Introduction to International Relations

Govt. 2378.01 Fall 2009

 

Dr. J. Philip Rogers

 

 

 

 

 

Contacting Dr. Rogers

 

• Email = jphiliprogers@yahoo.com This is the most efficient way to get in touch with me. 
• Cell Phone = 288-3112.  You may call me on my cell phone (when you can not reach me by email or in person).  Please do not call my office phone.
• Office Appointments: My office is CAC 210  My office hours are by appointment. 

 

 

Course Description 

 

This is a course that seeks to understand the dynamics of global politics.  We live in an interconnected world; what happens affects our lives.  Following September 11, it is tragically obvious to all Americans that the operation of terrorist networks in Afghanistan can impact American society.  But we are affected by world events in more than just our vulnerability to terrorist attacks. Where it might have been possible to be "autarkic" (i.e. self-sufficient economically) two hundred years ago that is simply impossible today.  Our economies are intertwined and Multi-National Corporations, with profits larger than the GNP of many states, operate across national borders and with consequences for employment and profits here and abroad.  We are linked in ecological terms. If the rainforest is destroyed in Costa Rica and Brazil rates of melanoma in the US will increase.  We are linked in our mutual vulnerability to catastrophic geophysical events.  An earthquake or landslide in one part of the world can generate Tsunamis that travel at hundreds of miles an hour to wreck devastation and human tragedy thousands of miles away.  We are linked in military-security terms, if Pakistan and India go to war, the war may go nuclear and the region would suffer radiation.  Finally, in the internet and mass media age, we are linked in terms of the flow of information, ideas, and ideological debates.  For example, Islamic Cultures can feel threatened by the intrusion of "decadent" western films, music, and lifestyle that they view as undermining their values and cultural identity.  If we are so interconnected; if what happens in far corners of the global affect us, then understanding these global dynamics is imperative.   Such an understanding is more than simply defining or characterizing important issues in the current system, though this is essential.  It is also about explaining these dynamics - i.e. understanding the empirical theories as to why global problems develop and thinking critically about the normative theories about what to do about problems in the world.

 

Student Learning Objectives This course is divided into three sections that correspond to the key student learning objectives:

 

(1)   Help students better understand and critically evaluate the empirical and normative debates about world politics (i.e. why things happen in world politics and different views on how to approach world problems) and to form their own empirical and normative theories of world politics.  In this section, the teaching format is primarily lecture with class discussion.  At the end of the first section, students will be evaluated on the grasp of the theoretical debates through a take-home essay exam. 

(2)   To help students understand key problems in world politics and the normative debate about how to confront those problems. The second section of the course will consist of power point class presentations put together by teams of students on various problems in world politics.  After each presentation, the students will lead the rest of the class in a discussion of that global problem.  Students will be evaluated on their grasp of the problems both by the quality of their presentation but also by an exam that will cover material from all presentations and the readings on world problems.

(3)   Help students gain a better appreciation of the operation of the UN Security Council, the different positions of countries on that council, and to understand, in detail, one current crisis that the current Security Council might confront.  Students will learn this through participation in a simulation in which they will role play Ambassadors from different countries to the Security Council addressing a crisis that the class selects (e.g. Iranian nuclear aspirations).  Students will write a paper explaining the view that they took in the simulation.  Students will be evaluated by the quality of their role-play performance (i.e. how well they understood their country, the issue, and the operation of the UN Security Council) and the quality of the paper they write.

 

 Course Transferability & Credit: 

• SAC Core Curriculum Credit:  The SAC Curriculum Committee has approved using this course to count for 3 hrs of credit in the Social & Behavioral Science Credit in the Core Curriculum.
• Credit towards Political Science or International Studies Major at SAC Alternatively, this course may be counted toward a Political Science or International Studies Major at SAC.
• International Studies Certificate:  Students from any major can receive an International Studies Certificate by taking regular courses that have been "internationalized" AND two required courses - one of which is this course.
• Transfer Credit: To facilitate transfer credit for SAC students, this course is designed so that it is comparable in content and level of difficulty to the Introduction to International Relations courses of most universities.   Having reviewed this syllabus, the Political Science Departments of the University of Texas at San Antonio and Southwest Texas State University have agreed in writing to accept this SAC course for credit at their universities.   It is probable that any other American university will also accept it for credit.  It can be used toward a Political Science or International Studies Major at these universities or for general elective credit.

