Course Syllabus

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Welcome to PLSC 418W: International Relations Theory

Overview

CATEGORY INFORMATION
Credits 3
Prerequisites None
Delivery Web (Canvas, https://psu.instructure.com)
Dates See the Calendar.
Instructor See the Orientation module under the Modules tab.

Description

Why do actors in the international system (e.g., states, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other non-state actors) behave and interact in the way that they do, especially in regards to conflict and cooperation?  There are many explanations for their international behavior, primarily because theorists often “see” the world differently.  In this course, we will analyze these explanations and their underlying meta-theoretical assumptions by studying a host of international relations theories.

In the process of doing so, I hope that you come to recognize and appreciate the diversity of international relations theory.  In other words, international relations theory is not confined to realism and liberalism, the theories that have dominated the international relations discipline for decades.  There are many theories outside the mainstream that provide useful and meaningful critiques and extensions of realism and liberalism.  The alternative theories that we will consider are Marxism, constructivism, feminism, post-colonialism, and green theory.

We will also try to determine whether realism, liberalism, and the various alternative theories adequately describe the reality of international relations, though all theories can provide insight into current global problems and suggest potential solutions to them.  To that end, we will explore how international relations scholars should decide whether one theory is more compelling than another.  Since all theories have strengths and weaknesses in regards to their internal logic and evidence, we will investigate the possibilities for constructing more comprehensive and persuasive theories.

Hopefully, this course will enhance your ability to interpret the causes and consequences of global phenomena and processes and to examine critically political leaders’ preferences, as well as your own, in regards to foreign policy.  Ultimately, I hope that it will help you to devise more effective solutions to the numerous problems facing humanity today.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Outline the history of the IR discipline, explain the role of meta-theoretical debates and the philosophy of social science in it, and assess the importance of this history for the construction of theories.
  2. Compare and contrast the major tenets of realism, liberalism, and various alternative theories.
  3. Evaluate the evidence for and against each theory.
  4. Use these IR theories to answer questions about international conflict behavior and the extent of global cooperation.
  5. Employ these IR theories to explain current global phenomena.
  6. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each theory and examine ways to construct more accurate theories.
  7. Recognize the diversity of IR theory and analyze the consequences for understanding international political reality.

Organization

This course is divided into five modules: Introduction to International Relations Theory, Realism, Liberalism, Critiques of the Mainstream Theories, and Conclusions. 

The first module, Introduction to International Relations Theory, provides a broad historical overview of the international relations discipline, with special attention given to the role of meta-theoretical debates and the philosophy of social science.

The second module, Realism, focuses on the realist paradigm, with specific attention given to classical realism and its founding theorists, structural realism, the issue of polarity, power transition theory, offensive realism, and defensive realism.

The third module, Liberalism, focuses on the liberal paradigm, with special attention given to classical liberalism, the democratic peace theory and its qualifications, diversionary conflict theory, neo-liberalism, and the role of international institutions in global politics.

The fourth module, Critiques of the Mainstream Theories, presents a series of alternative theories to realism and liberalism, namely Marxism, constructivism, feminism, post-colonialism, and green theory.

The fifth module, Conclusions, presents a recent phenomenon that challenges contemporary international relations theories: terrorism.  This module will also examine the current state of the international relations discipline in terms of its intellectual and social patterns.

There are a series of lessons in each module.  One or two lessons are covered each week.  Within each lesson, there is a combination of assigned readings, lecture materials, videos, quizzes, and additional assignments.  The quizzes are based on the textbook and lecture materials.  The additional assignments include 11 discussions, three reflection essays, a revision of each reflection essay, and a final research paper, for which you will complete a research paper quiz, eight preliminary assignments, and a peer review.  All of the above assignments are spread out over the semester to provide you with ample time to learn from each activity.

At the end of the semester, there will be a cumulative final exam; that is, it will cover all of the assigned readings and lecture material from the course. 

