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PSC 272/272W: Theories of International Relations • Prof. Randall Stone 336 Harkness Hall randall.stone@rochester.edu • TAs: Deniz Aksoy, skoy@mail Arnd Plagge, aplagge@mail Objectives • Apply a theoretical perspective to international relations • Introduction to game theory This course satisfies the Political Science requirement in formal theory Prerequisites • None. However… • A previous course in IR or diplomatic history is useful to ground theoretical/abstract concepts – PSC 106, 270, 271, or 274 • Some math is required – Game theory homework and exams require algebra and logic. No calculus. PSC 272 Requirements – Midterm exam—20% – Final exam—40% – Two game theory problem sets—10% each – 4-page paper—10% – Required weekly discussion sections— 10% Completing all of the written work is required to successfully complete the course. PSC 272W Requirements – Additional term paper – 15-20 pages – Primary sources or data – Talk to me about a topic next week – Find an empirical puzzle – Test a hypothesis – Draft due March 14 – Final version due April 28 PSC 274W Requirements If you’re not sure you want to commit to this, I’ll transfer you to PSC 272 now Sectioning form • Your name & email address • All times, 9 am-9pm, M-F, when you have – Class conflicts (C) – Work conflicts (W) – Extracurricular conflicts (E) • Label each type of conflict • We will try to accommodate conflicts • More weight will be given to schedules that list fewer conflicts • You will receive an email tomorrow assigning you to a section time Readings • This is a reading-intensive course. It is essential to do all the reading. • Each reading is assigned to a discussion section. Internet • Course web page: www.rochester.edu/stone/PSC272 – Lecture notes – Problem sets and answers – Practice problems • Listserv – Watch for announcements – On-line crisis simulation (begins after the midterm) Simulation: Dangerous Parallel • Six fictional countries • You are a cabinet minister • Simulation takes place in real time, online, outside the classroom • The simulation is the basis for the short paper PSC 272 Theories of International Relations The Case for Theories of IR • Every decision maker relies on theoretical notions • Bad theories lead to bad decisions • Modern social science offers tools to help distinguish bad theories from good ones IR Theory: A Contested Field • Normative vs. positive theory • Role of political science – Positivist vs. interpretivist • Scope of Inquiry – Micro vs. macro • Behavioral assumptions – Rationalist vs. psychological Positivism --- Interpretivism (epistemology) Marxism, systems theorists Scientific Rational choice Anthropology of IR Constructivism Historians Psychological approaches Positivism --- Interpretivism (epistemology) Standards for Scientific Theories 1. Define the variables y = f (x1, x2, x3) + 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. State assumptions (may be heuristic) State the causal argument (mechanism) Define the conditions (domain) State the microfoundations Derive falsifiable hypotheses Parsimony Controversial claim • If IR theory must be vague, unscientific It can safely be ignored • If IR theory can be scientific and precise It will have policy implications It will be essential to understanding history I hope to convince you that political science adds value to the study of international relations Course Outline • Waltz, Theory of International Politics • Mearsheimer, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics • Baldwin, ed., Neorealism and Neoliberalism • Game theory (lectures) • Midterm Course Outline • Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict • Bueno de Mesquita and Lalman, War and Reason • Russett, Grasping the Democratic Peace • Final (cumulative)
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