 

Required Course Reading

 

1. Paul D'Anieri, International Politics: Power and Purpose in Global Affairs, (2010: Wadsworth)   
2. Hellen Purkitt, ed., Annual Editions: World Politics, 09/10 ed. (2009: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill)
3. Assigned internet articles
4. Individual Internet Research:  To do a class presentation and participate in the UN Security Council simulation - you will need to undertake additional research on the internet.  Various research links will also be posted on PALS.
5. News; Keeping up with international news through high quality new sources. Recommended are Daily reading of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, or Weekly reading of the periodical The Economist.  

 

Course Requirements & Grading System

 

The grading for this course is on a 1,000 cumulative point system.  All of your points - from whatever activity (including any extra credit) – are added to a cumulative total. 

 

A= 900+

B= 800-899

C=700-799

D = 600-699

F=Below 600

 

 

There are three different sections to the course: (1) International Relations Theory; (2) UN Security Council Simulation; and (3) Group Presentations on Global Problems.  Each of these sections will be assessed by a different means.  Performance in the Theory section will be accessed through a take-home essay exam.  Performance in the UN Simulation will be accessed through peer evaluations and a short paper.  Performance on the Global Problems will be accessed two ways.  Students will be evaluated on the quality of the problem they present to the class.  Students will also take a take-home final exam that will focus on two problems presented by other students.

 

Quality of Attendance & Class Participation	100 pts. (10% of grade)
Theory Essay	200-300  pts. (20-30% grade)
UN Simulation and Paper	200-300 pts  (20-30% grade)
Group Presentation	200-300 pts  (20-30% grade)
Essay Exam on Different Group Question	200-300 pts  (20-30% grade)
Will take your highest score (Theory, UN, Group Presentation, or Group Essay) and weight that assignment 300 pts (30% grade) and the other assignments at 20%

  

Attendance/Participation:  The course will be taught in a manner that focuses on active participation for students.  This includes active participation in class discussions during the theory section and during the class presentation section.  It also includes active participation in the UN simulation.  Moreover, to adequately prepare for the simulation and group presentation, good attendance is also necessary.  Therefore, while you do not need to attend every class - attendance does matter.  It will account for 100 pts - 10% of semester grade.

 

Take-Home Essay Exam on Theory:  All students will write ONE four-six double-spaced page essay selected from a list of several possible essay questions.  This essay exam is worth 200-300 possible points.   The possible essays will be based on the lectures and readings on International Relations theory from the first section of the course.  I have posted PAST questions from last semester at http://www.accd.edu/sac/gov/rogers/ir/essay.htm  I may add a few questions - but all of these questions are acceptable. One key difference is that you are only required to answer ONE question.

 

UN Security Council Simulation:  All students in the class will be divided into teams of one-three students to participate in a simulation of the UN Security Council as it addresses one current international crisis.  The goal of the simulation is for students to learn through role-play three things about international relations: (1) The Crisis we select and the manner in which the UN Security Council has responded to this crisis thus far; (2) How the UN Security Council operates; and (3) The perspective of their country on this crisis and on its foreign policy objectives as a whole. Instructions for the Simulation and possible topics and roles can be found at http://www.accd.edu/sac/gov/rogers/ir/uncrisesroles.htm  Your grade for the simulation will be based on two aspects: (1) the quality of your participation in the simulation as evaluated by your peers and Dr. Rogers and (2) one 4-6 page double-spaced paper you will write after the simulation on your country and your country’s position at the UN on this particular crisis. Information on the requirements for the student paper can be found at: http://www.accd.edu/sac/gov/rogers/ir/unpap.htm   The entire simulation grade (including the simulation itself and the paper) is worth UP TO 200-300 possible points.  (Note: If a student misses part of the simulation or is frequently absent during preparation for the simulation – this will severely impact the grade that student will receive on UN simulation and paper).

