TEACHING COMPANION
The Cities Are Moving
One agreement. Which theory explains why it was signed?
Realism, three liberal approaches & constructivism · 205 min · 3 sittings
Learning goals
- Distinguish five theories by the causal explanations they offer for the same agreement.
- Use new records to compare rival accounts and reconsider an earlier explanation.
- Test a proposal against consent, capacity, and competing interests, then apply the logic to a new case.
Class setup & submission
Start For Class and enter your name. Course or section is optional. Complete Parts A, B, and C in order. The 42 written responses have a combined 1,425-word minimum. For Fun keeps separate progress and offers optional writing.
When the Class assignment is complete, choose Print / Save PDF and upload the PDF to Canvas.
Students type their written responses in For Class.
Course materials
Before the activity
Basic course knowledge is helpful. Theory reminders and case evidence are built in. Plan about 60 minutes for Part A, 75 for Part B, and 70 for Part C across exam-prep week.
Syllabus description
A country moves into the neighborhood. An agreement is already signed. Explain the bargain through five IR approaches, investigate two escorts that drew different reactions, and revise your advice as the evidence changes. Finish the week with an exam rehearsal about a new wildfire aircraft pact. Students produce a single class pdf with both parts of the investigation, the first exam rehearsal answer, and its evidence-based revision.
Discussion prompts
- What would each theory predict if one detail of the agreement changed?
- What made similar escorts appear different to the people involved?
- Which new record most weakened your first explanation?
What to assess
Assess evidence and mechanisms, comparison of plausible rivals, and revision after reviewing the rubric. The rehearsal applies two approaches to a new case.
Optional theory readings
- Kenneth N. Waltz, Structural Realism after the Cold War (2000)
- Michael W. Doyle, Liberalism and World Politics (1986)
- Robert O. Keohane, After Hegemony (1984)
- John R. Oneal and Bruce Russett, The Kantian Peace (1999)
- Alexander Wendt, Anarchy Is What States Make of It (1992)
- Robert Jervis, Cooperation under the Security Dilemma (1978)
Limitations
The floating states, the wildfire pact, and the records are fictional. Both cases illustrate how to compare five approaches.
Credit & permissions
Created by Yoav Duman. Free educational use, sharing and hosted embedding; software rights reserved. See the reuse information for software, artwork, branding and third-party materials.
Suggested citation
Yoav Duman, “The Cities Are Moving: Teaching companion,” Trouble in Common, https://trouble-in-common.ishmaldon.chatgpt.site/teaching/the-cities-are-moving. Include your access date.
ASSESSMENT & SUBMISSION
Assess the reasoning.
Set an endpoint and tell students which report or response record to upload to your course website. Use the activity’s own grading guide when available.
A suggested 10-point rubric
Give each criterion 0 points if absent, 1 if partial and 2 if clear and supported. Adjust the weighting to fit the activity.
- Concepts / 2
- Use a relevant international relations concept accurately.
- Evidence / 2
- Support a claim with a specific record or comparison.
- Mechanism / 2
- Show how actors, rules or pressures connect to the outcome.
- Revision / 2
- Consider a rival explanation or explain what changed your mind.
- Limits / 2
- Identify what remains uncertain and what evidence would help.
Before students begin
- Choose For Class if the activity offers a mode switch. Follow the endpoint your instructor assigns.
- Keep a progress backup when the activity offers one, especially before changing devices or websites.
- Review your responses and export the report or files listed in the assignment.
- Upload your work to the course website and check for the submission confirmation.
A progress backup restores a session. The readable report shows the work you’re asking students to explain or defend.
Prepare an assignment to share.
Edit this text, then copy it into Canvas or your course website. These edits stay in this tab.
Syllabus description & discussion prompts
Syllabus description
A country moves into the neighborhood. An agreement is already signed. Explain the bargain through five IR approaches, investigate two escorts that drew different reactions, and revise your advice as the evidence changes. Finish the week with an exam rehearsal about a new wildfire aircraft pact. Students produce a single class pdf with both parts of the investigation, the first exam rehearsal answer, and its evidence-based revision.
Questions for a discussion board or class debrief
- What would each theory predict if one detail of the agreement changed?
- What made similar escorts appear different to the people involved?
- Which new record most weakened your first explanation?