international relations Define and use key concepts in international relations Identify and describe the major actors in international relations, including states, intergovernmental organizations, and nongovernmental organizations Explain the history of international relations Classify the levels of analysis (individual, state, and international) and demonstrate how they are used to analyze state foreign policy Assess the causes and consequences of violence between and within states Recognize and evaluate competing theories for explaining patterns of global trade and development Use the knowledge and theoretical tools developed in the course to identify and analyze the most important issues and challenges in the international system Know the names of the authors and the general content of a few key works in the IR field Texts Russell Bova. How the World Works: A Survey of International Relations, Second Edition (New York: Pearson Longman, 2012) Russell Bova, ed., Readings on How the World Works: Current Issues in International Relations (New York: Pearson Longman, 2010)
1

Assessment & Grading Midterm: 40% of final grade. Final: 60% of final grade. The structure/details of the midterm and final will be discussed further during lecture. Your midterm and final must be taken in pen (no pencil). Your midterm is on July 15 & your final is on July 31. You must attend class on the days of the midterm and final. Make-up exams will only be permitted in the very rare cases of a documented family emergency or serious illness. Lecture Attendance (and opportunity for extra credit) Lecture attendance is highly suggested because you will learn more and likely do better on the midterm and final exams. In addition, I will randomly take attendance four times throughout the quarter. You will earn 0.5 extra credit points toward your midterm or final (depending on when the attendance is taken, either pre-midterm or post-midterm) for each of the four times that I take attendance and you are present. When I do take attendance, I may do it at the beginning, middle, or end of class. Please do not ask me at the beginning of lecture or during the break if attendance will be taken that day. Lecture Etiquette and Format Please be quiet and respectful of your peers during lecture. This includes turning off cell phones. You will be asked to leave if your behavior disrupts your classmates or me. You are of course permitted to use laptops and tablets during lecture, but please do so in a way that does not disturb your classmates. Drink/food is fine during lecture as long as consuming it does not disturb your classmates or me. The slides for each lecture will be posted within 2 days of the lecture on the course website. There will be short discussion periods during some of the lectures. You are expected to make an effort to speak during these sessions and I may call on students if our discussions are not robust. I will bump up any student with a borderline final grade (for example, a student with a B+/A- score will be given an A-) who I notice makes a sincere effort to thoughtfully and consistently participate in these discussions. Policy Regarding Emails I prefer that you ask me questions after class or during office hours, which are on Wednesdays, 6-8pm, Bunche 4250. Office hours are a great opportunity for me to get to know you and what interests you about international relations. Cheating and Plagiarism Policy Cheating and plagiarism of any sort will not be tolerated and all matters regarding it will be immediately turned over to the Dean of Students for disciplinary review. Please do not cheat; the consequences of doing so are simply not worth it.

Course Calendar Week 1, June 24: Class Introduction: Overview of IR/World Politics as a Political Science sub-discipline Discussion of the distinction between "IR" and "World Politics" Discussion of how IR/World Politics is very important to you! Brief overview of course material Course mechanics: syllabus review, expectations, readings, grading, etc.

Week 1, June 26: Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism & other Paradigms: Thinking about World Politics The lecture and readings for today introduce you to the major paradigms (e.g., realism, liberalism, constructivism, etc.) in the subfield of World Politics/International Relations. These paradigms provide you with "lenses" or frameworks to assist with structuring and thinking about world politics. Learning Objectives: Understand how paradigms explain world politics Compare and contrast classical realism and neo-realism Understand the concepts of anarchy, sovereignty, self help, balance of power, national interests, power vs. ethics and justice in the realist paradigm Define liberalism and its three subtypes of liberal institutionalism, liberal commercialism and liberal internationalism Understand the core tenets of constructivism Understand the feminist paradigm in international relations Understand how neo-Marxism views world politics Compare and contrast realism, liberal, constructivism, feminism, and neo-Marxism Readings: Bova, How the World Works, Chapter 1 Bova, Readings on How the World Works, Chapter 1 John J. Mearsheimer, "The Tragedy of Great Power Politics." Bruce Russett and John Oneal, "International Systems: Vicious Circles and Virtuous Circles." Alexander Wendt, "Constructing International Politics. J. Ann Tickner, "Searching for the Princess?" Week 2, July 1: Historical Perspectives: Change and Continuity The lecture and readings this week provide you with a broad historical overview of the international system from the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 to the present-day. Learning Objectives:

