COURSE SYLLABUS©2016
We believe in respect for the individual, in personal integrity and in education as a means of improving the human condition.
LAST PREPARED/UPDATED ON: _______________________Nov.22, 2016________________________
INSTRUCTOR DETAILS
INSTRUCTOR:
e-mail:
phone:
office room:
Dr. Samuel R. Schubert
[email protected]
+436504333837
2.06
COURSE DETAILS
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COURSE TITLE:
ECTS CREDIT
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PREREQUISITES:
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TEXTBOOK /
REQUIRED READING
MATERIALS:
SP2, 2017
INTL 5510 Theories of International Relations
GRAD 8 week courses = 7.5 ECTS
INTL 5000 and INTL 5100
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See below:
Required Reading material:
 Art, R./Jervis, R. (2010) International Politics: Enduring Concepts and
Contemporary Issues, 12th Edition, Longman: New York
 Mearsheimer, J. (2003) The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, W. W.
Norton: New York.
 Morgenthau, H. (2005, 1948) Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for
Power and Peace (7th Edition), McGraw-Hill: New York.
 Penguin Dictionary of International Relations
 Wendt, A. (1999) Social Theory of International Politics (Cambridge
Studies in International Relations), (Cambridge University Press:
Cambridge).
Numerous additional journal articles available via Webster’s online library system
or class website. Students are advised to acquire access to MyPoliSciKit
(www.mypoliscikit.com), which includes review tests, key concepts, and exercises
designed to facilitate your understanding of the material.
Additional materials you should consider reading:
Palais Wenkheim, Praterstrasse 23, 1020 Vienna, Austria - www.webster.ac.at
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
Waltz, K. (1979) Theory of International Politics, McGraw-Hill: New
York.
 Mearsheimer, J. (2003) The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, W. W.
Norton: New York.
 Waltz, K. (2001) Man, the State, and War (Revised Edition), Columbia
University Press: New York.
 Keohane, R.O. (2005) After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in the
World Political Economy (Princeton Classic Editions), Princeton
University Press: Princeton.
 Carr, E. H. (1940) The twenty years’ crisis, 1919-1939; an introduction to
the study of international relations, Macmillan: London.
 Collins, R. / Sanderson, S.K. (2010) Conflict Sociology: A Sociological
Classic Updated (Studies in Comparative Social Science)
 Bull, H. (2002) The Anarchical Society, 3rd edition, Columbia University
Press: New York.
 Keohane, R.O. (ed.) (1986) Neorealism and Its Critics, Columbia
University Press: New York.
 Wendt, A. (1999) Social Theory of International Politics (Cambridge
Studies in International Relations), (Cambridge University Press:
Cambridge).
 Gilpin, R. (1987) The Political Economy of International Relations,
Princeton University Press: Princeton.
 Nye, J.S. (2005) Soft Power: The Means To Success In World Politics,
Public Affairs: New York.
 Kindleberger, C. (1973) The World in Depression, 1929-39 (University of
California Press, Berkeley, CA)
 Kennedy, P. ( 1987) The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers: Economic
Change and Military Conflict From 1500 to 2000. (New York: Random
House).
 Morrow, J.D. (1994) Game Theory for Political Scientists. (Princeton
University Press: Princeton, NJ.).
Wallerstein, I.M. (2004) World-systems analysis : an introduction (Durham:
Duke University Press).
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course on IR theories is designed for graduate students. It is structured around concepts that lie at the
heart of competing IR theories. Why choose concepts as opposed to competing schools? There are two
reasons. First, there is a lot of cross-over, shared concepts, and fine tuning among and between prevailing
theoretical approaches. Second, in order to truly study a theory at the graduate and post-graduate levels,
students must read the original texts in full, not merely some overview or summary by a third party. Also
important, while some concepts are common throughout the various subfields of Political Science, certain
notions take on special meaning in IR, and the name itself - International Relations, implies something
different than IP, International Politics, and is greatly different in its meaning to Geopolitics. As students
Palais Wenkheim, Praterstrasse 23, 1020 Vienna, Austria - www.webster.ac.at
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will learn, IR theories cover all of these meanings. This course is reading intensive and it is essential that
you read all the texts for the session before coming to class; no exceptions. Failure to do so will result in a
F.
