Thorsten Spehn, who teaches online International Relations and Comparative Politics classes in our department, uses open-book quizzes in place of midterm and final exams in his courses. He believes that this provides structure and accountability for learning in an online environment where “students can easily forget about the course and its weekly requirements.”

“Initially I used closed book quizzes in my classes,” notes Spehn, “but compliance cannot be verified.” He credits Susan Gustin from the UCD history department for inspiring him to try open book quizzes. He explains that these quizzes “provide a focus for the most important learning-objectives of the course—theoretical assumptions and defining IR terms and knowledge about IR issues.”

What do the quizzes look like?

“I stress teaching practical application of theories to concrete issues in IR,” Spehn says. “I emphasize questions that demonstrate student knowledge of theoretical assumptions rather than facts that can be Googled.”

A sample quiz with student stats and an answer key plus Spehn's study guide for the sample quiz are below this article. Six quizzes are administered. Each quiz covers two weeks of material. The lowest score is dropped. The remaining five quizzes count for 50% of the course grade. The quizzes are timed via Canvas and students are given one hour and ten minutes to complete each quiz.

Spehn’s pedagogical design goes beyond traditional quizzes in many ways, including:

1. A reminder in the weeks the semester’s quizzes are due.
2. A study guide that outlines the most important material.
3. A post-quiz key and review (an example is attached below this article.) This includes statistics of student responses and answer explanations “to improve the learning effect of the quizzes.”  

“I want to demonstrate the fairness of the questions,” Spehn says of including the overall course quiz performance statistics, “and reduce criticism that the course or questions are too difficult or unfair.”

3042 E Quiz 1 Answer Key and Explanation

Question 1

European states have not fought a war against each other since World War II. This is the longest period of peace on the continent. The following statement illustrates what function of theory?

"Peace in Europe is the result of Europeans having become friends and war is not an acceptable way of resolving conflict between friends." 

 

A table of answers and brief statistics regarding student answer choices.
Answer Text	Number of Respondents	Percent of respondents selecting this answer	Answer Distribution
explanation, (Correct answer)explanation	42 respondents	60 %
prescription, (Incorrect answer)prescription	4 respondents	6 %
description, (Incorrect answer)description	8 respondents	11 %
categorization, (Incorrect answer)categorization	3 respondents	4 %
all of the above, (Incorrect answer)all of the above	13 respondents	19 %

 

Comment: An explanation involves the specification of cause (independent variable) and effect (dependent variable). In this case, friendship (independent variable) causes peace (dependent variable). Different functions of theories were outlined on page 1b.

 

Question 2

"There are 195 independent states in the world. States are characterized by territory, population, an internationally recognized central government and sovereignty, which refers to the right of non-interference from other states in the internal affairs of the state."

What function of theory does this statement illustrate?

 

A table of answers and brief statistics regarding student answer choices.
Answer Text	Number of Respondents	Percent of respondents selecting this answer	Answer Distribution
explanation, (Incorrect answer)explanation	9 respondents	13 %
description, (Correct answer)description	50 respondents	71 %
prescription, (Incorrect answer)prescription	5 respondents	7 %
none of the above, (Incorrect answer)none of the above	6 respondents	9 %

 

Comment: The statement tells us a story about there being states and their characteristics (description). There is nothing about cause and effect (explanation) or policy suggestions (prescription). Different functions of theories were outlined on page Canvas page 1b.

 

Question 3

A very important distinction in International Relations is that between sovereign states and nations. Even journalists frequently confuse the two with each other. In IR, we cannot do that because many problems are caused by the difference. Which of the following entities are considered nations and not states?