Understand the historical and political importance of the 1648 Peace of Westphalia, the Concert of Europe, the inter-war period, the post-World World II world, the post-Cold War world, and the 9/11 events Explain how realism and other IR paradigms interpret these historical periods focusing on the notions of continuity and/or change

Readings: Bova, How the World Works, Chapter 2 Bova, Readings on How the World Works, Chapter 2 Paul Schroeder, "Historical Reality vs. Neo-Realist Theory." Jeffrey Record, "The Use and Abuse of History: Munich, Vietnam, and Iraq." Week 2, July 3: Foreign Policy Analysis The lecture and readings for today discuss concepts, frameworks, and historical examples related to the foreign policies of states. It will also introduce to you the concept of levels of analysis in foreign policy formation (the individual, state, and international "level" of analysis of foreign policy.) Learning Objectives: Understand the concept of levels of analysis in foreign policy making Identify what each level of analysis contributes to our view on foreign policy Explain the relationship between the grand paradigms of international relations and levels of analysis Understand how foreign policies are formulated according to the rational actor model and the bureaucratic politics model Readings: Bova, How the World Works, Chapter 3 Bova, Readings on How the World Works, Chapter 3 Scott D. Sagan, "The Causes of Nuclear Proliferation." John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt, "The War over Israels Influence," with responses by Dennis Ross and Zbigniew Brzezinski. John Mueller, "The Iraq Syndrome." Steve A. Yetiv, "The Iraq War of 2003." Week 3, July 8: War and Violence in World Politics The lecture and readings for today examine causes and consequences of violence between and within states. Learning Objectives: Define war and its three types according to the Correlates of War project Analyze the trends in the frequency of war using the realist and liberal approaches to war Analyze the impact of technological change on the role and character of war Explain how realists, liberals, and constructivists explain the long peace and recent declines in interstate war
4

Discuss the doctrine of just war Discuss the future of war given new technological capabilities Analyze the prevalence of terrorism and the degree of threat it poses to the world

Readings: Bova, How the World Works, Chapter 4 Bova, Readings on How the World Works, Chapter 4 Robert Jervis, "Theories of War in an Era of Leading-Power Peace." Niall Ferguson, "The Next War of the World." Stephen P. Rosen, "After Proliferation: What to do If More States Go Nuclear." John Mueller, "Terrorphobia: Our False Sense of Insecurity." Week 3, July 10: International Law and Organizations The lecture and readings for today examine concepts, debates, and issues pertaining to international law and international organizations (e.g., United Nations, the World Bank, the European Union, the Red Cross, etc.) Learning Objectives: Identify and explain the three sources of international law Explain how law-making, law-adjudication and law-enforcement in the international system are done Explain the general role and purposes of international regimes Compare and contrast inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) Understand the basic structure of the United Nations system, its six main bodies, and its main areas of responsibility Compare the views of realists, liberal institutionalists, and constructivists on international law and international organizations Readings: Bova, How the World Works, Chapter 5 Bova, Readings on How the World Works, Chapter 5 Robert O. Keohane, "International Institutions: Can Interdependence Work?" Anne-Marie Slaughter, "Leading Through Law." Michael J. Glennon, "Why the Security Council Failed." Thomas G. Weiss, "The Illusion of U.N. Security Council Reform." Week 4, July 15: Midterm The details of the midterm will have been discussed during previous lectures. Please bring a pen (you will not be allowed to take the exam in pencil.) Good luck!!!

