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POL 131 – Introduction to International Relations

Fall 2022
Instructor Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Room No. 119 Main Academic Block, Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 11 am to 12 or by
appointment
Email [email protected]

Course Basics
Credit Hours 4

Course Distribution
Core
Elective Elective
Open for Student Freshmen, Sophomore
Category

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course introduces foundational ideas of international politics, major theoretical strands and contending
perspectives. It also attempts to study major international events, issues of war and peace and critical
developments—like nuclear weapons and proliferation and the cold war. The idea is to study international events
within the intellectual framework of theorization in international relations, and similarly explain theories in the
context of practical international politics.

The central theme of the course is globalization in the post-cold war world and how it has, and continues to
influence patterns of relations among states. The emergence of non-state actors as major players in the world,
changing character of the political economy and society and the new threats to national security in the form of
terrorism along with global issues of common interest to all states form a generic part of the course.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. To familiarize students with the contending theories and analytical frameworks that explain international
history, conduct of the state and salience of issues of war, peace, stability, and international order or
disorder.
2. To give students fair idea about the system of states, and what kind of international structure they create
for security, and how it compels the states to pursue certain type of diplomacy and foreign policy.
3. One of the major objective is debate the question of continuity and change in international relations. For
instance how globalization has changed the way students and practitioners of international relations look at
international events.
4. Finally, the students need to be engaged with international events and issues that have profound effects on
our society, its stability, peace and progress.
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Learning Outcomes

• 1. At the end of the course, students should be able to understand the forces that exercise power and influence over
international events. The forces are; powerful states, the impact of new transformative technologies, non-state
actors and dominant modes of economic production and distribution.
• 2. Students acquire theoretical knowledge and use it for the explanation of international events. Also, they are able
to debate and discuss relevance or irrelevance of theories and alternative perspectives that define the discipline of
international relations.
• 3. Have good grasp of critical international issues of contemporary importance, why they persist and why nations
and international institutions fail or succeed in solving them---issues like environment and poverty.
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Attendance: 5%. Midterm Examination: 30%

Class participation: 5% Final: 35%
Class presentation on listed discussion questions in the
outline. 5%
Quizzes: 2, 20%, 10% each, first pre-mid-term, second
post-mid-term.

Examination Detail

Duration: 1 hour
Midterm
Exam Specifications: Closed books/Closed notes.

Duration: 1:30 hours

Final Exam
Exam Specifications: Closed books/Closed notes

COURSE OVERVIEW

Lecture Topics Required Readings Discussion Questions

International relations in Andrew Heywood, Global - 1. Is there a difference between

globalized context—continuity Politics, 2nd edition (London: international and global politics?
and change Palgrave, Macmillan, 2014)- 2. What are the challenges non-
chapter 1, pp. 1-21 state actors pose to the states?
- 3. Is globalization a myth or
reality?
1, 2 - 4. Does interdependence lead to
cooperation?
- 5. What are the major points of
disagreements between realists
and idealists?
- 6. How viable is the idea of human
security?
-
- 1. What makes a society a society?
3
The international society, its David Armstrong, “The - 2. What factors might account for
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evolution and development Evolution of International the evolution of international

Society” in John Baylis, Steve society?
Smith and Patricia Owens, - 3. Does Western norms and
eds., Globalization of World principles determine the
Politics 6th edition (London: principles of international
Oxford University Press, society?
2014), chapter 2, pp. 33-46.- 4. What are the future trends of
international society?
- 1 .What forces created the
The twentieth century world Len Scott, “International environment for World War I?
politics—wars, transformations History 1900-99” in - 2. What are the causes of the First
and the world system Globalization of World World War?
4 Politics, chapter 3, pp. 47-60.
- 3. To what extent the emergence
of new powers was responsible
for the war?
- 4. What factors led to the World
War II?
- 1. What explains the emergence
The post-cold war international Michael Cox, “From the end of the cold war?
order of the cold war to a new - 2. Did the nuclear weapons play
global era?” in Globalization any role in the stability of security
5 of World Politics, chapter 4, system?
pp. 61-75. - 3. How the bipolar system
affected the politics and foreign
policy of developing countries?
- 4. Was neutrality an option, did
non-alignment play any role in
keeping the world safe from war?
- 1. What made the Soviet Union
The rise of new powers— Andrew Hurrell, “Rising collapse?
towards multipolarity? powers and the emerging - 2. Did the West or the U.S. win
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global order” in the Cold War?
Globalization of World - 3. Was bipolarity better for
Politics, chapter 5, pp. 76-90. stability and peace in the world?
- 4. Is the U.S. an imperial power?
- 1. How human nature is central to
Realism Tim Dunne and Brian C. understanding realism?
7 Schmidt, “Realism” in - 2. What distinguishes classical
Globalization of World realism from structural realism?
Politics, chapter 6, pp. 91- - 3. What strategies states are
103. forced to adopt in an anarchic
world?
Liberalism Tim Dunne, “Liberalism” in - 1. What are the key liberal
Globalization of World principles?
Politics, chapter 7, pp. 104- - 2. What the major streams of
8
115. thought in liberal tradition?
- 3. What the liberal responses to
globalization?
- 4. Is there a crisis in liberal
thinking today?
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Stephen Hobden and - 1. What are the essential markers

