Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 212-2"
COURSE NAME: "International Organizations"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 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: 16.15-17.15 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 19^th 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.). Part of the course will be dedicated to analyzing leading international organizations, such as the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, ASEAN, etc. 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, less formal networks and social movements. Lastly, we shall focus on specific issues facing the international community, such as the prevention and termination of conflicts, the promotion and enforcement of civil and political rights, as well as social and economic rights, and environmental protection. We shall analyze the international arrangements created to address them and assess how these arragements have performed.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

What is Global Governance?

General theories of International Relations and Global Governance

The rise of Global Governance: the historical context

The United Nations; the European Union; NATO

The African Union; ASEAN; the Arab League

Non-governmental Organizations

State actors and non-state actors in global governance

Peace and security

Civil and political rights

Social and economic 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 Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
International Organizations: The Politics and Process of Global Governance (2010, 2nd Edition)	Margaret Karns and Karen Mingst	Lynne Rienner Publishers	ISBN 978-1-58826-698-9
Beyond Sovereignty: Issues for Global Agenda (2011 Edition)	Maryann Cusimano Love	Wadsworth Cengage Learning	ISBN-13: 978-0-495-90894-4

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number
European Union Politics	John McCormick	Palgrave Macmillan	ISBN 978-0-230-557707--7
The Parliament of Man (2007)	Paul Kennedy	Penguin	10:0140285873
International Relations (Ninth Edition 2010)	Joshua Goldstein and Jon Pevehouse	Longman	13: 978-0-20572390-4

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
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, September 3

INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

International Organizations: the Politics and Processes of Global Governance (Second Edition, Lynne Rienner Publishers), by Margaret Karns and Karen Mingst (“IO”), pages 1 – 14

Wednesday, September 5

THE KEY ACTORS IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE; MULTILATERALISM; THE NEED FOR GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

IO pages 14-33

September 10

THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

International Relations (2010, Ninth Edition, Longman Publishers), by Joshua Goldstein and Jon Pevehouse: pages 43-63 (Realism), pages 83-93 (Liberal Theories), and pages 121-126 (Constructivism).

September 12

THE UNITED NATIONS (1)

IO pp.95-118

September 17

THE UNITED NATIONS (2)

IO pp. 118-143

September 19

REGIONAL IGOs: THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

European Union Politics (2011 Palgrave McMillan), by John McCormick (“EUP”), chapter 10

September 24

THE EUROPEAN UNION: THE COUNCILS AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

EUP chapter 11 and pages 214-219

September 26

OTHER REGIONAL IGOs: NATO, OSCE, OAS, ASEAN, AFRICAN UNION, ARAB LEAGUE, GCC AND COMMONWEALTH

IO pages 153-160; pages 178-184; pages 188-198; pages 203-208; and pages 211-216

October 1st

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs)

IO chapter 6

October 3

THE STATES AS KEY ACTORS IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

IO chapter 7

October 8

THE POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS

Beyond Sovereignty: Issues for a Global Agenda (4^th edition, Wadsworth Cangage), by Maryann Cusimano Love (“MCL”), chapter 4

October 10

REFUGEES, MIGRANTS AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE (IDP)

MCL chapter 8

October 15

MIDTERM REVIEW SESSION

October 17

MIDTERM EXAM

October 22

GLOBAL GOVERNANCE AS A MEANS TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE PEACE AND SECURITY (1)

IO pages 289-311

October 24

PEACE AND SECURITY (2)

IO pages 311-334

October 29

PEACE AND SECURITY (3)

IO pages 334-354

October 31

DISARMAMENT AND ARMS CONTROL

IO pages 355-385

November 5

NON-PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

MCL chapter 11

November 7

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

MCL chapter 5

November 12

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS

MCL chapter 6

November 14

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (1)

IO pages 387-413

November 19

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (2)

IO pages 413-445

November 21

HUMAN RIGHTS (1)

IO pages 447-473

November 26

HUMAN RIGHTS (2)

IO pages 473-495

November 28

THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

MCL chapter 12

December 3

THE CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

Selected readings

December 5

FINAL EXAM REVIEW SESSION