International Relations: Perspectives and Controversies - Softcover

Shimko, Keith L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0618783504 ISBN 13: 9780618783502

Publisher: Cengage Learning, 2007

Synopsis

International Relations: Perspectives and Controversies offers an innovative approach to this introductory course. Each of the topical chapters covers an enduring and important debate in the field and examines how political actors or political thinkers explain and defend their different opinions. This format offers the students the chance to understand important issues in International Relations as dynamic struggles over resources and power.Each chapter is structured in four parts. The first part provides a historical overview of the issue, its origins, evolution, and current status. The middle two sections of each chapter map out the opposing or contrasting points of view within the debate. These debates are followed by an evaluation of the merits of each position and the scholarly and political assessment of the situation.The goal of the text is to help students think systematically and critically about international affairs. By distilling the discussion from a variety of viewpoints (rather than simply providing articles by scholars who disagree), the author highlights meaningful distinctions among differing political positions in a way that helps students understand not only the headlines from today and yesterday, but more importantly, those from tomorrow.

About this title

About the Author:

Keith L. Shimko, Ph.D., is associate professor of political science at Purdue University. He has taught Introduction to International Relations since 1990 and has won several school and university-wide teaching awards. Dr. Shimko is the author of IMAGES AND ARMS CONTROL: PERCEPTIONS OF THE SOVIET UNION IN THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION (Michigan, 1991), which was named a CHOICE outstanding academic book and received the Lynne-Reinner/Quincy Wright Award, as well as THE IRAQ WARS AND AMERICA'S MILITARY REVOUTION (Cambridge, 2010). He received his B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College and his Ph.D. from Indiana University.

Review:

"A well-written text that highlights some of the most pressing issues of the contemporary international system."

"I am very impressed with Professor Shimko"s text and think it is a great benefit to instructors teaching introductory level international relations courses..."

About this edition

• Publisher: Cengage Learning
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0618783504
• ISBN 13: 9780618783502
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 400