The first half of the course is dedicated to reading about concepts from competing theoretical approaches,
from realism and liberalism to constructivism, dependency, and gender; from state centric to human
centric approaches and critiques. In this manner, graduate students, who should already be at least familiar
with basic concepts and approaches (from an Introduction to IR course), discover the variety and depth of
thought in IR thinking and debate those perspectives. Students will come away with an in-depth
understanding of arguments and consensuses that exist among leading IR theorists.
The second part of the class focuses on one of the masterpieces of IR theory, namely Morgenthau’s Politics
Among Nations, published and updated over 7 editions since 1948. The knowledge gained from the first
part of the course, will greatly enhance students ability not only to critique, but also to appreciate the fine
differences between Classical Realism and its descendants and a wide variety of contemporary theories
and their antecedents.
GR Catalogue Description:
Students explore the major theoretical paradigms in the field of international relations, including realism,
institutionalism, liberalism, Marxism, and constructivism. Students will learn to evaluate theories within
these paradigms based on their logical consistency and empirical support. These theories will also be
applied to current events and used to derive policy prescriptions.
COURSE OBJECTIVES / LEARNING OUTCOMES
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Recognize and locate distinct theoretical perspectives in the study of international politics.
Explain commonalities and differences in fundamental theories pertinent to the study of
international relations.
Apply theoretical models and perspectives to analyze and explain historical events, actors,
institutions and the behavior of states, as well as the current and changing international
balance of power.
Palais Wenkheim, Praterstrasse 23, 1020 Vienna, Austria - www.webster.ac.at
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GRADE BREAKDOWN
GRADUATE
GRADING SCALE:
EVALUATION
COMPONENTS
Superior graduate work: A = 4 pts. (93-100), A- = 3.67 pts. (90-92)
Satisfactory graduate Work: B+ = 3.33 (87-89), B = 3.0 pts. (83-86), B- = 2.67
(80-82)
Work that is barely adequate as graduate-level performance: C = 2.0 pts. (7079)
Unsatisfactory work: F = 0.0 pts. (< 70)
.
(Based on 100 percentage points):
MIDTERM EXAM: 20% Midterm exam (various IR theories)
FINAL EXAM: 20% Final exam (neo-classical Realism vs. the rest)
ASSIGNMENTS: 20% Literature review of contemporary theories on a particular subset of IR
theory; Due: Week 5.
20% Comparative theoretical analysis of a major international crisis occurring
between 1980 and 2010; Due: Week 7
PRESENTATIONS: 15% Oral presentations of journal articles/chapters; Weeks 2-8
PARTCIPATION: 5%
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Students are required to inform themselves of WUV academic policies. A full list of these policies is available
on the WUV website: http://webster.ac.at/academic-policies
.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Week 1
Mar 20
BASIC CONCEPTS (Lecture and brief discussion):
- What you will learn in this class and what you will not.
- So what are theories, hypotheses, and questions?
- Actors and levels of analysis
- Structure/Agency
- War, Peace (negative and positive), and Rivalry
- Relative vs. absolute gains
- Balance of power
- Systems
- Theories of Conflict
- Theoretical schools and their relations
Core Readings in Theorizing IR:

Morgenthau, H.J. "Six Principles of Political Realism" (Art/Jervis)
Palais Wenkheim, Praterstrasse 23, 1020 Vienna, Austria - www.webster.ac.at
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Week 2
Mar. 27
Wendt, A.E (1987) ‘The Agent-Structure Problem in International Relations
Theory’, International Organization, Vol. 41 (3)
Nye, J. and Welch, D. (2007) “Is there an enduring logic of conflict in world
politics” in Nye/Welch (2007) Understanding Global Conflict and Cooperation,
New York: Longman; pp. 1-32.
Recommended further reading:
 Carr, E. H. (1940) “Chapter 4: The Harmony Of Interests. The Utopian Synthesis” in
The twenty years’ crisis, 1919-1939; an introduction to the study of international
relations, London: Macmillan. Full text online at:
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/carr.htm
 Burchill, S., Linklater A. (2005) ‘Introduction’ in Burchill et al (2005) Theories of
International Relations, Third edition, London: Palgrave.
 Reus-Smit/Snidal (2010) “Between Utopia and Reality: The Practical Discourses of
International Relations” in Reus_Smit/Sindal (2010) The Oxford Handbook of
International Relations, New York: Oxford University Press; pp.:3-37.
