PSC 326

War and International Security

University at Buffalo, SUNY
Fall 2021
Course Information
Dates: Aug 30, 2021 - Dec 10, 2021
Location: Talbert 115, in person, 3:00pm-3:50pm
Instructor: Jack R. Millson
Email: jrmillso@buffalo.edu
Office Hours: In person Wednesday, 2-3pm Park 416, Online by request
Course Description
The study of war and conflict is one of the most exciting sub-fields of international relations. The
course discusses the impact of power, economics, international organizations, and nuclear
weapons on the likelihood of international war. The goal of this course is to introduce students
to studies of war and international security that examine why states use force against each other.
The secondary goal of this course is to improve students’ research skills and help them gain a
better understanding of political science research. Thus, the theory and methods of conflict
literature will be compared and contrasted both to improve students’ knowledge of why nations
go to war and to develop their analytical skills.
Because this is an upper-division course, it is expected that students carry an understanding of
elementary concepts in international politics and are familiar with political science literature.
Course Requirements
Students’ performances will be graded by the following criteria, out of a total of 100%:

Reading Responses: 25%

Classroom Participation: 10%

Midterm Paper: 25%

Final Paper: 40%

Reading Responses (25%)

Each week, before the deadlines as stated below, students will be required to submit one
response to the assigned readings via UB Learns in the specified forums (with the exception of
the first and last weeks, where no responses are required). You may submit responses earlier
than the deadline. Each response should focus on a different reading, though bringing in
concepts and ideas from other readings, including ones another response was also written for, is
fine as long as each response’s focus is on a separate piece. These responses should be between
200 and 600 words each, and should each be posted in a separate thread in the designated forum.

While some summarization of the works will be accepted, the primary focus of each response
should be on your own personal analysis of the works in question. This analysis should be
focused towards the substance of the arguments and concepts, and not your personal feelings on
the topics being discussed. Some questions to consider when writing responses could be:

• How does this article fit in with major theoretical perspectives in international relations?

• How does reliance on one theoretical perspective over another help/hinder this article?

• What are the implications of this article’s arguments?

• How can this information be utilized, e.g. for crafting national security policy?

Each response will be graded out of 5 points. If you demonstrate comprehension of the readings
and attempt to reflect on their content through an analytical lens, you will receive full credit. If
you clearly did not comprehend the material present in the readings, or offered little to no
analysis, you will not receive full credit.

Classroom Participation (10%)

Students will be expected to come to class having read the required articles and be ready to
answer questions regarding them and to discuss their content in an informed manner. You will
be expected to conduct yourself in a professional manner and to remain tolerant of the ideas and
viewpoints of others, even those that directly contradict your own. While attendance is not
mandatory, excessive absences will be detrimental to obtaining full points in this category.

Midterm Paper (25%)

The Midterm Paper will be due on October 22nd by 11:59pm EST through both email and on
UBLearns. This 5 to 8-page paper should be an analysis of the theories presented in class and
analyzed through your responses and comments. The assignment rubric will be provided
through UB Learns. The paper itself should be submitted through email with the heading “PSC
326 Final Paper” and through the specified assignment page on UBLearns.

In writing this paper, students should briefly discuss the various theories discussed in class up
until that point and then synthesize an argument as to which of the types of theories are more
applicable to the current world system and why. You may argue that some combination of
theoretical approaches has validity, but you should have at least one approach designated as
more applicable and at least one approach designated as less applicable. There is no right answer
to this question, but students are expected to back up their arguments with examples taken from
the readings. While outside references and further research are not necessary to achieve an A
grade, you might consider adding these types of sources in to add weight to your arguments. A
more detailed rubric and set of instructions will be distributed via UBLearns at a later date.
Final Paper (40%)

The Final Paper will be due on December 10th by 11:59pm EST through both email and on
UBLearns. This 6 to 10-page paper should analyze a major international relations problem
through the perspective of two to three of the theoretical approaches to international security
discussed in the first half of class. In this paper, you will be expected to draw upon arguments
and literature from both texts discussed in class along with the wider political science literature,
as well as argue which theoretical approach has the most validity in its assessment of the
international relations problem and which approach/approaches has/have the least validity in
their assessment.

