POL1 30

POL1 30: International Relations Fall 2007

Instructor: Cristina Ruggiero

E-mail: cruggiero@chabotcollege.edu

Class web page: http://clpccd.blackboard.com

Office info: Rm: 747 , phone number: 723-6681; Office hrs. Monday 1:30-2:30, Tues-Wed 9:30-10:30.

Introduction-What this course is about

This course is an introduction to International Relations. The main purpose of this course is to understand and critically examine the development of international political system. We will consider questions such as: What theory best helps us to explain how the world works? When is the rest of the world responsible to intervene in civil war conflicts or genocide? What are the causes of war and why do some countries not engage in war with each other? What is international political economy mean? Why should we care that China has let its currency float from the US dollar (and what does that mean? :) How is terrorism a political strategy? What role does the United Nations play in international politics? How do different theories of how the international system operates affect the behavior of states? We will be incorporating current world events into our discussions to explain and highlight the topics raised in class and to understand what is going on right now in the world around us.

In brief, this course will introduce you to the structure, institutions and theories of the international political system in order for you to achieve four goals: (1) to understand how the international system works; (2) to assess why the current international system operates the way does; (3) to become more active and better informed citizens of the world around us. Finally, my last goal is for you is (4) to enjoy participating in and attending this class.

****Founding Principles, Rules of the Road, etc.*******

******You are responsible for knowing and understanding the contents of this syllabus, following its requirements and those of other class handouts*************.

Since this will be a busy semester for all of us, the following is what you can expect from me and what I expect from you.

What you can expect from me:

Encourage and challenge students to think. This means I will follow up on your comments and sometimes challenge you. I will ask you questions directly and expect you to have an opinion. I will do my best to make my remarks clear and constructive. If you have additional questions or need clarification always come talk to me.
Treat you and your ideas with fairness and respect. While differing positions will inevitably come up during discussions over the course material, and discussions could become intense, do not be afraid to voice your opinions.
Create a stimulating and open environment to allow all views to be heard and discussed.

What I expect from you:

Do not disrespect the classroom, your fellow classmates or me. This means:

Treat your fellow classmates and me with that same fairness and respect I give to you. You do not have to agree with the opinions of your fellow classmates, but you do have to be respectful.

Be on time. It is disrespectful to me and your fellow classmates to show up late and disrupt class.

Do not pack up to leave before class ends. This is disrespectful to your fellow students who are asking questions, listening to lecture or having a discussion.

Do not have your cell phone turned on, or answer your cell phone in class. See above.

· Do the work. Come to class, read assignments, participate in discussions, take notes, study and complete assignments correctly and on time. Students who do all these things are highly likely to pass the class.

*Email:

Please do not hesitate to contact me via email, set up an appointment or come to office hours if you have questions or concerns.

FYI: I reserve the right to have a 36hr window in which to respond to emails. It is your responsibility to check your email or the class website regularly for updates and information about class.

Please use the internal mail/messaging system of our Blackboard course tool to send me mail AND read mail from me to you personally. This email system is under the 'Communications' link on the course menu. You will see another link to 'Messages'--- here you can send private messages to me or to other students in the course. Make sure to check your messages in Blackboard regularly. Alternatively, if the course system is ever unavailable or you have problems, please feel free to email me directly at my campus address: cruggiero@chabotcollege.edu.

Important Note: ALL email sent to my campus address MUST include a clear subject line that includes "PoliSci 30". Without this subject line, your email may be treated by our campus system as SPAM, and may be automatically deleted without being received. It is your responsibility to ensure that email sent to my outside ID is clearly labeled.

***Please make sure to include your name in your emails and messages!****

*Preparation:

I expect you to think critically about what you hear and read during the semester. Thoughtfully question what you hear or read. Take notes! Critical thinking and communication skills are two of the most valuable skills you can cultivate during your college career, and there's no better opportunity to do so than in this class.