 Lake, D. A. (2010) “The State and International Relations” in Reus_Smit/Sindal
(2010) The Oxford Handbook of International Relations, New York: Oxford
University Press; pp.:41-61.
BASIC CONCEPTS: Power, Balance, Perception, Idealism vs. Materialism, Geopolitics,
System Order (Anarchy vs. Hierarchy)
Core Readings:
 Thucydides, "The Melian Dialogue" (Art/Jervis)
 Clausewitz, K. (1873) “Chapter 1: What is War?” in On War, London: Trübner, Full
Text Online at http://www.clausewitz.com/readings/OnWar1873/BK1ch01.html
 Mackinder, H.J. (1904) "The geographical pivot of history", The Geographical
Journal, 23, pp. 421–37.
 Waltz, K (1979) ‘Anarchic Orders and Balances of Power,” (Chapter 6) in Waltz, K.
(1979) Theory of International Relations, New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 102-28.
 Mearsheimer, J.J. "Anarchy and the Struggle for Power" (Art/Jervis)
 Wendt, A. "Anarchy Is What States Make of It" (Art/Jervis)
 Kugler/Organski “Power Transition: A retrospective and prospective evaluation”
from Handbook of War Studies (Provided in class).
Further Recommended Readings:
 Nye, J.S. (2011) ‘Power and foreign policy’, Journal of Political Power, 4:1, pp. 9-24
(and also see: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/newsevents/publications/insight/international/joseph-nye)
 Ray, J.L. / Bentley, P. (2010) ‘Power Concentration and Interstate Conflict: Is There
a Connection?’, Journal of Theoretical Politics 22(4): 407–429.
Palais Wenkheim, Praterstrasse 23, 1020 Vienna, Austria - www.webster.ac.at
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Week
3:
Apr. 3
Ram, M.M. (2009) ”Powerful Actors Make A Difference: Theorizing Power
Attributes Of Nonstate Actors”, International Journal of Peace Studies (14:2)
 Spykman, N.J. (1938) 'Geography and foreign policy, I'. The American Political
Science Review, Vol. 32, No. 1, 28-50. And 'Geography and foreign policy, II'. The
American Political Science Review, Vol. 32, No. 2, 213-236.
 Kaplan, R. D. (2009) “The Revenge of Geography”, Foreign Policy, (172), 96-105.
 Li, J. (2002) 'State fragmentation: Toward a theoretical understanding of the
territorial power of the state'. Sociological theory, Vol. 20, No. 2, 139-156.
 Deudny, D (2000) “Geopolitics as Theory: Historical Security Materialism”,
European Journal of International Relations Vol. 6(1).
Basic Concepts: Mitigating Anarchy, The Security Dilemma, Uses of Force, Balancing and
other responses to anarchy.
Core readings:
 Oye, K. "The Conditions for Cooperation in World Politics" (Art/Jervis)
 Walt, S.M. "Alliances: Balancing and Bandwagoning" (Art/Jervis)
 Jervis, R. "Offense, Defense, and the Security Dilemma"(Art/Jervis)
 Gary Schaub, G. (2009) “When Is Deterrence Necessary? Gauging Adversary
Intent”, Strategic Studies Quarterly, Winter.
 Art, R.J. "The Four Functions of Force" (Art/Jervis)
 Schelling, T.C. "The Diplomacy of Violence" (Art/Jervis)
 Fearon, J. “Rationalist explanations of war” (Art/Jervis)
 Posen, B. "Emerging Multipolarity: Why Should We Care?" (Art/Jervis)
 Kagan, R. “The Return of History” (Art/Jervis: Contemporary Issues)
Discussion Theme: War of interests or necessity vs. choice. See:
http://www.cfr.org/iraq/war-necessity-war-choice/p18273
Further Recommended Reading:
 Hoffmann, S. "The Uses and Limits of International Law" (Art/Jervis)
 Keohane, R.O "International Institutions" (Art/Jervis)
 Ikenberry, J. and Wright. T. (2008) "Rising Powers and Global Institutions", A
Century Foundation Report
(http://72.32.39.237:8080/Plone/publications/2008/2/pdfs/pb635/ikenberry.pdf).
 World Bank “Shape of Violence today” (Art/Jervis).