A table of answers and brief statistics regarding student answer choices.
Answer Text	Number of Respondents	Percent of respondents selecting this answer	Answer Distribution
The Quebecois, (Correct answer)The Quebecois	50 respondents	71 %
The Iraqis, (Incorrect answer)The Iraqis	3 respondents	4 %
The Americans, (Incorrect answer)The Americans	13 respondents	19 %
The Canadians, (Incorrect answer)The Canadians	1 respondents	1 %
The Nigerians, (Incorrect answer)The Nigerians	3 respondents	4 %

 

Comment: Only the Quebecois (French-speakers in Canada) are a distinct national group. All other terms refer to citizens of a multiethnic state. For instance, Iraq has Shi’ite, Sunni and Kurdish divisions that have caused a lot of conflict. In fact, it is difficult to find someone who is Iraqi first and any of the mentioned groups second. The opposite is usually the truth. This, in part, explains why ISIS was able to defeat the Iraqi military: It simply did not fight as a team of citizens because of the national divisions.

 

Question 4

Realist theory focuses on some aspects of states more than others. More than anything else, what makes a state government unique compared to other organizations or groups in society. 

 

A table of answers and brief statistics regarding student answer choices.
Answer Text	Number of Respondents	Percent of respondents selecting this answer	Answer Distribution
it coordinates human activity within a territory., (Incorrect answer)it coordinates human activity within a territory.	23 respondents	33 %
the ability to administer social services within a territory., (Incorrect answer)the ability to administer social services within a territory.	12 respondents	17 %
the absolute control over legitimate violence within a territory., (Correct answer)the absolute control over legitimate violence within a territory.	34 respondents	49 %
the ability to coordinate religious activity for society, (Incorrect answer)the ability to coordinate religious activity for society		0 %
providing health care, (Incorrect answer)providing health care	1 respondents	1 %

 

Comment: Any private institution can provide services. If states lose the control over legitimate violence, the state ends (civil war, secession, conquest by outsiders).

 

Question 5

How do realists view international governmental organizations (IGOs)?

 

A table of answers and brief statistics regarding student answer choices.
Answer Text	Number of Respondents	Percent of respondents selecting this answer	Answer Distribution
They are essential in allowing states to cooperate., (Incorrect answer)They are essential in allowing states to cooperate.	9 respondents	13 %
IGOs are relatively efficient in addressing key issues areas in international relations., (Incorrect answer)IGOs are relatively efficient in addressing key issues areas in international relations.	4 respondents	6 %
IGOs are set up by and serve the interests of the most powerful states., (Correct answer)IGOs are set up by and serve the interests of the most powerful states.	40 respondents	57 %
IGOs create norms that help pursue states a progressive human future., (Incorrect answer)IGOs create norms that help pursue states a progressive human future.	1 respondents	1 %
None of the above, (Incorrect answer)None of the above	16 respondents	23 %

 

Comments: Realists do not believe that international law or organizations have any independent power compared to states. In other words, if you want to find out what the interests of the UN are, you need to find out the interests of the US, China, and Russia. If you want to know the interest of the EU, look to Germany and France.

Question 6

Which of the following concepts is the most crucial to realist thinking about the present condition of international relations? 

 

A table of answers and brief statistics regarding student answer choices.
Answer Text	Number of Respondents	Percent of respondents selecting this answer	Answer Distribution
the possibility of cooperation, (Incorrect answer)the possibility of cooperation	9 respondents	13 %
the existence of norms, (Incorrect answer)the existence of norms	3 respondents	4 %
the lawless nature of international relations called anarchy, (Correct answer)the lawless nature of international relations called anarchy	50 respondents	71 %
the division of the world into economic classes, (Incorrect answer)the division of the world into economic classes	5 respondents	7 %
none of the above, (Incorrect answer)none of the above	3 respondents	4 %

 

Comment: The first word for realists is always anarchy. It explains why states are fighting for survival and power, why arms races and war occur, why international law and norms are useless without central authority. There will be no change in the world unless anarchy is replaced with hierarchical order like central governments within states.

 

 

Question 7

During the Cold War, most of the power within the international system was concentrated in two superpowers. Realists refer to this condition as bipolarity and they consider it to have been of great benefit to the stability of the international system.