You may choose any of the topics discussed from 10/25/21 onwards to the end of class, or you
may choose a different major international relation problem not covered in class. If you choose
to write your paper on an alternative problem, you must inform me of this choice by 11/22/21 to
ensure that the problem you have chosen will be feasible to write about. The paper should be
submitted through email with the heading “PSC 326 Final Paper”, and also via the posted
assignment on UBLearns. A more detailed rubric and set of instructions will be distributed via
UBLearns at a later date.

Covid-19 Statement

Given the variety of challenges that can and will be posed by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, I
understand that issues may arise that negatively impact your performance in the course that are
beyond your control. As such, I am more than happy to work with any student experiencing
issues to ensure that they obtain the highest grade possible. I only request that anyone
experiencing such issues inform me as soon as possible so that a plan can be made to
accommodate any issues that arise. I do not need all the details of such issues, but only require
sufficient time for a plan to be discussed and enacted.

PowerPoints will be uploaded to Blackboard regularly, and should the pandemic create a
situation where in-person education is impossible, a plan for online lectures will be created.

Citations

For the responses, midterm, and Final Paper, students should use in-text citation style for
referring to the readings as follows: either (the author’s last name, year of publication) in cases
where the author’s name is not mentioned in the prior sentence OR the author’s last name (year
of publication) in sentences that mention the author’s name. Example: …(Fearon 1995). or …
Fearon… (1995). Direct quotes should be avoided due to the nature of the assignments. The
focus should be on your own analyses of the works, not quotes from them.

Due Dates and Late Assignments

Reading responses are due by 11:59 pm EST on each Tuesday as noted in the schedule below.
For each day that a response is submitted late, one point will be subtracted (out of the total of 5).
For each day the midterm or final paper is submitted late, ten percentage points will be
subtracted from the assignment’s grade. If there are any issues with submitting assignments,
please alert me as soon as they arise so any accommodations that can be made can be done so as
soon as possible.

Required Materials

All required materials will be provided through UB Learns or will be accessible from the UB
Online Library system at library.buffalo.edu

Annotated PowerPoint slides and video lectures will be posted on Monday of each week,
downloadable from UB Learns.

Grading Scale

94-100 A 77-79 C+ 0-64 F

90-93 A- 74-76 C

87-89 B+ 70-73 C-

84-86 B 67-69 D+

80-83 B- 65-66 D

Incomplete Grades

A grade of incomplete indicates that additional course work is required to fulfill the requirements
of a given course. Students may only be given an “I” grade if they have a passing average in
coursework that has been completed and have well-defined parameters to complete the course
requirements that could result in a grade better than the default grade. An “I” grade may not be
assigned to a student who did not attend the course. Prior to the end of the semester, students
must initiate the request for an “I” grade and receive the instructor’s approval. Assignment of an
“I” grade is at the discretion of the instructor.

Plagiarism Statement

Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class.
You may find more information about academic dishonesty at:
https://catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/integrity.html

Electronics Policy

Students should feel free to use any electronic devices that assist them in class, as long as such
devices do not interfere with other students’ learning. Students should be aware that there may
not be sufficient power outlets to charge devices and should plan accordingly. Students whose
devices interfere with the learning of others will be told to turn off said devices.
Students with Disabilities Policy

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination stature that provides
comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this
legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that
provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability
requiring accommodation, please notify me as soon as possible at the beginning of the semester
and upon your consultation with the UB Accessibility Resources, 60 Capen Hall.

Student Resources

The Academic Resources and Updates for Students webpage has FAQs dedicated to the fall
schedule and will provide academic updates and resources throughout the fall semester for
undergraduate and graduate students. The Student Success Gateway website is a starting point
for undergraduate students to locate information about advisors, resources and success strategies.
Additionally, free tutoring is available to all undergraduate students through numerous campus
offices, and the Center for Excellence in Writing offers writing consultation appointments for all
students. I encourage you to reach out to me or these resources should you run into any issues in
the course.