Week 4, July 17: The Human Rights Revolution The lecture and readings for today are on concepts, events, and issues pertaining to international human rights. Learning Objectives: Understand the intricacies of the "Human Rights Revolution" Explain the realist critique of human rights by addressing international order, national interests, and cultural relativism and imperialism Trace the process of human rights establishment, enforcement and monitoring and identify the challenges and opportunities posed by the human rights agenda Explain how the realist, liberal and constructivist paradigm explain human rights Readings: Bova, How the World Works, Chapter 6 Bova, Readings on How the World Works, Chapter 6 Kathryn Sikkink, "Transnational Politics, International Relations Theory, and Human Rights." Julie A. Mertus, "Raising Expectations?: Civil Societys Influence on Human Rights and U.S. Foreign Policy." Oona A. Hathaway, "Making Human Rights Treaties Work: Global Legal Information and Human Rights in the 21st Century." James Kurth, "Humanitarian Intervention after Iraq: Legal Ideals vs. Military Realities." Week 5, July 22: Economic Globalization The readings and lecture for today will discuss concepts, events, features, and perspectives pertaining to the international economic order. Special attention will also be paid to "globalization," which is the process of integration and increasing interdependence among economies, societies, and cultures on a global level. Learning Objectives: Understand the realist, liberal, and neo-Marxist views on the economy Identify and assess the roles of economic organizations such as the WTO, World Bank, and the IMF Understand the benefits and challenges of regional economic integration, such as the European Union and NAFTA Identify the relationship between the global economy and development Explain the arguments in favor and against globalization Explain what the 2008 financial crisis brought to the table in favor of critiquing the current economic system Readings: Bova, How the World Works, Chapter 7 Bova, Readings on How the World Works, Chapter 7 James Fallows, "How the World Works." Daniel Drezner, "Trade Talk."
6

 Week 5, July 24: Transnational Challenges and the Obsolescence of the State The readings and lecture for today discuss "transnational" security issues that are prominent in the contemporary international community, such as environmental pollution, illegal immigration, infectious diseases, and terrorism. Special attention will be paid to whether these types of transnational issues are undermining the authority and sovereignty of states in the international community. Learning Objectives: Compare and contrast the concepts of national security and human security Understand explain the challenges posed by the environment, diseases, and communication technology on sovereign states Explain how realists and their critics explain global challenges Readings: Bova, How the World Works, Chapter 8 Bova, Readings on How the World Works, Chapter 8 Jessica T. Mathews, "Power Shift." Stephen D. Krasner, "Sovereignty." David G. Victor, "What Resource Wars?" James Fallows, "The Connection Has Been Reset." Week 6, July 29: Global Futures: The Shape of the 21st Century The readings and lecture for today discuss seven possible "scenarios" for the global community in coming decades. Learning Objectives: Identify and explain seven scenarios of the worlds future, their visions and critiques Relate the seven world views with their respective grand paradigms Identify how each student can contribute to make the world a better place Readings: Bova, How the World Works, Chapter 9 Bova, Readings on How the World Works, Chapter 9 Robert Kagan, "Historys Back: Ambitious Autocracies, Hesitant Democracies." Thomas L. Friedman, "The Dell Theory of Conflict Prevention." Samuel P. Huntington, "The Clash of Civilizations?" Kishore Mahbubani, "The Case Against the West: America and Europe in the Asian Century." Swanee Hunt, "Let Women Rule."

C. Fred Bergsten, "Meeting the China Challenge." Dani Rodrik, "Trading in Illusions." Niall Ferguson, "Sinking Globalization."

Week 6, July 31: Final Exam Details regarding it will have been discussed during previous lectures. Please bring a pen (you will not be allowed to take the exam in pencil.) Good luck!!!

You are finished! I hope you enjoyed the course!