Course Meeting Times
Seminars: 1 session / week, 2 hours / session
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course for undergrads. Graduate students need the permission of the instructor.
Course Description
This course examines cyber dynamics and processes in international relations from different theoretical perspectives. It considers alternative theoretical and empirical frameworks consistent with characteristic features of cyberspace and emergent transformations at all levels of international interaction. Theories examined include realism and neorealism, institutionalism and liberalism, constructivism, and systems theory and lateral pressure. The course also highlights relevant features and proposes customized international relations theory for the cyber age.
Students taking the graduate version are expected to pursue the subject in greater depth through reading and individual research.
Course Requirements
- Active seminar participation—critical approach to materials
- Presentations of the arguments in the readings which allow students to select what they wish to talk about, develop slides, present these items, and get reactions
- Mid Term essay
- Final essay
Graduate students can substitute a research paper for the final essay.
Readings
The following books are required reading:
Choucri, Nazli. Cyberpolitics in International Relations. MIT Press, 2012. ISBN: 9780262517690. [Preview with Google Books]
Nye, Jr., Joseph S. The Future of Power. PublicAffairs, 2011. ISBN: 9781610390699. [Preview with Google Books]
Additional readings can be found in the Readings section.
Grading Policy
| ACTIVITIES | PERCENTAGES |
|---|---|
| Class attendance and participation | 20% |
| Midterm (take home) | 25% |
| Locating web based resources as inputs into the class data base | 20% |
| Final (take home) or a research paper on topic of your choice with approval of instructor | 35% |
Calendar
| WEEK # | TOPICS | KEY DATES |
|---|---|---|
| Part I: Structure And Process In International Relations | ||
| 1 |
The Classics—Concepts and Contexts | |
| 2 | International Relations—Construction of Cyberspace | |
| 3 | Cyberspace and the State System—New Challenges | |
| 4 | Globalization and Emergent Dynamics | |
| Part II: Theories of International Relations | ||
| 5 | Power and Security—Realism and Neo-Realism | |
| 6 | Governance and Order—Institutionalism and Neo-Institutionalism | |
| 7 | Perceptions and Expression—Constructivism | Midterm (take home) essay due |
| 8 | Growth and Expansion—Lateral Pressure | |
| 9 | Cyberpolitics in International Relations | |
| Part III: Strategic Issues | ||
| 10 | International Conflict and War | |
| 11 | International Cooperation and Global Agenda | |
| 12 | Contending Authority—Principles and Practice | |
| 13 | Alternative Futures—21st Century Challenges | Final (take home) essay due |