Grade Disclosure

All personal information concerning students’ performance in this course is governed by federal
privacy legislation, known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
No grades or status information can be provided to students by telephone or email. All grades
will be posted on UBlearns.

UB Portfolio

If you are completing this course as part of your UB Curriculum requirements, please select an
‘artifact’ from this course that is representative of your learning and save it in a safe location
with a clear title. Your final UB Curriculum requirement, UBC 399: UB Curriculum Capstone,
will require you to submit these ‘artifacts’ as you process and reflect on your achievement and
growth through the UB Curriculum. Artifacts include homework assignments, exams, research
papers, projects, lab reports, presentations, and other coursework. For more information, see the
UB Curriculum Capstone website: https://www.buffalo.edu/ubcurriculum/capstone.html.

Alterations to Syllabus

Alterations may occur to this syllabus, which will be followed by an announcement

electronically via email. Up-to-date copies of this syllabus can be found on UBLearns.

Detailed Schedule

It is recommended that you read each week’s articles in the order they are listed. Some articles
may include game theoretical or statistical analyses. It is not required or expected that you
understand the methodologies, but it is expected that you understand the conclusions drawn from
said analyses and the discussions of the authors on such.

Week of 8/30/21

No Class 8/30/21- Instructor at meeting

9/1/21- Introductions and Syllabus review

Read Syllabus before class

9/3/21- Review of key terms

Walt, Stephen M. "International relations: one world, many theories." Foreign policy (1998): 29-
46.

Week of 9/6/21- Realist Theory

No Class 9/6/21- Labor Day

Reading Response due 9/7/21 by 11:59pm

9/8/21, 9/10/21- Waltz, Kenneth N. "The origins of war in neorealist theory." The Journal of
Interdisciplinary History 18.4 (1988): 615-628.

Mearsheimer, John J. "The false promise of international institutions." International security 19.3
(1994): 5-49.

Week of 9/13/21- Power Transition Theory, Part 1

9/13/21- Organski, A.F.K. 1958. World Politics. Pages 298-306.

Reading Response due 9/14/21 by 11:59pm

9/15/21, 9/17/21- Tammen, Ronald L. "The Organski legacy: A fifty-year research program."
International Interactions 34.4 (2008): 314-332.

Week of 9/20/21- Power Transition Theory, Part 2

9/20/21- Kugler, Jacek, Ronald L. Tammen, and Siddharth Swaminathan. "Power Transitions
and Alliances in the 21st century." Asian Perspective (2001): 5-29.

Reading Response due 9/21/21

9/22/21, 9/24/21- Organski, Abramo FK, and Jacek Kugler. "The costs of major wars: the
phoenix factor." American Political Science Review 71.4 (1977): 1347-1366.

Sample, Susan G. "Power, Wealth, and Satisfaction: When Do Power Transitions Lead to
Conflict?." Journal of Conflict Resolution 62.9 (2018): 1905-1931.

Week of 9/27/21- Bargaining Theory, Part 1

9/27/21- Fearon, James D. "Rationalist explanations for war." International organization 49.3
(1995): 379-414.

Reading Response due 9/28/21 by 11:59pm EST

9/29/21, 10/1/21- Schelling, Thomas C. "2. THE ART OF COMMITMENT." Arms and
Influence. Yale University Press, 2008. 35-91.

Week of 10/4/21- Bargaining Theory, Part 2

10/4/21- Morrow, James D. "Chapter Three. The Strategic Setting of Choices: Signaling,
Commitment, and Negotiation in International Politics." Strategic choice and international
relations. Princeton University Press, 2020. 77-103.

Reading Response due 10/5/21 by 11:59pm EST

10/6/21, 10/8/21- Fearon, James D. "Signaling foreign policy interests: Tying hands versus
sinking costs." Journal of Conflict Resolution 41.1 (1997): 68-90.

