International Relations

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Omar Farouk (Assistant Professor of Political Science)
• Email: ofarouk@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Lovell Hall 266
• Office Hours:
  • Monday & Thursday: 2:00–3:30 p.m. (In person, Lovell Hall 266)
  • Friday: 9:00–10:00 a.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Realist, liberal, and constructivist theories of world politics, war and peace, international institutions, the global economy, and human rights. POSC 210 provides a comprehensive theoretical and empirical investigation of the modern international system, interstate relations, and global governance. Students analyze the central paradigms of international relations—realism, liberalism, constructivism, and critical theories—to interrogate questions of war, peace, security, and cooperation. The course explores international security, nuclear proliferation, international political economy (IPE), human rights, international institutions, and contemporary global challenges, including environmental degradation and the rise of multipolar geopolitical competition.

Prerequisites

POSC 101 or POSC 105.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of POSC 210, students will be able to:

1. Evaluate International Relations Theories: Apply classical and structural realism, neoliberal institutionalism, and social constructivism to explain interstate conflict and cooperation.
2. Analyze Causes of War and Security Dilemmas: Examine structural, domestic, and cognitive causes of interstate and intrastate war, nuclear deterrence dynamics, and asymmetric conflict.
3. Assess International Institutions and Law: Evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of international organizations (UN, WTO, IMF) and international legal frameworks in resolving global crises.
4. Examine International Political Economy: Analyze the politics of international trade, financial globalization, sovereign debt, and development from mercantilist, liberal, and structuralist perspectives.
5. Formulate Foreign Policy Strategy: Author concise, evidence-based policy briefing memos that evaluate geopolitical risks and propose realistic diplomatic solutions.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. John Baylis, Steve Smith, and Patricia Owens, eds. The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations. 8th ed., Oxford University Press, 2020. Approx. $45 digital rental, $85 print purchase.
2. Alkimi International Relations Primary Document & Crisis Simulation Packet. Free digital access provided via Canvas.
3. Total estimated cost: $45 to $85.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 2: AI Permitted with Disclosure for Specified Tasks)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), POSC 210 operates under AI Level 2.

• What is permitted: You may use generative AI tools to look up international treaty chronologies, review definitions of international relations theories, and check grammar or formatting on essay drafts.
• What is prohibited: You may not use generative AI to write foreign policy crisis memos, compose theoretical comparison essays, formulate diplomatic simulation strategies, or complete examination questions.
• Disclosure: All submitted essays and policy memos must include an AI disclosure note detailing any generative AI tools consulted for background research or proofreading.

Grading Components and Weights

• Midterm Examination: 20% (In class, Thursday, October 8)
• International Relations Theory Essay: 20% (Due Friday, September 25 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Foreign Policy Crisis Memo & Position Paper: 25% (Due Friday, November 20 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Global Affairs Responses: 15% (Weekly short analytical responses to international relations theoretical readings submitted in Canvas on Mondays at 11:59 p.m.; lowest score dropped)
• Diplomatic Crisis Simulation Participation: 5% (Active participation in multilateral treaty negotiations and crisis simulation debates)
• Comprehensive Final Examination: 15% (Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 8:00–10:00 a.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No extra credit assignments are offered in POSC 210. Students are evaluated based on their performance across assigned papers, responses, simulations, and examinations.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Class meetings in Lovell Hall 130 feature regular diplomatic simulations and intense theoretical debate that depend on student attendance. You are permitted two unexcused absences; each subsequent unexcused absence results in a deduction of one-third of a letter grade from your final course grade. Missing more than five class meetings results in a failing grade. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Policy memos and theoretical essays lose one-third of a letter grade for each calendar day they are late and will not be accepted after four days past the deadline. Reading responses cannot be submitted late.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 8:00–10:00 a.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).