Department of Political Science,
University of Ghana POL1 212: Introduction to International
Politics (semester 2) Instructors: Dr. Bossman E. Asare (Office of
HOD) beasare@ug.edu.gh bossasare@gmail.com and Dr. Charles Amo-Agyemang
(Office-top of library) Office Hours MW10AM-1:30PM
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Course
Title
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Introduction
to International Politics
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Course
Code
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POLI
212
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Purpose
and Objectives
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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? How relevant are theories of world politics in
the foreign policies of countries? What explains the type of foreign policy
decision-making of both the major and minor powers in the international
system? How did the major wars shape international relations? Who are the
actors involved in global politics? Is the sovereignty of the state a myth?
Can there be perpetual peace in the world? Is globalization actually taking
place? What are the discontents of globalization? How does terrorism affect
human security? and others.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course students
should know the following:
• Understand
the role theories of international relations play in the international
system.
• The
relevant of theories in international relations
• Appreciate
the various actors who influence the international system
• The
differences between domestic politics and international politics
• The
effects of the two major wars in the global system
• How
the Cold War has shaped international relations
• The
importance of foreign policy to countries
• The
role of IGOs in international relations
• How
terrorist activities have shaped the global system
• Explain
the strategies global south countries have used to promote development
• The
different types of globalization
• How
multinational corporations have become important actors in international
relations
Required and Recommended Texts
Bossman E. Asare, 2018. International
Politics: The Beginner’s Guide- Updated and Expanded, Digibooks, Ghana.
Charles W. Kegley Jr. and Shannon
L. Blanton, 2010. World Politics: Trend and Transformation, 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.
Term Reflective Paper
Each student will submit a
reflective paper on the 5th week of class. The paper should be
between 1000 and 1200 words long, and submitted in double-space, and 12 point
font. The question is listed below:
Examine the importance of Globalization to Ghana’s
development.
Exams
There will two exams in the class.
The interim assessment (IA) will be largely fill-in-the blanks and short
essay questions. This will cover specific aspects of the course. This will be
held on either the seventh or the eighth week of class. 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.
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.
Communication with your
Instructors
We have regular office hours that
you have to get the details from the course outline or the General Office of
the Department of Political Science. Feel free to stop by to 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.
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, Yahoo News, Google News, the Associated Press, Reuters, BBC,
DWTV, Christian Science Monitor, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington
Post. This will be an opportunity for students to make oral contributions, in
addition to the regular lectures and discussions.
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. Check University of Handbook for details.
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Week No.
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Lecture Course
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Tutorials
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Assessment/Readings
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1
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Introduction to course
What
is international politics
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Kegley chapter 1 Asare, chapter 1
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2
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International law, diplomacy, Actors,
the state, nation-state, and nation, basic concepts
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Kegley chapter 1 Asare, chapter 1
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3
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Theories of World Politics
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Kegley chapter 2
Asare, chapter 2
Kelly-Kate Pease, chapters 1-4
Hans
Morgenthau, 1978. “A Realist Theory of International Politics”
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4
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Foreign Policy
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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 Paper due
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5
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Foreign Policy
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Continue
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6
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Great
Powers and International Conflicts-World
War 1, World War II and the Cold War
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Asare, chapter 3
Kegley, chapter 4
Randall (1998) Deadly Imballances: Tripolarity and Hitler’s Strategy
of World Conquest, Columbia University Press: New York.
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7
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Great Powers and International Conflicts-World War 1, World War II
and the Cold War
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Asare, chapter 3
Kegley, chapter 4
Randall (1998) Deadly Imballances: Tripolarity and Hitler’s Strategy
of World Conquest, Columbia University Press: New York.
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8
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Intergovernmental Organizations
and Global Governance
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Kegley chapters 6 and 14 Asare,
chapter 5
Asare Bossman (2009) The African Union, Multi-level Governance and
Accountability in Africa, Legon Journal of International Affairs, 6 (2),
121-137
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9
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Intergovernmental Organizations
and Global Governance
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Kegley chapters 6 and 14 Asare,
chapter 5
Asare Bossman (2009) The African Union, Multi-level Governance and
Accountability in Africa, Legon Journal of International Affairs, 6 (2),
121-137
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10
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Global Terrorism and International
Security
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Kegley, chapter 13 Asare, chapter
6
Payne, chapters 5
Interim Assessment
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11
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Developing Countries in
Global Politics
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Kegley, chapter 5 Asare, chapter 7
The
World Bank (2000). Can Africa claim the 21st century? The World Bank:
Washington, D.C.
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12
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Globalization
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Kegley and Blanton 12/13
Asare, chapter 9
Joseph Stiglitz
(2003) “Globalization and its Discontents” read introduction and afterword,
Martin Wolf (2001) Will the Nation-State Survive Globalization? Foreign
Affairs, 80(1): 178-190. Available
online-just do Google search.
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13
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Multinational Corporations Revision/summing-up
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Asare, chapter 8
Robert
Gilpin (2000). The Challenge of Global Capitalism. Princeton University
Press: Princeton.
Robert Gilpin (2001). Global Political Economy, Princeton University
Press: Princeton.
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14 - 16
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Final Exam
(70%)
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