POLI
212: Introduction to International Politics
University
of Ghana, Dept of Pol Sci (Main anD City Campuses) Instructors: Stevens
Ahiawordor and Bossman Asare (beasare@ug.edu.gh bossasare@gmail.com)
Time:
W 330-520, Thurs 1130-120 (JQB 22/23), Tues 12-2,
Offices - Rooms 6 and 12 (P. Science) Office Hours: M 1130-1:30pm, W 2pm-3pm, TH 10-11:20 (and by appointment)
Course
Goals
This course
introduces students to the major issues in global relations/politics, and
provides them theoretical/conceptual tools for understanding the global system.
The central aims of the course are to demonstrate how theory influences our
explanations; to familiarize students with some important issues in
international politics; to help students appreciate the impact of international
institutions such as the UN and the World Bank on the sovereignty of the modern
states; and to help students understand why some global north
states are the focus of international relations.
We
will use both theoretical and practical arguments to answer several questions:
Why is international relations/politics important? What explains the type of
foreign policy decision-making of both the major and minor powers in the
international system? Who are the actors involved in global politics? Is the
sovereignty of the state a myth? How relevant is international law in
international relations? Can there be perpetual peace in the world? Is
globalization actually taking place? How does terrorism affect human security
in West Africa and globally? Are Multinational Corporations relevant in the
developing world? What are the problems confronting the international system?
How does domestic politics shape international politics, among others.
Required and Recommended Texts
Bossman E. Asare, 2011. International Politics: The
Beginner’s Guide, Accra: Yamens Press.
Charles Kegley Jr. 2009. World Politics: Trend and
Transformation, 12th Edition, Wadsworth: Cengage
Learning.
John T. Rourke, 2005. International Politics on the World
Stage. USA: McGraw-Hill
Inc.
Richard Payne, 2007. Global Issues: Politics, Economics,
and Culture. New York: Pearson Longman.
Kelly-Kate Pease, 2003. International Organizations:
Perspectives on Governance in the 21st century, 2nd
edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Richard Mansbach and Edward Rhodes (eds), 2006. Global
Politics in a Changing World. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Interim Assessment
There are two interim assessments. One is an assignment due
on the fifth week of class. The other is an in-class exams scheduled on the
ninth week. The assignment question- To what extent are Boko Haram and Al Shabab
a threat to the security of sub-Saharan Africa?- requires a reflective response of 1000 words long, double-spacing,
and a 12 point font.
Exams
Final exams will consist of a
combination of fill-in-the-blanks, short and long essay questions. The final is
cumulative, with questions ranging from the first day to the last day of class.
If you really want to do well in the final examination, the best strategy is to
attend class regularly and be on top of the assigned readings.
Reflective Paper-
10%
Exams/IA -
20%
Final
Exams 70%
Civility
Civility in the classroom is
expected of all students. Students who disrupt class to the extent that other’s
educational opportunities are diminished may be asked to leave the classroom.
Cell phones must be turned- off at all times in the classroom.
Communicating with your Instructors
Feel free to stop by and
discuss academic matters or concerns with us in the office. All emails sent to
either of the instructors should include POLI 212 in the subject
line.
Class Attendance and
Participation
Attendance will be monitored every class session, and
students are expected to regularly and relevantly contribute to class
discussions by raising questions and making salient comments. For the purpose
of class participation, which is compulsory, students are encouraged to gather
information from news sources, such as the New York Times online, Yahoo News,
Google News, Al Jazeera, the Associated Press, Reuters, BBC, DWTV, Christian
Science Monitor, Wall Street Journal online, and the Washington Post online.
This will be an opportunity for students to make oral contributions, in
addition to the regular lectures and discussions.
Learning Disability Students
Any student with an officially
recognized disability should make fitting arrangements with the university, not
the instructors.
Plagiarism and Cheating
Plagiarism, which is representing
somebody’s work as your own, as well as cheating in all forms, must be avoided.
The consequences of these behaviors are not worth mentioning in this class.
Course Calendar
Weeks 1 and 2 Jan 30/Feb 6
Course overview, introduction to international relations, the
state, nation-state, nation, 21st century world politics, and
diplomacy, sovereignty, actors in the global system, international law,
alliances, and balance of power, multinational corporations, and globalization.
Asare,
chapter 1, Kegley chapter 1, Rourke chapter 1
Weeks 3 and 4 Feb 13/20
International Politics
and Theories - Realism, Neorealism,
Offensive Realism, Liberalism, Neoliberalism, Democratic Peace Theory,
Constructivism, Marxism, and Feminism
Asare, chapter 2, Kegley
chapter 2
Kelly-Kate Pease, 2003. International Organizations:
Perspectives on Governance in the 21st century chapters 1-4
Hans Morgenthau, 1978. “A Realist Theory of
International Politics”
Rourke, Chapter 3
Weeks 5/6 Feb 27 Great Powers and
International Conflicts-World War 1, World War II and the Cold War
Asare, chapter 3, Kegley,
chapter
4
Nye, Joseph Jr. (2007) Understanding
International Conflicts: An Introduction to Theory and History, Pearson
Longman, New York.
Swheller,
Randall (1998) Deadly Imballances: Tripolarity and Hitler’s Strategy of
World Conquest, Columbia University Press: New York.
Week 7/8 March 13
Intergovernmental Organizations and
Global Governance
Asare,
chapter 5
Kegley
chapters 6 and 14
The Economist. “UN’s Mission Impossible” (in Mansbach, Richard &
Rhodes, Edward, Global Politics in a Changing World.180-183)
Kelly-Kate Pease, 2003. International Organizations: Perspectives on
Governance in the 21st century, chapters 5-10
Asare Bossman (2009) The African Union, Multi-level Governance and Accountability
in Africa, Legon Journal of International Affairs, 6 (2), 121-137
Weeks 9/10 March 27- Foreign Policy
and International Decision Making
Asare, chapter 4, Kegley, chapter 3
Herman, Margaret (2001) How Decision
Units Shape Foreign Policy: A Theoretical Framework, International Studies
Review, 3 (2):
47–81.
McDermott, Rose (2007) Political
Psychology in International Relations. The University of Michigan Press:
Ann Arbor.
Steve Smith, Amelia Hadfield, and Tim Dunne (Eds) Foreign
Policy: Theories, Actors, and Cases. New York: Oxford University Press
Weeks 11/12 April 10/17
Developing Countries in
Global Politics
Asare, chapter 7 Kegley,
chapter 5
The World Bank (2000). Can Africa
claim the 21st century? The World Bank: Washington, D.C.
Week 13 April 24
Global Terrorism and
International Security/Summing-up
Asare, chapter 6
Payne, chapter 5
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