国外国关理论教学大纲阅读书目.pdf

IR 500: Theory of International Relations (Fall 2005) Prof. Robert English office: VKC 305 phone: 821-3090 hours: Wed 11:00-12:00 e-mail: renglish@ Thurs 12:30-2:00 Introduction This is the core theory course in the School of International Relations. It introduces graduate students to the major theoretical debates—their origins, evolution, and current status—in the field of IR. We explore a variety of different and often contradictory worldviews and theoretical frameworks. For example, you will learn that there is no consensus in IR about the purposes of theory, nor even about the existence of natural “laws” governing the processes we study. You will master the core assumptions and methods of analysis of each school of thought. This course is also about critical thinking—the analysis and evaluation of theoretically and empirically grounded arguments about the world. You will critically review the raison d’etre of each theoretical perspective and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the descriptions, interpretations, explanations, predictions and policy prescriptions that these theories support. Seminar Requirements midterm and final examination: 25 % each (take-home midterm, in-class final) critical review essay 25 % seminar participation 25 % Students are expected to do assigned readings carefully and be ready to debate them in class. Students will also serve as discussion leaders for individual questions and topics on a rotating basis. The review essay (due at semester’s end) is less a research paper and more a close critique of one or another issue, debate, or specialized literature i