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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 212-2"
COURSE NAME: "International Organizations"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Sensi Luigi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 11:30-12:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PL 209
OFFICE HOURS: 15.45 to 16.45 Monday and Wednesday

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The study of international organizations and other forms of cooperation among states (and among states and non-state actors) forces us to reconsider a popular tenet of international relations, i.e., that the international arena is anarchic and in a constant state of unbridled competition.  Throughout history nation states and other international actors have felt the need to enter into arrangements with each other or join international organizations that facilitate cooperation and coordination among the parties. It has not been uncommon for sovereign states to give up part of their freedom of action in order to better achieve common goals, such as preserving peace and international stability, expanding international trade, or protecting their nationals abroad. From the treaties of Westphalia of 1648, to the Concert of Europe of the 19th century and the League of Nations of the interwar period, sovereign states have agreed to be bound by more or less formal rules of international behavior when their interests required it.  Since World War II these various forms of cooperation and coordination have expanded exponentially.  This growth is due to many factors, including technological advances that facilitate cross-border interaction, developments in political and cultural attitudes, the proliferation of influential non-state actors, and a growing sensitivity to certain problems (such as those related to international trade and finance, human rights, the environment, etc.) which cannot be effectively addressed by individual actors and thus require concerted international effort.

The development of international cooperation and coordination - often referred to as Global Governance -  is therefore the result of both new opportunities and new needs. During our course we will review the principal factors driving the growth of international organizations and other arrangements, and how different types of needs and opportunities favored the creation of different forms of cooperation. We shall review and, to the extent relevant, compare different types of international institutions, multilateral agreements, and other types of formal and less formal arrangements.

The course will allow us to review the leading theories about international organizations and become familiar with concrete examples of such cooperation (international institutions, multilateral agreements, etc.). Predictably, part of the course will be dedicated to two leading international organizations, the United Nations and the European Union. We shall study their history, structure and functions, each institution’s complex relationship with the member states, and the most pressing issues facing them today. We shall also analyze the nature and role of non-state actors such as NGOs, networks and social movements. Lastly, we shall focus on specific issues facing the international community, such as peace, economic and social rights, civil and political rights, and environmental protection, and analyze the international arrangements created to address them.  

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

-          General approaches to the study of international relations

-          What is Global Governance?

-          The rise of Global Governance: the historical context

-          The United Nations

-          The European Union

-          Other international institutions

-          State actors and non-state actors

-          Peace and security

-          Economic and social rights

-          Civil and political rights

-          Global environmental protection

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Our main objective in this class is to develop an understanding of (and a renewed interest in) the following :

a)      The leading theories of international organization;

b)      The structure and inner workings of leading international institutions;

c)       How international arrangements, among states as well as among states and non-state actors, develop and take root; and

d)      How Global Governance instruments are used to address some of the problems facing the international community.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
International Organizations: The Politics and Process of Global Governance (2010, 2nd Edition)Margaret Karns and Karen MingstLynne Rienner PublishersISBN 978-1-58826-698-9     
European Union PoliticsJohn McCormickPalgrave MacmillanISBN 978-0-230-557707--7     
The Parliament of Man (2007)Paul KennedyPenguin10:0140285873     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The United Nations and Changing World Politics (6th Edition, Pback)Weiss, Forsythe and CoateWestview PressISBN 13 978-0813344355  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class participation and short class exercises 25%
Midterm Exam 25%
Final Exam 50%

-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:
Attendance is mandatory and class participation will be reflected in the final grade. Please refer to the University catalog for the attendance and absence policy
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

Monday, January 16

-          Introduction to International Organizations PL 212

-          International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance, by Margaret Karns and Karen Mingst (Second Edition, 2010, Lynne Rienner publisher), chapter 1 (pp. 3-14)

 

Wednesday, January 18

The historical foundations of Global Governance

-          International Organizations, chapter 3.

 

Monday, January 23

The challenges of Global Governance

-          International Organizations, chapter 1 (pp. 14-34)

 

Wednesday, January 25

Theories of Global Governance

-          International Organizations, Chapter 2.

 

Monday, January 30

The United Nations: the origins

-          The Parliament of Man: the Past, Present and Future of the United Nations, by Paul Kennedy (2007, Penguin), chapter 1

 

Wednesday, February 1

The United Nations: the Security Council and peacekeeping

-          Kennedy, chapters 2 and 3.

 

Friday, February 3

The United Nations: the economic and social agenda

-          Kennedy, chapters 4 and 5

 

Monday, February 6

The United Nations: defining and promoting human rights

-          Kennedy, chapter 6

 

Wednesday, February 8

The United Nations: democracy, governments and non-governmental actors

-          Kennedy, chapter 7

 

Monday, February 13

The United Nations and the challenges of the future

-          Kennedy, chapter 8

 

Wednesday, February 15

Regional integration: the case of Europe

-          International Organizations, chapter 5 (pp. 145-177)

 

Monday, February 20

The European Union: the role of the  European Commission

-          European Union Politics, by John McCormick (2011, Palgrave Macmillan publisher), chapter 7, pp. 123-129, and chapter 10

 

Wednesday, February 22

The European Union: the Council of Ministers, the European Council and the European Parliament

-          McCormick, chapter 11 (pp. 186-202) and chapter 12 (pp. 214-219)

 

Monday, February 27

MIDTERM REVIEW SESSION

 

Wednesday, February 29

MIDTERM EXAM

 

Monday, March 5

The European Union: European policy making

-          McCormick, chapter 18

 

Wednesday, March 7

The European Union: economic and monetary policy

-          McCormick, chapters 19 and 20

 

Friday, March 9

The financial crisis

-          Selected readings

 

Monday, March 12

Regional organizations: the Americas and Asia

-          International Organizations, chapter 5 (pp. 178-203)

 

Wednesday, March 14

Regional organizations: Africa and the Middle East

-          International Organizations, chapter 5 (pp. 203-218)

 

Monday, March 26

Non-state actors

-          International Organizations, chapter 6

 

Wednesday, March 28

The role of states in Global Governance

-          International Organizations, chapter 7

 

Monday, April 2

Global Governance and human and economic development

-          International Organizations, chapter 9 (pp. 387-405)

 

Wednesday, April 4

Global Governance and human and economic development (contd)

-          International Organizations, chapter 9 (pp. 405-427)

 

Wednesday, April 11

Global Governance and human and economic development (contd)

-          International Organizations, chapter 9 (pp. 427-445), and chapter 10 (pp. 447-453)

 

Monday, April 16

Human rights institutions and mechanisms

-          International Organizations, chapter 10 (pp. 453-475)

 

Wednesday, April 18

Enforcing human rights

-          International Organizations, chapter 10 (pp. 475-496).

 

Monday, April 23

FINAL REVIEW SESSION