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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 209-2"
COURSE NAME: "International Affairs"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Rensmann Lars
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 10:00-11:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
T 5-6pm, W 2-4pm, by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The class offers a general introduction to the study of International Affairs, International Relations (IR), in a “partially globalized world.” (Robert Keohane) The study of International Relations explores the relationships between various actors in the international and global arena of politics. Students will acquire and distinguish different concepts and theories to examine continuity and change of international relations in an age of global politics. A central concern is the problem of international conflict, peace and security in the interplay of sovereign states and international institutions. A primary goal of the course is to recognize and grasp the major actors, structures and dynamics of international relations as well as relevant approaches to understand the former. In particular, it will provide a basic scholarly understanding of the factors and causes of international conflict and conflict resolution. The class also aims at understanding controversies about, and engendering conceptual insights into, the nature of power and the (global) economy in international relations; the relationship between nation-states and non-state actors; and the changing role of international institutions, international law and human rights norms. At the end of the class, students will be able to recognize and employ different approaches to understanding international affairs and the key challenges they face in the global age.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course is divided into four major sections. In a first section, students will be introduced to major issues, assumptions and problems of global politics in an age of the globalization of politics. A second section will discuss the major theories of international relations and the ways they frame and organize IR scholarship. The controversies about the nature of global politics and the international order are anchored in different assumptions and presuppositions that structure our view of international relations and world politics. In the third section, structures and agents of international relations are examined, from nation states to international organizations such as the UN and the European Union and powerful players in the global economy. A fourth and final section will deal with contemporary issues, challenges and events of world politics and enable students to apply theoretical conceptions. Topics include international and global security, international terrorism, global poverty and justice, environmental politics and humanitarian interventionism. The class is shaped by lectures, small student presentations, and interactive class discussion.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will become familiar with major principles, actors, institutions and fundamental issues of international relations. They will also be introduced to major schools of thought of IR theory & scholarship seeking to understand and explain international and global politics. Students will get introuduced to the study of global issues and challenges; and they will learn to grasp, discuss, evaluate and apply conceptual tools and theories in order to better “read” and interpret historical and current world affairs.
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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 | | | | | |
| International Politics: Enduring Concepts and Contemporary Issues | Art, Robert J./Jervis, Robert | Longman | 978-0205778768 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Midterm Exam | <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: times;">Questions and Written Answers</span> | 20% |
| Final Exam | <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: times;">Questions and Written Answers</span> | 30% |
| Papers/Written Assignments | <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: times;">There will be 2 small research papers/written assignments, each of them counting for 20% of the student's final grade.</span> | 40% |
| Participation | <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: times;">Participation is mandatory and an essential part of the learning experience. Students will be allowed 2 unexcused absences. Each unexcused absence thereafter will result in the lowering of the attendance grade. More than 12 unexcused absences will result in the failure to pass the course.</span> | 10% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.
Grading:
A: 95-100
A-: 91-94.99
B+: 87-90.99
B: 83-86.99
B-: 79-82.99
C+: 75-78.99
C: 71-74.99
C-: 67-70.99
D+: 63-66.99
D: 59-62.99
D-: 55-58.99
F: 0-54.99
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. Since the class discussions comprise an absolutely essential component of this course, course attendance is obligatory; the grade for your active participation will comprise 10 percent of the final grade. In order to make participation a meaningful experience for everyone, and most importantly for you, you will have to do the assigned readings before class sessions. It is not enough to come to class on time (you should!), but you should also be prepared and ready to actively participate. This is strongly encouraged as part of the learning process, and just to make this class a great experience. Please refer to the above notes and 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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(Please note that this is not the finalized schedule of readings, assignments and office hours, which will be distributed to students at the beginning of the term).
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Class 1
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Course Introduction
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Part I: Globalization and Problems of IR and World Politics
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Class 2
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International Relations and Global Politics: Key Concepts and Problems
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Class 3
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The Globalization of Politics and the Politics of Globalization
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Part II: Theories and Approaches to IR and Global Politics
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Class 4
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Realism and the Westphalian Model
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Class 5
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Neo-Realism
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Class 6
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Liberalism & Liberal Internationalism I
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Class 7
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Liberalism & Liberal Internationalism II
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Class 8
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Marxism
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Class 9
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Constructivism
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Class 10
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Feminism and Gender in World Politics
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Part III: Structure and Agency in IR and Global Politics
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Class 11
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International Trade & Finance
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Class 12
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International Law and Regimes
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Class 13
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The United Nations I
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Class 14
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The United Nations II
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Class 15
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The European Union
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Class 16
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Midterm review
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Class 17
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MIDTERM EXAM
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Part IV: Issues, Conflicts and Controversies: From International Security to Human Rights, Terrorism, the Environment, and Beyond
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Class 18
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National, International, Global Security
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Class 19
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International Terrorism
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Class 20
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The Politics of War and Peace
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Class 21
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Environmental Politics
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Class 22
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Poverty and Global Justice
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Class 23
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Human Rights
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Class 24
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Humanitarian Interventionism I
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Class 25
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Humanitarian Interventionism II
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Class 26
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Environmental Politics: Global & Local
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Class 27
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The Future of Global Politics
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Class 28
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Final Review
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