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SS395: Advanced International Relations Theory (International Security Studies) USMA Department of Social Sciences

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SS395: Advanced International Relations Theory (International Security Studies) USMA Department of Social Sciences SS395 Syllabus SS395: Advanced International Relations Theory (International Security Studies) USMA Department of Social Sciences Course Overview: In Introduction to International Relations (SS307/357), you explored the drivers of group behavior (or why people, organizations, and states “do what they do”) and the causes of conflict and cooperation in the international system. As a survey of the field, the introductory course exposed you to concepts, traditions, and theories from across the study of international relations or world politics.1 In SS395, we will closely examine one critical force that drives world politics—international security. The purpose of this course is to provide you a solid foundation in the field of international security studies, including a grasp of key concepts and case studies relevant to the field today and throughout history. In Block 1 (Foundational Concepts in International Security), we will explore how the field of international relations connects to the sub-field of international security studies. We will examine central concepts in the field of international security studies. We will focus on two key questions that we will address throughout the course: how do we define security and conflict? How do actors in the international system use force as a tool to achieve goals and influence others? In Block 2 (Theories of Conflict), we will explore one central question that will be central for your research paper: What causes conflict, and what prevents it? We will use Greg Cashman’s literature review on theories of conflict, entitled What Causes War? in order to apply theory to this central empirical question and cases. We will also discuss proper use of analogical reasoning as a tool of understanding historic and contemporary conflict cases. In Block 3 (Traditional Case Studies in International Security), we will review major forms of interstate conflict and the theoretical underpinnings of those cases. With each form of conflict, we will examine one case study and us theory to provide explanatory power for the selected historical cases. Block IV (Post-Cold War Case Studies in Security) will be similar to Block III, but with a focus on internal conflict and more contemporary case studies in international security. Finally, Block V (Emerging Topics in Security Studies), we will review emerging topics in the field of international security studies. We will also discuss the legal and normative implications of contemporary tools of force and forms of conflict. We will use Block V to apply concepts from throughout the semester to current and future challenges in international security. 1 We will discuss the use of the terms international relations (politics), inter-state relations (politics), world politics, and global politics to describe the phenomena studied by “IR” scholars. World politics may be the least problematic choice, but international relations is the most commonly used, so I tend to use them interchangeably. 1 SS395 Syllabus Course Learning Objectives: • Differentiate, analyze, and apply the core concepts of international relations theory introduced in SS307/SS357 to the field of international security studies. • Think critically – students can assess and compare the traditional and contemporary views on security, methods for the use of force, and case studies in international security studies through the lens of the theories of conflict studied in the course. • Read critically – students become fluent in reading and understanding political science writing in the field of international security studies, both through assigned class readings from different sources and through their own independent research. • Refine writing skills – students simultaneously develop their skills to write concise, guided analytical essays as well as thoughtful and informed research papers using an iterative writing process and incorporating feedback from their instructor. • Verbally articulate an academic point or intellectual curiosity – students are able to digest the assigned course material and articulate key points and relevant questions in presentations and during in-class discussion their peers and instructor. • Explore normative questions about the use of force and the causes of conflict and apply those lessons to your role as a leader of character in the Army profession. Course Requirements, Assessment, and Learning Philosophy: Graded Events Class Participation (10%) 100 points Short Writing Assignments (30%) # 1 – Block Essays (30 pts each x 3) 90 points # 2 – In-class essay quizzes (10 pts each) 130 points # 3 – Theories of Conflict Summaries 20 points # 4 – Lecture Response Essay 30 points # 5 – Additional Instructor Assignment TBD 30 points Course Project and Paper (35%) Research Question Proposal 50 points Research Question Outline 50 points Research Proposal Paper 200 points Research Paper Revision and