Political Science 380

INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT AND SECURITY

  Professor Walton Brown-Foster

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course addresses the study of international conflict, international conflict management, and international peace. International conflict is a dynamic international phenomena with patterns and trends. We will discuss it within the contexts of the cold war and post-cold war global environments. We will endeavor to analyze and understand the levels of conflict in the international system; the causes, costs and consequences of War and Peace; the theories war and peace; the methods of peacekeeping.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Regular class attendance will be of utmost importance. Apart from that fundamental requirement you will each be responsible for a specific conflict case study. The case study will be the subject of you in-class presentation which is 20% of the final grade. There will be a mid-term examination 30% and a final research paper 50%.

Required Books:                                                                                                 

Brown and Rosecrance, The Costs of War                       

Russett and Oneil, Triangulating Peace

Jeong, Peace and Conflict Studies                                        

Barash, Approaches to Peace  

Ciricione, Deadly Arsenals   

                                                                          

Some of the initial readings will be given to you in the form of a handout which must be returned in good condition at the end of the course.
READING AND DISCUSSION SCHEDULE:
WEEK ONE Introduction--overview of the course
WEEK TWO

The meaning of War                                                                     

Jeong, Part I  and Ch. 5             

Barash Handout II

 
WEEK THREE

The meaning of Peace                                                             

Jeong, Part I continued

Barash Handout I                                                                         

Barash Ch. 6

 
WEEK FOUR THEORIES OF THE CAUSES OF WAR AND PEACE:                
bulletEconomics:  Betts Part 5
bulletJeong, Ch. 8
 
WEEK FIVE
bullet Politics, Ideology, Culture, and Ethnicity:      Betts, Part 4&6
bulletJeong, Ch. 6, 8, 9
bulletRussett, Ch 2-3
 
WEEK SIX
bullet Strategy, Arms Races, Arms Control, etc.:     Betts Part 7
bulletJeong,
 
WEEK SEVEN: MIDTERM
bullet Transnational, Systemic Phenomena:              Betts Part 8
bulletRussett, Ch. 1, 5
 
WEEK EIGHT: MIDTERM EXAMINATION DUE
bullet MAKING PEACE (Negative Peace)                     Barash, Ch. 2
bulletRussett, Ch. 7
bulletJeong, Ch. 10, 11, 16
 
WEEK NINE
bulletMAKING PEACE CONT’D (Positive Peace)          Barash Ch. 3
bulletJeong, Ch. 12, 13, 14, 15
 
WEEK TEN
bullet RELIGIOUS FACTORS AND PEACE MOVEMENT:   Barash Ch. 5
bulletJeong, Ch. 17-18
bulletWeapons of Mass Destruction and Peace in the 21st Century Ciricione, Parts 1-2

 
WEEK ELEVEN

Weapons of Mass Destruction and Peace in the 21st Century

Ciricione, Parts 3-6

 
WEEK TWELVE PRESENTATIONS AND CASE STUDIES

You will use the chapter associated with your case in the B&R book as a part of you in-class presentation.
WEEK THIRTEEN PRESENTATIONS AND CASE STUDIES
WEEK FOURTEEN PRESENTATIONS AND CASE STUDIES
WEEK FIFTEEN: FINAL RESEARCH PAPER DUE

LOOKING AHEAD TO WAR AND PEACE IN THE 21ST CENTURY:           

Russett, Ch.8

Jeong, Ch. 19                                                                       

Brown & Rosecrance, Final Chapter

 
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