Spring 2020

POLI 211 9-9:50

Introduction to International Relations MW+disc section
HRZ 212

Professor: Songying Fang

Office: Herzstein Hall 114
Email: sfang@rice.edu
Office hours: Tuesday 3:30-5, or by appointment

TA: Liana Eustacia Reyes Jared Oestman

Office: 123 Herzstein Hall Fondren 5th floor
Email: ler10@rice.edu jo18@rice.edu
Office hours: Tue 1:30-3 & Fri 10-11 Tues 1:30-3 & Fri 10-11

PURPOSE: The course aims to develop your ability to analyze international politics system-
atically. The course will cover three broad topics: the causes of conflict, international political
economy, and international organizations. In terms of the outcome, you should leave this course
feeling: (1) you are a more informed citizen of the world, and have the ability to think critically and
analytically about current and historical events; (2) you are prepared for more advanced classes in
international relations and other political science courses.

NO PREREQUISITES: No outside knowledge of international relations or political science

scholarship will be necessary for taking the course. HOWEVER, careful reading of the materials
assigned for this course, attention to major news events related to international politics, and critical
thinking ability will be essential during the course.

COURSE STRUCTURE: This course is structured in two parts. On Monday and Wednesday
mornings, the entire class will meet for lectures. Each student will also attend one of the discussion
sections on Thursday or Friday. During the discussion sections, students will discuss current events
and debate policy options. The discussion sections are scheduled as follows:

SECTION DAY/TIME INSTRUCTOR LOCATION

Section 1 Friday 9-9:50 am Liana Reyes Sewall 460
Section 2 Friday 12-12:50 pm Liana Reyes Sewell 460
Section 3 Thurs 1- 2pm Jared Oestman KRF 120
Section 4 Friday 9-9:50 am Jared Oestman Sewall 560

GRADES: Grades will be determined in the manner described below. All components below
must be completed to receive a passing final grade. The Rice University Honor Code applies to all
written assignments for this course.

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15% – Attendance and Participation
Attendance for lectures may be taken in class unannounced. Participation in discussion
sections are mandatory. All students are required to complete the assigned reading before their
discussion section each week and to arrive prepared to discuss the issue. Your participation in class
discussions contributes to the quality of your own learning and that of others. Participation means
not just showing up, but also asking questions, answering questions, and offering opinions. You
must attend the section for which you are registered unless you have prior permission from the
instructor to attend a different discussion section during a given week.
At the end of the semester, each student will receive a grade on a scale of 1-15 for the attendance
and the quality of participation.

30% – Analytical Papers (2 @ 15% each)

Twice during the semester, each student must turn in an analytical paper of no more than 3 pages
(double spaced with 1 inch margin on each side) in response to a question based on the course
materials. The paper questions will be announced and/or posted on Canvas ahead of time. Papers
on a given topic are due in a discussion section; late papers will not be accepted.
The questions will require you to make your own argument. Your paper should not merely regur-
gitate course materials. In grading these papers, we will evaluate the following:

(1) Does the student demonstrate an understanding of relevant course materials?

(2) Does the student make a compelling argument in response to the question posed?
(3) Is the paper well organized and the argument clear?

40% – Exam (2 @ 20% each)

There will be two in-class exams during the semester. Each exam will cover material from approx-
imately one-third of the course. The exams will require you to demonstrate knowledge of lectures,
readings, and class discussions. The exams will be a combination of multiple choice questions and
essay questions.
There is no make-up exam in this course. In the case of medical excuse or verified emergency, the
student can take an early exam. In addition, the student must obtain permission from the professor
BEFORE the exam is held.

15% – Presentation Details will be available in class.

COURSE POLICIES: All components must be completed to receive a passing final grade. No
make up exam after the exam is held for the class; for absence that is not within an individual’s
control, a student may take an EARLY exam after discussing with the instructor.