*Course readings are to be completed before class discussions:

Be prepared to discuss the readings. You will be asked questions in class about what you have read, and what you think about it! Think of your assignments as an opportunity to explore your ideas and beliefs about politics. In addition, you required to keep up on current events in world politics. The best way to do this is to read a major daily newspaper either on-line or in print: the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, BBC, or the Los Angeles Times. The online versions of these newspapers offer daily summaries of the news via email. I strongly suggest you sign up for one of these services. (The San Francisco Chronicle or the San Jose Mercury News is not sufficient for world news) We will be discussing current events often in class and those discussions will be fair game on exams.

*Due Dates and Grading:

All assignments are due by the assigned date. Absences do not exempt you from handing in assignments on time. Late papers will be marked down one grade (A to A-) each day it is late. Late homework will be marked down 1 point each day it is late, with maximum of 6 points being deducted from your assignment grade (ex: if you would have received 10 points on your assignment had it been on time, but it was two days late you would receive an '8') . I will accept late work up to the last day of the classes. Getting a 65 , the lowest grade you can receive if you submit the assignment, is better than getting a 0! Missed assignments or exams may be given a make up with approved advanced notice or if an acceptable, documented emergency was the cause. Otherwise there are no other exemptions.

*It is your responsibility to insure your assignment gets to me on time.

In Blackboard under ‘My Grades’ you will see a ! if an assignment is successfully submitted, and not yet graded. I will always accept late work and the lowest grade you can receive is an F (65), which is better than a 0, which you will receive if you never hand in the assignment.

*Dropping the Course:

Students who miss the first two days of the course may be dropped from the course. HOWEVER, I do not automatically drop students if they have missed too many classes over the course of the semester; it is your responsibility to remove yourself from the course by the drop deadline. Check the Course catalog for the attendance policy.

*Formatting Papers:

Assignments must be submitted as an MS Word (.doc) or text document (.txt). Make sure that your assignments are in these formats otherwise I will not be able to open them.

All assignments should always be typed, double spaced, have one inch margins on all sides, and use a 12 point font. Make sure all pages have your name clearly listed on the top of every page. Points will be taken off if you do not follow directions.

*Academic Integrity/Plagiarism:

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any form. An instance of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, cheating on tests etc, will cause a failing grade on the assignment or exam, and at the instructor's discretion, failure of the course and notification to the Dean.

*Accommodations:

If any student in the class has special needs because of a learning or physical disability, please come see at the beginning of the semester.

*Questions about grades:

Hopefully this will not be a concern, but if you feel you got a particular grade in error, you must talk to me in person. Make up exams will not be given unless for an exceptional circumstance, on which I will decide and documentation should be provided.

Your overall course grade will be a full letter grade, A, B, C, etc. in accordance with state regulations.

*Technical Assistance for Blackboard This course will use Blackboard, an online program where you will submit your homeworks and papers. You must login to Blackboard and to set up your account and input a current and valid email address. You will receive a handout on how to login into Blackboard.

If you have any problems with Blackboard, you can get help by filling out the online help request form available at the Chabot College Distance Education site: Chabot College Distance Education (http://www.chabotcollege.edu/DistanceEd/) The site will have answers to frequently asked questions, info on what to do if your forget your password and the on-line request form.

*Discussion Board Etiquette: Please make sure you carefully review and edit your comments PRIOR to posting your homeworks. Your writings will be a vehicle in which you interact with and present yourself to other students, so you want your writings to be clear, respectful and free of error.

I strongly suggest you write your comments FIRST in a word processing program that allows you to spell check, edit, and save your comments. SECOND, you should copy and post your comments to the discussion board. This also helps in the event that your computer breaks down, or you accidentally delete your comments and you have to start over from scratch.

*How to post to the Discussion Board: The Discussion Board will be a major component of our course. This Discussion Board (which is linked on the Course Menu) is organized by topics, or 'forums'. All messages related to that topic/assignment must be posted in the correct discussion board. You will be posting your homeworks and class activities to the discussion boards.

