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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 212-2"
COURSE NAME: "International Organizations"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Silvia Scarpa
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PL 209
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines attempts at international cooperation in various institutional forms. The course analyzes efforts of twentieth-century internationalism, from the League of Nations up to the United Nations (UN). Main regional organizations are also examined, such as NATO, the African Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, World Trade Organization and Organization of American States.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course discusses the fundamental concept of global governance, identifies relevant well-established and new emerging actors at the international level and examines their structure and functions, as well as the challenges they face.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students attending the course are expected to have acquired a specific knowledge of the concept of global governance. They will have developed an understanding of what IGOs are and how they work and they will be able to discuss about the challenges determined by the emergence of new actors in world politics. They will also have conducted group work and research on a topic of their choice for the purpose of drafting an advocacy plan.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
International Organizations: The Politiics and Processes of Global GovernanceM. P. Karns and K. A. MingstLynne Rienner Publishers978-1588266989     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Mid-Term ExamEssay questions.25%
Final ExamEssay questions.25%
Advocacy PlanGroup work + essay (2,000 words minimum). 25%
Oral presentationIn-class oral presentation of group work. 15%
Class participationStudents shall attend classes and participate to class discussions.10%

-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:
Students are expected to attend classes regularly to read assigned reading materials before each class and to contribute to class discussions.
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

 

 

TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED

READING ASSIGNMENTS

Week 1 (January 19 and 21)



                     















































































































































































































































    















Introduction to the Course. The challenges of global governance.

Karns & Mingst, Ch. 1

Week 2 (January 26 and 28)

January 25: last day for late registration/last day to drop or add classes.

The foundations of Global Governance.

The League of Nations: successes and failures

Karns & Mingst, Ch. 3, p. 63 – 72; Davies.

Week 3 (February 2 and 4)

The United Nations.

Karns & Mingst, Ch. 4

Week 4 (February 9 and 11)

Taiwan and UN membership.

The Reform of the UN Security Council.

Winkler.

 

Lee; Gowan.

Week 5 (February 16 and 18)

Regional and security organizations

 

 

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO and the Ukraine Crisis

Karns & Mingst, Ch. 5, p. 145 – 154; 178 – 180; 188 – 191; 203 – 204; 210 – 211; 214- 216.

Karns & Mingst, Ch. 5, p. 155 – 159; Mearsheimer; Taylor.

Week 6 (February 23 and 25)

 

General summary

February 25: Mid-term exam

Week 7 (March 1 and 3)

 

The European Union.

Karns and Mingst, Ch. 5, p. 160 – 177.

Week 8 (March 8and 10)

Non-State Actors.

 

International Peace and Security

Karns & Mingst, and 6.

 

Karns & Mingst, Ch. 8, p. 289 - 354. Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

Week 9 (March 15 and 178)

Con’t

Week 10 (March 22 and 254

Protecting Human Rights

MARCH 25TH: DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF ADVOCACY PLANS. 

Karns & Mingst, Ch. 10, p. 447 – 478 and p. 482 – 484.

Week 11 (March 29 and 31)

April 2: last day to withdraw from a class

SPRING BREAK

Week 12 (April 5 and 7)

Protecting the Environment

The Dilemmas of global governance

       

Karns & Mingst, Ch. 11, p. 497 – 524.

 

Karns & Mingst, Ch. 12

Week 13 (April 12 and 14)

Students’ presentations

Week 14 (April 19 and 21)

Students’ presentations

Week 15 (April 26 and 28)

Con’t and Final summary.

Week 16 (April 30 - May 6)

Final exam

Date TBA