POL 255 EXceptional Education/snaptutorial.COM

1. POL 255 Week 1 Assignment Theory, Arms Races, and the Prisoner’s Dilemma For more classes visit www.snaptutorial.com Theory, Arms Races, and the Prisoner’s Dilemma. Due by Day 7. Purpose: The primary goal of this weekly summative assignment is to explore some of the most important concepts and paradigms used in the study of international relations (IR). In this first week of class, you will utilize major IR theories along with the Prisoner’s Dilemma paradigm to analyze one of the most long-standing and perplexing international issues, an arms race. Prepare: Review the Introduction and Chapter 1 of the course text. In addition, read the assigned article, China's Double-Digit Defense Growth: What It Means for a Peaceful Rise. Reflect: The study of international relations often involves trying to describe, explain, and predict global interactions using various theoretical perspectives. Importantly, our ability to describe, explain, and predict accurately how states react to military competition, often described as arms races, is critical for expanding our understanding of global politics. Consequently, the ability not only to analyze arms races between states using established theories of international relations but also to explain these interactions using the Prisoner’s Dilemma paradigm are critical skills that all political scientists must have in order to become proficient in their chosen field of study. Write: In your assignment, complete the following: · Discuss how the article illustrates a prisoner’s dilemma.

2. · the article. · Dilemma paradigm as a guide. The Week One Assignment: o Must be at least two pages (not including title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. o Must include a separate title page with the following: o Titleofpaper o Student’sname o Course name and number o Instructor’sname o Datesubmitted • Must use at least three appropriate sources: o Thesecouldincludethearticle,thecoursetext,andanyoftherequiredorreco mmended resources for this week. o You can also include additional resources found on the Ashford University Library website. The Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. · Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the In-Text Citation Guide. · Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement. · Must include a conclusion that summarizes the main points and restates the thesis. • Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the APA References List. *************************************** POL 255 Week 1 Discussion IR Theories Strengths and Weaknesses Describe the realist, liberal, and identity perspectives reflected in Explain the best course of action for the U.S., using the Prisoner’s

3. For more classes visit www.snaptutorial.com IR Theories: Strengths and Weaknesses. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Prepare: Read the Introduction and Chapter 1 of the course text. Reflect: Perspectives have been described as “a statement or a hypothesis that explains the primary cause of what is happening—for example a struggle for power causes conflict and sometimes war” (Nau, 2017, p. 4). Our ability to describe, explain, and predict international relations (IR) are valuable skills that enable political scientists to influence and affect international politics and global leaders. One of the most important tools that international relations experts routinely utilize are theoretical perspectives. Specifically, most IR specialists are experts at using realism, liberalism, and identity perspectives to describe, explain, and predict international relations. Consequently, students of IR must master these perspectives and the intricacies of their major principles and tenets. Write: In your initial post of at least 200 words, complete the following: · Describe one strength of each of the realist, liberal, and identity perspectives. · Describe one weaknesses of each of the realist, liberal, and identity perspectives. · Assess which perspective(s) provides a more comprehensive and accurate explanation of world events. Respond to Peers: By Day 7, respond to at least two of your classmates' initial posts. Your peer responses must be at least 75 words each. As you reply to your classmates, attempt to take the conversation further by examining their claims or arguments in more depth, or responding to the posts that they make to you. Keep the discussion on target and try to

4. analyze things in as much detail as you can. For instance, you might evaluate a classmate’s assessment of perspective strengths and weaknesses compared to your own assessments. *************************************** POL 255 Week 1 QUIZ For more classes visit www.snaptutorial.com POL 255 Week 1 QUIZ *************************************** POL 255 Week 2 A Levels of A and the Crisis in Syria For more classes visit www.snaptutorial.com POL 255 Week 2 A Levels of A and the Crisis in Syria

5. *************************************** POL 255 Week 2 Discussion Communicating National Interests For more classes visit www.snaptutorial.com Prepare: Read Chapters 2, 3, and 4 of the course text. Reflect: Effective and timely communications among international actors is essential for a peaceful and predictable international environment. History is replete with examples of both effective, timely communications and ineffective, poorly timed communications between international actors. Effective, timely communications enables actors to share interests, to establish constructive and collaborative relationships, and to maintain stable and progressive foreign affairs. Ineffective, inopportune communications can result in conflict, reduce cooperation, and increase stress and fear among international actors. International disputes, diplomatic incidents, and even wars, have resulted from ineffective, inopportune communications. Success and failure can often be attributed to similar or contrasting theoretical perspectives on how to conduct foreign affairs. Therefore, a more in-depth understanding of how communications are sent, received, and interpreted is needed in order to understand global politics. Write: In your initial post of at least 200 words, complete only the portions you are assigned: · If your last name begins with A - M, you must complete the following:

