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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 209-4"
COURSE NAME: "World Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Giulia Daga
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: MON/WED: 5.45-6.45 pm, or by appointment
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.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This module is divided into four parts that will provide us with a rounded up introduction to the study of world politics. In the first part we will have a brief introduction into the “international” and explore some of the ways of looking at the assumptions underpinning our understanding of world politics. In the second part we will learn about the most important theories and approaches that have dominated the history of International Relations (both theory and practice), and we will also venture to study a few innovative and exciting current developments in the discipline. In part three we will survey key touchstones in the history of world politics, history being after all our working material as future informed citizens and experts of world politics. In the last part, we will be looking at some of the most important developments, themes and events in world politics, such as globalization, terrorism, the recurrence of revolutions, the United Nations, and the future of international relations (among others). 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

After the completion of this course the students will: 
1) have a good overview of the history of international politics
2) possess the ability to engage critically with the theoretical discussions taking place in the discipline of International Relations
3) be able to apply such theories and approaches to the various problems, events and changes taking place in world politics
4) develop their basic skills necessary for undertaking scholarly research

5) enhance their capacity to write coherent and persuasive arguments / essays

6) improve their communication, presentation and learning abilities.

 

 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Globalization of World Politics John Baylis, Steve Smith, and Patricia Owens Oxford University Press 9780192898142     
International Politics Enduring Concepts and Contemporary Issues ROBERT J. ART; TIMOTHY W. CRAWFORD AND ROBERT JERVIS Rowman & Littlefield 978-1-5381-6955-1      
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendence and ParticipationThis includes active participation in class, reading and discussion of weekly assigned chapters/articles.15%
Mid-term exam The midterm exam consists of written open-ended questions.25%
Oral presentation 10%
Position paperThe position paper is due in preparation of the mock debate. It should present the topic and the arguments supported by the assigned actor on the topic, by reviewing its historical and current positions. 10%
Mock debateThe students will be asked to represent a state or a non-state actor in a mock debate pertaining to a current or historical international topic. 10%
Final examThe final exam consists of written open-ended questions. 30%

-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 evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference 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 and participation to discussions are mandatory for this class. The goal here is to learn how to ask good questions and provide thoughtful answers. You have 3 excused absences. Each extra absence will lower your final attendance grade by 10%. In some cases, there will be the possibility of cancelling out your unexcused absences by writing an extra assignment. However, more than 13 absences may result in failure to pass the course.
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

Make-up classes: 11 October instead of 9 September (h 16:30 - 17:45)

NB. recommended readings will be provided on moodle or on the slides to integrate the textbooks

PART I: INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

Week 1 – The ‘construction’ of the international system

Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 1 (Introduction:from international politics to world politics), Chapter 3 (The rise of the modern international order)

Week 2 – The post-WWI system

Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 4 (pp. 54-58), International History of the twentieth century, Chapter 31, Nationalism, national self-determination and international relations

Week 3 – The Cold War system

Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 4 (pp. 59-69), International History of the twentieth century, Chapter 21, The United Nations

Week 4 – The post-Cold war system / oral presentations

Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 5, From the end of the Cold War to a new world dis-order?, Chapter 6, Rising powers and the emerging global order

 

PART II: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY

Week 5 – Realism(s)

Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 9 - Realism

Week 6 – Liberalism(s) / Marxism(s)

Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 7 - Liberal Institutionalism, Chapter 8 -Marxist theories of international relations

Week 7 – Review / Midterm Exam

Week 8 – Constructivism(s) / Poststructuralism(s)

Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 13- Social constructivism, Chapter 12 - Poststructuralism

Week 9 – Critical theories (postcolonial and feminist approaches)

Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 11- Postcolonial and decolonial approaches, Chapter 10- Feminism

 

PART III: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND ACTORS

Week 10 – International security

Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 15 - International and global security, Chapter 29- Terrorism and globalization

Week 11 – Mock debate (UN security council)

Week 12 – Human rights / The environment

Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 32- Human rights, Chapter 24- Environmental issues

Week 13 – Contemporary nation-states’ tensions (globalization, migration, self-determination)

Reading: Baylis et al, Chapter 2- Globalization and global politics, Chapter 26-Refugees and forced migration

Week 14 – Review / Final exam