 Moseley, A. (2011) "Just War Theory" in The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy,
ISSN 2161-0002, http://www.iep.utm.edu/justwar/.
 Art, R. “The Fungibility of Force (Art/Jervis)
 Downes, A. “To the shores of Tripoli? Regime change and its consequences”
(Art/Jervis).
 Pape, R. (2005) “Soft Balancing against the United States”, International Security,
Vol. 30(1): 7-45
Palais Wenkheim, Praterstrasse 23, 1020 Vienna, Austria - www.webster.ac.at
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Week
4:
Apr. 10
Walt S. (2005) ‘Taming American Power’ Foreign Affairs, September/October.
Danilovic, V. (2002) “Balance of Power and Power Shifts: Global Interests at Stake”
in When the Stakes Are High: Deterrence and Conflict among Major Powers, Ann
Arbor: The University of Michigan Press. pp. 71-97.
Basic Concepts: International Political Economy, The Global Commons, Hegemonic
power/ stability, Marxist IR (World Systems/historical materialism), and liberalism.
Core Readings:
 Gilpin, R. "The Nature of Political Economy" (Art/Jervis)
 Hardin, G. "The Tragedy of the Commons" (Art/Jervis)
 Jervis, R. "The Era of Leading Power Peace" (Art/Jervis: Contemporary Issues)
 Snidal, D. (1985) “The limits of hegemonic stability theory”, International
Organization, vol. 39(4): 579-614
 Wallerstein, I. (1974) “The Rise and Future Demise of the World Capitalist System:
Concepts for Comparative Analysis” Comparative Studies in Society and History,
Vol. 16(4): 387-415.
 Teschke (2002) “Theorizing the Westphalian System of States: International
Relations from Absolutism to Capitalism”, European Journal of International
Relations Vol.(8)1. 5-48.
 Moravscsik, A. (1997) “Taking Preferences Seriously: A Liberal Theory of
International Politics”, International Organization Vol. 51(4).
 Doyle. ‘Kant, Liberal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs (Art/Jervis)
Further Recommended Readings:
 Katzenstein, P., Keohane, R.O., and Krasner, S.D. (1998), “International
Organization and the Study of World Politics “, International Organization 52, 4,
Autumn 1998, pp. 645–685
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Hiscox, M.J. "The Domestic Sources of Foreign Economic Policies" (Art/Jervis)
Gilpin , R (1988) “The Theory of Hegemonic War”, The Journal of Interdisciplinary
History, Vol. 18(4): 591-613.
Michael C. Webb and Stephen D. Krasner. "Hegemonic Stability Theory: An
Empirical Assessment", Review of International Studies (1989) 15, 183–98
Terry Boswell and Mike Sweat. "Hegemony, Long Waves, and Major Wars: A Time
Series Analysis of Systemic Dynamics, 1496-1967," International Studies Quarterly
(1991) 35, 124.
Teschke, B. (2010) ‘Marxism’ in Reus-Smit/Sindal (2010) The Oxford Handbook of
International Relations, New York: Oxford University Press; pp.:163-187
Marx/Engels, ‘The Communist Manifesto’, (See:
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/61/pg61.html)
Keohane, ‘International Institutions: Can Interdependence work? (Art/Jervis)
Keohane/Nye, ‘Complex Interdependence and the Role of Force (Art/Jervis)
Moravcsik, A. (2010) “Liberal Theories of International Relations: A Primer”
Palais Wenkheim, Praterstrasse 23, 1020 Vienna, Austria - www.webster.ac.at
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Week
5:
Apr. 17
Basic Concepts (1): Critical Theory, Constructivism, and Feminism
Basic Concepts (2): Back to the Future (Realism).
Core Readings:
 Hurd, I. (2010) ‘Constructivism’ in ” in Reus_Smit/Sindal (2010) The Oxford
Handbook of International Relations, New York: Oxford University Press; pp.:298316 (provided in class).
 Guzzini, S. (2005) ‘The Concept of Power: a Constructivist Analysis’, Millennium Journal of International Studies, 33: 495.
 Theory Talk #37 with Robert Cox on World Orders, Historical Change, and the
Purpose of Theory in International Relations (http://www.theorytalks.org/2010/03/theory-talk-37.html).
 Tickner, J.A. "A Critique of Morgenthau’s Principles of Political Realism"
(Art/Jervis)
 Bull, H. (1966) ‘International Theory: The Case for a Classical Approach’, World
Politics, Vol. 18(3): 361-377.
