International Relations is the study of interactions among the various actors that
... Goldstein, Joshua S. and Pevehouse, Jon C. International Relations, 8 th.
1 POL 210 International Relations COURSE SYLLABUS (This is a tentative syllabus, there will be changes made to the Exams, Quizzes, and Reading Assignments as the semester progresses. We will be incorporating materials from MyPoliSciLab online.)
INSTRUCTOR: DR. SUNDAY P. OBAZUAYE OFFICE: Social Science Building Room10 (SS-10) PHONE: (562)860-2451 ext.2754 E-MAIL:
[email protected] OFFICE HOURS: M 3:30pm - 4:30pm; T/TH 1:00pm - 2:00pm
In every class Session, be prepared to LEARN, RETAIN, AND SHARE (LRS)
COURSE DESRIPTION, OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE International Relations is the study of interactions among the various actors that participate in international politics, including states, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, subnational entities like bureaucracies and local governments, and individuals. It is the study of the behaviors of these actors as they participate individually and together in international political processes. The primary objective here is to take a critical look at contemporary international affairs, with emphasis on politics among states; examine national foreign policies, the organizational, legal and economic dimensions of state systems; the causes of war and the future of the global order. Emphasis will be on the historical foundation of international relations, theories of international relations, the role of the U.N., international law, and contemporary critical issues in world politics. Students will acquire knowledge of the basic structures and processes of international political system; understand the conceptual framework needed for systematic analysis of world politics; understand and be capable of evaluating the validity of the idealist, realist, radical, and the constructivist approach to the study of international relations; and develop the ability to think critically about current issues and the future of the world order. Transfer credit: CSU; UC Recommendation: Satisfactory score on the English Placement Process or ENGL 52 with a grade of Credit or “C’ or higher and satisfactory completion of the Reading Placement Process or READ 54 with a grade of Credit or “C’ or higher.
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INSTRUCTIONAL MODES AND STRATEGIES Class lectures, discussions, occasional films/videos, group assignments, Journals, and written assignments will be utilized. COURSE MATERIALS The following books are required for this course, and are available in the Cerritos College Bookstore: Goldstein, Joshua S. and Pevehouse, Jon C. International Relations, 8th edition (2008) with MyPloSciKit and “2008 Election Preview” by Reece and Shea. Pearson/Longman. Useful Web Sites: United Nations (www.un.org) ; MDG (http://www.undg.org ; http://www.unmillenniumproject.org; http://www.munfw.org/images/conference%20preparation1.pdf )
Students are encouraged to follow current political developments around the world. One way to do this is to read international news in the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and/or The Washington Post. (Some of these are available in the Library). Another approach is to combine reading of periodicals such as The Nation, or The Economist with nightly broadcasts from sources such as CNN, ABC News, National Public Radio, or the PBS News Hour with Jim Lehrer. You can access major newspapers electronically via the political science department web site at http://www.cerritos.edu/library/
STUDENTS’ RESPONSIBILITY AND ACADEMIC INTERGRITY 1. “Withdrawals [Title V, Section 58004 (c) (3)] : Pursuant to Title 5, section 58004 and Cerritos College Board Policy 4104, it is the student’s responsibility to participate fully in class(es), once enrollment is complete. However, should it become necessary to withdraw from class, it is the student’s responsibility to present a signed drop card to the Admissions and Records office. THE ULTIMATE REPONSIBILITY OF WITHDRAWAL FALLS TO THE STUDENT. ALL WITHDRAWALS MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE DEADLINE (see page 17 of 2006 Fall class schedule for listed deadlines). FAILURE TO OFFICIALLY WITHDRAW FROM CLASS(ES) MAY RESULT IN AN “F” GRADE FOR EACH CLASS(ES).” (See Spring 2008 Schedule of Classes Page 17) 2. ACADEMIC HONESTY/DISHONESTY POLICY
Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty that is taken very seriously by the Cerritos College Faculty (Cerritos College 2006-2007 General Catalog, pages 3031). Any attempt at plagiarizing will result in an automatic grade of “F” in the paper/assignment involved.