Week of 10/11/21- Democratic Peace Theory

10/11/21- Maoz, Zeev, and Bruce Russett. "Normative and structural causes of democratic
peace, 1946–1986." American Political Science Review 87.3 (1993): 624-638.

Reading Response due 10/12/21 by 11:59pm EST

10/13/21, 10/15/21- De Mesquita, Bruce Bueno, et al. "An institutional explanation of the
democratic peace." American Political Science Review 93.4 (1999): 791-807.

Week of 10/18/21- Other Peace Theories

10/18/21- Oneal, John R., and Bruce M. Russett. "The classical liberals were right: Democracy,
interdependence, and conflict, 1950–1985." International Studies Quarterly 41.2 (1997): 267-
293
Reading Response due 10/19/21 by 11:59pm EST

10/20/21- Fortna, Virginia Page. "Interstate peacekeeping: Causal mechanisms and empirical
effects." World Politics 56.4 (2004): 481-519.

Voeten, Erik. "The political origins of the UN Security Council's ability to legitimize the use of
force." International Organization 59.3 (2005): 527-557.

No Class 10/22/21- Instructor at event

Midterm Paper due 10/22/21 by 11:59pm EST on UBLearns and Email

Week of 10/25/21- Alliances

10/25/21- Smith, Alastair. "Alliance formation and war." International Studies Quarterly 39.4
(1995): 405-425.

Reading Response due 10/26/21 by 11:59pm EST

10/27/21, 10/29/21- Huth, Paul K. "Extended deterrence and the outbreak of war." American
Political Science Review 82.2 (1988): 423-443.

Morrow, James D. "Chapter Three. The Strategic Setting of Choices: Signaling, Commitment,
and Negotiation in International Politics." Strategic choice and international relations. Princeton
University Press, 2020. 103-114.

Week of 11/1/21- Terrorism

11/1//21- Pape, Robert A. "The strategic logic of suicide terrorism." American political science
review (2003): 343-361.

Reading Response due 11/2/21 by 11:59pm EST

11/3/21, 11/5/21- Abrahms, Max. "Why terrorism does not work." International Security 31.2
(2006): 42-78.

Week of 11/8/21- Civil War

11/8/21- Collier, Paul, and Anke Hoeffler. "Greed and grievance in civil war." Oxford economic
papers 56.4 (2004): 563-595.

Reading Response due 11/7/21 by 11:59pm EST

11/10/21, 11/12/21- Regan, Patrick M., and Aysegul Aydin. "Diplomacy and other forms of
intervention in civil wars." Journal of Conflict Resolution 50.5 (2006): 736-756.

Murdoch, James C., and Todd Sandler. "Economic growth, civil wars, and spatial spillovers."
Journal of conflict resolution 46.1 (2002): 91-110.

Week of 11/15/21- Nuclear Proliferation

11/15/21- Gartzke, Erik, and Matthew Kroenig. "A strategic approach to nuclear proliferation."
Journal of Conflict Resolution 53.2 (2009): 151-160.

Reading Response due 11/16/21 by 11:59pm EST

11/17/21, 11/19/21- Bell, Mark S. "Examining explanations for nuclear proliferation."

International Studies Quarterly 60.3 (2016): 520-529.

Hymans, Jacques EC. "The threat of nuclear proliferation: Perception and reality." Ethics &
International Affairs 27.3 (2013): 281-298.

Week of 11/22/21

11/22/21- TBD

No class 11/24/21, 11/26/21- Fall Recess

Week of 11/29/21- Cybersecurity and Cyberwar

11/29/21- Smeets, Max. "A matter of time: On the transitory nature of cyberweapons." Journal of
Strategic Studies 41.1-2 (2018): 6-32.

Reading Response due 11/30/21 by 11:59pm EST

12/1/21, 12/3/21- Maness, Ryan C., and Brandon Valeriano. "The impact of cyber conflict on
international interactions." Armed Forces & Society 42.2 (2016): 301-323

Week of 12/6/21- Review

Final Paper due 12/10/21 by 11:59pm EST