Special Topics Center for International

Spring 1999 Programs

3 credits 124 Bowman Hall, x. 7980

MWF 11:00-11:50 Email: rrobyn@kent.edu

203 Bowman Hall Office hours: MWF 12:00-1:00

Course listserve: nato-l@listserv.kent.edu
 
 

Course Objectives: The overall objective of this course is to provide a solid grounding for both a theoretical and practical understanding of the workings of what has been called the most successful international organization in world history: the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). To that end, we will first examine NATO in the broad theoretical context of international organizations in the latter part of the twentieth century, and then look more closely at the organization itself: its history, purpose, structure, place in the contemporary world, and current issues.
 

As part of providing a practical understanding of NATO, a major aspect of the course will be to prepare you to participate in the 1999 Fourteenth Annual Model NATO Conference, to be held at Howard University in Washington, D.C., February 23-27, 1999. The Model NATO, jointly sponsored by Kent State and Howard, involves teams of students from a variety of universities around the U.S. who come together in Washington to represent the various member (or prospective member) countries of NATO in a simulated ministerial session of that organization.
 

NB: In order to participate in the Model NATO, you will miss several days (Tuesday-Saturday) of classes. You should be sure you will be able to miss that much class time in the middle of spring semester, and not hurt your chances to have a successful semester. While Kent professors have readily permitted students to miss their classes in order to attend the Model, you should be sure that you secure their permission (with a letter of certification of attendance from me).
 

Because the 1999 Kent State team is to represent France, many of the readings and examples in the course will relate to that country and its interesting and complex relationship with NATO. However, there are usually opportunities for Kent students at the Model to represent other countries in Europe that relate to NATO (either as members or prospective members). Every effort will be made to accommodate those students, both in course content and participation at the Model NATO.
 

A final objective of the course is to ensure that you develop a basic understanding of NATO as an international organization (its structure, key personnel, etc.) and the geography of NATO, not only of the sixteen member countries that comprise NATO itself, but of certain "out of area" countries that have been or could be of critical importance to the organization. A quiz will therefore be given before the Model NATO to help provide incentive to learn this information.
 
 

Course Requirements:
 

Assigned Readings: Readings listed in the syllabus are required and should be read before the class in which they are assigned. Class discussions will be based on and add to these readings.
 

Sean Kay (1998) NATO and the Future of European Security (New York: Rowman & Littlefield). (in the bookstore)
 

S. Victor Papacosma and Mary Ann Heiss (eds.) (1995) NATO in the Post-Cold War Era: Does It Have a Future? (New York: St. Martin's Press). (on reserve in the library)
 

Assorted articles. (on reserve in the library, or handed out in class)
 

NATO Handbook (1998) NATO Office of Information and Press, Brussels, Belgium. (to be given to Model NATO participants)
 

Delegation Handbook (1999) Fourteenth Annual Model NATO Conference. (to be given to Model NATO participants)
 

Since this course is built around NATO, an important player in the international scene, it is expected that students will keep up with current events, especially as related to Europe, NATO, the UN, etc. Most classes will begin with a brief discussion of what is happening in the world. Fairly regular reading of newspapers such as The New York Times or watching CNN or The Lehrer Hour on PBS are highly recommended.
 

Attendance: Because this course is in large part a preparation for an event that requires substantial participation, class attendance is required.
 

Papers: There is no exam for this course, and no quizzes other than the one over basic NATO information and geography on February 19 (discussed above). There is, however, substantial written and oral work required of students, parts of which are due at different points during the semester. Please note these dates carefully. Written work consists of the following three assignments:

(1) Position paper: Approximating an actual NATO country position presentation, this paper is a 1-2 page concise, focused, logically constructed articulation of a country's position on a particular topic of concern to that country with respect to NATO. A 5-minute in-class presentation based on the position paper will be required. Both of these activities will help to prepare you for the Model NATO, in which significant time is spent in presentation and debate over country positions on relevant topics. DUE: FEBRUARY 19.
 

(2) Reaction journal: This paper will be approximately the size of a bluebook (5-10 computer-typed pages), and will be a response to the Model NATO and to the course in general as well. Include responses to readings when appropriate, dilemmas, expectations, questions, fears, concerns, ethical considerations, what you learned or feel you did not learn well enough. The journal may be considered a semi-formal, semi-autobiographical account of your experience in the course up to and including the Model NATO. DUE: MARCH 8.
 

(3) Term paper: The term paper will offer you the opportunity to integrate in a more formal way the information learned in the course about NATO, about International Organizations that interact with NATO, and/or about France (or another country if you represent one) and its relationship with NATO. The paper, of 5-10 pages in length, will be evaluated on the basis of content, clarity of argument, and writing style (including grammar, spelling, and punctuation). DUE: MAY 7.
 

The process of writing the paper will not be accomplished in one step but (as with all good writing) will be done in stages. The critical components of this process are:
 

Topic: Before writing a paper, you need to figure out what question you are attempting to answer. In this assignment, you are to hand in a statement of your basic research question. (Details to be discussed in class.) This assigment is to be submitted in class on Monday, April 5. It will not be graded, but 2 points will be deducted from the final paper for every day it is late.
 

