International Relations (PSCI 3328) Course Syllabus

The University of Texas at Dallas – Summer 2010

Mon & Wed 1:00-5:30 pm in GR 4.3010

Professor Contact Information

Clint Peinhardt, Ph.D.

clint.peinhardt@utdallas.edu
972-883-4955
Green Hall 3.524
Office Hours by appointment

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

This course will provide a theoretical and historical basis for analyzing and understanding
international politics. It is not primarily a current events course, although you will see parallels
between course material and current events. There are no prerequisites to this course, which is
intended to be a student’s first exposure to international politics.

Course Description

The readings and lectures in this course provide an introduction to the study of the crossborder
interactions. Their primary purpose is to uncover patterns of behavior of international actors, such
as countries, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and multinational
corporations. Our laboratory for these behaviors is world history – particularly the last couple of
hundred years – and so we will spend a good portion of the course studying that history with the
expressed purpose of generalizing from it. In the laboratory, we will explore enduring questions,
such as:
• Why do countries resolve conflict through warfare rather than negotiations?
• How do different political institutions change the calculations of leaders regarding war?
• Does international trade make economic sense? Is it likewise fair to all members of a
society?
• Why are some countries so much richer than others?
• How does a small nongovernmental group like Al-Qaeda or Amnesty International attract
the attention of a superpower like the United States?
Of course, most of these questions do not have easy answers, but we will review the best
answers that have been proposed, and the existing evidence, even if we do not necessarily
resolve the debates.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

Students will learn to apply several different types of theoretical approach to particular
international phenomena. Students will be exposed to the grander narratives of the discipline

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(e.g., realism, liberalism, and constructivism) as well as narrower analytic tools to understand
international interactions (e.g., levels of analysis, strategic choice). As a result, students will be
able to approach an international political event – whether historic or current – from multiple
stances, and to understand both competing and complimentary interests among multiple sets of
actors.

Required Textbooks and Materials

(FLS) Frieden, Jeffry A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Schultz. 2010. World Politics:
Interests, Interactions, Institutions. New York: Norton. ISBN # 978-0-393-92709-2.

Assignments & Academic Calendar

May 24 Historical Introduction to IR – FLS Ch. 1

Why Are There Wars? – FLS Ch. 3

May 26 Interests, Interactions, & Institutions – FLS Ch. 2

Domestic Politics & War – FLS Ch. 4

May 27 Last Day to Drop without “W”

May 31 NO CLASS – Memorial Day

June 2 International Institutions and War – FLS Ch. 5

June 7 International Trade – FLS Ch. 6

June 9 International Finance & Money – FLS Ch. 7, 8

June 14 Last day to withdraw with WP/WF

Development – FLS Ch. 9

June 16 Transnational Networks – FLS Ch. 10

June 21 Human Rights & International Law – FLS Ch. 11

June 23 Future of International Relations – FLS Ch. 13

Take-home Exam provided

July 9 Grades Available

Grading Policy

Final grades will be assigned based on the following assignments

Reading Quizzes 20%
Attendance & Participation * 40%
Final Examination 40%

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* Class participation includes, but is not limited to, (a) attendance, (b) participation in class, (c)
participation in online discussion, and (d) think-pieces, group projects, and/or other short
writing assignments.

Course & Instructor Policies

Students are expected to attend all classes. Attendance will be taken randomly throughout the
semester, via student sign-in. Students with poor attendance records will suffer penalties to
participation grades. While lectures are designed to clarify and enhance your knowledge, they
will not be avenues to pass the course in their own right. All students should prepare adequately
for class discussions by reading the any necessary material before class.

Participation in class discussions is crucial for your own educational process. Ask questions if
something is not clear; odds are that someone else in the course is wondering the same thing.
Formulating a good question often helps you realize what you don’t understand. Bring to our
discussions your own experiences as well as outside readings – this class covers a wide variety of
topics and more real world examples often help to make global politics more multifaceted and
complex. Participation is a great way to show your preparation!

Make-up Exams & Grade Appeals

Make-up exams will be rarely granted, only if prior arrangements have been made with the
professor or in case of extreme emergency (proven through documentation). Any student who
wishes to challenge a grade on any written assignment in the course may challenge the grade by
writing a memo specifying the grade you think you deserve and the logic supporting your request.
Address that memo to the course instructor, and include the original assignment and evaluation.
Appeals must be made within one week of receiving the graded assignment.

Policies and Procedures for Students

The University of Texas at Dallas provides a number of policies and procedures designed to provide
students with a safe and supportive learning environment. Brief summaries of the policies and procedures
are provided for you at http://provost.utdallas.edu/home/index.php/syllabus-policies-and-procedures-text
and include information about technical support, field trip policies, off-campus activities, student conduct
and discipline, academic integrity, copyright infringement, email use, withdrawal from class, student
grievance procedures, incomplete grades, access to Disability Services, and religious holy days. You may
also seek further information at these websites:
• http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm
• http://www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/UTDJudicialAffairs-HOPV.html
• http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/copypol2.htm
• http://www.utdallas.edu/disability/documentation/index.html

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

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