Time Schedule:
James A Caporaso
POL S 203
Seattle Campus
The world community, its politics, and government. Offered: AWSpS.
Class description
Description: This course is intended as an introduction to the principles and foundations of international relations. As such, it will focus on basic concepts such as nations and nationalism, the nature of the interstate system, anarchy, and power. The primary modes through which nationstates interactdiplomacy, trade, economic sanctions, war, alliances, cooperationwill also be examined. The course also focuses on how elements of international society are emerging, as illustrated in the development of international law, norms, and common understandings.
Student learning goals
basic information about international politics
understanding the institutional environment of international politics, which includes anarchy (absence of central government)
appreciating the importance of different actors: nation states, firms, NGOs, international organizations
role of power: rise and fall of different countries
non state actors, such as al-Qaeda
economic component of international politics: globalization, regional integration
General method of instruction
lecture, with aid of overheads, supplemented by intensive discussions in TA sections
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
reading, quizzes in sections, in class exams, final exam
exams; section discussion grades, and any other graded assignments in the sections run by TAs
