This undergraduate “special studies” class explores the concept of geopolitics—a term with widely varying connotations and a notably checkered past.  The goals of the class are to explore the nature and meaning of the term geopolitics and to consider the relevance of geopolitics for the on-going conduct of international relations. 

“Special studies” classes offer the opportunity for exploration of a particular topic in more depth than is possible in a more general class.  In the case of this class, exploration will proceed through common reading and discussion of material in: John Agnew, Geopolitics: Re-visioning world politics, 2^nd ed., London and New York: Routledge, 2003 (hereinafter referred to as Text).  In addition, students will also conduct independent research on a geopolitical issue or topic of personal interest.  The latter weeks of the seminar will be devoted to presentations and discussion of student research.

            The formal requirements for the class reflect the fact that it is a two-credit offering.  Students are expected (1) to participate in class discussions, (2) to identify, with a partner, a research topic and a short newspaper/magazine article the class can read about the research topic, (3) to give an oral presentation, with a partner, of their research and (4) to put together, with a partner, an annotated bibliography of the sources consulted in preparing the presentation. Grades for the seminar will be on a pass/no pass basis; acceptable performance in each of the four categories of student participation is necessary to receive a passing grade.

April 3             Introduction to the subject area

                        Changing understandings of geopolitics

                        Discussion of requirements

April 10           The modern geopolitical imagination

                        Ways of conceptualizing the world through time

                        Labeling the world as geopolitical practice

            Reading:  Text, chapters 1 & 2

April 17           The time-space nexus

                        The state system and geopolitics

            Reading:  Text, chapters 3 & 4

April 24           The pursuit of hegemony in the international system

            Contemporary approaches to geopolitics

            Reading:  Text, chapters 5 & 6

May 1             Contemporary geopolitical debates over terrorism

            Reading:  Text, chapter 7

May 8             Wither geopolitics

            Reading:  Text, chapter 8 and additional article TBA

May 15           Student presentations

Reading:  student-selected articles

May 22           Student presentations

Reading:  student-selected articles

May 29           Student presentations

Reading:  student-selected articles

June 5             Student presentations

Reading:  student-selected articles

******Annotated bibliographies are due in class on June 5******