POLI 388 International Conflict and Cooperation

The course introduces game theory at an elementary level. Simple models of strategic interaction and conflict will be presented in order to analyze the strategy and tactics of international (and other) deterrence, coercion, bargaining, and cooperation. Special attention will be given to doctrines of nuclear strategy and arms control and to the changing strategic balance between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War period, as well as to issues of deterrence and preemption as they arise as they arise in the present era of asymmetric conflict. Prerequisite: Junior standing, POLI 280, or permission of instructor..

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Syllabus [from Spring 2005]

Bulletin Board (Question & Answer)

Tests and Exams

        Guide To Midterm Test
        Take-Home Midterm Exam
        Guide to Final Exam

Student Research Projects

        Guidelines For Student Research Projects
        Student Research Project Topics
   Schedule for Research Reports and Optional Oral Presentations
        Student Research Projects: Executive Summaries

Guidance on Plagiarism and Academic Integrity

        UMBC: Overview of Academic Integrity
        Resources for Students
        Guidance on Plagiarism (Prof. Roy Meyers)
        "Plagiarism" by Prof. Earl Babbie

Class Handouts

        Course Overview Questions
        The Social Coordination Games
        The Social Dilemma Game
        Social Dilemmas and Related Problem of a Game-Theoretical Nature
        Overview of Game Theory
        Fundamental Distinctions, Categories, and Terminology
        Principles of Choice in Games Against Nature
        Decision Problems (Examples)
        Coordination Games
        Variations on Simple Payoff Matrices
        Review of Decision Principles and Variations (PDF)
        Non-Strictly Determined Zero-Sum Games and Mixed Strategies
        Q & A: Mixed Strategies and Non-Strictly Determined Zero-Sum Games
        Review of Strategic Situations: Simple 2×2 Payoff Matrices
        Bargaining Tactics
        Dollar Auction / Enduring Conflict Game
        Strategic Nuclear Balance During the Cold War

Problem Sets

Problem Set #1: Decision Principles
Problem Set #2: Strategic Choice in 2-Player Games

Probem Set #1: Answers and Discussion
Problem Set #2: Answers and Discussion

Other Material on Cuban Missile Crisis

        N. R. Miller, "The Cuban Missile Crisis: A Political Analysis"
        N. R. Miller, "The Cuban Missile Crisis in the International System"
        The Cuban Missile Crisis, October 18-29, 1962 (audio clips)
        The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962: The 40th Anniversary, National Security Archive,
                    George Washington University
      The Cuban Missile Crisis: A Historical Perspective, JFK Library and Foundation
        The National Security Agency and the Cuban Missile Crisis
        The Cuban Missile Crisis, Le Mémorial de Caen [France]

General Links

        UMBC Political Science Department
        Instructor's Homepage (bio, research, other courses, etc.)
        Albin O. Kuhn (UMBC) Library home page
        American Political Science Association

Current Events

        Washington Post
        New York Times on the Web (requires free registration)
        CNN World
        PBS News Hour
        C-SPAN
        BBC World Service
        The Times (London)
        The Guardian (UK)