International Relations

Description

Overview: The purpose of this class is to introduce you to the key topics and concepts of international relations beyond the textbook from 2nd year and to prepare you to have base knowledge on a wide-range of IR topics if you choose to do an IR dissertation. Honours level classes are structured on the assumption that you are familiar with the ideas and literature covered in this class. Syllabus: Wk 1: Introduction (Wed) Studying IR (Thur) Wk 2: The –isms: Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism Wk 3: Critical Theory: Feminism and Post-Colonialism Wk 4: Empirical/Mid-Level Theory Wk 5: Review (Wed) Midterm (Thur) Wk 6: International Security Wk 7: Domestic Security Wk 8: International Institutions Wk 9: International Political Economy Wk 10: Review (Wed) Final (Thur) Assessment: Quizzes: 20% There will be four quizzes (5% each) on Weeks 2, 4, 7, and 9. The quiz will consist of 10 multiple choice questions and you will have 12 minutes to complete the quiz. The quizzes will be on MyPlace and will open on Fridays at noon and close Monday at noon. Coursework: 2 x 300 word papers 20% (10% each) The short papers will be due in Weeks 4 and 8, check MyPlace for exact day. In the first paper, you should identify the research question and then summarize one article. In the second paper, discuss the impact/legacy of an article. More details will be provided in class. In-Class Midterm: 15% An in-class midterm will be held during the second lecture of Week 5. A review session will be held during the first lecture of Week 5. More details will be provided in class. In-Class Final: 45% The in-class final will be held during the second lecture of Week 10. A review session will be held during the first lecture of Week 10. More details will be provided in class.