This course will survey the history of world politics to investigate what patterns of contemporary global politics represent fundamental transformations, and what - if anything - resembles the past. To analyze the sources of continuity and change, students will be introduced to a variety of explanations and theories of world politics. These will be applied to a number of topics, such as the causes of wars, the effect of nuclear weapons on world politics, the end of the Cold War, and the role of morality in world politics. The aim is for students to be able to think in an informed and critical way about big issues such as the causes of war and peace, and of prosperity and poverty in world politics.

Class will consist of multimedia lecture presentations, interactive class exercises, and an interactive course web site that will connect you to the world and assist you in completing your assignments. You must check the web page regularly for announcements and course information. A list serve has been set-up on the web site that connects you to a discussion group at the University of Toronto, enabling you to discuss issues in world politics with your own classmates and with international students.

Examinations are based upon assigned readings and lecture material. Students are responsible for all lecture material and are required to complete all of the readings on the syllabus. Student evaluation is based upon 2 papers, participation in the list serve discussion, a mid-quarter exam, and a final exam. To receive full credit for the 5% portion of the grade for the list serve discussion, by November 22 you must hand in printed copies of at least three substantial contributions that you make to the list serve discussion.

Paper topics and instructions will be provided ahead of time. Late papers will be penalized 5% per day. Note: Students must provide proper documentation for excused absences (illnesses, deaths of family/friends, etc.) to receive any extensions of deadlines. Make-up exams and incompletes will only be given for documented emergencies.

The following textbooks are available for purchase at the West Bank bookstore. Copies will be placed on reserve at Wilson Library:

John Rourke, International Politics on the World Stage (Seventh Edition,1999).
Kendall Stiles, Case Histories in International Politics (1995).
Scott Sagan and Kenneth Waltz, The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: A Debate (1995).

The John Rourke text, International Politics on the World Stage, has an accompanying web site that contains useful links, maps, activities, chapter summaries and practice quizzes to help prepare you for the exams. Be sure to visit the text web site each week to supplement your assigned text reading.