Marxist theories of IR Richard Wyn Jones, “Marxist of Marxist theory?
Theories of International - 2. In what form Marxism is
Relations” in Globalization relevant today?
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of World Politics, chapter 8, - 3. What are the competing
pp. 116-129. Marxist theories?
- 4. What is Marxist view of
globalization?
-
Post-colonialism and world Christine Sylvester, “Post- - 1. What is post-colonial thinking?
politics colonialism” in Globalization
- 2. How the new states have
of World Politics, chapter 10, adjusted to the norms of
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pp. 144-160. international relations?
- 3. Who are the most prominent
post-colonial thinkers and what
have they said?
- 4. How the post-colonialists see
the West?
Feminism in International J. Ann Tickner, “Gender in 1. Is there a feminist international
Relations Theory world politics” in politics?
Globalization of World 2. What is the politics of feminism
Politics, chapter 18, pp. 264- and how it affects international
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278. relations?
3. What is role of women in
development?
4. How does globalization
promote transnational women
politics?
Green Theory and World Politics John Wogler, Environmental 1. What makes environment an
Issues” in Globalization of international issue?
World Politics, chapter 22, 2. How environmental politics
pp.330-345. presents a challenge for
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international relations?
3. What is the ‘tragedy” of the
common and how it can be
prevented?
4. Is development in conflict with
environment?
13 Midterm

War and Peace Heywood, Global Politics, pp. 1. What is the difference between
246-269. conventional and unconventional
warfare?
14 2. Can asymmetrical wars be
difficult to win?
3. Why are new wars more
horrific than old wars?
4. Can war be just in some
circumstances?
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International Regimes Richard Little, “International 1. What do we mean by the idea

Regimes” in Globalization of of a ‘regime’?
15 World Politics, chapter 15, 2. What are competing theories of
pp. 218-232. regime?
3. Is the present classification of
regimes adequate?
4. What role power plays in
establishing regime?
The United Nations Paul Taylor, Devon Curtis, 1. What historical developments
“The United Nations” in led to the founding of UN?
Globalization of World 2. What role the UN play, if it
16 Politics, chapter 16, pp. 233- does, in international security?
247. 3. Can UN prevent intervention
within states?
4. On what issues the UN has
achieved success?

Nuclear Proliferation Sheena Chestnut Greitens, 1 .What explains the spread of

“Nuclear Proliferation” in nuclear technology?
Globalization of World 2. What are competing
Politics, chapter 25, pp. 376- explanations for nuclear
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390. proliferation?
3. What have been the efforts to
stop proliferation of nuclear
weapons?
4. Will the world embrace zero
option?
Human security Amitav Acharya, “Human 1. Is human security different
security” in Globalization of from national security?
World Politics, chapter 23, 2. What are various positions on
18 pp. 346-360. the debate on human security?
3. Which dimension of human
security appeals you the most?
4. How can we promote human
security?
Culture, Identity, Islam and the Heywood, Global Politics, 1. Why has identity politics
West chapter 8, pp. 185-215. grown?
19-20 2. What we mean by the West?
3. Is there a civilizational conflict
between Islam and the West?
4. What is the Muslim Question, is
there anything like this?
Poverty and underdevelopment Heywood, Global Politics, 1. What are the best ways to
in World Politics chapter 15, pp. 359-389 measure poverty?
2. What makes the difference
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Post-mid Response Paper between rich and poor nations?
3. Is globalization promoting
poverty?
4. What is the significance of
Millennium Development Goals?
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Power and the New World Order Heywood, Global Politics, 1. How structural power
chapter 9, pp. 216-245. influences international
relations?
2. Did Cold War produce security
22 or insecurity?
3. What are implications of
American hegemony for the
world order?
4. What the prospects for a
multipolar world system to
emerge?
Terrorism and International Heywood, Global Politics, 1. How terrorism is a different
Security chapter 12, pp. 289-309 form of violence?
2. Do some circumstances justify
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terrorism?
3. Are there religious motivations
behind terrorism?
4. Should states hold negotiations
with terrorists?

Regionalism and integration Edward Best, Thomas 1. Is there any difference between
Christiansen, “Regionalism in cooperation and regional
international affairs” in integration?
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Globalization of World 2. Is regionalization taking shape
Politics, chapter 17, pp. 248- in global context?
263. 3. What brought about European
integration?
4. Is a model for future?
International security in the 21st John Baylis, “International 1. What is meant by security?
century and global security” in The 2. What is traditional conception
25 Globalization of World of security?
Politics, chapter 12, pp. 176- 3. What are competing ideas of
188. security?
4. How globalization affects
security?
Debating images of the future Heywood, Global Politics, 1. To what extent borders have
world order with a focus on chapter 22, pp. 533-547. lost relevance?
conflicts in the Middle East, Note: readings on the Middle 2. Do modern conflicts reflect
collapsing states and rise of the East conflicts will be cultural or civilizational
26-27 IS assigned later. character?
3. Are justice and security
possible in the modern world?
4. Will China be able to counter
American hegemony?
5. How to explain the multiple
conflicts with multiple actors in
the light of theories of IR?
The state of the current order Will assign the reading later 1. What are major challenges the
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system world community faces?
2.What the issues that shape
tensions among the great
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powers?
3. What may be the threats to
international peace and security?

• 13.08.20 – Final Exam

The texts for the course:

1. John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens, eds., Globalization of World Politics 6th edition (London: Oxford
University Press, 2014).
2. Andrew Heywood, Global Politics, 2nd edition (London: Palgrave, Macmillan, 2014).