Outline: Before writing a paper, you need to figure out how to organize the relevant material to make an effective argument about the subject matter. In this assignment, you are to hand in a proposed outline of your paper. (Details to be discussed in class.) This assignment is to be submitted in class on Friday, April 16. It will not be graded, but 2 points will be deducted from the final paper for every day it is late.
 

Annotated Bibliography: Before writing a paper, you need as well to research the subject matter. In this assignment, you are to hand in a short, annotated bibliography containing both Internet and other sources for your paper. (Details to be discussed in class.) This assignment is to be submitted in class on Friday, April 23. It also will not be graded, but 2 points will be deducted from the final paper for every day it is late.
 

Final Paper: Your final paper is due on Friday, May 7. One full grade will be deducted for every day (including Saturday and Sunday) that the paper is late. I recommend (but do not require) that you submit a draft of your paper well before it is due so that you can receive timely feedback.
 

Grading: Grades for the course will be based on the following criteria:
 

Quiz 10% (20 points)

Position Paper

& Presentation 20% (40 points)

Reaction Paper 10% (20 points)

Term paper & Presentation 30% (60 points)

Attendance 10% (20 points)

Participation in class 10% (20 points)

Participation in Model NATO 10% (20 points)

TOTAL 100% (200 points)
 
 
 
 

Students with Disabilities. In accordance with University policy, if you have a disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact me at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which an accommodation is required. Students with disabilities must verify their eligibility through the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) in the Michael Schwartz Student Services Center (672-3391).
 
 

Schedule of Events and Assignments on next page.
 
 
 
 

Schedule of Events and Assignments
 
 

DATE ACTIVITIES & ASSIGNMENTS
 

FALL SEMESTER
 

W 10/7 Informational Meeting.
 
 

SPRING SEMESTER
 

W 1/20 Orientation to course.
 

F 1/22 Orientation to the Model NATO. NATO on the Web.

Assignment: Model NATO Handbook (pp. 2-31). "Some Web Sites" and "Web Searching Questions" (HANDOUTS). Report on NATO website visit.
 

M 1/25 Orientation to NATO as an International Organization.

Assignment: Papacosma & Heiss (pp. 39-70; 339-346) (ON RESERVE); NATO Handbook (pp. 17-28, 50-58, 93-185).
 

W 1/27 NATO and International Relations: Theoretical Considerations and Key Concepts.

Assignment: "Key IR Concepts"; check Hughes, Continuity and Change in World Politics index to look up key concepts (ON RESERVE); Kay (pp. 1-11). Not required but recommended: Stein "Coordination and Collaboration: Regimes in an Anarchic World" (ON RESERVE).

DISCUSS PAPER TOPICS.
 

F 1/29 Has NATO Made a Difference? Has NATO "Caused Peace"? Two Views.

Assignment: Papacosma & Heiss (pp. 1-38).
 

M 2/1 NATO: Current Issues. New Functions.

Assignment: Kay (pp. 89-146); NATO Handbook (pp. 31- 90); Klaiber, "NATO-Russia Relationship a Year After Paris"; Isegg, "Overview of NATO's Current Agenda" (HANDOUTS).

DECIDE ON COMMITTEE PREFERENCE.
 

W 2/3 NATO: Current Issues. Out of area: NATO in the Balkans. Guest speaker: Dr. S. Victor Papacosma.

Assignment: Papacosma & Heiss (pp.245-302).
 

F 2/5 France in NATO: History. Guest speaker: Dr. Mark Rubin.

Assignment: Kramer, "France & International Security Cooperation"; Boniface, "French Nuclear Weapons Policy After the Cold War" (BOTH ON RESERVE). Department of State Background Notes: France (http://www.state.gov/www/background_notes/)
 
 

M 2/8 France in NATO: Current Issues. Presentation: Anessa Kimball.

Assignment: Menon, "From Independence to Cooperation: France, NATO and European Security"; Grant, "France's New Relationship with NATO" (BOTH ON RESERVE).

W 2/10 France in NATO: Cross-Cultural Issues.

Assignment: Cyberchat: Larry Chalmer, Director, NATO Staff Orientation Course (email: nato- l@listserv.kent.edu)."Working on French Time"; "Travel Advisory"; Barry, "You Can Always Tell a Frenchman in Paris" (HANDOUTS).
 

F 2/12 Future of NATO.

Assignment: Kay (pp. 147-156). Papacosma & Heiss (pp. 71-92); Glaser, "Why NATO is Still Best: Future Security Arrangements for Europe"; Holbrooke, "The Future of NATO and Europe's Changing Security Landscape" (ALL ON RESERVE).
 

M 2/15 Model NATO: Rules, Parliamentary procedure. Begin Country position presentations.

Assignment: Delegation Handbook (pp. 31-36).

