Type of Credit: Elective
Credit(s)
Number of Students
This advanced undergraduate course in International Relations offers an in-depth exploration of the pivotal theories, concepts, and debates that shape the field. Students will engage with foundational theories such as realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical theories, and examine their application to contemporary global issues. The course will cover a range of topics, including international security, global governance, international political economy, and the role of international organizations. Through critical analysis and discussion, students will develop a nuanced understanding of the dynamics of international politics and the complexities of state and non-state actor interactions on the global stage.
能力項目說明
The primary goal of this course is to equip students with a robust understanding of key theoretical frameworks and their practical implications in the field of International Relations. Students will critically assess the effectiveness of these theories in explaining current international events and issues. Additionally, the course aims to enhance students' analytical and research skills, fostering the ability to engage in informed debates and contribute to policy discussions. By the end of the course, students should be able to integrate theoretical knowledge with empirical evidence to analyze and propose solutions to global challenges.
By the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
Articulate and compare major theories of International Relations: Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of realism, liberalism, constructivism, and other key theoretical perspectives, and apply these theories to analyze historical and contemporary international events.
Evaluate the role of international actors and institutions: Students will assess the influence of various international actors, including states, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and multinational corporations, on global governance and international policy-making.
Analyze global issues from multiple perspectives: Students will critically examine international security, economic development, human rights, and environmental sustainability, considering diverse viewpoints and interdisciplinary approaches.
Engage in informed discussions and debates: Students will participate actively in class discussions, demonstrating their ability to engage in informed and respectful debates on complex international issues, and to articulate their arguments clearly and persuasively.
This course will challenge students to think critically about the world around them, preparing them for advanced studies or careers in international relations, diplomacy, policy analysis, and related fields.
| 教學週次Course Week | 彈性補充教學週次Flexible Supplemental Instruction Week | 彈性補充教學類別Flexible Supplemental Instruction Type |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 [Sept. 9]
Course introduction, no assigned readings
Documentary film viewing:
Why China and the US Are So Obsessed with Taiwan | Mapped Out (DW News 2024)
How the US and China Compete in Planes, EVs, Chips and More (Wall Street Journal 2023)
Theme One: Foundations
Week 2 [Sept. 16]
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (New York : W.W. Norton & Company), Chapter 1: What Shaped Our World? A Historical Introduction.
Documentary film viewing: Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War (Netflix 2024), Episode 1
Week 3 [Sept. 23]
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (New York : W.W. Norton & Company), Chapter 2: Understanding Interests, Interactions, and Institutions.
Documentary film viewing: Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War (Netflix 2024), Episode 2
Theme Two: International Security (War and Peace)
Week 4 [Sept. 30]
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (New York : W.W. Norton & Company), Chapter 3: Why Are There Wars?
Documentary film viewing: Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War (Netflix 2024), Episode 3
Week 5 [Oct. 7]
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (New York : W.W. Norton & Company), Chapter 4: Domestic Politics and War.
Documentary film viewing: Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War (Netflix 2024), Episode 4
Week 6 [Oct. 14]
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (New York : W.W. Norton & Company), Chapter 5: International Institutions and War.
Documentary film viewing: Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War (Netflix 2024), Episode 5
Week 7 [Oct. 21]
Documentary film viewing: Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War (Netflix 2024), Episode 6-7
Week 8 [Oct. 28]
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (New York : W.W. Norton & Company), Chapter 6: Violence by Nonstate Actors: Civil War and Terrorism.
Documentary film viewing: Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War (Netflix 2024), Episode 8
Week 9 [Nov. 4]
Popular culture and International Relations
Featured film viewing: Steel Rain (2017)
Theme Three: International Political Economy
Week 10 [Nov. 11]
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (New York : W.W. Norton & Company), Chapter 7: International Trade.
Documentary film viewing: Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War (Netflix 2024), Episode 9
Week 11 [Nov. 18]
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (New York : W.W. Norton & Company), Chapter 8: International Financial Relations.
Documentary film viewing: Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror (Netflix 2021), Episode 1
Week 12 [Nov. 25]
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (New York : W.W. Norton & Company), Chapter 9: International Monetary Relations.
Documentary film viewing: Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror (Netflix 2021), Episode 2
Week 13 [Dec. 2]
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (New York : W.W. Norton & Company), Chapter 10: Development: Causes of the Wealth and Poverty of Nations.
Documentary film viewing: Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror (Netflix 2021), Episode 3
Theme Four: Transnational Politics
Week 14 [Dec. 9]
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (New York : W.W. Norton & Company), Chapter 11: International Law and Norms.