6. 1. II, and the Cold War, one example from each conflict of effective, timely communications of national interests between international actors. 2. Explain what factor(s) made the communications effective and timely. · If your last name begins with N - Z, you must complete the following: 1. Identify, from the course text readings on World War I, World War II, and the Cold War, one example from each conflict of ineffective, poorly timed communications of national interests between international actors. 2. Explain what factor(s) made the communications ineffective and poorly timed. Respond to Peers: By Day 7, respond to at least two of your classmates' initial posts. Your peer responses must be at least 75 words each. As you reply to your classmates, attempt to take the conversation further by examining their claims or arguments in more depth or responding to the posts that they make to you. Keep the discussion on target and try to analyze things in as much detail as you can. If your last name begins with A - M, respond to someone whose last name begins with N - Z. If your last name begins with N - Z, respond to someone whose last name begins with A - M. For example, discuss the similarities or differences between the main factors that contributed to the effectiveness and the main factors that contributed to the ineffectiveness of the communications. *************************************** Identify, from the course text readings on World War I, World War POL 255 Week 2 QUIZ

7. For more classes visit www.snaptutorial.com POL 255 Week 2 QUIZ *************************************** POL 255 Week 3 Assignment Moral and Ethical Dilemmas from America’s Use of Drones For more classes visit www.snaptutorial.com Moral and Ethical Dilemmas from America’s Use of Drones. Due by Day 7. Purpose: The primary goal of our third summative assignment is to explore the moral and ethical conduct of foreign policy. Specifically, you will use the moral/ethical concepts of relativism, universalism, and pragmatism to analyze the use of unmanned drones by the U.S. to achieve national security objectives. Prepare: Review Chapters 5, 6 and 7 in the course text. In addition, watch the video, The U.S. Drone Program is Fatally Flawed: A Debate. Reflect: The contemporary international system is faced with many challenges and opportunities. Major challenges and opportunities emerge from international events that often create ethical and moral

8. dilemmas. Challenges (i.e., how to treat our fellow humans morally and ethically) or opportunities (i.e., how to establish absolute standards of human conduct and behavior in international affairs) are part of these enduring moral and ethical dilemmas. Scholars have developed conceptions of moral and ethical behavior that enable us to better understand and evaluate these challenges and opportunities. Among these conceptions are relativism, universalism, and pragmatism. A deeper understanding of these concepts will enable you to expand your investigations of complex and contentious international events, such as the use of drones to implement foreign policy goals. Write: In your assignment, complete the following: • Based on the video, discuss the relativistic, universalistic, and pragmatic moral and ethical arguments for the use of drones. • Based on the video, discuss the relativistic, universalistic, and pragmatic moral and ethical arguments against the use of drones. • Identify one argument that best supports U.S. national security objectives and explain why. *************************************** POL 255 Week 3 Discussion The Contemporary International System For more classes visit www.snaptutorial.com

9. The Contemporary International System. 1st Post Due by Day 3. Prepare: Read Chapters 5, 6, and 7 of the course text. Reflect: Realist, liberal, and identity perspectives provide excellent insights into today’s contemporary world. The realist perspective generally emphasizes the importance of power in international politics. In general, power is the capacity to influence others to do things that they would otherwise not be likely to do. Power is derived from many sources, but realists often emphasize in particular military power and the control of vital resources. Liberal views of the contemporary world focus on the integrating forces of international institutions and economic interdependence. The 1990s, according to the liberal perspective, provides extensive examples of the role of international institutions in collective security, legitimizing intervention into the affairs of other states. Identity perspectives focus on religious, ethnic, and national differences and on the role of political reform in integrating different groups and promoting tolerance. The identity perspective sees ethnic conflicts as socially created and advocates tolerance and democratization as the most effective answers to those conflicts. Consequently, knowledge of all three perspectives is needed in order to form a coherent, comprehensive picture of today’s international environment. Write: In your initial post of at least 200 words, use one of the major IR perspectives (realist, liberal, or identity) discussed for support to explain which is the greater threat in today’s world: ethnic conflicts or terrorism? Why? Respond to Peers: By Day 7, respond to at least two of your classmates' initial posts. Your peer responses must be at least 75 words each. As your reply to your classmates, attempt to take the conversation further by examining their claims or arguments in more depth or responding to the posts that they make to you. Keep the discussion on target and try to analyze things in as much detail as you can. Make sure you analyze a classmate’s forum answer that applies a different IR perspective than the one you applied. Compare and contrast your response to your classmate’s and assess who has the most credible and valid argument.

10. POL 255 Week 3 DQ For more classes visit www.snaptutorial.com In your initial post of at least 200 words, use one of the major IR perspectives (realist, liberal, or identity) discussed for support to explain which is the greater threat in today’s world: ethnic conflicts or terrorism? Why? *************************************** POL 255 Week 4 Assignment Easter Island Full of Mystery For more classes visit www.snaptutorial.com POL 255 Week 4 Assignment Easter Island Full of Mystery ***************************************

11. For more classes visit www.snaptutorial.com In your initial post of at least 200 words, address the primary differences between how mainstream perspectives (realist, liberal, and identity) and the critical theory perspectives explain globalization? *************************************** POL 255 Week 5 DQ For more classes visit www.snaptutorial.com  Which international relations theoretical perspective offers the strongest (and weakest) explanations for the democratic peace? Why?  Will the democratic peace be a long-lasting phenomenon? Why or why not?  In response to the democratic peace, should U.S. foreign policy encourage the spread of democracy? If so, how? ***************************************