 

A table of answers and brief statistics regarding student answer choices.
Answer Text	Number of Respondents	Percent of respondents selecting this answer	Answer Distribution
True, (Correct answer)True	58 respondents	83 %
False, (Incorrect answer)False

 

Comment: To Realists, bipolarity (most of the power in two states) produces a more secure balance of power which improves the prospects for stability and peace. Any other distribution of capabilities within the system causes opposition or imperial overstretch (unipolarity) or repositioning in alliances (multipolarity).  

 

Question 8

Prior to the US invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003, realists took out a full-page ad in the New York Times, warning against the action. What was/were their reasons? Take a look at the ad. 

A table of answers and brief statistics regarding student answer choices.
Answer Text	Number of Respondents	Percent of respondents selecting this answer	Answer Distribution
War does not advance US national interests., (Incorrect answer)War does not advance US national interests.	9 respondents	13 %
The invasion would cause instability in the region., (Incorrect answer)The invasion would cause instability in the region.		0 %
There would be ethnic and religious conflict., (Incorrect answer)There would be ethnic and religious conflict.	1 respondents	1 %
The real threat was Al Qaida, not Iraq, (Incorrect answer)The real threat was Al Qaida, not Iraq	1 respondents	1 %
all of the above, (Correct answer)all of the above	59 respondents	84 %

 

Comment: This was more of a mini research exercise. The realists were correct about Iraq.

 

Question 9

A country develops a new type of military technology designed to make it safer from the threat of other states. The neighbors quickly work on a technology to neutralize the threat. In 1906, Britain developed the first modern battleship which was more powerful than all other ships in the world combined. Germany countered by developing a submarine fleet. What do realists call this problem that occurs when one country's safety makes other countries less safe? 

 

A table of answers and brief statistics regarding student answer choices.
Answer Text	Number of Respondents	Percent of respondents selecting this answer	Answer Distribution
the security problem, (Incorrect answer)the security problem		0 %
the security dilemma, (Correct answer)the security dilemma	56 respondents	80 %
balance of power, (Incorrect answer)balance of power	11 respondents	16 %
defensive fallacy, (Incorrect answer)defensive fallacy	3 respondents	4 %
none of the above, (Incorrect answer)none of the above		0 %

 

Comments:

Realists use the term security dilemma to describe the constantly occurring situation in IR where one state tries to make itself more secure which, given anarchy, will trigger defensive responses from both opponents and even allies. The result of this are arms races which undermine everyone’s security even more.

Question 10

China is getting more powerful. Of course, much of this power is the result of trade with the United States. How do realists feel about the trade relationship from the American position? 

 

A table of answers and brief statistics regarding student answer choices.
Answer Text	Number of Respondents	Percent of respondents selecting this answer	Answer Distribution
Things are good. Both countries benefit from the trading arrangement., (Incorrect answer)Things are good. Both countries benefit from the trading arrangement.	5 respondents	7 %
This is an unfair relationship because American workers lose their jobs., (Incorrect answer)This is an unfair relationship because American workers lose their jobs.	1 respondents	1 %
China gains relatively more from the trading relationship which will reduce US power relative to China over time. This is not good for the United States., (Correct answer)China gains relatively more from the trading relationship which will reduce US power relative to China over time. This is not good for the United States.	52 respondents	74 %
The trading relationship is beneficial because it reduces animosity between the two countries., (Incorrect answer)The trading relationship is beneficial because it reduces animosity between the two countries.	12 respondents	17 %

 

Comments: Realists worry about relative gains: The ability of one party to gain disproportionately from trade and to be able to get more powerful over time.

 

Question 11

Two states are hostile towards each other. They verbally attack each other on a daily basis for many years but war does not break out between them. How do realists explain this? 