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QUESTIONS ABOUT GRADES: We will do our best to make assignments clear and to
provide plenty of information about how grades are determined; an answer key will be provided
with each exam. During the week after an exam or assignment is returned, you are welcome to
raise questions about grades with your TAs. If the issue cannot be resolved between you and your
TA, then you can leave your exam or paper to the professor, explain where you think the grade
was incorrect, and accept that the regrading may lead to a lower grade. Once a week has passed
after the return of the assignment, no further grade changes will be allowed.

SPECIAL PROVISION Students with documented disabilities are encouraged to meet with me
to discuss your needs early in the semester.

CANVAS: Students are expected to check course site on Canvas frequently. We will post slides
from lectures, links to the articles assigned for discussion sections, paper assignments, course an-
nouncements, and more. In addition, we require you to turn in your paper assignments on Canvas.

REQUIRED READING: The textbook for this course is:

Frieden, Jeffry A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Schultz. 2019. World Politics: Interests,
Interactions, Institutions. 4th edition. New York: W. W. Norton.
The (e)book is available at the campus bookstore and from several online retailers. Norton also
provides an option to purchase an e-book at a lower price.

COURSE OUTLINE
The weekly coverage might change as it depends on the progress of the class. However, you must
keep up with the reading assignments.

Week Content
• Mon. 1/13 Introduction to the course;
Week 1 • Wed. 1/15 What do we study in IR
• no discussion sections; Read FL&S Introduction, Ch.1
• Mon. 1/20 No class: Martin Luther King Day
Week 2 • Wed. 1/22 Rational Choice Framework FL&S Ch.2
• Discussion: Introduction to sections and discuss Ch.1-2
• Mon. 1/27 Theorizing Conflict FL&S Ch.2
Week 3 • Wed. 1/29 Bargaining Theory of War: FL&S Ch.3
• Discussion: Analyzing a current event using the framework.
• Mon. 2/3 Causes of War: FL&S Ch.3
Week 4 • Wed. 2/5 Domestic Politics and War: FL&S Ch.4
• Discussion: Techniques for making credible commitments.
• Mon. 2/20 Democracy and War Ch. 5
Week 5 • Wed. 2/12 Alliances and War: Ch. 5
• Discussion: Spring Recess, no discussion section

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Week Content
• Analytic Paper 1 due on Canvas by Monday 12 pm
Week 6 • Mon. 2/17 Humanitarian Intervention (Guest lecture by Jared Oestman)
• Wed. 2/19 Civil War (Guest lecture by Liana Reyes)
• Discussion: FL&S Ch.6; Exam 1 Review
• Mon. 2/24 The United Nations and War
Week 7 • Wed. 2/26 Exam 1
• Discussion: Return paper 1; Discuss upcoming presentations and Paper 2
topics.
• Mon. 3/2 International Trade (I) FL&S Ch.7
Week 8 • Wed. 3/4 International Trade (II)
• Discussion: Return Exam 1; Discuss US-China Trade War
• Mon. 3/9 International Financial Relations: FL&S Ch.8
Week 9 • Wed. 3/11 International Economic Institutions
• Discussion: No discussion section.

Week 10 • Mon. 3/16 Spring Break

• Wed. 3/18 Spring Break
• Mon. 3/23 Development: FL&S Ch.10
Week 11 • Wed. 3/25 No class; ISA conference
• Discussion: No discussion section
• Mon. 3/30 Introducing presentation and Paper 2 topics
Week 12 • Wed. 4/1 International Law FL&S Ch.11
• Discussion: Ch.10-11; Discuss politics of international law making
• Mon. 4/6 Student presentations
Week 13 • Wed. 4/8 Student presentations
• Discussion: Discuss paper topics

• Analytic Paper 2 due on Canvas by Monday 12pm

• Mon. 4/13 Migration I (Dr. Kelsey Norman, Baker)
Week 14
• Wed. 4/15 Migration II (Dr. Kelsey Norman, Baker)
• Discussion: Discuss lecture related readings

• Mon. 4/20 Summary; Review

Week 15 • Wed. 4/22 Exam 2
• Discussion: No discussion section