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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 209-2"
COURSE NAME: "World Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Michele Testoni
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: MW 16:30-17:30 and by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course will introduce students to the basics of International Relations (IR), the branch of Political Science devoted to investigate the major actors, interplays, and controversies affecting social life at the global level. The course has three essential aims. The first is to make students familiarize with the key concepts and components of international affairs, such as: power, anarchy, states, war, interdependence, international organizations, transnational actors, etc. Second, the course will analyze the discipline’s most relevant schools of thought (Realism, Liberalism, the Marxist and Constructivist critiques) and their crucial assumptions about the causal mechanisms affecting and shaping international relations. Third, students will critically deal with the most relevant issues and dynamics characterizing today’s international stage: economic globalization, terrorism and nuclear proliferation, regional integration, human rights and humanitarian interventions, and environmental issues.

A good knowledge of the 19th and the 20th history is fundamental. Also, students are strongly encouraged to follow news related to IR themes, for instance by regularly reading “The New York Times”, “The Economist”, “BBC News”, etc.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

1. The Historical Context: the evolution of the international system; the 20th century and the Cold War; the post-Cold War era.
2. Theories of World Politics: Realism; Liberalism; Neo-Realism and Neo-Liberalism; Marxist and Post-colonial critiques; Social Constructivism.
3. Structures and Processes: foreign policy; war and alliances; international law; international regimes and organizations; the United Nations; the global economy.
4. Contemporary issues: regional integration; terrorism and nuclear proliferation; humanitarian interventions; human development and human rights; environmental issues.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Good command of differences and similarities between the main theoretical and methodological schools of thought of international relations.
2. Knowledge of major events of past as well as contemporary international affairs.
3. Ability to identify the main actors of international affairs, their short-term policy choices, and their cooperative and conflicting long-term strategies.
4. Understanding of the key processes at work in the 21st century international system.
5. Capability to frame a personal critical evaluation towards facts and processes at the global stage.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations (5th edition)Baylis-Smith-Owens (eds.)Oxford University Press978-0-19-956909-0     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Classic Readings and Contemporary Debates in International Relations (3rd edition)Williams-Goldstein-Shafritz (eds.)Thomson Wadsworth0-534-63189-4  
International politics: enduring concepts and contemporary issues (11th edition)Art and Jervis (eds.)Prentice Hall9780205851645  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class participationAttendance is compulsory and students have up to 6 unjustified absences during the course. Late arrivals will be counted as absences. Failure to comply with this obligation will result in a F in the class participation grade. Also, the grade will reflect the student’s level of preparation for, and participation in, class discussion. Hence, scarce preparedness and poor contribution to class discussion will negatively affect the grade.20%
Four short take-home papersStudents are requested to write four short take-home papers (1000 words, 3 pages approximately) on a topic previously assigned by the professor. The papers are due to Mondays September 22 (week 4), October 6 (week 6), November 10 (week 11), and November 24 (week 13). Late papers will not be accepted. Cheating is totally forbidden and will be sanctioned.20% (5% each)
Mid-term examThe exam is scheduled for Wednesday October 15 (week 7). The exam will be in-class and closed-book, and will serve to test the improvement of students’ knowledge of the theories and facts developed in the first half of the course.25%
Final examThe exam will be in-class and closed-book, and will be comprehensive of all topics covered in the course. The exam will serve to test students’ knowledge of the conceptual debates, political structures and processes, and most relevant issues in today’s international relations. Also, students’ ability to engage in active, independent critical thinking will be assessed. The exam’s day cannot be changed; for, organize yourself accordingly.35%

-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:

1. All readings are mandatory assignments. Students must do the readings before class.
2. Attendance is compulsory and students have up to 6 unjustified absences during the course. Late arrivals will be counted as absences. Failure to comply with this obligation will result in a F in the class participation grade. Also, scarce preparedness and poor contribution to class discussion will negatively affect the grade.
3. Absences can be justified only by providing a medical certificate.
4. THE USE OF ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES (laptops, mobiles, tablets, etc.) IS NOT ALLOWED.
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

