This course provides a study of the effects of ideologies, trade, armaments, and alliances on relations among nation-states. Emphasis is placed on regional and global cooperation and conflict, economic development, trade, non-governmental organizations, and international institutions such as the World Court and UN. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and discuss major international relationships, institutions, and problems.
 

Purpose of Course

While students are exposed to the basic theories and concepts of international relations, the course emphasizes analysis of current developments and issues in the international realm. A critical component to both individual success and the success of this course is active student participation. Therefore, each student is expected to contribute meaningfully to class discussions.
 

Materials Required

Rourke, John T. International Politics on the World Stage, 8th ed., Guilford, CT: Dushkin/McGraw Hill, 2001. ISBN: 0-07-242836-8.  

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Methods concentrate almost exclusively on electronic communications resources, namely email, instant messenger service, and the Internet. Students have direct access to the instructor via email or an instant messenger service, and may access course information (syllabus, assignment, announcements, the discussion forum, student email addresses, instructor information, and Internet research links) via the course homepage. 
 

Attendance Requirements

Students are expected to participate in at least ninety percent of the weekly discussions (14 of 15 class discussions). If a student withdraws on or before the Withdrawal Date, she will receive a WP; after this date a student will receive a WP only if he is passing at the time of withdrawal. 
 

Evaluation and Grading Techniques

Assignments for the course include four problem sets and class participation. There is a twelve-hour grace period (ending at noon, EST the day after the due date) concerning the due dates for the problem sets; after the grace period, no assignment will be accepted. 

Academic dishonesty of any kind, including plagiarism and collaboration, will result in an automatic zero for the assignment in question. Successful problem sets will be based on a critical analysis of the questions, not a simple regurgitation of the facts presented in the text and lecture.
 

Problem Sets

Each problem set consist of one, multipart essay question (answers should average a page or so in length). The specific question for each problem set will be posted two weeks in advance of the due date. The chapters covered by each problem set and the corresponding deadlines are listed below:
 

Class Participation

On Sundays, the instructor will post several topic questions to begin each weekly discussion. Students should respond to both the instructor’s questions and the responses of other students. The amount and quality of a student’s postings will provide the basis for the student’s participation grade. To receive full participation credit, students should plan on responding to at least two questions posted by the instructor and three responses posted by other students -- the idea is to get a real on-line discussion going. A student who does not post will be counted absent for that week’s discussion. Students who achieve at least an A- (9 points or higher) for their overall participation grade will receive 5 extra credit points towards their final grade. If you anticipate a problem with participation, you should discuss the matter with the instructor as soon as possible. Please note, a student whose attendance meets expectations (no more than 1 absence), will receive no lower than a B- (8 points) for his participation grade.
 

Grading

Below is the grade scale for the course. The numbers indicate the minimum point total needed to achieve the listed grade. 
 

**Please note the Point Totals are calculated based on the following percentages: 89.5 - A, 79.5 - B, 69.5 - C, and 59.5 - D. In the calculation of a student's course grade (A, B, C, D, or F) fractions at or above 0.5 are rounded up to the next whole number. 
 

Unit Outline and Schedule of Assignments

The unit outline provides a guideline of the major objectives for each unit. It also provides a schedule of reading assignments. Alterations in the schedule will be posted at least one week in advance. 
 

Unit I: Approaches to World Politics (Weeks 1-5)

Thinking and Caring about World Politics (Chapter 1)

• Objective: to discuss the influence of international factors on everyday citizens, and the difference between the realist and the idealist paradigms.

• Objective: to understand the evolutionary process by which the current world system came into existence.

• Objective: to comprehend the major actors on the world political stage and the factors that affect the way these actors interact.

• Objective: to understand the concept of the state and its development of foreign policy; and additionally, to differentiated between the state, the nation, and the government.

• Objective: to grasp the major components (human nature, organizational behavior, and idiosyncratic behavior) relating to the analysis of the individual.

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Unit II: Political Orientations and Organizational Structures (Weeks 6-10)

Nationalism: The Traditional Orientation (Chapter 6)

• Objective: to grasp the concept of nationalism, from its origins in the late 18th century to its current manifestation as the destroyer of states.

• Objective: to analyze the growing importance of transnational influences such as religion and ideology.

National States: The Traditional Structure (Chapter 8)

• Objective: to analyze the origins, current situation, and future role of the nation-state.

International Organizations: The Alternative Structure (Chapter 9)

• Objective: to discuss the growing importance of international organizations in general, and in particular the importance of IGOs such as the European Union and The United Nations.

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Unit III: Divergent Approaches to Conduct and the Pursuit of Peace (Weeks 11-13)

National Power and Diplomacy: The Traditional Approach (Chapter 10)

• Objective: to examine the elements (core and infrastructure) of power and the nature (origins and evolution) of diplomacy.

• Objective: to understand the fundamental concepts of international law, including its origins in 'western' political thought and the emergence of 'non-western' perspectives concerning the law and morality.

• Objective: to examine the causes of war, types of warfare, and the nature of force as a political instrument.

• Objective: to understand the emerging trend toward international security, including such concepts and peacekeeping and peacemaking.

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Unit IV: Pursuing Prosperity and Preservation (Weeks 14-17)

The International Economy: A Global Road Map (Chapter 14)

• Objective: to investigate the competing theories relating to the international political economy and the differing economic structures and conditions between the northern (developed) and southern (developing) economies.

• Objective: to examine the nature of economic power and how this relative concept affects the position of state in the global economy.

• Objective: to understand the origins of economic cooperation, and the growing trend toward economic integration (EU, NAFTA, etc.).

• Objective: to investigate the nature of human rights and the vastly different perspectives regarding human right across the globe.

• Objective: to examine the feasibility of sustainable development.