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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 470"
COURSE NAME: "International Affairs Senior Seminar"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Lars Rensmann
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Senior Standing or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS: W 2-3:30pm and by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This capstone seminar (i) exposes students to major examples of current, ground-breaking and policy-relevant political research and models, with a special focus on the subfield of international affairs and world politics. Moreover, the seminar (ii) is designed to help students employ and present such research in a professional way, synthesizing and applying the skills and substantive knowledge of their major to current issues of world politics,  international public policy-making, or significant research problems. 


SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The seminar explores cutting-edge research in various areas of international affairs  and offers a forum for students to develop, present, and discuss professional and scholarly projects. The first part examines research, methods, and professional techniques; the second part focuses on examples and current issues of cutting-edge  research and policy analyses in world politics. In the third section, students present their own research or policy papers (“white papers”) in class based on circulated papers. 


LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will learn to organize and produce work and research that could be presented to governments, international governmental and non-governmental organizations, research institutes, media outlets or global firms. Students will hereby be required to engage with cutting-edge research output; make professional oral presentations of their work; employ methods of international affairs; and display familiarity with the use of qualitative and quantitative data. Students will engage in a research project of their own, write policy briefs and research reflections. They exercise to present the work of scholars and students’ own work, which will be discussed in class in substantive aspects and in terms of presentation. Seminar participants will train and display their scholarly and professional skills.


TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Political Research: Methods and Practical SkillsSandra Halperin, Oliver HeathOxford University Press9780199558414     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Two policy briefs or reading/research/methods reflectionsReflections refer to readings in the class, require demonstrating comprehension of the material, and count each for 10%20%
Two in-class presentationsThe in-class presentations are divided into a presentation on work by a scholar and your own work, each counting for 10%20%
Participation and final colloquiumRegular, informed in-class participation and mastery of knowledge demonstrated in final colloquium20%
First draft of final research or policy paperThe first draft of the final paper serves as the basis for a presentation and is circulated among participants in advance of the presentation10%
Final research or policy paper, 8-10 pagesFinal research or policy paper, 8-10 pages30%

-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:
Attendance is mandatory. Since the class discussions comprise an absolutely essential component of this course, course attendance is compulsory; 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 read assigned materials before class sessions and participate in class discussions. 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

Calendar: Readings and Weekly Topics

January 20: Introduction to the Seminar: Working in and on International Politics

Readings: None

 

CONCEPTS, METHODS, MODELS REVISITED

 

January 22: Key Approaches to IR and World Politics Revisited

 

January 27: (New) Issues and Models Explaining World Politics, Governance, Policies, and Policy-Making

January 29: Methodologies, Methods, and Sources in World Politics Revisited

FIRST SHORT REFLECTION PAPER DUE.

 

February 3: Using Quantitative and Qualitative Data and Conducting IR Research

 

February 5: (Finding) Innovative Research Subjects and Issues 

 

EXAMINING AND DISCUSSING IR RESEARCH AND POLICY

 

February 10: Trends and Problems of IR & Global Political Theory

 

February 12: Trends and Problems of IR & Global Political Theory

 

February 17: Religious & Ethnic Conflict and the Problem of International Terrorism


February 19: Religious & Ethnic Conflict and the Problem of International Terrorism

 

February 24: Global Environmental Policy: The Case of Climate Change

 

February 26: Global Environmental Policy: The Case of Climate Change

 

March 3:  Rethinking and Reexamining International Security Studies 

SECOND SHORT REFLECTION PAPER/POLICY BRIEF DUE.

 

March 5: Rethinking and Reexamining International Security Studies

 

March 10: Human Rights Conflicts and Humanitarian Aid


March 12: Human Rights Conflicts and Humanitarian Aid  

DRAFT OF TERM RESEARCH/POLICY PAPER DUE;

TO BE CIRCULATED AMONG PARTICIPANTS.

DOING’ AND PRESENTING IR RESEARCH AND POLICY OPTIONS

 

March 17: Student Presentations

 

March 19: Student Presentations

 

March 24: Student Presentations

 

March 26: Student Presentations

 

March 31: Student Presentations

 

April 2: Student Presentations

 

***SPRING BREAK***

 

April 14: Student Presentations

 

April 16: NO CLASS: Make-up TBD (Midwestern Political Science Association Meeting in Chicago)

 

April 21: Student Presentations

 

April 23: Student Presentations

FINAL TERM RESEARCH/POLICY PAPER DUE.

April 28: Student Presentations

 

April 30: Student Presentations & Final Discussion 

 

May 2-May 8: Final Colloquium (Look for Announcements)