 Rose. G. (1998) ‘Neoclassical Realism and Theories of Foreign Policy’, World
Politics, 51, pp.: 144-172
Further recommended reading:
 Shapcott R. (2010) ‘Critical Theory’ in ” in Reus_Smit/Sindal (2010) The Oxford
Handbook of International Relations, New York: Oxford University Press; pp.:327345.
 Linklater, A.(1997) ‘The transformation of political community: E.H.Carr, critical
theory and international relations’, Review of International Studies Vol 23,pp. 321338
 Guzzini, S. (2000) ‘A Reconstruction of Constructivism in IR’, European Journal of
International Relations, 6(2): 147–182.
 Cox, R. (1981) “Social Forces, States and World Orders: Beyond International
Relations Theory” Millennium - Journal of International Studies; Vol. 10 (2).
 Whitsworth, S. (2010) ‘Feminism’ in ” in Reus_Smit/Sindal (2010) The Oxford
Handbook of International Relations, New York: Oxford University Press; pp.:391407
 Tickner, J.A. (1992) ‘Gender in International Relations: Feminist Perspectives on
Achieving Global Security’, New York: Columbia University Press
 Keohane, R. O. (1989) ‘International Relations Theory: Contributions of a Feminist
Standpoint’, Millennium - Journal of International Studies, 18: 245-253
 Mearsheimer, J.J. (2005) “E.H. Carr vs. Idealism: The Battle Rages On”
International Relations, Vol 19(2): 139–152.
 Bull, H. (1977) The Anarchical Society: A study of order in world politics, New York,
Columbia University Press.
Palais Wenkheim, Praterstrasse 23, 1020 Vienna, Austria - www.webster.ac.at
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Dunne, T. (2010) ‘The English School’ in Reus-Smit/Sindal (2010) The Oxford
Handbook of International Relations, New York: Oxford University Press; pp.:267285.
Hoffman, S. (1986) ‘Hedley Bull and His Contribution to International Relations’,
International Affairs, Vol. 62(2): 179-195
Zakaria, F. (2008) ‘The Future of American Power’, Foreign Affairs May/Jun2008,
87(3), pp.: 18-43
FYI: simple breakdown of realist schools:
 Classical realism (Morgenthau) vs. Neorealism/Structural Realism (Waltz)
 Offensive realism - Mearsheimer
 Defensive realism - Waltz, Walt, Van Evera
 Neoclassical realism - Zakaria
 Liberal realism ('English School')
Week
6:
Apr. 24
MOGENTHAU’S THEORY
An in-depth re-examination of Morgenthau’s Politics Among Nations.
The remaining weeks are dedicated to a thorough reading of Morgenthau’s neo-classical
realist masterpiece, Politics among Nations. Through this reading we will be able to
understand the revisit Morgenthau’s profoundly important theory about state behavior
from the perspective of having read later works and revisions of IR theory. Specifically, we
will discuss whether Morgenthau’s model of the world has been rejected or rather
confirmed by newer theories. If time permits, we will also read and discuss
Mearsheimer’s Tragedy of Great Power Politics.
Concepts:
- The Realism Theory
- The Science of studying international politics
- Interstate politics and the global struggle for power
- The roles of ideology and prestige
- Understanding and evaluating National Power
Readings: Morgenthau : v.-176
THE LIMITATIONS OF NATIONAL POWER
Concepts:
- The system of balance
- Normative views and moral supremacy
- Sovereignty and international law
- Nationalistic universalism
- The various totalities of war
Readings:
Morgenthau : 177-398
Palais Wenkheim, Praterstrasse 23, 1020 Vienna, Austria - www.webster.ac.at
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Week
7:
TBD
(Labour
Day)
ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING PEACE
Concepts:
 The roles of disarmament, collective security, and conflict management
 The notion of international government and the World State
 The notion of a global community

The state and diplomacy

Some posthumous updates of Morgenthau’s theory
Readings:
 Morgenthau : 399-621
Week
8:
May 8
Discussion and Debate on Mearsheimer.
Discussion and Debate on Mearsheimer.
Remaining time open for discussion / extensions or changes.
Palais Wenkheim, Praterstrasse 23, 1020 Vienna, Austria - www.webster.ac.at
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