International Politics

Goals of the Course

In this course we will explore questions such as the following:

1. Do politics matter for development? Do international relations matter for development?
2. What are the dominant perspectives in modern politics and international relations?
3. What are our own political perspectives?
4. How do competing political systems affect development?
5. How do various global issues look through different political lenses?

Objectives of the Course

Students will develop a basic understanding of international political issues and how they influence international cooperation and development. We will explore how political ideology and belief influence policy decisions and international engagement. Students will be asked to participate in an online simulation in which they must manage their fictional country’s development choices and international engagement and critically analyze assigned readings.

Teaching tips

The student body at the Graduate School of International Development is exceptionally diverse (75% international students), which contributes to vibrant discussions of international politics and cooperation issues. The instructor uses a Socratic style to encourage discussion and reflection which requires active participation of all students. The use of the Statecraft simulation encourages students to apply the knowledge gained in the class to the development of their own fictional nation and reflect on the successes and failures of their choices.

Course Contents or Plan

1. Introduction- International relations and global governance issues
2. The emergence of human societies and the need for politics
3. The Westphalian system and the nation state
4. National and international issues: interests, interactions and institutions
5. War and peace between states
6. Civil war and terrorism
7. International trade
8. Development as an issue of international politics
9. International migration: the tension between movement and borders
10. Transnational politics: international laws and norms
11. Human rights
12. Climate change
13. Student presentations on simulation results
14. Student presentations on simulation results
15. Course wrap-up: Challenges to the Global Order

Course Evaluation Method and Criteria

Evaluation will be based on active participation in class discussions and activities, the student’s ranking in the simulation result, a presentation based on the results of the simulation activity by each student, and two short comment papers based on the readings (25/15/20/20/20). A cumulative score of 60 is needed to pass. Students must attend at least 2/3 of the classes (10 of 15 sessions) to receive credit.

Textbook/ReferenceBook

Readings will be supplied by the course instructor and available in PDF form on the TACT class site at least one week prior to the class. The main text used will be Frieden, Lake and Schultz, World Politics, fifth edition.

Class Materials　　

Lesson One: Course Introduction
Session 13: Challenges to the Global Order

This lecture is provided under Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International.

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