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講義概要/Course description
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This course is an introduction to international relations (IR). The field of international relations—a field of political science—emphasizes theoretical explanations for and understanding of international politics through “scientific” research, rather than simple descriptions of cases and/or journalistic impressions about current events. These theories address questions such as “What increases or decreases the risk of international conflict?”, “What conditions encourage regional integration like the EU?”, and “What types of domestic legislature and bureaucracy lead to flexible foreign policy?” through reasoning and empirical data analysis.
Our focus is on reviewing the theories and insights developed by rigorous empirical studies in the contemporary IR. The term “international relations theory” had long been associated with various “isms” (i.e., broad worldviews) such as realism, liberalism, and constructivism (you probably still find that usage in Wikipedia and elsewhere). However, contemporary IR research moved away from debates between different “isms” and evolved into empirical social science. To understand the current scholarly works in IR, it is imperative to pay close attention to both theoretical logic and systematic observations of empirical data.
No prior knowledge of international relations/politics is assumed. The main goal is twofold: the first is to obtain “lenses” through which one can make sense of international politics, and the second is to learn how to make sense of the complex international political phenomena by applying scientific methods.
Any weeks topics—conflict and security, international organizations, etc.—could be expanded into a course of its own. In the first semester, following the introductory discussions of the history of IR and the notion of the state, we will cover topics that are related to power, hegemony, and alliance.
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達成目標/Course objectives
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Learn how political science uses the scientific method to study international relations.
Learn about the theories of international relations.
Learn how to conduct a systematic empirical research.
Improve academic writing skills.
Improve teamwork and leadership skills.
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授業計画/Lecture plan
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1
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| 授業計画/Class |
Introduction to IR |
| 事前学習/Preparation |
Read the syllabus. |
| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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2
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| 授業計画/Class |
States and the international system
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| 事前学習/Preparation |
Pevehouse and Goldstein, pp. 9–18; 20–24; 43–46. |
| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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3
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| 授業計画/Class |
Elements of power |
| 事前学習/Preparation |
Pevehouse and Goldstein, pp. 38–43; 47–49; 147–155.
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| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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4
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| 授業計画/Class |
[Lab] Measuring National Capabilities |
| 事前学習/Preparation |
National Material Capabilities data |
| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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5
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| 授業計画/Class |
Hegemony and Leadership Long Cycles |
| 事前学習/Preparation |
Pevehouse and Goldstein, pp. 25–34; 49–52.
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| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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6
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| 授業計画/Class |
[Lab] Does Hegemony Make the World Peaceful? |
| 事前学習/Preparation |
SIPRI military expenditure data
Correlates of War (COW) war data |
| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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7
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| 授業計画/Class |
Power Shift and Preventive War |
| 事前学習/Preparation |
Frieden et al., World Politics, pp. 118–127.
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| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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8
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| 授業計画/Class |
[Lab] Power ratio and the risk of war |
| 事前学習/Preparation |
SIPRI military expenditure data
COW war data
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| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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9
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| 授業計画/Class |
Alliance |
| 事前学習/Preparation |
Pevehouse and Goldstein, pp. 53–54; 57. |
| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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10
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| 授業計画/Class |
[Lab] Does Alliance Reduce the Risk of War? |
| 事前学習/Preparation |
Alliance Treaty Obligations and Provisions (ATOP) data
Militarized Interstate Disputes (MID) data |
| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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11
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| 授業計画/Class |
Strategies of coalition-making |
| 事前学習/Preparation |
Pevehouse and Goldstein, pp. 46–47.
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| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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12
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| 授業計画/Class |
[Lab] Who Form Alliances?
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| 事前学習/Preparation |
Formal Alliance data |
| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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13
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| 授業計画/Class |
Territorial dispute |
| 事前学習/Preparation |
Goertz, Diehl, and Balas, The Puzzle of Peace, pp. 81–87. |
| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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14
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| 授業計画/Class |
Warp-up |
| 事前学習/Preparation |
Review notes |
| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Review notes |
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15
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| 授業計画/Class |
Research presentations |
| 事前学習/Preparation |
Prepare for the presentation |
| 事後学習/Reviewing |
Revise and finish the research paper |
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授業方法/Method of instruction
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Class meetings will be conducted online using Webex Training. All reading and lab materials will be distributed through CoursePower. To access a class "training session" (this is how an online session is called in Webex Training), go to the link provided on CoursePower and enter your name, email address, and password. If you wish to access a session through the Webex Meetings app installed on your computer, start the desktop app and enter the session number. You will be redirected to the login screen. The full access information is also posted on CoursePower. The first meerting is starts on at 11:00 on May 7, so please access the session in the timely manner.
Although this course is listed as a lecture course, student-led activities and in-class discussions are essential. Therefore, active participation in class activities is a very important part of this course. A typical class begins with a brief introductory lecture followed by discussions of reading materials and various activities.
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成績評価方法/Evaluation
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| 1 |
平常点 In-class Points
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30%
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Active participation in class activities is a very important part of this course. Students are required to complete assigned reading before each class, and participation is evaluated based on both quality and quantity of contribution to class discussions.
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| 2 |
レポート Report
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40%
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Students will work on a group research project and submit a research paper by the end of semester. Details will be explained in the first class meeting.
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| 3 |
その他 Others
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30%
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Before each lecture on a new topic (roughly biweekly, 6 assignments in total), students are required to complete readings and a written assignment. Written assignments must be submitted by the day before class.
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参考書/Reference books
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| | 著者名
Author | タイトル
Title | 出版社
Publisher | 出版年
Published year | ISBN | |
| 1 |
Jon C. Pevehouse and Joshua S. Goldstein
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International Relations, Brief 7th Edition
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Pearson
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2016
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9780134406350
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授業関連情報/Class-related information
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その他/Others
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Attendance Policy
Students are required to attend all class meetings. Attendance is taken at the beginning of class. Students who are not present are marked as absent. Excused absences are given because of serious illness, serious personal difficulties, or excuses granted by the university administration, and students are required to submit a proof of such causes.
Inappropriate behavior and academic dishonesty
Every student is obligated to contribute to a constructive and respectful classroom environment. Students who do not comply with the moral codes will be penalized in terms of the final grade. Any form of plagiarism and academic dishonesty will result in an automatic failure of the course. Consult the University regarding what constitutes academic dishonesty.
Electronic devices
Students should bring your laptop computers or tablets (a laptop is desirable), because most assignments involve playing with data and online materials. However, the use of any electronic device during class work without the express direction of the instructor is strictly prohibited. All electronics must be turned off prior to entering the classroom unless you have an eText. Unauthorized or inappropriate use of electronic devices may result in being marked as absent for that day.
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