Course Organization
Time & Location:
Thursday, 10:15-12:00, R3
Professor:
Jim Morrow
Office: Rigot 22
Office hours: Tuesday 09:00-12:00
Telephone: 022 908 59 39
E-mail: morrow@hei.unige.ch
Course Description
This course covers classical approaches to the study of world politics. We will read books by many of the prominent figures of the 20 century that have influenced th the study of international relations in the United States. My intention is to provide the student with an understanding of the “big arguments” that have shaped the study of world politics in the last century. None of these books relies on technical arguments. Some are openly philosophical, while others are explicitly historical. As some of these books are very long and the life of a graduate student is busy, I understand that you may not be able to read all of some of these books within a week. For the longer books, I will provide you with a list of the key chapters that you must read for that week. Of course, I hope that you will read the complete book.
Each week two students will help lead the discussion with me. These assignments will be set at the initial meeting. When you are scheduled to help lead the discussion, you are to write a brief paper identifying the key questions and arguments in the reading; one page should be sufficient. This paper should be submitted to me in advance; electronic copies by email works well for me. These papers are designed to force you to think about the reading before class and put your ideas down on the weeks when you will be leading discussion.
Most of the books are available for purchase at the usual bookstores. I have tried to choose books that will keep down the cost by avoiding outrageously priced books, like Waltz's Theory of International Politics. I have placed a copy of every book on the syllabus on physical reserve, which is located in the undergraduate library. Reading books on reserve does keep down the bill as well as being the only way to get access to books out of print.
There are many books that I would have liked to include but could not in the interest of time or because the books are out of print.
The grading will be based on these short papers, discussion in class, and a final written examination.
Course Outline
Week 1 (March 15)
Introductory Meeting
22 March
Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War
Week 3 (March 29)
E. H. Carr, The Twenty-Years Crisis, 1919-1939
Week 4 (April 5)
Hans Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations
- Key Chapters: Parts One through Four, Part Ten
12 April
Easter break – no class
Week 5 (April 19)
Kenneth Waltz, Man, The State and War
Week 6 (April 26)
Henry Kissinger, Diplomacy
- Key Chapters: 1-5, 9, 10, 15-18, 25-31
Week 7 (May 3)
Arnold Wolfers, Discord and Collaboration
A.F.K. Organski, World Politics, 2nd ed.
- Key Chapters: 1-9, 12, 14
Week 8 (May 10)
Geoffrey Blainey, The Causes of War
Week 9 (May 17)
Thomas Schelling, Arms and Influence
Week 10 (May 24)
Robert Jervis, Perception and Misperception in International Politics
Week 11 (May 31)
Hedley Bull, The Anarchical Society
Week 12 (June 7)
Michael Doyle, Ways of War and Peace
Week 13 (June 14)
Fearon, “Rationalist Explanations for War.” International Organization 49(1995):379-414.