Online Learning and Attendance

This course has been developed to promote asynchronous learning. The instructor and students do NOT meet on a designated day and time each week. For each lesson, there is a timeframe to complete all activities and assignments, and you may work at your own pace within that timeframe. However, you must adhere to the due dates outlined on the Calendar. (Due dates can also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) You should log into the course daily to check for updates, review lessons, and participate in activities.

Materials

Texts

There is one required text. Some lessons have additional readings which can be accessed through the Course Reserves.

  1. Tim Dunne, Milya Kurki, and Steve Smith, ed. 2021. International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity. 5th ed. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN: 978-0198814443

    eBook version of the 5th available via RedShelf (from ~$45): https://www.redshelf.com/book/1705297/international-relations-theories-1705297-9780192551627 

Course Reserves

There are electronic resources on reserve for this course that can be accessed through the Penn State Libraries. To access your Course Reserves, please use the Library Resources tab in the course navigation menu. For any questions, you may have about viewing or printing your Course Reserves, refer to the View and Print Electronic Course Reserves page at https://libraries.psu.edu/services/course-reserves/using-electronic-reserves/view-and-print-electronic-course-reserves.

Library Services

Penn State Libraries provides a wide variety of services and resources. To learn how to take advantage, refer to the Online Student Library Guide at http://guides.libraries.psu.edu/onlinestudentlibraryguide. This guide serves as your starting point for access to all that Penn State Libraries can offer you as an online student. Use this guide if you have questions on library services offered to you, how the library can help you, how to use the library, or what resources you can access via the library! The guide will connect you to important pages and resources within Penn State Libraries and save time from you searching for the information you need.

Access to New York Times

As a Penn State student, you have digital access to a variety of local, national, and global newspapers at no cost.  This course may reference New York Times articles, please use the instructions provided on the Student News Readership Program website to activate your complimentary access. 

Grading

Final letter grades will be assigned based on the scale below.

Scale

LETTER
GRADE		 MINIMUM
%		 MAXIMUM
%
A 95 100
A- 90 94.9
B+ 88 89.9
B 82 87.9
B- 80 81.9
C+ 78 79.9
C 70 77.9
D 60 69.9
F 0 59.9

Due Dates

All assignments are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the date indicated on the Calendar. (Due dates can be also be viewed under the Syllabus tab.) Please be aware that Canvas follows the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. Assignment due dates adhere to this time zone, and it is your responsibility to submit assignments accordingly. If you are outside of the ET time zone, you can set your Canvas account to sync to it. Refer to the Set a Time Zone article in the Canvas Guide at https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10622.

As a general rule, you will NOT be able to go back and make up missed assignments. It is your responsibility to keep up with your assignments. Students with an excused absence (e.g. hospitalization, jury duty, family emergency, or military service) may be asked to produce proper documentation in order to make up graded work. All make-up work is at the discretion of the instructor.

Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g. upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.

Notes

  • To Do List: Some assignments may not appear in the To Do list under the Home tab. Use the Calendar or Syllabus to ensure that you are fully aware of assignment due dates.

Assignments

Basic information about each assignment group is provided below. Read course announcements for detailed directions about individual assignments, and also see assignment information under the Modules tab.

You can expect meaningful feedback on assignments within seven days of their due date.

ASSIGNMENT
GROUP		 Points
Syllabus Quiz 10
Discussions (11 x 20) 220
Lesson Quizzes (11 x 10) 110
Reflection Essays (3 x 32) 96
Reflection Essay Revisions (3 x 36) 108
Research Paper Quiz 10
Preliminary Research Paper Assignments (8 x 20) 160
Peer Research Paper Review 20
Final Research Paper 200
Final Exam 150
Total 1084

Quizzes

Periodic quizzes (noted in the Assignments Summary below) are administered online.  These quizzes typically have 10 multiple choice or true-false questions about the readings and concepts for that week’s worth of material.  Students take the quizzes on the Canvas website during the week indicated in the course schedule.

Note:  The quizzes are “open book” but are timed.  You will have a relatively short amount of time once you start to quiz to finish it.  I would strongly suggest that prior to attempting to take the quiz you have completed all parts of the lecture and readings for the week and are very familiar with the material.  Students who attempt to take the quiz without being prepared should not expect to rely upon the open book nature to perform well on the quiz.

