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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 209-1"
COURSE NAME: "World Politics"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Eugenio Lilli
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the theory and practice of international affairs, this course discusses the main schools of world politics as well as actors, structures and institutions of international relations. Through this framework the course explores key conflicts and issues in the post-World War II era, including problems of war, armed conflict, and peace, and the impact of recent trends in globalization on world politics.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the study of World Politics (WP). The first part of the module will introduce the key arguments of the most important theoretical approaches to the study of WP. The second part will introduce the most important issue areas of the study of WP.

We will discover that the way we think about what is happening in the world may not be theoretically neutral. We will try to identify the theoretical approaches underlying our thinking. We will then use what we have learned about theoretical approaches to the study of WP to analyze some of the most important issue areas of the study of WP. We will discuss issues, such as whether there is such a thing as  'globalization', the reasons why there is hunger in the world, the changes in the nature of terrorism, and whether China's rise can be peaceful among others.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of this module you will be able to distinguish and evaluate the major schools of thought in International Relations scholarship. You will also achieve an informed political reading of international history and be able to name and then apply important conceptual and theoretical considerations to contemporary global events.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Globalization of World Politics (6th ed)Baylis, Smith, and OwensOxford University Press9780199656172     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
International Politics: Enduring Concepts and Contemporary Issues (12th ed)Art and JervisPearson9780133807738  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class Attendance and Participation Attendance and Presence of Mind are mandatory for this class. The goal here is to advance toward the art of asking good questions and providing thoughtful answers. Quality, not quantity of participation is what counts, although some quantity is better than no quality. 15
Midterm  25
Final Exam 40
AssignmentsAssignments will vary throughout the module. They will include at least an oral presentation and a brief essay. Specific instructions for each assignment will be provided during the class.20
   

-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 and Presence of Mind are mandatory for this class. The goal here is to advance towards the art of asking good questions. Quality, not quantity of participation is what counts, although some quantity is better than no quality. Students will be allowed 2 unexcused absences. Each unexcused absence thereafter will result in the lowering of the attendance grade by 1/3rd a letter grade. More than 12 unexcused absences may result in a failure to pass the course.
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

Module Calendar (Please note that this is not the final syllabus. A finalized schedule of readings, assignments and office hours will be distributed to students at the beginning of the semester).

 

Class 1          Module Introduction

 

Class 2          The History of International Relations

 

                      Baylis, chapter 3

                      Baylis, chapter 4

 

Class 3          Power Politics: Realism I

                     

                      Baylis, chapter 6

                      Baylis, chapter 8

 

Class 4          Power Politics: Realism II

 

                      Morgenthau, Six Principles of Political Realism in Art and Jervis

                      Waltz, The Anarchic Structure of World Politics in Art and Jervis

                      Jervis, Offense, Defense, and the Security Dilemma in Art and Jervis

 

Class 5          Preferences and Institutions: Liberalism I

         

                      Baylis, chapter 7

                      Baylis, chapter 8

Class 6          Preferences and Institutions: Liberalism II

 

                      Doyle, Kant, Legal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs in Art and Jervis

                      Andrew Moravcsik, “Taking Preferences Seriously: A Liberal Theory of International Politics,” International Organization 51:4   (Autumn 1997) pp. 513-553

                      Owen, J.M. (1994): How Liberalism Produces Democratic Peace, International Security, 19(2), 87-125

 

Class 7          Marxist Theories in International Relations I

                     

                      Baylis, chapter 9                                                        

 

Class 8          Marxist Theories in International Relations II 

 

                     Cox, R.W. (1986): Social Forces, States and World Orders’ Millennium: Journal of International Studies, 10(2): 126-155

                     Hoffman, M. (1987) Critical Theory and the Inter-paradigm Debate, Millennium: Journal of International Studies,16(2), 231-249

                     

Class 9          Norms and Identity in World Politics: Social Constructivism I 


                      Baylis, chapter 10

                       

Class 10        Norms and Identity in World Politics: Social Constructivism II 

                      

                      Wendt, A. (1992): Anarchy is What States Make of It: The Social Construction of Power Politics International Organization 46(2): 391-425

                      Guzzini, Stefano (2000): A Reconstruction of Constructivism in International Relations, European Journal of International Relations, 6(2), 147-182

 

Class 11        Mid-term exam

 

Class 12        The United Nations and International Law

 

                      Baylis, chapter 18

                      Baylis, chapter 20

 

Class 13        Globalization: Concepts, Challenges and Consequences I

                     

                      Baylis, chapter 1

 

Class 14        Globalization: Concepts, Challenges and Consequences II

                     

                     Rodrik, Why Doesn’t Everyone get the case for Free Trade & A Sane Globalization both in Art and Jervis

                     Na’im, What Globalization is and is Not in Art and Jervis

 

Class 15        International Trade and Global Finance I

 

                      Baylis, chapter 27

 

Class 16        International Trade and Global Finance II

 

                      Gilpin, The Nature of Political Economy in Art and Jervis

                      Panagariya, A. (2003): Think Again: International trade, in: Foreign Policy, November/ December 2003, 20-29

 

Class 17        The Politics of International Development I

 

                      Baylis, chapter 28

 

Class 18        The Politics of International Development II

 

                      Nooruddin, I. and Simmons, J. (2006): ‘The Politics of Hard Choices: IMF Programs and Government Spending’, International Organization, 60(1), 1001-1033

                      Milner, H.K. and Kubota, K. (2005): ‘Why the Move to Free Trade? Democracy and Trade Policy in the Developing Countries’, International Organization 59(1), 157-193

 

 

Class 19        The Environment and Climate Change I

 

                      Baylis, chapter 22

 

Class 20        The Environment and Climate Change II

 

                      Dupont, The Strategic Implications of Climate Change in Art and Jervis

                      Victor et al., The Climate Threat we can Beat in Art and Jervis

 

Class 21        9/11 and Transnational Terrorism I

 

                      Baylis, chapter 23

 

Class 22        9/11 and Transnational Terrorism II

                     

                      Pape R. (2003) ‘The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism’ American Political Science Review 97(3),  343-361

                      Cronin, Ending Terrorism in Art and Jervis

 

Class 23        Arms Control and Weapons of Mass Destruction I

 

                      Baylis, chapter 24

 

Class 24        Arms Control and Weapons of Mass Destruction II

 

                      Roberts, B. (2000): ‘The Road Ahead for Arms Control’, The Washington Quarterly, 23(2), 219-232

                      Waltz, Why Iran Should Get the Bomb in Art and Jervis

                      Shelling, A World Without Nuclear Weapons in Art and Jervis

 

Class 25         Humanitarian Interventions and the Responsibility to

                       Protect I 

 

                      Baylis, chapter 31

 

Class 26         Humanitarian Interventions and the Responsibility to

                      Protect II 

 

                      Annan, Reflections on Intervention in Art and Jervis

                      Western and Goldstien, Humanitarianism Comes of Age: Lessons from Somalia to Libya in Art and Jervis

                      Valentino, The True Costs of Humanitarian Intervention in Art and Jervis

 

Class 27        The Rise of China and the International Balance of Power

 

                      Kissinger, H. (2012): ‘The Future of U.S.-Chinese Relations. Conflict Is a Choice, Not a Necessity’, Foreign Affairs, March/April 2012

                      Posen, Emerging Multipolarity: Why Should We Care? in Art and Jervis

                     Cox, Power Shifts, Economic Change, and the Decline of the West? in Art and Jervis

 

Class 28        Revision Class