IRG 301

Michael R. Anderson

Course Description:  

The principal objective of IRG 301 is to introduce students who have selected the IRG major to the four subject tracks of the program, among which students must choose one as their area of concentration: culture, media, and the arts (track one); international security (track two); science, technology, and the environment (track three); and international political economy (track four).

This course aims to introduce these various themes through an exploration of the global interconnections that have come to define the modern world. Course content includes not only an examination of the shifting balance of power from the perspective of geopolitics, but also an exploration of the nature of the modern global economy, the effect of human activity upon the natural world, and recent efforts to create a global cultural and social consciousness that transcends national identities. The course draws upon scholarly perspectives from history, political science, sociology, anthropology, geography and economics, as well as insights from area studies, in recognition of the major program’s interdisciplinary nature.

By the end of this course students should have a broad familiarity with the four subject themes comprising the major and an awareness of some of the major global challenges confronting actors on the international stage today.

Class time will be divided between lecture material (Mondays and Wednesdays) and small-group discussion sections (Fridays).  Students will be evaluated based upon their performance on weekly reading responses and four exams.

Required:

• O’Brien and Williams, Global Political Economy (Palgrave Macmillan, 5^th)
• Neack, National, International, and Human Security (Rowman & Littlefield, 2^nd)
• Lule, Globalization and Media (Rowman and Littlefield, 3^rd)
• Kress and Stine, eds., Living in the Anthropocene (Smithsonian)

IRG 320F (FRA)

Course description and objectives

This course is designed to provide foundational knowledge in International Relations and Global Studies, providing a link between the introductory course (IRG 301) and capstone seminar (IRG 378) or honors thesis (IRG 678) for IRG majors. The scope and the theme of the course cross-cut the broad subject areas of the major’s four tracks: international security; international political economy; science, technology, and the environment; and culture, media, and the arts. 

There are two over-arching objectives of this course. The first is to examine in detail key controversies surrounding the contemporary era in international affairs. Using insights from history, political science, economics, geography, anthropology, and area studies, we will examine the nature of today’s international system, the possibility of political and economic global governance, as well as the state of international civil society.

A second, related objective is to help students conceive a project for their capstone seminar or honors thesis, normally taken soon after the completion of IRG 320F. Through the process of writing a research proposal and delivering an oral presentation to the class on their proposed subject, students in this course will lay the foundation for a successful capstone/thesis experience.

For the UT in Paris program, this course has been specially designed to take full advantage of the location. In many ways, Paris is an ideal setting in which to base a course centered on the broad themes of international relations and global studies. Through numerous excursions to Paris-based organizations and visits with relevant officials, students will see first-hand the work of diplomats, businesspeople, scholars, and activists engaged in constructing the basis of a still-emerging and hotly contested international order. 

Required text:

Haas, Peter M. and John A. Hird, eds., 2013 Controversies in Globalization: Contending Approaches in International Relations. 2^nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: CQ Press.

This course is restricted to IRG majors. For IRG program information please contact Dr. Michael Anderson, Director.

The concluding, capstone seminar for the International Relations & Global Studies major is designed to give you an opportunity to draw on your program of studies to prepare a rigorous analysis of a specific aspect of contemporary world affairs.  You have the choice of two formats.  One is a tightly organized research paper; the other is structured as a policy paper directed at a senior decision-maker in a national government or international organization. 

It is profitable to all to set a number of themes for the seminar.  That enhances exchanges and allows for collaborative projects. Still, students will be given reasonable latitude in selecting topics that interest them and/or on which they have acquired specialized knowledge.  We will examine closely the nature of the policy paper and its organization as the semester progresses.  The seminar paper – in either format -  should be viewed as representative of your abilities at this stage in your career and, as such, an effective way of presenting yourself and your abilities.

 The following is a short list of possible themes: democracy promotion as an instrument of foreign policy; the strains among three standards to assess global economic interdependence: growth, equity and stability; the ethical dimensions of the use of force; the interplay of domestic politics and foreign policy process/substance.

IRG 378: Capstone Research in International Relations and Global Studies

Topic: Twenty-first Century Conflict

Fall 2019

Unique ID:

International Relations and Global Studies (IRG) major

The University of Texas at Austin

Course concept

As an academic field of inquiry, international security tends to focus on the ability of states to remain secure in the face of threats to their internal and external sovereignty. Increasingly, however, the study of security has broadened to include not merely new actors, but also new conceptions of what it means to be ‘secure.’ While conflict among and within states (and increasingly non-state actors) is a major concern, the idea that insecurity can exist but still stop short of conflict has become increasingly accepted among both scholars and practitioners.   