Discussion Board Participation

On various weeks (noted in the Assignments Summary below) students are also required to participate in class discussion boards via Canvas.  These discussion boards both pose some open-ended questions about the course material and student’s opinions about the material for the week, while also giving students a chance to ask for clarification about anything they have encountered in the class in past weeks.  The discussion boards will help us flesh out the material for the week, clarify anything that did not make sense, and provide a forum for your feedback.  For every discussion board, students must reply to at least two of their classmates.  Students are required to post on the discussion board between 12:00 a.m. Monday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday the week they are held. A grading rubric is attached to each discussion.

Reflection Essays

You will write three reflection essays throughout the course, each of which is worth 32 points.  For each essay, you will have two topics from which to choose, as described within the assignments.  Each essay is due by 11:59pm ET on the date indicated on the course calendar and must be submitted via the appropriate assignment in Canvas.  Take care that your submitted files are easily accessed and readable across operating platforms.  Documents should be saved as .RTF (Rich Text Format).  If you initially submit a corrupted file or a document with an unreadable file extension (for example, ..docx), you must upload a fixed version prior to the deadline if you want to earn credit for the assignment.  Each essay must be no longer than two double-spaced pages (excluding reference lists) and must use 12-point Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins.  Be sure to properly document any and all sources following the guidelines in the American Political Science Association’s Style Manual for Political Science. You can find the grading rubric for these essays in each assignment.

In addition, you will revise the three reflection essays that you write, taking into account the feedback that I provide on your original essay.  Each revision is due by 11:59pm ET two weeks after the initial submission of your essay, as indicated on the course calendar.  It must be submitted via the appropriate assignment in Canvas. You can find the grading rubric for these essays in each assignment.

Research Paper

See the Research Paper Module for information on this semester-long project.

Final Exam

The Final Exam is a cumulative examination of the material presented in the course.  Like the quizzes, the Final is taken online via Canvas during the time indicated. You will have only one hour from when you “open” the Final to complete it.  Again, you are free to look over your notes or course material when taking the Final, but I strongly suggest, given you have limited time, not attempting to take the Final without completing all lessons and materials in the class and studying them very carefully.

Discussion Policies

Written communication is different than oral communication. The policies and pointers listed below cover common issues that crop up in an online discussion forum. They are designed to enhance organization, help you convey your ideas more clearly, and prevent misunderstandings.

  1. Try to think of discussion forums as an extension of your real-life classroom.
    1. Endeavor to share ideas among your classmates, not to prove that you are right and they are wrong.
    2. Be aware that differences of opinion are going to occur in any forum. Multiple perspectives on a topic or problem are often valuable.
  2. Compose long messages in NotePad (or TextEdit) and then copy/paste into Canvas. Or add an attachment and provide a simple explanation of its contents.
  3. Keep closely related ideas organized under a single post.
    1. To respond to the original post, click in the Reply field, type your response, and click Post Reply. Title your post so that individuals know what your post is about. The title of your post should be a brief phrase that summarizes your post.
    2. To respond to another individual, click the Reply button just below the individual's original response. Type in your response and then click Post Reply.
    3. To express a new idea, click in the Reply field again, similar to adding your original post. Remember to add a title.
    4. Don’t feel obligated to make a reply to a post if you feel it does not warrant one. Numerous posts that contain no essential new ideas may create more work for everyone.
    5. Don’t be offended if no one replies to your message. Often people will read postings on a discussion forum but not make a reply.
  4. Act professionally and be considerate of others.
    1. Remember that not everyone comes from the same background, or shares the same values and ideals as you.
    2. Be mindful of your “tone.” If you are unsure of your tone, try reading your discussion forum post out loud before you submit it. When you read it out loud, does it sound the way you would speak to another student in the classroom?
    3. Remember that a message can easily be misunderstood. Making a joke or being ironic in a discussion forum is a great way to break the ice, but you have to let people know your intentions. If you wish to convey a humorous tone, try using emoticons or adding comments like “Just kidding!” Do not use slang.
  5. Alert your instructor as soon as possible if there is a message on the discussion forum that strikes you as inappropriate or offensive.
    1. Keep in mind that the author may not realize how the message “sounds” to you. Try to think of the situation as a growth opportunity facilitated by the instructor.
    2. Allow the instructor to handle the situation. Rest assured that your instructor is determined to prevent breakdown of group process.
    3. Be aware that the instructor has the right to remove any inappropriate or offensive messages.
    4. Be aware that any student who posts an inappropriate of offensive message will be blocked from participating in the discussion forum and will receive an F for that assignment. Students are also subject to relevant policies in the student code of conduct.