PART ONE: THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT

WEEK 1

September 1           Introduction: Globalization and World Politics
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Introduction and Ch. 1]

September 3           International Relations in Historical Perspective
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 2]

WEEK 2

September 8           The 20th Century (I): World War I and II
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 3, pp. 52-56]

September 10                  The 20th Century (II): Cold War
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 3, pp. 56-63]
Extra Readings: Gaddis [Williams-Goldstein-Shafritz, Ch. 48]

WEEK 3

September 15                  Post-Cold War World
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 4]
Extra Readings: Art [Art & Jervis, Ch. 35]; Posen [Art & Jervis, Ch. 52]

PART TWO: THEORIES OF WORLD POLITICS

September 17                  Classical Realism
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 5]
Extra Readings: Morgenthau [Williams-Goldstein-Shafritz, Ch. 8]

WEEK 4

September 22                  Classical Liberalism [1st Take-home Paper Due]
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 6]
Extra Readings: Doyle [Art & Jervis, Ch. 10]

September 24                  Neo-Realism 
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 7, pp. 116-120]
Extra Readings: Waltz [Art & Jervis, Ch. 4]; Waltz [Williams-Goldstein-Shafritz, Ch. 13]

WEEK 5

September 29                  International Change and War        
Readings: Gilpin [Williams-Goldstein-Shafritz, Ch. 25]

October 1 Neo-Liberal Institutionalism
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 7, pp. 121-128]
Extra Readings: Keohane and Nye [Williams-Goldstein-Shafritz, Ch. 17]; Grieco [Williams-Goldstein-Shafritz, Ch. 37]

WEEK 6

October 6               Marxist and Post-Colonial Critiques [2nd Take-home Paper Due]
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 8 and 11]

October 8               Social Constructivism
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 9]
Extra Readings: Wendt [Art & Jervis, Ch. 6]

       

WEEK 7

October 13             Mid-term Review Session
Readings: all the above

October 15 Mid-term Exam


PART THREE: STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES

WEEK 8

October 20 Foreign Policy Making
Readings: Allison [Williams-Goldstein-Shafritz, Ch. 20]

October 22 The Use of Force and International Alliances
Readings: Walt [Art & Jervis, Ch. 11]; Art [Art & Jervis, Ch. 16]
Extra Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 13 and 14]

WEEK 9

October 27 Violence and Cooperation
Readings: Jervis [Art & Jervis, Ch. 9]; Huntington [Williams-Goldstein-Shafritz, Ch. 52]

October 29 International Law
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 17]

WEEK 10

November 3 International Regimes and Organizations
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 18 and 20]
Extra Readings: Keohane [Williams-Goldstein-Shafritz, Ch. 32]; Axelrod [Williams-Goldstein-Shafritz, Ch. 33]

November 5  The United Nations
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 19]
Extra Readings: The Charter of the United Nations [https://www.un.org/en/documents/charter/]

WEEK 11

November 10 International Political Economy [3rd Take-home Paper Due]
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 15]

PART FOUR: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES


November 12 Regionalism
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 26]

WEEK 12

November 17 Terrorism                                              
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 22]
Extra Readings: Pape [Art & Jervis, Ch. 20]; Rapoport [to be provided]

November 19          Nuclear Proliferation          
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 23]
Extra Readings: Posen [Art & Jervis, Ch. 23]; Dror [Williams-Goldstein-Shafritz, Ch. 42]

WEEK 13

November 24          Humanitarian Interventions [4th Take-home Paper Due]
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 31]
Extra Readings: Annan [Art & Jervis, Ch. 37]

November 26          Human Development and Human Rights
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 28 and 30]

WEEK 14

December 1            Environmental Issues
Readings: Baylis-Smith-Owens [Ch. 21]

December 3            Final Review Session
Readings: all the above

December 6-12        Final Exam (TBA)