Here are instructions on how to post an initial message and reply message the discussion board:

Posting an Initial Message

1. In the appropriate form, click Add New Thread at the top of the page

2. A new window will open. Compose a subject line that a. indicates the subject of your post and b. has your name (very important!!)

Example of a subject line: "Homework 1 -Cristina Ruggiero"

3. Write or paste (from a saved document) your message in the space provided.

4. Click on 'Submit'. Your message will now appear in that forum.

Replying to an existing message

1. Open the message you want to respond to and read it.

2. Click on the 'Reply' button at the bottom of the message 3. A new window will open. Compose your message.

4. Click on 'Submit' Your message will now be listed under the message you replied to in the forum.

Rubric for Discussion Posts

I will use this guide to evaluate your homework discussion posts.

Content and Development	Mostly Yes	Almost	No
Post makes clear reference to reading assignment, activity (as appropriate for the assignment). detailed comments respond specifically to ideas/points raised in essay; clearly and thoughtfully presented her view, well-written.
The post includes a clear response to reading/activity/question presented (your opinion/feelings) and provides specific evidence (details, arguments, examples) to support or explain your opinion/feelings.
The post meets or exceeds the minimum word requirement of the assignment, is well written, coherent and follows the etiquette presented for this course.

*Assignments and Grade Breakdown:

Assignments	Percentage of Overall Grade	Total Points	Due dates
2 Papers	25% (each paper worth 12.5%)	200 Points (Each paper worth 100 points each)	Throughout the semester
3 Exams	30% (each exam worth 10%)	240 Points (Each exam worth 80 points each)	1st exam. Early October. 2nd Exam Early November 3rd Exam Week of December 17th
13 Homeworks	18%	144 Points (The lowest homework grade will be dropped)	Due weekly
Class Activities	12%	96 Points	Due weekly
Final Exam	15%	120 Points (Each essay is worth 40 points)	Due December 20th, 5pm.

Total Points for the Course: 800

A=720-800 Points

B=640-719 Points

C=560-639 Points

D=480-559 Points

F=less than 480 Points

Your overall course grade will be a full letter grade, A, B, C, etc. in accordance with state regulations.

*Details of Assignments

Class participation exercises/activities

If you never participate in class or are disruptive, that will have a significant negative effect on your grade.

Almost every week, you will have to complete exercises/discussions relating to topics and issues raised in class. You will get instructions about these assignments in class.

Homework

The main purpose of this assignment is to read actively and to think critically about the arguments presented in the readings. This exercise gives you the opportunity to engage and respond to those arguments or ideas that you may or may not agree with. You will submit these homework assignments on Blackboard.

Each homework is worth 12 points and consists of two paragraphs (6pts each) of 150 words (minimum) responding to the essays either from Global Politics in a Changing World or from handouts in class that are assigned for the week. You will post these responses in the discussion boards on that week's topic. In weeks in which there are more than one essay assigned, you must write each paragraph on a different essay. ****Your two lowest homework grades will be dropped from your overall homework grade point total.

You must login to Blackboard and to set up your account and input a current and valid email address. You will receive a handout on how to login into Blackboard.

Exams

Exams will be short answer/essay and will be open book/notes. You will have some choice in deciding what questions to answer. There will be 7-10 questions per exam.

Final Essay Exam

The final essay exam covers the entire course. It will be a take home essay exam that you submit on Blackboard. You will receive more info about this assignment later in the semester.

Papers

In each short (2-3pgs) paper you will present and discuss a specific current event/issue in International Politics today as an example of/in relation to a particular issues/theories/concepts raised in a particular section of the course. You will receive separate detailed instructions for this assignment. You will 'signup' for your papers. You will receive instructions about how to sign up and the assignment itself. Papers will be submitted on Blackboard.

*Course Materials: The following books will be available at the bookstore (You may be able to buy used copies on-line.):

Text: Henry Nau Perspectives on International Relations: Power, Institutions, and Ideas

Reader: Richard Mansbach and Edward Rhodes, Global Politics in a Changing World 3rd edition.

