Political Science 287 Fall 2004 Tuesday: 4-6 pm Room WW418

R. G. C. Thomas Room: WW-409; Ph: 288-6840 Office Hours: TuTh: 9:45-10:45; 12:45- 1:45; 3:30-4:00 and by appointment gcthomas@ameritech.net, raju.thomas@mu.edu

ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Course Objectives:

This is a research seminar where the main objective is to enable each student to develop a major research paper on a topic covered by the course title. A set of preliminary background readings is intended to provide a broad survey of some of the theoretical and contemporary issues in global and regional security that the world is likely to face in the new millennium. These readings are required. Beyond this, you will need to create an additional bibliography based on your specific research paper..

Course Requirements:

There are two requirements:

(I) Students will write 2-4 page outlines of much of the readings assigned in the syllabus. They must be prepared to conduct oral discussions of the weekly readings assigned. (30 points)

(II) A 25-35 page (double spaced) research paper on a topic of your choice. Progress towards the final paper will be in three stages: (a) Submission of a 3-5 page Bibliography in the broad area of your research topic. (b) Submission of a 10-15 page "Research Proposal" delineating the issues to be addressed in the research paper. (c) An oral presentation of the paper. (d) Submission of the final research paper. (70 points)

Suggested Research Areas

1. International terrorism

2. Nuclear weapons proliferation

3. Chemical weapons proliferation

4. Biological weapons proliferation

5. Nationalism and civil wars

6. Energy and Security

7. North-South arms transfers

8. Defense and development

9. Regional conflict issues

10. Just wars and war crimes

Texts

* Joseph S. Nye, Understanding International Conflict, Addison Wesley Longman (5^th edition)

* Richard Betts, Editor, Conflict After the Cold War, Longman (2005 edition)

* Paul F. Diehl & Joseph Lepgold, Regional Conflict Management, Rowman & Littlefield

* Randall Forsberg, et al, The Non-Proliferation Primer, MIT Press

READINGS, DISCUSSIONS, PRESENTATIONS

Dates are approximate and subject to change. Students must submit 2-4 page written outlines that list or highlight the main points from the readings. They are not critiques. They are to ensure that you have examined the readings and are aware of the gist of the issues and arguments. Outlines must be submitted on the days the topics are being covered. The bibliography for the research paper will be due on October 12. Research proposals will be due on November 2. Oral presentations of research themes will be conducted November 9 - December 7. Final Papers are due on Friday December 17 by noon (last day of examination week).

I. Sources of War and Peace (August 31, September 7 & 14))

Nye: Chapters 1 & 2, pp. 1-57

Betts: Parts 1-5, pp. 1 - 286

II. History of War and Peace (September 21)

Nye: Chapters 3, 4 & 5, pp. 58-152

III. Defense, Deterrence, and Strategic Stability (September 28)

Betts: Part 7, pp. 357-444;

Bibliography Due: October 5

IV. Nationalism, Secession and War (October 5)

Nye, Chapter 6, pp. 153-190

Betts: Part 6, pp. 287-356

Research Proposals Due: October 12

V. Unconventional War & Security (October 12 & 19)

Forsberg: Chapters 2 - 6, pp. 11-112

Betts, Part 8, pp. 445-536

VI. Regional Security (October 26, November 2))

Diehl & Lepgold, Part II. 81-268

Raju Thomas, “What is Third World Security?” (Handout)

VII. Oral Presentations of Research Papers (November 9, 16, 23, 30, December 7)

Final Papers Due: Friday, December 17, Noon