University Policies

Academic Integrity

Penn State defines academic integrity as “the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner.” (Senate Policy 49-20). Dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated in this course. Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without permission from the instructor or tampering with the academic work of other students. Students facing allegations of academic misconduct who drop the course will be returned and will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines until the allegations are dismissed and the drop is permitted. Students responsible for academic misconduct often receive academic sanctions, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for disciplinary sanctions assigned by the University's Office of Student Conduct (see Senate Policy G-9).

Unless your instructor tells you otherwise:

  • Always include an in-text citation that includes the author(s) last name(s) and the year the source was published at the end of any sentence or below any image that includes words, images, or ideas you found in a source, always included quoted text within quotation marks, and always include a reference for any source at the end of your paper (ask your instructor about the format you should use).
  • All of your graded coursework must be created by you without help from anyone in the course or otherwise. If you have questions about this, you should ask your instructor before submitting work for evaluation.
  • All course materials you receive or access are protected by copyright laws. You may use course materials and make copies for your own use, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct and/or liable under Federal and State laws.

Disability Access

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for every Penn State campus at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/disability-coordinator. For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources website at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources.

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation described at http://equity.psu.edu/student-disability-resources/applying-for-services. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Penn State's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office offers residential and distance-based Penn State students non-emergency mental health services in the form of case management, community resource referrals, supportive listening, care giver support, and much more.

Students may request assistance from CAPS regarding a variety of common mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and stress. CAPS services are designed to enhance students' ability to fully benefit from the University environment and academic experience. Call CAPS at 814-863-0395 (8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday EST) or submit an inquiry online at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/form/caps-contact-form to schedule an appointment with a mental health advocate, who can help you address mental health concerns that may interfere with your academic progress or social development. This appointment will include a one-on-one session that can be conducted via telephone, teleconference (Skype, FaceTime, etc.), or locally at Penn State University Park. For more information on services provided through CAPS, please visit the Penn State CAPS website at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/. Students enrolled at the World Campus are also encouraged to visit its Mental Health Services page at http://student.worldcampus.psu.edu/student-services/mental-health-services.

Reminder: These services are for non-emergencies only. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis situation, please call your local crisis center or 911.

Nondiscrimination

Penn State is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University's educational mission, and will not be tolerated. For further information, please visit the Affirmative Action Office website at https://affirmativeaction.psu.edu/.

Reporting a Bias Incident

Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage at http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/.

TEACH Act

The materials on the course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

University Emergency Procedure

In the event of a University-wide emergency, the course may be subject to changes. Exigent circumstances may require alternative delivery methods, class materials, and interactions with the instructor and/or classmates. In addition, there may be revisions to grading policies and the Calendar, including assignments and their due dates.

In the event of a University-wide emergency, please refer to the Canvas website at https://psu.instructure.com for specific information related to the course. For more general information about the emergency situation, please refer to the Penn State website at https://www.psu.edu or Penn State News website at https://news.psu.edu.

To register with PSUAlert, a service designed to alert the Penn State community when situations arise that affect the ability of a campus to function normally, please go to the PSU Alert website at https://psualert.psu.edu/. Subscribers can receive alerts by text message to cell phones, and also can elect to have alerts sent to an email address.

Syllabus Subject to Change

The class will likely adhere to the information outlined in this Syllabus and the Calendar, but adjustments may be made based on what actually transpires during the semester. Remaining in the course after reading this Syllabus will signal that you accept the possibility of changes and responsibility for being aware of them.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due