There will be additional articles, information, videos that you will get in class or will be posted on the Blackboard website for the course.

Places to buy used textbooks online: www.half.com; www.campusbooks.com; www.cheapesttextbooks.com; www.barnesandnoble.com

**********IMPORTANT**************

Readings are to be completed before discussion in class.

*Sections of the Course/Class Schedule-- Note this is tentative. It is likely we will adjust the schedule due to current political events or if we need/want to spend more or less time on certain subjects. It is a student’s responsibility to be informed of schedule changes. Make sure to ask or check the class website for any changes, additions, alterations, bad jokes.

Readings are abbreviated as such:

International Relations (text) Nau; Global Politics (reader) M&R

Part 1--Actors, Institutions, History and Theories of International Relations

1. Introduction to International Relations—Actors, Levels of Analysis and Theory.

Assigned Readings:

Text: Chapter 1, 2 Nau

Reader and Essays: "Continuity and Change in Global Politics" in Mansbach and Rhodes (M&R) pgs.1-12.; “One World, Rival Theories”, Jack Snyder (Handout).

Potential topics for class discussion: How is the international system organized? What are the major issues and players in World Politics today?

2. Liberalism and the Beginnings of the Modern International System through WWI

Assigned Readings:

Text: Chapter 3 Nau

Reader and Essays: . “Kant, Liberal Legacies and Foreign Affairs”-Michael Doyle (Handout); Revisiting-- “One World, Rival Theories”, Jack Snyder Handout.

· Potential topics for class discussion: What are the benefits and limits of a liberal theory of international relations? Why did WWI happen and how did liberal institutions emerge from the aftermath of the war?

3. Realism, WWII and the impact of power politics

Assigned Readings:

Text: Chapter 4 Nau

Reader and Essays: Anarchy and the Struggle for Power-John Mearsheimer (Handout); Revisiting--“One World, Rival Theories”, Jack Snyder (Handout).

Potential topics for class discussion: What assumptions do realists make about the world, governments and people? How should states act under a realist position? Is a ‘realist’ account of WWII more convincing than a ‘liberal one’, why?

4. Identities, the Cold War and Weapons of Mass Destruction (Constructivism and Idealism)

Assigned Readings:

Text: Chapter 5 Nau

Reader and Essays: “Anarchy is What States Make of It”-Alexander Wendt (Handout); "The Thinkable"-Bill Keller (M&R) pgs. 82-91; “The Four Functions of Force”-Robert Art (Handout) Revisiting-- “One World, Rival Theories”, Jack Snyder (Handout).

Potential topics for class discussion: How does self-identity influence political behavior? What roles do communism and democracy play in shaping Cold War Politics? How has the role of nuclear weapons impacted diplomacy and relations among states?

****FIRST EXAM****

Part 2- International Relations Today

5. Terrorism and American Foreign Policy—The origins and implementation of the Bush Doctrine (National Security Strategy)

Assigned Readings:

Text: Chapter 6 Nau

Reader and Essays: .“America’s Crusade” –Edward Rhodes (M&R) pgs 103-115; “America’s Crisis of Legitimacy”-Robert Kagan (M&R) pgs. 115-119; “The Middle East Needs Its Democracy Home Grown”- Jonathan Steele (M&R) pgs. 123-125. "Martyrdom and Murder"- The Economist (M&R) pgs. 62-66; “Loves Microsoft, Hates America”-Adam Davidson (M&R) pgs 464-468.

Potential topics for class discussion: What is the Bush Doctrine? How has it shaped US relations with foreign nations? Where did it come from and how did it lead to the decision to go to Iraq in 2003? How has terrorism impacted international relations today? Why is suicide terrorism an effective ‘strategy’?

