Osaka Gakuin University 2016-17 Spring Semester
International Relations
Instructor：
Ahmad Sajjad
E-mail:Lesson:Office Hours :Subject code :sajjadagem@gmail.com
Monday & Thursday 14:30-16:00
By appointment
2036

Course Description:

Reference Text
Ba, Alice & Hoffmann, Matthew J. “Making and Remaking the World forIR 101: A Resource for Teaching Social Constructivism inIntroductory Classes.” International Studies Perspective. No. 4,
2003. pp. 15-33.
Finnemore,
Martha.
“ConstructingNormsofHumanitarianIntervention.” The Culture of National Security. Ed. Katzenstein,Peter J. Columbia University Press: New York, 1996. pp. 153-185.
Nye, Joseph. “Neorealism and Neoliberalism.” World Politics. Vol. 40(2), 1988. pp. 235-251.

This course is designed to equip students with the conceptual tools
needed to understand the study of world politics. The highly globalized
world of the present has generated more wealth, scientific innovation,and cross-national cooperation ever witnessed in history. Meanwhile,
the prospects of war, terror, and environmental degradation still
generate an aura of uncertainty regarding our epoch. Adding to boththe excitement and the fear of a smaller and interconnected globe isthe fact that world politics does not occur in far off places. Decisions
made by states, multinational corporations, terrorist organizations, andnon-governmental organizations have a direct impact on our life. The
rapid barrage of information technology and other forms ofcommunication has in part transformed many people into “informed”
global citizens. However, while there may be a multitude of individuals
who know of the events that are occurring in the world, many still do
not understand what is happening. That is, there is a huge difference
between being up to date on the news and being able to explain why
events happened; and what consequences they may bring. The goal ofthis course is to help students to be able to analyze global events andchanges within a theoretical and systematic framework.

Note: Other necessary hand-outs will be provided for each class

Resources

Course Schedule:

Text Book
Karen A. Mingst and Jack L. Snyder. 2007. Essential Readings inWorld Politics. New York: WW Norton (3rd edition).

Note: All readings are in the above textbook unless otherwise
indicated.

EvaluationClass Attendance (10%)
Participation in Class Discussions (10%)
An Individual or Group Presentation(s) (30%)
Final Report (50%)

Note: Evaluation method may change at the instructor’s discretion
depending on the class size and other factors.

Notes:


Midterm Presentation Topics will be decided by the students (adetailed explanation will in the class a week beforepersonations)Class 18: A recreational/study visit to a specified area: This
will be also decided by the students.

Part 1: Why Do Things Happen In International Politics?
Theoretical Approaches
Week 1:
Class 1: Getting Started: Introduction and Course Description
Class 2: Theoretical Approaches-Idealism (Liberalism)

Part 3: Post-Cold War Thinking on International Relations

Week 2:
Class 3: Theoretical Approaches-Realism
Class 4: Theoretical Approaches-Neorealism
Week 3:
Class 5:Theoretical Approaches-Neoliberalism (LiberalInternationalism)
Class 6: Theoretical Approaches-Constructivism

Part 2: International Institutions

Week 9Class 17: Globalization ‘Why Globalization Works’Class 18: A recreational/study visit to a specified area
Week 10Class 19: Legacies of Slavery and End of Colonialism
Class 20: Democracy or Autocracy?
Week 11Class 21: Principal Causes of War
Class 22: Issue of Post-conflict Societies

Week 4:
Class 7: A study in failure: The League of Nations
Class 8: A study in partial success: The United Nations

Part 4: Iraq, Afghanistan, and International Relations
Week 12

Week 5:Class 9: A study in success: The European UnionClass 10: An Emergence of African Union
Week 6:Class 23: 9/11 and the Bush Doctrine
Class 24: The Decision to Go to War: American Choices, International
Responses
Week 13Class 11: Dynamics of Bipolar to Unipolar International Politics(Balance of Power)
Class 12: A Shift of Interstates to Intrastate Conflicts
Week 7:
Class 13: The Politics of Foreign Aid and Humanitarianism
Class 14: State and Institution Building

Presentations Week (Midterm Test)
Week 8:Class 15: Midterm Presentations
Class 16: Midterm Presentations

Class 25: Global Economic and Financial Crisis since 2008
Class 26: Insurgency, Elections, and Occupation: The Postwar
Week 14Class 27: International Security (Peace Keeping Operations)Class 28: Issues in World Politics (Economic and Health)Week 15Class 29: Future Challenges and Prospects of International Politics
Class 30: Wrap up and Announcement of Guidelines for the Final
Report (Reflection Essays)
Note: Course contents and schedule are subject to change dependingon the class size and the discretion of the teacher.