Time Schedule:
Elizabeth L. Kier
POL S 524
Seattle Campus
Introduces some of the major debates concerning the use of force in international politics. Covers traditional issues in international security such as alliances and the causes of war, as well as some of the new and important questions, such as explaining war outcomes and war termination.
Class description
Description: The course introduces students to some of the major debates and issues concerning the use of force in international politics. It has three goals: 1) to cover some of the traditional issues in international security, such as deterrence theory and the use of air power, some of the newer debates, such as ethnic conflict and terrorism, and some emerging topics, such as occupation and nation-building; 2) to introduce students to contending levels of analysis and paradigms in international security studies; and 3) to encourage students to think critically and constructively about research design. The course is designed for Ph.D. students in political science and assumes a background in IR theory.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Text: Arms & Influence, Schelling; Army & Vietnam, Krepinevich; Democracies At War, Reiter; Limits Of Safety, Sagan; Partisan Inventions, Rathbun; Reputation & International Politics, Mercer.
Class assignments and grading
Assignments: research paper (80%) and participation (20%).