6. International Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations-Global Governance Issues

Assigned Readings:

Text: Chapter 15 Nau

Reader and Essays: ; UN-"The UN's Mission Impossible"-The Economist (M&R) pgs 180-184.; NGO's-The Economist “Sins of the Secular Missionaries” Pg.214-220; “Power Shift” –Jessica Matthews (M&R) pgs 199-207; "Ladies You Have No Choice"-Don Hinrichen (M&R) pg. 430-434.

Potential topics for class discussion: How effective is the United Nations? What has been the impact of NGO’s on international politics? How do governments influence the operations of NGO's?

7. Why Does Cultural/Religious/Ethnic Conflict Occur? --Causes, Means and Outcomes

Assigned Readings:

Text: Chapter 13 Nau

Reader and Essays: “The Clash of Cultures and Identities" (M&R) pgs.376-379; "The Clash of Civilizations"-Samuel Huntington (M&R) pgs. 379-392; "The Global Menace of Local Strife"-The Economist (M&R) pgs. 47-52; Ian Buruma “Final Cut” (392-402).

Potential topics for class discussion: Is Huntington right? Have we moved towards an essential conflict between 'civilizations'? Why is ethnic and religious conflict so pervasive across the world?

8. World Environment-Population, Pollution and Pandemics

Text: Chapter 14 Nau

Reader and Essays: "Environmental Issues and the Global Commons" (M&R) pgs. 340-342; "On the Threshold: Environmental Changes as Causes of Acute Conflict"-Thomas F. Homer-Dixon (M&R) pgs.361-369. "Together in Sickness and In Health"-Natalie Angier (M&R) pgs. 280-285.

· Potential topics for class discussion: Will increasing conflicts over resources lead to security conflicts/tensions among states? Are environmental and health issues a global or local problem?

****SECOND EXAM****

Part 3-- World Economy

9. How the West Became Rich-The beginnings of the modern Monetary and Trade System

Assigned Readings:

Text: Chapter 7 Nau

Reader and Essays: "The ABC's of Global Money and Finance" -Peter Dombrowski (M&R) pgs. 302-314. TBA

· Potential topics for class discussion: Where did today's monetary policy come from? What policies helped make the 'west' richer than the 'rest'?

10. What is Globalization?

Assigned Readings:

Text: Chapter 8 Nau

Reader and Essays: "Dueling Globalizations: A Debate Between Thomas L. Friedman and Ignaico Ramonet" (M&R) pgs. 449-459; "Globalization vs Localization" (M&R) 438-442.

Potential topics for class discussion: Are we moving from a state dominated world to a market dominated one? What does this mean for us in our daily lives?

11. Globalization 3.0 , Monetary Policy, Trade and International Economic Institutions

Assigned Readings:

Text: Chapter 9 Nau

Reader and Essays: “IMF makes a Push for Good Government” –Michael Phillips (M&R) pgs.184-187; “The New Politics of Globalization” –Steven Pearlstein (M&R) pgs. 296-299.

12. Trade and Investment

Text: Chapter 10 Nau

Reader and Essays: "More 'Can I Help You' Jobs Migrate from US to India"-Amy Waldman (M&R) pgs 299-301. TBA

Potential topics for class discussion: How has outsourcing affect trade and jobs around the world? Where are companies investing their $?

13. Development and Foreign Aid

Text: Chapter 11 and 12 Nau

Reader and Essays: "Poverty and Development" (M&R) pgs. 316-317; “How to Kill a Country” –Samantha Power (M&R) pgs. 150-164; "How to Make Aid Work"-The Economist (M&R) pgs. 331-336; "Africa's Women Go to Work"-The Economist (M&R) pgs. 336-339.

Potential topics for class discussion: Why have certain countries been unable to get out of a cycle of debt? Why hasn't foreign aid worked in certain areas?

****THIRD EXAM**** THIS EXAM WILL BE TAKEN DURING THE SCHEDULED FINALS PERIOD

****FINAL EXAM**** THIS IS A TAKE HOME EXAM TO BE SUBMITTED ON BLACKBOARD