Moreover, conflict and security have evolved since the end of the Cold War. While possible, the idea of a superpower-on-superpower strategic conflict on the scale of World War II seems increasingly unlikely. Rather, conflicts appear to occur now based much more on localized and transient grievances, or in certain cases where a major power feels the need to act unilaterally to accomplish some set of strategic aims.

This capstone course will treat all forms of conflict as our object of study, and will ask the following question: what types of conflict are we likely to see in the twenty-first century, and what patterns might we discern from these conflicts? No longer confined to interstate war, conflict since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union has ranged from superpower engaged in major conflict among states to civil war and intrastate violence. Moreover, states no longer hold the monopoly of violence. Indeed, in the last 15 years conflict has entered into areas previously thought unimaginable, such as in cyberspace.  

Course objectives:

During the course of this semester, students will be exposed to a wide range of thinking on the nature of conflict after the Cold War. Beginning with a specific focus on the changing “way of war” since 9/11, the course moves to a broader interpretation of conflict since the end of the superpower confrontation that characterized the Cold War. The course ends with a reflection on the United Nations as the arbiter of international security, its successes and failings, and its changing role in the decades since the end of the Cold War.

Readings:

There is no required textbook for this course. Rather, each week has a series of readings assigned that are to be read before the class meets on Tuesday. Befitting a once-a-week capstone course, the readings are more extensive but still manageable. The average reading load per week is ~100 pages.

Recommended Reading:

• Richard K. Betts, Conflict after the Cold War (5^th Edition). Prentice Hall, 2017.

Assignments and grading

Your course grade will consist of a paper grade and a discussion/participation grade. A breakdown of the requirements and expectations for each category is below.

93 >     A

90-92   A-

87-89   B+

80-86   B

77-79   B-

75-76   C+

70-74   C

67-69   C-

60-66   D

< 60    F

Paper: 80%

As this class is a capstone course, the bulk of the grade for the course will consist of a capstone original research paper. Fulfillment of this writing requirement will entail completing a paper of approximately 7,500-8,000 words (approximately 20-25 pages double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font). Such a paper should be a thorough treatment of the topic chosen, including a clear thesis statement, logical consistency in the arguments used to show the validity of the thesis, and a clear and concise conclusion that effectively summarizes your argument. It should be appropriately documented with references and citations, and should stand on its own as an individual work of scholarship.

Soon after the beginning of the semester, I will meet with each of you individually to discuss your choice of paper topic and your approach chosen to address it. The paper will comprise the majority of the total grade for the course, but attendance and a presentation of your research count for grades as well.

The paper is divided into the following sections:

1. Research proposal: Worth 5% of overall grade

2. Outline, and list of references: Worth 10% of overall grade.

3. First draft of paper: Worth 25% of overall grade.
4. Oral presentation to the group: Worth 20% of overall grade
5. Final draft of paper: Worth 20% of overall grade.


Paper Format:

Papers are to be formatted according to the Chicago style (15th edition). The best reference for Chicago-style citations is Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (8th ed., Chicago: University of Chicago Press). Reference programs such as Endnote (standalone) or RefWorks (online) are invaluable for collecting and formatting citations in the final draft of the research paper. While a library research day will be scheduled midway through the semester, students are encouraged to go to PCL early and undertake individualized research on the reference manager of choice for proper formatting of citations. See the PCL citation manager comparison page at http://www.lib.utexas.edu/citations/cite.html for more information.

Discussion Leading / Participation / Discussion Questions: 20%

Class discussion in a capstone seminar is more than expected; it is a given. Everyone has his or her own style of discussion, and I do not expect to turn those who prefer not to speak often in class into debate champions. Nevertheless, I do expect that each of you will at some point in the semester co-lead a course discussion on the topic of your choosing. You will have your classmates’ questions to serve as a point of departure (see below), which you may use as you wish. There will be a sign-up sheet posted on Canvas for you to sign up to lead a discussion. Discussion leaders will prepare five questions drawn from the readings and will post them no later than Monday at 5:00 pm. The discussion leadership portion of your participation will comprise 10% of your course grade.



Because this is a capstone course, it is expected that you will have already absorbed the importance of class attendance. I strongly encourage you to attend every class and be prepared for lively and stimulating discussion. To that end, unless you are a discussion leader, I will require that each of you prepare one discussion question every week for the upcoming class to submit via Canvas. This question should be drawn from the readings and should reflect any questions, comments, or cries of outrage you may have regarding the arguments set forth by the authors. These discussion questions will not be graded individually, but together will count for 10% of your course grade. They most definitely will help you get the most from the class.

