Summer 2019 - POL 141 D100

War, International Cooperation and Development (3)

Class Number: 4413

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 6 – Jun 17, 2019: Mon, Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores causes and consequences of international political conflict, including war, terrorism, protectionism, nationalism, economic disparity, migration, and humanitarian crises. Evaluates how states and non-state actors navigate and influence these conflicts and the role of international law, diplomacy, and organizational cooperation. Analyzes worldviews on war, peace, human rights, and world order. Students who have taken POL 241 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

 
 
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COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The goal of this course is to familiarize students with the basic concepts and methods that are vital for understanding various topics in international politics. We will be looking at why some states go to war, why conflicts escalate and spread, the conditions under which we preserve international cooperation and promote peaceful resolutions to conflict. This course will also focus on the key role leaders play in shaping these events as well as the implications for development in a state.

The approach to this course is not descriptive, but rather analytical. As such, we will also be learning key analytical tools – such as game theory – that help us to better understand the strategic interactions between states, leaders, international organizations, and other non- state actors. There is also a strong empirical component to this course. In particular, we will look at historical and current events to assess the applicability of the theories and models we learn.

There will be two 3-hour lectures each week.

Intersession.

Grading

  • Homework & Quizzes 30%
  • Midterm 20%
  • Final Exam 30%
  • Attendance & Participation 10%
  • Presentation 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, Alastair Smith, Randolph M. Siverson and James D. Morrow, The Logic of Political Survival, MIT Press, 2004,
ISBN-13: 978-0262524407,
ISBN-10:9780262524407

A course packet that has a variety of articles from academic journals.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.
For details, see http://www.sfu.ca/politics/undergraduate/program/related_links.html and click on “Plagiarism and Intellectual Dishonesty” .

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS