PSCI A110: International Relations

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	11/04/2020
Top Code	220700 - Political Science
Units	3 Total Units
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S), Pass/No Pass (B)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)	OC Social/Economic Institutions - AA (OD2)
Associate Science Local General Education (GE)	OCC Social/Behavioral Sci - AS (OSD)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)	Cal-GETC 4 Social & Behavioral Sciences (4) Cal-GETC 4H Political Science (4H)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)	IGETC 4 Social&Behavioral Sci (4) IGETC 4H Political Science (4H)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)	CSU D8 Political Science (D8)

Course Description

Introduction to international relations theory with an examination of national, international, transnational, and sub-national actors and their institutions interactions and processes as they relate to global issues. Study of the functions of power, ideology, diplomacy, international law, and organization, as well as military and economic factors. Consideration of United States, Russian, and Chinese foreign policy and prominent cold war and post-cold war problems as they illustrate concepts of international politics. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: POLS 140.C-ID: POLS 140.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Explain the key controversies of selected domestic and international affairs.
Demonstrate critical thinking through analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of the course content.
Effectively communicate the knowledge and skills gained in this course.

Course Objectives

1. Identify the important difference between the Realist, Neorealist and Idealist schools of international relations.
2. Describe the nature of the international system and of various patterns in international politics.
3. Identify the contextual and relational aspects of political power in its application in the international system.
4. Describe and identify analytical approaches useful in considering the international system and the behavior of states.
5. Describe and identify problems and policies of major national systems, subsystems and non-governmental systems.
6. Identify and explain the basic characteristics of the systems of conflict management.
7. Describe and identify the problems attendant to the transition of the world political system into the post-cold war era.
8. Analyze various aspects of the national interest.
9. Identify salient aspects of United States, Russian and Chinese foreign policy and their mutual interactions.
10. Identify the instruments of power and their method of employment.
11. Identify aspects of the micro and macro levels of international politics.
12. Explain the open systems model and its linkage politics.
13. Identify various aspects of the state and nation as entities.
14. Identify international institutions
15. Describe the roles of national, international, transnational, and sub-national actors
16. Analyze and evaluate key topics such as globalization, conflict, cooperation, diplomacy, international law, human rights, and international political economy.
17. Discuss contemporary issues in international relations.
18. Apply relevant theoretical concepts to events.

Lecture Content

Introduction Cause and effect relationships Definitions of politics Theory in the social sciences Contemporary issues in international relations Schools of Thought in International Relations Idealism Realism Neorealism Analytical Levels Micro International Relations Macro International Relations Open Systems Analysis Application of theoretical concepts to events Scientific and Traditional Approaches The State: Elements Traditional definitions Components of a state State Power The Nation: Factors Nationalism: development and content National power: elements and factors Sovereignty Limitations on sovereignty How sovereignty is lost National interests International interests National goals and priorities Foreign Policies of Selected States The United States Pre-Twentieth Century Twentieth Century The New World Order in the post-cold war world Russian foreign policy Chinese foreign policy The roles of national, international, transnational and sub-national actors, Globalization, conflict, cooperation, diplomacy, international law, human rights, and international political economy The Anarchical Environment Self-help Self-judgment Heterogeneity of value systems Instruments of Power Diplomacy War Propaganda Economics Conflict Management and Resolution: The Classical Balance of Power: Policies of maintenance of balance of power Positions in the balance of power Methods of the balance of power Types of imperialism Methods of imperialism Inducements to Imperialism The New Balance of Power Bipolarity and Multipolarity International Law Treaties and Conventions International Organization Major organizations and alliances

Method(s) of Instruction

Lecture (02)
DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

Lecture and explanation of course topics and concepts. Instructor verbal feedback to student questions in lecture and written feedback on overhead transparency projector, to emphasize concepts. In-class discussions involving student input and instructor feedback.

Reading Assignments

Students will spend a minimum of 3 hours a week reading from texts and handouts as assigned.

Writing Assignments

Writing assignments will be required of students to demonstrate analysis of international politics and relations. Students will respond to questions provided by the instructor on paper assignments or in written examinations as the instructor deems appropriate. Said assignments will require students to demonstrate higher-order thinking: analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will spend a minimum of 3 hours per week on written reports, map exercises, and paper assignments.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

The students will write analytical papers as described in "Written Assignments." Examination and map exercises as described in "Instructional Methodologies." Formal and informal feedback from students in classroom.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Eligible Disciplines

Political science: Masters degree in political science, government, or international relations OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in economics, history, public administration, social science, sociology, any ethnic studies, J.D., or LL.B. OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Nau, H. R.. Perspectives on International Relations: Power, Institutions, and Ideas, latest ed. New York: Oxford, 2014 2. Required Nye, J., Welch, D.. Understanding Global Conflict and Cooperation, latest ed. New York: Pearson, 2013 3. Required Goldstein, J. S., Pevehouse, J. C.. International Relations, 10th ed. New York: Pearson, 2013

Other Resources

1. Selected handout materials prepared and distributed by the instructor.

Academic Catalogs