Important Information

Plagiarism / academic misconduct:

Don’t do it. Minimum penalties for cheating are zeros on quizzes or exams where the cheating takes place, and a grade of F on a paper that has been plagiarized. Questions about what constitutes academic misconduct should be brought to my attention.

Undergraduate Writing Center: 

Because the bulk of the work in this course revolves around researching and writing a significant paper, the instructor strongly encourages all those enrolled to make use of the Undergraduate Writing Center in PCL, 471-6222: http://www.uwc.utexas.edu/). The Undergraduate Writing Center offers free, individualized, expert help with writing for any UT undergraduate, by appointment or on a drop-in basis. Any undergraduate enrolled in a course at UT can visit the UWC for assistance with any writing project. They work with students from every department on campus, for both academic and non-academic writing. Their services are not just for writing with "problems." Getting feedback from an informed audience is a normal part of a successful writing project. Consultants help students develop strategies to improve their writing. The assistance they provide is intended to foster independence. Each student determines how to use the consultant's advice. The consultants are trained to help you work on your writing in ways that preserve the integrity of your work.

University of Texas Honor Code:

The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.  Any student found guilty of scholastic dishonesty may receive an “F” in the course and be remanded to the appropriate University of Texas authorities for disciplinary action.  For more information, view Student Judicial Services at http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs.

Writing Flag:

This course carries the Writing Flag. Writing Flag courses are designed to give students experience with writing in an academic discipline. In this class, you can expect to write regularly during the semester, complete substantial writing projects, and receive feedback from your instructor to help you improve your writing. You will also have the opportunity to revise one or more assignments, and you may be asked to read and discuss your peers’ work. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your written work. Writing Flag classes meet the Core Communications objectives of Critical Thinking, Communication, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility, established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Religious Holidays:

According to UT-Austin policy, students must notify the instructor of an impending absence at least 14 days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If a student must miss a class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, the student will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the absence.

Student Privacy: 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that student privacy be preserved.  Thus the posting of grades, even by the last four digits of the social security number, is forbidden.  All communication will remain between the instructor and the student, and the instructor will not be able to share details of the student’s performance with parents, spouses, or any others.

Documented Disability Statement:

The University of Texas will make reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Any student with a documented disability who requires academic accommodations should contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259 (voice) or 1-866-329-3986 (Video Phone) as soon as possible to request an official letter outlining authorized accommodations.

Emergency Evacuation Policy:

In the event of a fire or other emergency, it may be necessary to evacuate a building rapidly.  Upon the activation of a fire alarm or the announcement of an emergency in a university building, all occupants of the building are required to evacuate and assemble outside.  Once evacuated, no one may re-enter the building without instruction to do so from the Austin Fire Department, University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention Services office.  Students should familiarize themselves with all the exit doors of each room and building they occupy at the university, and should remember that the nearest exit routes may not be the same as the way they typically enter buildings.  Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructors in writing during the first week of class.  Information regarding emergency evacuation routes and emergency procedures can be found at http://www.utexas.edu/emergency.

This course is restricted to IRG majors. For IRG program information please contact Dr. Michael Anderson, Director.

The concluding, capstone seminar for the International Relations & Global Studies major is designed to give you an opportunity to draw on your program of studies to prepare a rigorous analysis of a specific aspect of contemporary world affairs.  You have the choice of two formats.  One is a tightly organized research paper; the other is structured as a policy paper directed at a senior decision-maker in a national government or international organization. 

It is profitable to all to set a number of themes for the seminar.  That enhances exchanges and allows for collaborative projects. Still, students will be given reasonable latitude in selecting topics that interest them and/or on which they have acquired specialized knowledge.  We will examine closely the nature of the policy paper and its organization as the semester progresses.  The seminar paper – in either format -  should be viewed as representative of your abilities at this stage in your career and, as such, an effective way of presenting yourself and your abilities.

 The following is a short list of possible themes: democracy promotion as an instrument of foreign policy; the strains among three standards to assess global economic interdependence: growth, equity and stability; the ethical dimensions of the use of force; the interplay of domestic politics and foreign policy process/substance.