 

A table of answers and brief statistics regarding student answer choices.
Answer Text	Number of Respondents	Percent of respondents selecting this answer	Answer Distribution
The two states are pacifist so war is considered an immoral option., (Incorrect answer)The two states are pacifist so war is considered an immoral option.	3 respondents	4 %
The two states are too weak to wage war., (Incorrect answer)The two states are too weak to wage war.		0 %
International organizations are mediating which prevents a conflict., (Incorrect answer)International organizations are mediating which prevents a conflict.	3 respondents	4 %
The two states are evenly balanced in their power. None can hope to win in a confrontation., (Correct answer)The two states are evenly balanced in their power. None can hope to win in a confrontation.	61 respondents	87 %
Third parties are mediating the conflict., (Incorrect answer)Third parties are mediating the conflict.	2 respondents	3 %
No Answer, (Incorrect answer)No Answer	1 respondents	1 %

 

Comments:

Realists look for balances of power to explain absence of conflict (peace). They do not consider any other type of explanation as important because states are sovereign and they are always able to fight when they feel threatened. I deliberately put the word “balance” into the correct answer.

 

    PSC 3042 E                                                                                         Quiz 1 Study Guide

 

                       

Part I: Theories

 

Theory in International Relations

• what is a theory?
  
  • a simplified model of important processes in the real world
• uses of theory
  
  • general use is to provide answers to important questions
    • in medicine: what causes cancer?
    • in IR: what causes war?
  • to organize information systematically
    • to describe what is out there
  • to understand the relationship between things
    • to understand cause and effect
    • for instance, what factor always causes war?
  • to predict events and processes
    • i.e. to predict when and where war will occur
  • to offer solutions to important questions
    • i.e. what should be done to prevent war?

                       

                       

Theory in International Relations

 

Realism: The Power-based Perspective in IR

 

• anarchy as defining characteristic of IR 
  
  • absence of global governance
  • profound difference between domestic and international environment
  • IR as self-help system in which only the strong survive
  • primacy of survival and national security issues
  • states consider relative gains in trading relationships
  • circular history – no significant progress
  • all international organizations reflect the distribution of power at a given time
    • IOs do not have independent influence apart from the powerful actors that created and maintained them

           

• the need for state power
  
  • consideration of state power is most important
  • one’s own state
  • other states regardless of friend or foe
  • maximization of national power to maximize security
  • elements of national power
  • military, geographic, social, political, economic
  • balance of power may preserve peace
  • distribution of capabilities within the system used to differentiate different time periods
    • unipolar, bipolar and multipolar distributions of power

 

• Nation-States as key actors in IR
  
  • Nation
    • groups with common identity
      • Civic nationalism (right of soil)
        
        • membership in the state creates membership in the nation
          • i.e. the US, France, UK
      • Cultural nationalism (right of blood)
        
        •  
      • National affiliation instead of humanity establishes rights of citizens
  • Functions of Nationalism
    • achieving security and power through national homogeneity
      • patriotism creates a strong social bond
      • increased trust between large numbers of citizens (social capital)
      • allows for collective efforts and personal sacrifice
  • Central Focus of Realism: States and State Power
    • states as rational political/administrative units
    • origins of states
      • need for coordination/leadership of society
      • modern states since Peace of Westphalia 1648
        
        • larger populations increase armies and economies
        • larger territories increase security in modern times
    • characteristics of modern states
      • central government
        
        • bureaucracy with monopoly on legitimate force
        • accountable to population (popular sovereignty)
      • population
        
        • tendency towards emergence of one national identity
      • territory
        
        • increasingly linked to area inhabited by the nation
      • sovereignty
        
        • the internationally recognized right to non-interference
    • functions of the state
      • security through mass armies/conscription
      • common markets support economic growth, innovation and modernization

 

• Nations and States in International Relations
• lack of congruence between many nations and states
  • some nations exist in more than one state
    • i.e. many Russians now live outside of Russia
  • some nations do not have a state
    • i.e. the Kurdish people
  • some nations are minority nations within states that are controlled by majority nations
    • i.e. many indigenous peoples around the world
  • domestic and international problems
    • tendency of larger nations to suppress/assimilate smaller ones
      
      • human rights violations/genocide
      • nationalist terrorism and/or separatist movements
  • aggressive foreign policy of nation-states to incorporate all parts of the nation (irredentism)
    • i.e. Russia in the Ukraine
  • Border instabilities and conflicts between states containing overlapping nations
    • i.e. Afghanistan, Pakistan