Documentary film viewing: Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror (Netflix 2021), Episode 4
Week 15 [Dec. 16]
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (New York : W.W. Norton & Company), Chapter 13: The Global Environment.
Documentary film viewing: Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror (Netflix 2021), Episode 5
Week 16 [Dec. 23]
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions (New York : W.W. Norton & Company), Chapter 14: Challenges to the Global Order.
Documentary film viewing: Unknown: Killer Robots (Netflix 2023)
Week 17 [Dec. 30]
Capstone self-learning; no class
Week 18 [Jan. 6]
Capstone self-learning; no class
Group project submission
Performance evaluation:
In this course, students are required to make individual contributions while also participating in group-based activities. Dr. Chen will evaluate each student's final grade based on both group and individual performance.
First, students who enroll in this course will be divided into groups of three to contribute to the course activities. Each group must select at least two weeks of assigned readings and present a group report for each selected week, ensuring that the chosen weeks belong to different themes.
When preparing for their group report for the assigned week, the group must create a presentation file based on the weekly assigned readings. Group members should summarize, explain in detail, provide commentary, and engage in extended discussions on the reading material. The presentation format is flexible; it can be a PowerPoint file or a multimedia file. However, it must be submitted to Dr. Chen by email by 12:00 p.m. on Monday of the presentation week. All members of the group responsible for preparing the report must give an oral presentation during that week, with a minimum presentation time of 80 minutes. This time includes a Q&A session in which other participants in the course can ask questions or offer comments, and the presenting group will respond. Group members should divide responsibilities for the written and oral presentation to ensure that each member has an opportunity to speak, as this will be the basis for the professor’s evaluation and grading. Each group report contributes 20% to the overall course grade.
In addition to delivering at least two group presentations (including both written and oral reports), each group must submit a co-written essay by the end of the semester (by 4:00 p.m. on January 6, 2025) to Dr. Chen via email. The topic of this paper must involve a public issue in international relations and should not focus solely on domestic issues within one country. The group term paper should be 8 to 10 pages long and include appropriate citations, using a 12-point font size and double spacing. Each group must submit the topic and a summary of no more than 200 words for the term paper in Week 15 of the semester (December 16th). All content in the group term paper must be presented in professional English that adheres to academic standards. The group term paper contributes 30% to the overall course grade.
Apart from group assignments, students will also be evaluated on individual performance. Each student is required to submit a personal short essay during the semester, discussing their personal story/history of international relations. The essay should be titled "My International Relations" and should not exceed five pages. No citations are required for this essay. Each student will also present their personal essay during the same week their group gives its oral report. As with the group presentations, the format for the individual essay presentation is flexible and can be in PowerPoint or multimedia format. Both the individual essay and its presentation file must be emailed to Dr. Chen by 12:00 p.m. on the Monday of the presentation week. The individual essay and presentation together contribute 20% to the overall course grade.
Students are also expected to attend every class punctually, having completed the assigned readings for the week and prepared to ask questions or offer comments. If a student participates in class by asking questions or making comments and interacting with other students or the professor, she/he will earn 1 point toward the final grade, up to a maximum of 10 points. If a student has a valid reason for not attending a session, they must notify Dr. Chen via email by 12:00 p.m. on the Monday of that week, explaining the reason for their absence. If Dr. Chen finds that a student missed a class without a valid excuse, 1 point will be deducted from their final course grade.
The course's policy on AI tool usage:
This course permits the use of generative AI tools; however, students are responsible for all the text content they provide, including all assignment writings. They shall not blame AI for any factual errors or ethically inappropriate content.
Frieden, Jeffrey A., David A. Lake, and Kenneth A. Shultz (2019) World Politics: Interests, Interactions, Institutions 4th edition (New York : W.W. Norton & Company).
Reus-Smit, CHristian, and Duncan Snidal, eds. (2008). Oxford Handbook of International Relations (Oxford University Press) [available at the NCCU library].
McGlinchey, Stephen, ed. (2022) International Relations (Bristol, UK: E-International Relations Publishing) [free for download].
McGlinchey, Stephen, Rosie Walters, & Christian Scheinpflug, eds. (2017) International Relations Theory (Bristol, UK: E-International Relations Publishing) [free for download].
Caso, Federica, & Caitlin Hamilton, eds. (2015). Popular Culture and World Politics: Theories, Methods, Pedagogies (Bristol, UK: E-International Relations Publishing) [free for download].
https://www.e-ir.info