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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 212-2"
COURSE NAME: "International Organizations"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Silvia Scarpa
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PL 209
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

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.
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 (NGOs) and multinational corporations (MNCs) - play in the system of global governance will also be examined.
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 emerging new actors in world politics. They will also have conducted research on a topic of their choice for the purpose of drafting an advocacy plan.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
International Organizations. The Politics and Processes of Global Governance M.P. Karns, K.A. Mingst, and K.W. StilesRienner9781626371514  E-Book available through Library Link   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Mid-Term ExamEssay questions. Sample exam available online.30%
Final ExamEssay questions. Non-cumulative.30%
Advocacy PlanProject work: research+development of project presentation+oral presentation35%
Class ParticipationStudents' shall read assigned reading materials and participate to class discussions 5%

-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:
 In class and/or virtual 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 3 unexcused absences throughout the semester. Additional absences will have to be justified or the student will be penalized with an F grade being recorded for class participation.
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.
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.

SCHEDULE

 

WEEK

 

DATES

 

TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED

 

READING ASSIGNMENTS*

 

 

DEADLINES

Week 1

 

18 January

 

 

 

20 January

Introduction to the Course.

 

What is global governance? The challenges, actors and processes of global governance.

 

 

 

 

Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 1.

 

Week 2

25 January

 

27 January

Continued.

 

The foundations of Global Governance: from the Concert of Europe to the League of Nations.

 

 

 

Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 3, p. 75 – 87.

 

Week 3

1 February

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 February

 

The United Nations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The United Nations: problems and the need of reforms.

 

 

Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 4, p. 109 – 112; Akande; Borger.

 

Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 4, p. 148 – 159; Lecture by Gro Harlem Brundtland; Guterres’ ‘Our Common Agenda: Summary and Key Proposals’; Nossel; Devex Article.

 

Week 4

8 February

 

 

 

 

10 February

 

The Reform of the UN Security Council: a never-ending story?

 

Continued.

Lee; Gowan; Patrick; video: Mahbubani.

 

 

 

Week 5

15 February

 

 

 

 

 

17 February

 

Mainstreaming gender equality and women’s representation at the UN.

 

Continued.

 

Haack; Wonder woman; Conclusions & recommendations of 2021 Secretary-General’s Report.

 

 

Week 6

22 February

 

 

 

 

24 February

 

Is the system inclusive? Palestine, Taiwan and UN membership.

 

Review session.

 

Blanchfield and Browne; Winkler.

 

 

 

Week 7

 

1 March

 

 

3 March

 

Mid-term exam

 

An introduction to regional and security organizations.

 

 

Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 5, p. 161 – 169; 234 - 237.

 

 

 

 

Week 8

8 March

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 March

REVIEW SESSION: class discussion on students’ advocacy projects

 

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at 70: An Alliance in Crisis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 5, p. 170-175; Belfer Centre Report; Bechev: Is NATO in Crisis?; Article: The Ukrainian Crisis.

 

7 March at 12noon: deadline to submitabstract and bibliography online

 

Week 9

15 March

 

17 March

 

Continued.

 

Continued.

 

 

 

 

 

Week 10

22 March

 

24 March

 

SPRING BREAK

 

 

 

 

 

Week 11

29 March

 

 

31 March

 

The European Union (EU).

 

The crisis of the EU.

 

 

Staab, Part 1.

 

 

Staab, Outlook on the Future of the EU; Euronews article.

 

Week 12

5 April

 

 

 

7 April

 

Continued.

 

 

Students’ presentations

 

 

 

 

 

6 April at 12noon: deadline to upload online PowerPoint/Prezi Presentations

 

Week 13

12 April

 

 

 

14 April

 

Students’ presentations.

 

 

The role of Non-State Actors in the system of global-governance.

 

 

 

 

 

Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Chapter 6.

 

 

Week 14

19 April

 

 

21 April

 

The Kony Campaign.

 

The Arctic Council and environmental governance.

 

Schomerus; Video of the Kony Campaign.

 

 

Koivurova.

 

 

Week 15

26 April

 

 

28 April

 

The Dilemmas of global governance.

 

Final review.

Karns, Mingst & Stiles, Ch. 12.

 

 

Week 16

 

 

 

2-6 May

 

Final exam

(Date TBA)