IRG 378: Capstone Research in International Relations and Global Studies

Topic: Twenty-first Century Conflict

Fall 2019

Unique ID:

International Relations and Global Studies (IRG) major

The University of Texas at Austin

Course concept

As an academic field of inquiry, international security tends to focus on the ability of states to remain secure in the face of threats to their internal and external sovereignty. Increasingly, however, the study of security has broadened to include not merely new actors, but also new conceptions of what it means to be ‘secure.’ While conflict among and within states (and increasingly non-state actors) is a major concern, the idea that insecurity can exist but still stop short of conflict has become increasingly accepted among both scholars and practitioners.   

Moreover, conflict and security have evolved since the end of the Cold War. While possible, the idea of a superpower-on-superpower strategic conflict on the scale of World War II seems increasingly unlikely. Rather, conflicts appear to occur now based much more on localized and transient grievances, or in certain cases where a major power feels the need to act unilaterally to accomplish some set of strategic aims.

This capstone course will treat all forms of conflict as our object of study, and will ask the following question: what types of conflict are we likely to see in the twenty-first century, and what patterns might we discern from these conflicts? No longer confined to interstate war, conflict since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union has ranged from superpower engaged in major conflict among states to civil war and intrastate violence. Moreover, states no longer hold the monopoly of violence. Indeed, in the last 15 years conflict has entered into areas previously thought unimaginable, such as in cyberspace.  

Course objectives:

During the course of this semester, students will be exposed to a wide range of thinking on the nature of conflict after the Cold War. Beginning with a specific focus on the changing “way of war” since 9/11, the course moves to a broader interpretation of conflict since the end of the superpower confrontation that characterized the Cold War. The course ends with a reflection on the United Nations as the arbiter of international security, its successes and failings, and its changing role in the decades since the end of the Cold War.

Readings:

There is no required textbook for this course. Rather, each week has a series of readings assigned that are to be read before the class meets on Tuesday. Befitting a once-a-week capstone course, the readings are more extensive but still manageable. The average reading load per week is ~100 pages.

Recommended Reading:

• Richard K. Betts, Conflict after the Cold War (5^th Edition). Prentice Hall, 2017.

Assignments and grading

Your course grade will consist of a paper grade and a discussion/participation grade. A breakdown of the requirements and expectations for each category is below.

93 >     A

90-92   A-

87-89   B+

80-86   B

77-79   B-

75-76   C+

70-74   C

67-69   C-

60-66   D

< 60    F

Paper: 80%

As this class is a capstone course, the bulk of the grade for the course will consist of a capstone original research paper. Fulfillment of this writing requirement will entail completing a paper of approximately 7,500-8,000 words (approximately 20-25 pages double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font). Such a paper should be a thorough treatment of the topic chosen, including a clear thesis statement, logical consistency in the arguments used to show the validity of the thesis, and a clear and concise conclusion that effectively summarizes your argument. It should be appropriately documented with references and citations, and should stand on its own as an individual work of scholarship.

Soon after the beginning of the semester, I will meet with each of you individually to discuss your choice of paper topic and your approach chosen to address it. The paper will comprise the majority of the total grade for the course, but attendance and a presentation of your research count for grades as well.

The paper is divided into the following sections:

1. Research proposal: Worth 5% of overall grade

2. Outline, and list of references: Worth 10% of overall grade.

3. First draft of paper: Worth 25% of overall grade.
4. Oral presentation to the group: Worth 20% of overall grade
5. Final draft of paper: Worth 20% of overall grade.


Paper Format:

Papers are to be formatted according to the Chicago style (15th edition). The best reference for Chicago-style citations is Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (8th ed., Chicago: University of Chicago Press). Reference programs such as Endnote (standalone) or RefWorks (online) are invaluable for collecting and formatting citations in the final draft of the research paper. While a library research day will be scheduled midway through the semester, students are encouraged to go to PCL early and undertake individualized research on the reference manager of choice for proper formatting of citations. See the PCL citation manager comparison page at http://www.lib.utexas.edu/citations/cite.html for more information.

Discussion Leading / Participation / Discussion Questions: 20%

Class discussion in a capstone seminar is more than expected; it is a given. Everyone has his or her own style of discussion, and I do not expect to turn those who prefer not to speak often in class into debate champions. Nevertheless, I do expect that each of you will at some point in the semester co-lead a course discussion on the topic of your choosing. You will have your classmates’ questions to serve as a point of departure (see below), which you may use as you wish. There will be a sign-up sheet posted on Canvas for you to sign up to lead a discussion. Discussion leaders will prepare five questions drawn from the readings and will post them no later than Monday at 5:00 pm. The discussion leadership portion of your participation will comprise 10% of your course grade.



