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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 212-1"
COURSE NAME: "International Organizations"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2019
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Silvia Scarpa
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 11:30-12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: PL 209
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines attempts at international cooperation in various institutional forms. The course analyzes efforts of twentieth-century internationalism, from the League of Nations up to the United Nations (UN). Main regional organizations are also examined, such as NATO, the African Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, World Trade Organization and Organization of American States.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The
course aims at introducing students to the concept of global governance, its
challenges and limitations and the most important actors at the supra-national
level. The foundations of intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and the role
they play in world politics will be specifically studied. Attention will be
dedicated in particular to understanding the structure, functions, major
achievements and challenges faced by the most important intergovernmental
organization, namely the United Nations (UN). Its action in the fields of
international peace and security, human rights and the environment, as well as
the major challenge related to reforming the organization will be studied.
Regional and sub-regional organizations - such as the European Union (EU)
- and security organizations – including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) - will
also be studied. Finally, while it is evident that IGOs remain
fundamental actors at the supranational level, the role that new ones
- such as inter alia non-for profit non-governmental organizations
and multinational corporations - play in world politics will also be examined.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students
attending the course are expected to have acquired a specific knowledge of the
concept of global governance. They will have developed an understanding of what
IGOs are and how they work and they will be able to discuss about the
challenges determined by the emergence of new actors in world politics. They
will also have conducted group work and research on a topic of their choice for the purpose of drafting an advocacy plan.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance | M. Karns, K. Mingst, K. Stiles | Rienner | 9781626371514 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Mid-Term Exam | Essay questions. | 30% |
| Final Exam | Essay questions. | 30% |
| Advocacy Plan | Group work + oral presentation | 30% |
| Class participation | Students shall attend classes and participate to class discussions. | 10% |
-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 cours
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:
Students
are expected to attend classes regularly to read assigned reading materials before each class and to contribute to class
discussions.
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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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TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED
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READING ASSIGNMENTS
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Week 1
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Introduction to the Course. The challenges of global governance.
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 1
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Week 2
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The foundations of Global Governance.
The United Nations.
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 3, p. 75 – 87;
Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 4
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Week 3
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Con’t
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Week 4
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The Reform of the UN Security Council.
Palestine and Taiwan and UN membership.
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Lee; Gowan.
Blanchfield and Browne; Winkler.
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Week 5
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An introduction to regional and security organizations. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
NATO and the Ukraine Crisis
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 5, p. 161 – 175; 234 - 237.
Mearsheimer; Taylor.
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Week 6
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Con’t and general summary
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Week 7
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The European Union.
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 5, p. 177 – 195.
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Week 8
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Non-State Actors. The Kony Campaign.
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 6; Schomerus.
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Week 9
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International Peace and Security. Peace Operations.
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 7, p. 279 – 295; 317- 353. Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
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Week 10
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Protecting Human Rights. The humanitarian challenges of refugees and IDPs.
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 10, p. 467 – 502; p. 508 – 510; p. 521 – 525.
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Week 11
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Con’t
Protecting the Environment
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 11, p. 529 – 544.
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Week 12
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The Dilemmas of global governance
Students’ presentations
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 12
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Week 13
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Spring Break
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Week 14
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Students’ presentations
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Week 15
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Con’t and Final summary
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Final exam
Date TBA
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