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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 212-1"
COURSE NAME: "International Organizations"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2020
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Silvia Scarpa
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 11:30-12:50 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 to understanding the structure, functions, major achievements and challenges faced by the most important intergovernmental organization, namely the United Nations (UN). The challenges related to reforming the organization as well as those related to mainstreaming gender equality and guaranteeing women’s equal representation at the UN will be specifically studied too. Regional and sub-regional organizations - such as the European Union (EU) - and security organizations – including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) - will also be examined. 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 (NGOs) and multinational corporations (MNCs) - play in the system of global governance 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 IGOs, analyzed the work of some relevant ones and they will be able to discuss about the challenges and opportunities determined by the emergence of new actors at the supranational level. They will also have conducted group work and research on a topic of their choice.
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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, 3rd edition | M. P. Karns, K. A. Mingst, K. W. Stiles | Lynne Rienner | 978-1-62637-151-4 | | | | | |
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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. Sample exam available online. | 30% |
| Final Exam | Essay questions. Non cumulative. | 30% |
| Advocacy Plan | Group work + oral presentation. Guidelines available online. | 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:
Attendance is compulsory. Students are expected to attend classes regularly, to read assigned reading materials before each class and to contribute to class discussions. Students have at their disposal a maximum of 4 unexcused absencesthroughout the semester. Additional absences will be penalized with an F grade being recorded for class participation.
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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.
What is global governance? The challenges, actors and processes of global governance.
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 1
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Week 2
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Continued.
The foundations of Global Governance: from the Concert of Europe to the League of Nations.
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 3, p. 75 – 87.
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Week 3
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The United Nations.
Continued.
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 4, p. 109 – 148.
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Week 4
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The United Nations: problems and the need of reforms.
Continued.
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 4, p. 148 – 159.
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Week 5
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The Reform of the UN Security Council: a never-ending story.
Mainstreaming gender equality and women’s representation at the UN.
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Lee; Gowan.
Haack.
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Week 6
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Palestine, Taiwan and UN membership.
Continued.
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Blanchfield and Browne; Winkler.
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Week 7
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Review session.
Mid-term exam
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Week 8
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An introduction to regional and security organizations. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
NATO at 70: An Alliance in Crisis.
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Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 5, p. 161 – 175; 234 - 237.
Belfer Centre Report
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Week 9
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The European Union (EU).
Continued.
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Staab, Part 1.
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Week 10
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The crisis of the EU.
The role of Non-State Actors in the system of global-governance. The Kony Campaign.
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Staab, Outlook on the Future of the EU.
Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Chapter 6; Schomerus.
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Week 11
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The Arctic Council and environmental governance.
The Dilemmas of global governance.
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Koivurova.
Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 12
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Week 12
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Students’ presentations
Students’ presentations
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Week 13
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Students’ presentations
Students’ presentations
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Week 14
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Students’ presentations
Final review.
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Week 15
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Final exam
(Date TBA)
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