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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 209-2"
COURSE NAME: "World Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2022
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Enrico Fardella
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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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:
This course provides an introduction to the study of World Politics. It starts with an overview of the key concepts and theories that have been developed by experts to identify and describe the main transformative dynamics of the international system and it will then presents its traditional and non traditional actors, the driving forces that shape their decisions and interactions, the roots of their conflicts and their different attempts to solve them and achieve peace. The last part of the course looks at the current challenges that animates the ongoing global crisis and tries to provide a series of alternative visions for the future evolution of world politics.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The students will be provided with a solid set of learning tools that will allow them to analyse the mechanic of world politics and its main challenges. They will be capable to understand, evaluate and criticise the evolution of scholarly debate on this topic and at the same time formulate creative ideas on the key driver of global politics.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| World Politics: Trend and Transformation | Shannon Lindsay Blanton & Charles William Kegley | Cengage Learning | 978-1-305-50487-5 | | | | | |
| Introduction to International Relations | Grieco, Joseph; G. John Ikenberry; Michael Mastanduno. | Macmillan Education | 978–1–352–00422–9 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Policy Brief | A paper jointly drafted by 3 students - 3000 words, double space, Garamond - that should:
analyse a specific sub topic of the course
identify the main problems at stake
describe the current approaches
identify unresolved problems
provide a series of policy prescriptions.
The structure of the paper shall be shared and discussed - during office hours - with the instructor before the mid term exam.
Please refer to the guidelines attached on Moodle for further indications on policy brief structure. | 25 |
| mid term and final exams | The mid term and final exams are a 40 minutes text based on 10 questions divided in: multiple-choice questions and open questions
In the multiple-choice questions students are requested to select one among the three answers provided.
In the open questions students are required to answer by drafting a short paragraph
Each question has a value of 4 points: 100 points for 10 right questions, 96 with one mistake, 92 with two mistakes, 88 with three mistakes etc. with 10 mistakes the exam will be considered failed
Plagiarism = 0
Write your name, surname and student number on the top of the page
Please fill the exam by using Word or Pages and then share it with the Professor by email as attached file
After the exam the professor will ask each student to reply to the questions and comment on them | 50 |
| In Class Discussion | N CLASS DISCUSSION & ATTENDANCE (25%)
In class discussion: students will be asked to comment on the required readings. Attendance is therefore requested. | 25 |
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-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 course.
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:
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 December 10th 2021.
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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 1: Course Overview & Introduction to Terminology
Week 2: Introduction to Theory: Realism
Week 3: Introduction to Theory: Liberalism, Constructivism, Feminism & Marxism
Week 4-5: Theories of International Decision Making
Week-6-7: Actors of World Politics: Great Powers & the Global South
Week 8: Mid Term & Actors of World Politics: Non State Actors (IGOs & NGOs)
Week 9-10: War & Peace: Introduction to Security Studies
Week: 11: Globalisation: Finance & Trade
Week: 12-13: Contemporary Challenges: environment, demography, human rights, health
Week 14: Looking at the Future: Six Visions for the International Order & Presentation of Policy Brief
Final Examination
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