 

Class Group Presentation:  Every student will present an oral presentation (as part of a team of five-six students) on a problem in world politics. The presentation must include a power point presentation. This presentation is worth a total of 200-300 pts. Team members will evaluate their peers as to their contribution to help determine their individual grades so all students on the team will not necessarily get the same grade. This peer evaluation will be combined with an evaluation from Dr. Rogers.  One of the factors certain to affect the quality of the grade one receives from Dr. Rogers and one’s peers is attendance during research preparation for class presentations.  The requirements for the group presentations can be found at: http://www.accd.edu/sac/gov/rogers/ir/presentations.htm

 

 

Final Exam on Group Topics:  The take-home essay exam will consist of ONE 4-6 page paper responding to one question from a topic other than the students own presentation.  A list of  questions from last semester are posted at http://www.accd.edu/sac/gov/rogers/ir/final.htm  This is merely to give you an illustration of what questions might look like. Later I will post your actual questions.  The questions will change because they are based on your group presentations and your question suggestions. The final exam is worth UP TO 200-300 pts. 

 

Use of PALS & WWW

 

PALS: All of the course will be available on PALS.  That includes this syllabus, schedule, lecture notes, and all group and essay assignments.  We will also post UN resolutions to PALS & Group & Lecture Power-Points.  Finally, you may (if you wish) use PALS for communication during the simulation and prior to group presentations. 

WWW: However, if we ever have trouble with PALS - you can go to the this site on the www to access everything except power-points & student postings.

 

 

Extra Credit

 

It is possible to earn UP TO 100 extra credit pts (equivalent to one letter grade).  You can earn extra credit pts two ways:

 

• Critique of International Relations Text: You can earn UP TO 50 extra credit pts by reading a book on International Relations and writing a five-ten page summary and critique of the book.  The book must be approved by Dr. Rogers.  It may either be a "classic" work in international relations or it may be a contemporary book on some aspect of world politics.
• Attend and Report on Speakers on World Politics: Another way to earn extra credit pts is to attend a talk on any issue in World Politics and then to write a two-three page report on the speaker.  You may earn UP TO 20 extra credit pts per event.  You may attend and report on more than one event.
• Music Identification:  Every day I will play some "international" music.  If you can identify the song/composition and the composer/singer - you earn 1 pt. @ day.

 

    

Class Rules

 

• Absolutely no food or drinks in Classroom This semester I requested access to this lab so that we can more easily do research in preparation for the Simulation and Group Presentations.  However, to ensure that I have continued access I must abide by their rules which mean absolutely no food or drinks in classroom. 
• Cell Phones or Pagers in Class = Donuts for Class (To be consumed outside in hall). Because of the serious distraction of cell phones going off in the middle of class – the policy is that if your cell phone goes off in class – you must bring cookies for everyone in class the next class period.  Given the size of the classes, this is not an expense you will want to assume.  Note: if you have an emergency or work situation that requires that you keep your cell or pager on – simply notify Dr. Rogers of your circumstance in advance.

• Respect for Different Points of View:  We will be discussing some controversial topics in class so it is likely that you may occasionally disagree with one another. There is no politically correct point of view in this course; you are entitled to take any position you wish on these issues.  What I ask is that in our class debates you respect the right of others in the class to hold a point of view different than your own.
• Academic Dishonesty:  Dr. Rogers considers academic dishonesty, in any form, to be an egregious violation of personal ethics and academic standards.  Moreover, it is unfair to the students who maintain their academic integrity.  Consequently, Dr. Rogers will pursue the maximum penalties for any violations.  This includes, among other things, assignment of a grade of "F" in the course.