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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 209-5"
COURSE NAME: "World Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2018
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Eszter Salgo
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 10:00-11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the theory and practice of international affairs, this course discusses the main schools of world politics as well as actors, structures and institutions of international relations. Through this framework the course explores key conflicts and issues in the post-World War II era, including problems of war, armed conflict, and peace, and the impact of recent trends in globalization on world politics.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The first part of the course allows students to deepen their understanding of the evolution of the global system (by analyzing the historical roots of contemporary events and phenomena, the birth of the European state-system and its Chinese and Islamic alternatives, and the evolution of the Cold War) and to draw links between theoretical perspectives (realism, liberalism, Marxism, constructivism etc.) and substantive issues. The second section of the course focuses on actors and processes. Topics range from intergovernmental organizations (such as the United Nations, the European Union and the World Trade Organization) and non-state actors (NGOs, social movements and MNCs) to the analysis of change and continuity in the global governance system. Class discussions will take place for example on the “crisis of the nation-state” and on the nature of the “new world order”. The third part of the course seeks to encourage students to explore from different perspectives some of the challenges facing the whole global community, such as human security, poverty and development, global warming, and the effects of the world economic crisis.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the course, students will be able to understand the historical roots of global politics; link abstract theories to substantive issues; analyze the changing role of states in global politics; explore the growing role and evaluate critically the successes and the failures of international organizations and non-state actors; assess arguments in favor and against globalization; analyze the "human dimension" of global politics (the role of identity, ethnicity, nationality and human development); appreciate the importance of the aesthetic sources of politics; demonstrate research and analytical skills in using case studies (relying both on primary and secondary, verbal and visual sources) to better understand the need for global governance; demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills within the context of global politics and use critical thinking, analytical skills and imagination to propose individual interpretations.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| The Globalization of World Politics | Baylis | Oxford University Press | 978-0133807721 | | |
| International Organizations | Karns & Mingst | Lynne Rienner Publishers | 978-0133807721 | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
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| Class attendance | Class attendance will be considered in combination with assessment of students’ active participation in general and specifically during the class debates. Students will not be penalized for two absences. If further absences are recorded, grade penalties will be applied. From one to four more absences will reduce the participation score by 5% for each absence. More than six total absences will result in the overall F. | 10% |
| Oral presentation | Three students will form a group and conduct a collective research project on one of today's several global challenges and on the difficulties that the world community faces in solving it. Each group will submit a research abstract (one paragraph which includes the title and a few sentences explaining the choice and the most important issues) with running bibliography by September 27. The 15 minute long group presentation will be graded on ability to provide a convincing analysis, a coherent explanation of factual/historical material, ability to critically analyze alternative points of view, form an opinion, stimulate peers' thoughts and to provide satisfying answers to questions raised in the discussion. | 15% |
| Term paper | Each group will present their research in a 2000 word term paper (using APA citation style) and submit it by November 21. The key to a successful research paper is students’ ability to: back theses with specific evidence; draw on and cite correctly a wide range of the good, reliable and up-to-date sources (both scholarly and newspaper/magazine article); move beyond descriptive summary raising and produce a well-organized, clearly written, critical and persuasive analysis. | 25% |
| Final exam | The final exam consists of test questions, short answers and essay questions. It test students on concepts and topics covered throughout the semester. Students are graded on accuracy, depth of analysis, logical content, creative thinking, on their ability to formulate a sophisticated argument, provide evidence for their statements, discuss and show understanding of alternative explanations. | 35% |
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| Midterm exam | The midterm exam consists of short questions and essay questions. It tests students on concepts and topics covered in the firs half of the semester. Students are graded on accuracy, depth of analysis, logical content, creative thinking, on their ability to formulate a sophisticated argument, provide evidence for their statements, discuss and show understanding of alternative explanations. | 15% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cou
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
Class Attendance will be considered in combination with assessment of students’ active participation in general and specifically during the class debates. Students will not be penalized for two absences. If further absences are recorded, grade penalties will be applied. From one to four more absences will reduce the participation score by 5% for each absence. More than six total absences will result in the overall F.
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Week
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Topic
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Reading
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Week 1
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- Introduction
- The meaning of global politics and global governance
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- Mansbach (2012) pp. xxi-9, Baylis (2016) Introduction
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Week 2
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- Realism
- Liberalism
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- Baylis (2016) Chapter 6
- Baylis (2016) Chapter 7
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Week 3
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- Marxist theories
- Social constructivism
- Sept. 21 Post-colonialism (makeup for Nov1)
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- Baylis (2016) Chapter 8
- Baylis (2016) Chapter 9
- Baylis (2016) Chapter 11
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Week 4
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- Poststructuralism
- Aesthetic turn in international relations
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- Baylis (2016) Chapter 10
- Bleiker (2009) Chapter 1
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Week 5
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- Different perspectives on the causes of WWI
- Different perspectives on the causes of WWII
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- Mansbach (2012) pp. 70-89
- Mansbach (2012) pp. 89-101
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Week 6
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- Different perspectives on the origins and the end of the Cold War
- The emergence of the modern international system
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- Mansbach (2013) Chapter 4
- Mansbach (2013) Chapter 2; Baylis (2016) Chapter 2
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Week 7
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- Review
- The crisis of sovereign states in the age of globalization?
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-Held, D. (2011) From the American Century to a cosmopolitan order and Fonte, J. (2011) Sovereignty or Submission: Liberal Democracy or Global Governance?
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Week 8
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- Midterm exam
- Globalization
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- Baylis (2016) Chapter 1
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Week 9
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- Globalization: not a new phenomenon
- University closed on Nov 1
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- MacGregor, N. (2012) A History of the World in 100 Objects, Part XVI
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Week 10
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- Global actors: intergovernmental organizations
- Oral presentations
- Nov 9. Global actors: the United Nations (makeup for Nov. 22)
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- Baylis (2017) Chapter 20
M. P. Karns, K. A. Mingst (2015), International Organizations. The Politics and Processes of Global Governance, Chapter 6
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Week 11
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- Oral presentations
- Global actors: non-state actors
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- M. P. Karns, K. A. Mingst (2015), International Organizations. The Politics and Processes of Global Governance, Chapter
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Week 12
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- The norm of the Responsibility to Protect: present and future
- No classes on Nov 22
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- The Responsibility To Protect, Report of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty (2001) pp. XI-19; Dagi, D. (2017). The responsibility to protect: its rise and demise. Journal of Liberty and International Affairs, 2(3), 74-82
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Week 13
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- Global trends and challenges in 2018
- Challenges facing Europe
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- Harvard School (2018) Future of Politics Report 2018
- H Grabbe and S. Lehne (2018) Could an Illiberal Europe Work? Carnegie Europe and J. Zielonka (2018) The EU’s current problems are largely of its own making, London School of Economics
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Week 14
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- A new world order?
- Review
- The present and future of human rights
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- Suisheng Zhao (2016) China as a Rising Power Versus the US-led World Order in “Rising Powers Quarterly” vol 1, issue 1, pp13-21 and Nanà de Graaf and B. van Apeldoornus (2018) China relations and the liberal world order: contending elites, colliding visions? International Affairs 94: 1 (2018) 113–131
- Sikkink (2017) Evidence for Hope: Making human rights work in the 21st century, Princeton University Press, Chapter 1
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