POLS 335 (501): International Conflict
Professor Ahmer Tarar
Spring 2020
Monday and Wednesday, 4:45--6:00 p.m.,
1003 Allen Building
Office: 360 LASB (Liberal Arts Social Sciences Building, 2935 Research Parkway, this used to be the TTI Building, from the Allen Building cross the big gravel parking lot)
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 3:45--4:35 p.m., and by
appointment
Office Phone: 845-2628
Email: ahmertarar@tamu.edu
Web: http://people.tamu.edu/~ahmertarar/ (link to course website is here)
Course Overview:
This course introduces students to theories of international conflict. We will focus mainly on wars between countries, but will also cover civil wars and terrorism. We will study traditional and modern theories of conflict, both theoretically and empirically, and will also extensively discuss the issues that leaders face when making decisions about security matters in international politics.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, students should:
Course Requirements:
There will be three exams (dates given below, in the course schedule section). Each exam will account for one-fourth of your grade. The exams are not cumulative. The exams may cover anything that I discuss in class, or anything in the readings. Therefore, it is important to come to class, and to do all of the readings.
There will be one research paper assignment (due date given below, in the course schedule section). The paper will account for one-fourth of your grade.
There will be no extra credit assignments at the end of the course, and so if you want to do well, do well on the exams and paper.
Make-up exams will only be given if you have a university-excused absence or documented emergency. Late papers lose 20% credit (2 entire letter grades) per day until turned in. (Barring extreme emergencies, this will generally hold regardless of whether you have an excuse for the due date, because there is no reason why you couldn't have turned the paper in the day before by email, for example.)
Unless there ends up being a curve (depending on overall student performance at the conclusion of the course), the standard grading scale will be used: 90-100% for an A, 80-90% for a B, 70-80% for a C, 60-70% for a D, and below 60% is a failing grade.
Readings:
The following book is required and is available at the bookstore:
Other readings are journal articles, which are available from links on the online syllabus (at the course website given above). These links are to subscription-only databases (mainly JSTOR), to which the university has subscribed. Hence, you can access them from a university computer, and from your home computer by logging in through the library's website or using VPN. If you want to print an article or save a copy on your computer, this is usually best done using the PDF version.
Course Schedule:
The following is the list of topics and readings that we will cover. Note that there will be no class on Monday, March 23.
Introduction: Methodological Issues in the Study of the Social Sciences
War As a Result of Human Nature
War as a Result of Government Type
War as a Result of the Structure of the International System: "Realism" (more precisely, Neorealism)
The Security Dilemma (and Defensive Realism)
Offensive Realism
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Exam #1 in class on Monday, February 17
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Realist Predictions and Policy Prescriptions
Rationalist Explanations for War
The Role of Ideas in International Conflict (Constructivism)
War as a Result of Honor
The Democratic Peace
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Exam #2 in class on Monday, March 30
Research paper due at beginning of class on Wednesday, April 1
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Realist Critiques of the Democratic Peace
Economic Interdependence Theory
Diversionary Theory of War
Power Transition Theory
War Weariness Theory
Reputation in International Relations
Civil Wars
Terrorism
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Exam #3 on Friday, May 1, 3:30--5:30 p.m. (according to the university's final exam schedule)
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ADA Statement:
Texas A&M University is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. If you experience barriers to your education due to a disability or think you may have a disability, please contact Disability Resources in the Student Services Building or at (979) 845-1637 or visit http://disability.tamu.edu. Disabilities may include, but are not limited, to attentional, learning, mental health, sensory, physical, or chronic health conditions. All students are encouraged to discuss their disability related needs with Disability Resources and their instructors as soon as possible.
Title IX and Statement on Limits to Confidentiality:
Texas A&M University and the College of Liberal Arts are committed to fostering a learning environment that is safe and productive for all. University policies and federal and state laws provide guidance for achieving such an environment. Although class materials are generally considered confidential pursuant to student record policies and laws, University employees — including instructors — cannot maintain confidentiality when it conflicts with their responsibility to report certain issues that jeopardize the health and safety of our community. As the instructor, I must report (per Texas A&M System Regulation 08.01.01) the following information to other University offices if you share it with me, even if you do not want the disclosed information to be shared:
Allegations of sexual assault, sexual discrimination, or sexual harassment when they involve TAMU students, faculty, or staff, or third parties visiting campus.
These reports may trigger contact from a campus official who will want to talk with you about the incident that you have shared. In many cases, it will be your decision whether or not you wish to speak with that individual. If you would like to talk about these events in a more confidential setting, you are encouraged to make an appointment with the Student Counseling Service (https://scs.tamu.edu/).
Students and faculty can report non-emergency behavior that causes them to be concerned at http://tellsomebody.tamu.edu.
Diversity Statement:
The Department of Political Science supports the Texas A&M University commitment to diversity, and welcomes individuals from any racial, ethnic, religious, age, gender, sexual orientation, class, disability, and nationality. (See http://diversity.tamu.edu/). In the spirit of this vital commitment, in this course each voice in the classroom has something of value to contribute to all discussions. Everyone is expected to respect the different experiences, beliefs and values expressed by fellow students and the instructor, and will engage in reasoned discussion that refrains from derogatory comments about other people, cultures, groups, or viewpoints.
Plagiarism Statement:
The Aggie Honor Code: "An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do." As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one’s own the ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with the definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of the person. Plagiarism is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which research cannot be safely communicated. If you have any questions regarding plagiarism, please consult the Aggie Honor System Office website (http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor) or the latest version of the Texas A&M University Student Rules, under the section “Scholastic Dishonesty.”
Course Materials/Copyright Statement:
The handouts used in this course are copyrighted. By “handouts,” I mean all materials generated for this class, which include but are not limited to syllabi, quizzes, exams, lab problems, in-class materials, review sheets, and additional problem sets. Because these are copyrighted, you do not have the right to copy the handouts, unless I expressly grant permission.