Because this is a capstone course, it is expected that you will have already absorbed the importance of class attendance. I strongly encourage you to attend every class and be prepared for lively and stimulating discussion. To that end, unless you are a discussion leader, I will require that each of you prepare one discussion question every week for the upcoming class to submit via Canvas. This question should be drawn from the readings and should reflect any questions, comments, or cries of outrage you may have regarding the arguments set forth by the authors. These discussion questions will not be graded individually, but together will count for 10% of your course grade. They most definitely will help you get the most from the class.

Important Information

Plagiarism / academic misconduct:

Don’t do it. Minimum penalties for cheating are zeros on quizzes or exams where the cheating takes place, and a grade of F on a paper that has been plagiarized. Questions about what constitutes academic misconduct should be brought to my attention.

Undergraduate Writing Center: 

Because the bulk of the work in this course revolves around researching and writing a significant paper, the instructor strongly encourages all those enrolled to make use of the Undergraduate Writing Center in PCL, 471-6222: http://www.uwc.utexas.edu/). The Undergraduate Writing Center offers free, individualized, expert help with writing for any UT undergraduate, by appointment or on a drop-in basis. Any undergraduate enrolled in a course at UT can visit the UWC for assistance with any writing project. They work with students from every department on campus, for both academic and non-academic writing. Their services are not just for writing with "problems." Getting feedback from an informed audience is a normal part of a successful writing project. Consultants help students develop strategies to improve their writing. The assistance they provide is intended to foster independence. Each student determines how to use the consultant's advice. The consultants are trained to help you work on your writing in ways that preserve the integrity of your work.

University of Texas Honor Code:

The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.  Any student found guilty of scholastic dishonesty may receive an “F” in the course and be remanded to the appropriate University of Texas authorities for disciplinary action.  For more information, view Student Judicial Services at http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs.

Writing Flag:

This course carries the Writing Flag. Writing Flag courses are designed to give students experience with writing in an academic discipline. In this class, you can expect to write regularly during the semester, complete substantial writing projects, and receive feedback from your instructor to help you improve your writing. You will also have the opportunity to revise one or more assignments, and you may be asked to read and discuss your peers’ work. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your written work. Writing Flag classes meet the Core Communications objectives of Critical Thinking, Communication, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility, established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Religious Holidays:

According to UT-Austin policy, students must notify the instructor of an impending absence at least 14 days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. If a student must miss a class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, the student will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the absence.

Student Privacy: 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that student privacy be preserved.  Thus the posting of grades, even by the last four digits of the social security number, is forbidden.  All communication will remain between the instructor and the student, and the instructor will not be able to share details of the student’s performance with parents, spouses, or any others.

Documented Disability Statement:

The University of Texas will make reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Any student with a documented disability who requires academic accommodations should contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259 (voice) or 1-866-329-3986 (Video Phone) as soon as possible to request an official letter outlining authorized accommodations.

Emergency Evacuation Policy:

In the event of a fire or other emergency, it may be necessary to evacuate a building rapidly.  Upon the activation of a fire alarm or the announcement of an emergency in a university building, all occupants of the building are required to evacuate and assemble outside.  Once evacuated, no one may re-enter the building without instruction to do so from the Austin Fire Department, University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention Services office.  Students should familiarize themselves with all the exit doors of each room and building they occupy at the university, and should remember that the nearest exit routes may not be the same as the way they typically enter buildings.  Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructors in writing during the first week of class.  Information regarding emergency evacuation routes and emergency procedures can be found at http://www.utexas.edu/emergency.

IRG 678HA

Course Description:

IRG 678HA is the first semester of a two-semester sequence designed for students admitted to the International Relations and Global Studies honors program. The class is designed to prepare selected IRG majors in their last year of study to undertake an honors thesis and to complete it within an academic year. The class format of IRG 678HA consists of a weekly workshop in which participants discuss relevant topics concerning the researching and writing of a substantial and original piece of work (50+ pages) related to one of the IRG major’s four subject tracks: International Security; International Political Economy; Science, Technology and the Environment; and Culture, Media, and the Arts. The incorporation of previous coursework in multiple disciplines, study-abroad experience, and foreign-language sources is strongly encouraged.   

As instructor of record in the IRG honors program tutorial sequence, Dr. Anderson has agreed to act as supervisor for all IRG honors theses. Students in IRG 678HA/HB, however, are strongly encouraged to find another faculty member at UT-Austin willing to serve as a second reader of the thesis.

Required: 

Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Chicago, 9^th edition, 2018).