W 2/17 Country position presentations
 

F 2/19 Country position presentations. QUIZ. POSITION PAPERS DUE.
 

M 2/22 Last-minute trip details. Discuss embassy briefing.

Assignment: prepare questions for embassy briefing.
 
 

* Tues., Feb. 23 - Sat., Feb 27 Fourteenth Annual Model NATO * Conference, Washington, D.C.
 
 

March - April Working on papers. Individual meetings with instructor, when needed.
 

M 3/1 Debriefing: Model NATO. DISCUSS PAPER TOPICS and writing the research paper. Handouts: research paper writing.
 

W 3/3 NATO and IR on the Web.

Assignment: "Some Possible Websites"; NATO on the Web "Search Questions" (HANDOUTS).

MID-TERM COURSE EVALUATION.
 

F 3/5 NO CLASS.
 

M 3/8 NATO and other International Organizations: UN, OSCE, Security Structures in Europe.

Assignment: Papacosma & Heiss (pp.93-150); Falk, "Appraising the U.N. at 50: The Looming Challenge" (BOTH ON RESERVE).

REACTION JOURNAL DUE.
 

W 3/10 Discussion: Should the US remain in Bosnia?

Assignment: Web Search: Bosnia. Prepare 2-3 reasons affirmative and 2-3 reasons negative.
 

F 3/12 NO CLASS.
 

M 3/15 Debate: Should NATO Enlarge?

Assignment: reread Kay (Chap. 5); prepare for debate.
 

W 3/17 Debate: Did NATO Win the Cold War?

Assignment: reread 1/29 assignment; prepare for debate.
 

F 3/19 NO CLASS.
 

M 3/22 Working in an International Organization.

Assignment: Cyberchat: Eric Robyn, Col., US Army (Ret.), former aide to General Bernard Rogers, SACEUR Commander (email: nato-l@listserv.kent.edu). Marshall, "The Untied States of Europe" (HANDOUT); Fisher, "International Negotiation: First Considerations: The Players and the Situation" (ON RESERVE).
 

W 3/24 Working in an International Organization (cont'd)

or

Working in the Foreign Service: An Ambassador's Perspectives. Guest speaker: Charles Dunbar.

Assignment: no additional readings.
 

F 3/26 NO CLASS.
 

3/27 - 4/4 SPRING BREAK *** NO CLASSES
 

M 4/5 NATO's Lifeline: U.S. Foreign Policy

Assignment: Hughes, "Continuity and Change in World Politics" ("Opening the State": pp. 182-213) (ON RESERVE).

TERM PAPER TOPIC DUE
 

W 4/7 U.S. Foreign Policy Process I.

Assignment: No additional readings.
 

F 4/9 U.S. Foreign Policy Process II.

Assignment: Trubowitz, "Why Consensus is So Elusive in U.S. Foreign Policy"; Hoagland, "The President's Inattentive Foreign Policy"; "Early Elections in 1997 Halted France's Long Journey Back Into NATO" (HANDOUTS).
 

M 4/12 IR and popular culture.

Assignment: Hixson, "Red Storm Rising: Tom Clancy Novels and the Cult of National Security" (ON RESERVE).
 

W 4/14 The Cold War and popular culture: Dr. Strangelove.
 
 

F 4/16 Discussion: Dr. Strangelove.

TERM PAPER OUTLINE DUE
 

M 4/19 The Future of Warfare I.

Assignment: Snow, Chapter One: Uncivil Wars (ON RESERVE); Wright, "New Warfare May Produce Few 'Tangible Victories'"; NYT, "New Method of Waging War is Developing"; Glass, "Another JFK in the White House?" (HANDOUTS).
 

W 4/21 The Future of Warfare II.

Assignment: No additional readings.
 

F 4/23 NO CLASS.

TERM PAPER ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE. (OPTIONAL: ROUGH DRAFT OF TERM PAPER)
 

M 4/26 Collective Defense/Security/Conflict Management. The New Security Debates. Guest lecture: Steven Hook.

Assignment: Reread Glaser (2/12); Downs & Iida, "Assessing the Theoretical Case Against Collective Security"; Kupchan, "The Case for Collective Security." (ON RESERVE). Hook & Robyn, "Collective Security versus Collective Defense: NATO's Dual Mission." (HANDOUT)
 

W 4/28 Discussion: the Future of NATO. Europe in 2050.

Assignment: reread 2/12 assignments. Also: Hughes, Continuity and Change in World Politics, Chapter 20 (ON RESERVE); Kay, "NATO's Strategic Choices Will Determine Health, Vitality" (HANDOUT).
 

F 4/30 NO CLASS.
 

M 5/3 Term Paper presentations.
 

W 5/5 Term Paper presentations. Farewell party.
 

F 5/7 Kent State Conference: NATO After 50 Years.

TERM PAPER DUE.
 

S 5/8 (optional) Kent State Conference: NATO After 50 Years.
 

M 5/10 Final Exam Time (10:30-12:30): Term Paper presentations (if needed) and discussion of course and conference.