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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 209-1"
COURSE NAME: "International Affairs"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Kollar Eszter
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 14:30-15:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
Th 11:30-12:30 or by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course aims to provide students with a basic introduction to the main traditions, structures, dynamics, and to some of the major issues in international affairs. The course will consist in lectures, interactive seminars, student presentations of their research results in the form of a class conference, and a study visits to a Rome-based international organization. The final aim is to provide fluency with and recognition of the various approaches to understanding international affairs and the key challenges in global public affairs.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
In the introduction we discuss the rise of global politics and the evolution of international society, then, we examine the relevant schools of thought: Realism, Liberalism, Social constructivism, Marxism, Feminism and International ethics. In the second part of the course we will study the fundamental concepts, the main actors and the different structures in international affairs: states, regimes, international organizations, non-state actors,and the international economy. Thirdly we will discuss major issues from the practice of international affairs: security, human rights, humanitarian affairs, humanitarian intervention, poverty, development and environmental affairs.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will gain an understanding of the major schools of thought, major concepts and actors, and fundamental issues in international affairs. They will be able to evaluate events and arguments from several standpoints and will be able to formulate their own judgments in written and spoken form.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| The Globalization of World Politics | John Baylis, Steve Smith and Patricia Owens | Oxford University Press 2010, Fifth Edition | 978-0-19-956909-0 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Midterm exam | Written exam consisting of multiple essay questions covering the first half of the course. | 20% |
| Final exam | Written exam consisting of multiple essay questions covering all the course material. | 40% |
| Participation | Attendance and contribution to class discussion. | 10% |
| Presentation | Students are expected to choose a problem in international affairs related to the topics discussed in class, carry out library research and prepare a structured presentation (accompanied by power point slides or a handout), using the ideas and interpretations of various authors and then commenting on it from their own preferred perspective. The presentation should make reference to the textbook and to additional academic sources of your choice based on your library and electronic research. If you have questions, feel free to come and discuss your topic with me. I urge you to consider the topic and research question as early as possible. | 30% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.
A: Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.
B: This 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.
C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D: This 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.
F: This 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 come to class prepared, having done all the reading assignments and ready to discuss them. Attendance is mandatory and, alongside active participation in class, makes up 10% of the final grade. A maximum of two unexplained absences from class will be accepted. Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.
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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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Jan 17. Introduction
Jan 19: Globalization and global Politics (Chapter 1 of the textbook)
I. Traditions in International Affairs
Jan 24. Realism (Chapter 5 of the textbook)
Jan 26. Liberalism (Chapter 6 of the textbook)
Jan 31. Neo-Realism (Chapter 7 of the textbook)
Feb 2. Neo-liberalism (Chapter 7 of the textbook)
Feb 7. Marxism (Chapter 8 of the textbook)
Feb 9. Social Constructivism (Chapter 9 of the textbook)
Feb 14. Gender in World Politics (Chapter 15 of the textbook)
Feb 16. International Ethics (Chapter 11 of the textbook)
II. Actors and Structures in International Affairs
Feb 21. The United Nations I. (Chapter 18 of the textbook)
Feb 23. The United Nations II. (Chapter 18 of the textbook)
Feb 28. International Regimes (Chapter 17 of the textbook)
Mar 1. International Political Economy (Chapter 15 of the textbook)
Mar 6. Midterm review
Mar 8. Mindterm exam
Mar 13. Research in International Affairs
III. Key Issues and Debates in International Affairs
Mar 15. Security: National, Global and Human (Chapter 14 and 28 of the textbook)
Mar 27. Human Rights (Chapter 29 of the textbook).
Mar 29. Humanitarian Affairs ('Global Challenges,' UN document available online)
Apr 3. Documentary
Apr 5. Humanitarian Intervention (Chapter 30 of the textbook)
Apr 10. Poverty and Development (Chapter 27 of the textbook)
Apr 12. Environmental Affairs (Chapter 20 of the textbook)
Apr 17, 19, 24. Student Conference - Presentation of research findings
Apr 26. Final review
Final Exam
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