3 ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING 1. Readings: Assigned readings should be completed before the class period in which they will be discussed. Lectures are meant to give general clarity to information you absorb from the textbook. 2. Class Attendance: Students are encouraged to attend class and be prepared to discuss the readings. This will constitute 30 points of your final grade. There will be 5 points deducted for every absence. Only 1 absence is allowed without penalty. 3. Examinations: There will be two mid-term and a final exam during the course of the semester. The two mid-term exams will be essay questions (Tentative). Each will be worth 50 points. The final exam will be essay questions (Tentative) worth 100 points. The final exam is NOT comprehensive. 4. There are no make-up exams, so do not as for one. It is the student’s responsibility to make the necessary arrangements, with the instructor, to take the exam in case he/she could not take the exam on the date scheduled. 5. Reports: There will be one group report (on Global Issues - MDG) and one Individual report (on Country Journal), each worth 50 points. 6. Group Presentation on MDG project worth 50 points. 7. All reports must be typed, double-space, 12 point font, one-inch margins and stapled. For proper writing techniques/style, see the “Writing Resources” menu in MyPoliSciKit.com 8. POP QUIZZES UNANNOUNCED (will count as extra credit). MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS 1. This is an introductory course. My goal for the semester is to give you a grounding in international relations, increase your powers of analysis and argumentation, and further your ability to understand useful concepts, political institutions, and major ideas, as well as political leaders and behavioral patterns. We will FOCUS on the role of International Organizations (e.g. United Nations) in global politics. We will also examine rival models or theories of explanation. We may not have enough time to dwell on every issue of interest. But we will do enough to spur your interest in the subject of international relations. 2. Students are encouraged to actively participate in class discussions by asking and/or answering questions during lectures; however, disturbances will not be tolerated. This includes private conversations and/or eating during class. I will enforce this rule for the benefit of all who are willing, committed, and determined to excel in this course.
4 3. Grades will not reflect student’s political opinions in this course. However, I care about how you arrive at your conclusions, how you support your opinions, and how well you understand other opinions. 4. There will be no eating, drinking, or chewing of gum allowed in this classroom. 5. Students are advised to turn off cell phones, pagers, and all other electronic devices. 6. STUDENTS ARE ENGOURAGED TO FORM STUDY GROUPS, AS THIS IS AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF COOPERATIVE LEARNING. 7. NOTE: I reserve the right to make changes to this syllabus whenever it becomes necessary in order to foster students’ learning.
5 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION a. Grades will be based on the following: 2 mid-term exams Final exam One individual report One group report Thesis/Outline One Group Presentation Class attendance Total
100 points 100 points 50 points 50 points 20 points 50 points 30 points 400 points possible (Tentative)
b. Grading Scale: 90-100% 80-89% 70-79% 60-69% Below 60%
= A (360-400 points) = B (320-356 points) = C (280-316 points) = D (240-276 points) = F (les than 238 points)
6 Lecture, Reading, and Assignment Schedule Week one (1/10) Register in Mypoliscilab Lecture 1: Understanding International Relations Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 1 Week Two (1/17) Lecture 2: Theories of International Relations Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 2 Week Three (1/24) Lecture 3: Alternative Theories of International Relations Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 3 Week Four (1/31) Lecture 4: Foreign Policy Decision Making Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 4 Week Five (2/7) Lecture 5: International Conflicts Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 5 Week Six (2/14) Exam 1 Lecture 6: Military Force and Terrorism Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 6 Week Seven (2/21) Lecture 7: International Organization, Law, and Human Rights Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapters 7 Week Eight (2/28) Lecture 8: International Trade (IPE) Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 8 Week Nine (3/6) Lecture 9: Environment and Population Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 11 Week Ten (3/13) 3/17-3/21 Spring Recess Lecture 10: Environment and Population Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 11 Week Eleven (3/27) Exam 2 Lecture 11: The North-South Gap Readings: Goldstein and Peevehouse, Chapter 12
7 Week Twelve (4/3) Lecture 12: The North-South Gap Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 12 ________________________________________________________________________ Week Thirteen (4/10) ________________________________________________________________________ Lecture 13: Group Presentation ________________________________________________________________________ Week Fourteen (4/17) Lecture 14: Group Presentation Week Fifteen (4/24) Lecture 15: Group Presentation Week Sixteen (5/1) Lecture 16: Group Presentation Week Seventeen (5/8) Review For Final Exam Final Exam
Thursday 5/15/08
8pm – 10pm