Resubmission 50 points TEE (25%) 250 points TOTAL 1000 points • Assignment Submission. Unless I explicitly tell you otherwise, all take-home assignments will be due at 1600 on the assigned due date via Blackboard only - e-mail and/or hard copy submission not required. • Class Participation. Student preparation and discussion is absolutely vital to the quality of this class. As a result, I place a very high value on quality class participation and contributions from each student. I will keep track of your individual participation after each lesson. If you have clearly prepared and contribute thoughtfully to the discussion, you will earn full credit for participation. If you do not participate, fall asleep in class, or leave your text books or other class materials in your room, you will earn zero points. • Writing Assignments. This course is the Writing-in-Major (WIM) course for International Affairs major. With that, I will assess each writing assignment not only based on content, but also correctness and appropriate writing style. 2 SS395 Syllabus o Block Essays. At the end of each Block, you will be required to write a short essay responding to one of the discussion questions I provide you to focus your reading during that block. You will get the Block Essay prompts one week before they are due. The essays must be no more than 800 words (not including citations and a Works Cited page). Including Chicago-style footnote citations and a Works Cited page is required for each essay. You will submit these Block Essays electronically via Blackboard. Each Block Essay will be worth 30 points. Block Essays are due via Blackboard NLT 1600 on the assigned date. The due dates for Block Essays are the following: . Block 1 – 14 September 2018 . Block 2 – No Block Essay . Block 3 – 24 October 2018 . Block 4 – 20 November 2018 . Block 5 – Lecture Response Essay, due NLT 5 December 2018 o In-Class Essay Quizzes. These will be no-notice short answer questions I provide you at the beginning of 13 different class sessions. For these short essays, I will ask a question that pertains to one or all of the readings for that class session. You WILL be allowed to reference hard copies of hand-written reading notes for these essays. You WILL NOT be allowed to use another student’s reading notes, your course readings or books, nor will you be permitted to use computers or tablets as references during this assignment. Each essay will be worth 10 points. o Lecture Response Essay. You will receive separate guidance about the Lecture Response Essay assignment, which you can submit at any point during the semester before 5 December 2018. • Research Paper. In this writing-intensive course, you will also refine your methodological approach to asking questions in political science. You will work towards submitting a research proposal that seeks to explore the causes of a particular inter-state conflict in international security. I will provide you with an additional memorandum detailing the course project on Lesson 5. • Term End Exam (TEE). The TEE for this course will assess your understanding of key concepts we study throughout the semester. The TEE will consist of short answer and essay questions. This exam is intended to reinforce your understanding of central concepts and themes in security studies so you can continue applying them to your future studies in political science. You will be allowed to reference your own hand-written reading and in-class notes during the TEE. Evaluation Level of Achievement Letter Grade Percentage Subjective Interpretation Mastery A+ 97-100 Above standards of writing. A 93-96.9 Mastery of concepts. A- 90-92.9 Can apply concepts to new situations. Excellence B+ 87-89.9 Meets standards of writing. B 83-86.9 Solid understanding of concepts. B- 80-82.9 Strong foundation for future work. Proficiency C+ 77-79.9 Approaching standards of writing. C 73-76.9 Acceptable understanding. Questionable foundation for future work. Marginal Proficiency C- 70-72.9 Below standards of writing. D 67-69.9 Doubtful understanding. Weak foundation for future work. Failure F <67 Unacceptable standards of writing. Definitely failed to demonstrate understanding of concepts. 3 SS395 Syllabus Political science is not a passive experience. No one possesses definitive answers to the questions we ask, so do not expect neatly packaged lectures tailored for a final exam. Learning is a joint responsibility that I share with you. I expect you to read the assigned material with a critical mind, and to engage in class with the arguments offered by the authors and your peers. This seminar is writing intensive. Writing is an essential tool in your future as a military officer and responsible member of any group, a critical part of studying political science, and an excellent mechanism for active learning. In this course, you will complete several short writing assignments, a running course project that results in a fully developed research proposal, and a term end exam focused on communicating ideas through concise writing. As part of the course project, you will also give two presentations to the class and engage in a peer review of a classmate’s work.
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