Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 372"
COURSE NAME: "International Diplomacy and the United Nations"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Alberto Schepisi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS: M-W 16.30-17.45

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course aims at offering students an opportunity to understand the new role of international and multilateral diplomacy in a globalized world where the theoretical assumptions of traditional international law(such as the principles of State sovereignty and equality,,of non interference in internal affairs, of the legitimate use of force and so on) are facing a gradual but inevitable transformation.

In other words , it will be explained how the real “ architecture” of the international society is no longer “ rigid and horizontal”,as it emerges from the United Nations Charter and from the old textbooks of international law,but it tends to be more and more “liquid and vertical”.

This gap between theory,law and reality,is the main cause for the crisis of the United Nations and the main reason why it is so difficult to reform it .The instructor will illustrate to students practical cases and examples taken from his diplomatic career,especially from his service at the Italian Permanent Missions at the United Nations in Geneva and in Vienna.

Special attention will be also given to the analysis and discussion on the role of the UN and of international diplomacy in facing the transnational threats and challenges of the 21st century(energy,environment,mass migration,poverty,nulear weapons,,terrorism,organised crime…).

In each class the teacher will comment the current events in international diplomacy,with special reference to the role of the system of the United Nations,and discuss them with the students.

Moreover,the teacher will offer the students ,throughout all the course,examples,comparisons and comments drawing from his personal experience in diplomacy.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

A)INTRODUCTION:

1)Globalization and global international politics

2)The evolution of the international society

3 Modern international law :its meaning and its gradual transformation into a supranational or transnational law.

4)Diplomacy and its role in the contemporary global system

B)THE UNITED NATIONS

5)The United Nations in World Politics

6)Brief history towards a new world order(1815-1945) :the League of Nations

7)United Nations Diplomacy

8)The United Nations and its principal organs

9)The General Assembly of the UN

10)The Security Council in theory

12)The Security Council in practice

13)Peace keeping operations

14 The UN and economic and social cooperation

15)The “soft power” of the UN

16)The UN and the protection of human rights

17)Specialized Agencies

18)The future of the UN:the reform process

C)INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY and TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES:

19)Transnational Actors and International Organizations in Global Politics

20)Environmental issues

21)Terrorism and globalization

22)Nuclear proliferation

23)Mass migrations

24)Energy supplies

25) Nationalism as a reaction to globalisation

26)European integration and regional cooperation

D)CONCLUSION:

27)Prospects of multilateral Diplomacy

28)The new international order: from a “rigid” and horizontal to a “liquid” and vertical asset.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1) Understanding the new role of diplomacy in the current situation of international relations

2) Studying and understanding the meaning and the importance of the activity of the United Nations and its need for reform

3) Analyzing the major international threats and challenges of the 21th century and understanding the importance of multilateral diplomacy in fighting them.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
The globalization of world politics (Fifth edition)	John Baylis ,Steve Smith and Patricia Owens	Oxford University Press	978-0-19-929777-1
The Parliament of Man	Paul Kennedy	Vintage Books	978-0-375-70341-6

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
The United nations in the 21st first century (4e edition)	Westview press	Westview press	978-0-8133-4346-1

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Final paper on a topic related to the class program		30%
Class participation,attendance and contribution to class discussion		20%
Midterm examination	one and fifteen written exam consisting in multiple essay questions covering the first half of the course	20%
Final examination	2 and a half hours; exam consisting in multiple essay 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 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.
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:
Regular attendance and participation in class

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

Week 1 and 2: Introduction :Globalization,international law,international society,diplomacy.

Week 4,5,6 7 ,8, 9: The United Nations in theory and in practice.

Week 10,11,12,13: International Diplomacy and transnational global issues:

Week14: Conclusions: prospects of international diplomacy