Introduction to International Relations

PSC 231 – Introduction to International Relations Spring 2015 Instructor: Peter Pizor, Ph.D. Assistant Professor in Residence WRI A216 (702) 895‐1498 peter.pizor@unlv.edu Office hours: Monday 9:00‐10:30 am, Wednesday 10:00‐11:30 am and by appointment Course description: This three‐credit course is a general introduction to international politics and foreign policy. The course also will cover international trade and development. The course primarily is theoretical in nature, but such concepts as revolution, economic and policy development and nationalism also will be considered. Students should gain knowledge of the theories, elements and institutions of international political, security and economic relations and how these relate to current events and trends in international relations. Successful completion of this course satisfies UNLV’s International and Foreign Culture requirement. Overview of Course This course offers an introduction to the study of international relations in a political science context. We will examine the prevailing theories and paradigms within which international relations are studied. We will also study different substantive areas of political science including conflict, trade, international law and human rights, finance and business, global environmental concerns, development, and more. We will also examine foreign policy (from a primarily U.S. perspective) and how that leads to the actions we see in the news and read about in history. Finally we will examine potential careers for those who study and are interested in international relations. Online Course Advice Some of you may have taken an online course before. Some of you may not. The primary difference between this course and an in‐class course is that we don’t have a set time to meet. I do have recorded lectures for each of the week’s readings. It is crucial that you do your reading each week and use the lectures to supplement that. Please also take advantage of the resources that are part of the textbook. The mypoliscilab content will help prepare you for the types of questions you will encounter on the exams as well as clarify the more difficult concepts from the textbook. I am available during my office hours for you to stop by. I am also available by appointment. I am happy to answer emails with questions as well. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions. I will answer emails within 24 hours with the exception of weekends, which may be slightly longer. Course Objectives The course has three primary objectives. The first is to familiarize each student with the field of international relations. The second is to improve students’ ability to apply concepts from the study of international relations through active engagement with news media, journal articles, and other sources of information on international relations. The third objective is to improve students' ability to express their understanding of international relations topics in written form. Required Text: Goldstein, Joshua S. and Pevehouse Jon C. 2013. International Relations, 10th Edition. Pearson. ISBN: 978‐0‐205‐87526‐9 and the accompanying website. Grading Students will be graded based on the following items: Item Date
Exam 1 (Chapters 1‐4) 2/19/15
Exam 2 (Chapters 5‐8) 3/26/15
Exam 3 (Chapter 9‐13) 5/15/15
Participation in Online Discussion Ongoing (Weekly)
3 Reaction Papers to Articles (2/26, 4/9, 4/30)
Total ‐
Percent 25% 25% 25% 10% 15% total 100% Points
100
100
100
40
20 points each
400
Student scores will be based on a percentage of points earned on each item totaled and divided by total points possible (400) in the course. Grades assigned based on the following scale: Grading Scale: 93‐100 83‐86 73‐76 63‐66 A B C D 90‐92 80‐82 70‐72 60‐62 A‐
B‐
C‐
D‐
87‐89
77‐79
67‐69
59 or below
B+ C+ D+ F Course Content: This course is delivered online. The primary text is the Goldstein and Pevehouse textbook, and the accompanying textbook website. I also have included brief lectures on the material in each chapter (module). You will find the lectures, supplemental readings, and links to the textbook website in WebCampus, the course website. Each chapter includes supplemental learning material. Each of the primary components of the course is addressed below. Reaction Papers In addition to the textbook I have included a section with 6 additional scholarly articles on topics that we cover during the course. You are required to choose three of these articles, read them, and write three reaction papers (see grading above). This is an overview of the assignment. Additional information is found at the course website under Assignments. The reaction papers should be 550‐900 words. They should address the following issues: 1. What is the research question? 2. How did the authors try to answer the question (what methods were used)? a. What data was used? b. What statistical tests were used, if any? c. What cases/examples are used by the author to help answer the question? 3. What overall theory of international relations does this work fall under? a. Chapters 2 and 3 in the text as well as the accompanying materials online will help you identify the general theory that is most appropriate for the overall substance of each of the articles you have selected. 4. How this paper relates to any recent (since 2013) international event? Detailed advice and suggestions along with a Grading Rubric for Reaction Papers are posted on the course website. Discussion/Participation Each week we will have a discussion topic. Discussion for each week will begin Monday morning at 12:00 a.m. and run through Saturday at 11:59 p.m. Each student is required make 2 posts in each week’s discussion in order to earn full credit for course participation. The first comment must be made by Wednesday at 11:59 am (noon). These comments should be 75 or more words, should address the topic, should follow the principles of etiquette, and contribute to the class discussion in a constructive way. Each student starts out with full participation points and loses up to 1 percent (4 points) each week the requirements above are not met. In order to earn the 4 points in each week the student must make two posts during the week that meet the criteria above with the first post made by Wednesday. Detailed advice and suggestions along with a Grading Rubric are posted on the course website. Exams Three exams are scheduled throughout the course. The dates for these exams are shown in the course schedule below. The exams are worth 100 points each. The exam consists of 10 true/false questions worth 2 points each, 35 multiple choice questions worth 2 points each, and 1 short essay question worth 10 points. You will have 1 hour to complete each of the exams. Each exam covers the material listed in the grading items listed above. The final is the third unit test. It is NOT cumulative. Specific information on each exam is posted on the course website.
Course Schedule Week Dates Reading Topic Deadlines/Holidays MLK Day (1/19) 1 1/20 Chap. 1 Globalization 2 1/26 Chap. 2 Realist Theories 3 2/2 Chap. 3 4 2/9 Chap. 4 5 2/16 Chap. 5 6 2/23 Chap. 6 7 3/2 Chap.7 8 3/9 Chap. 8 9 3/16 Chap. 9 Global Finance and Business 10 3/23 Chap. 10 International Integration 11 3/30 12 4/6 Chap. 11 13 4/13 Chap. 12 14 4/20 Chap. 13 15 4/27 Chap. 14 16 5/4 None Liberal and Social Theories Exam 1 Due (2/19) Foreign Policy Presidents' Day (2/16) International Conflict Military Force and 1st reaction paper due
Terrorism
(2/26) International Organization, Law, and Human Rights
International Trade Exam 2 due (3/26) SPRING BREAK Environment and 2nd reaction paper due
Population
(4/9)
The North‐South Gap International Development Postscript and
3rd reaction paper due
Careers in (4/30) International Relations
Study Week 17 5/11 None Final Exam Final Exam due (5/11) MONDAY Academic Misconduct – Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community; all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility and professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to always take the ethical path. Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV’s function as an educational institution. An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism. Plagiarism is using the words or ideas of another, from the Internet or any source, without proper citation of the sources. See the Student Academic Misconduct Policy (approved December 9, 2005) located at: http://studentconduct.unlv.edu/misconduct/policy.html. Copyright – The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The university will neither protect nor defend you nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability, as well as disciplinary action under University policies. Additional information can be found at: http://provost.unlv.edu/copyright/statements.html. Disability Resource Center (DRC) – The UNLV Disability Resource Center (SSC‐A 143, http://drc.unlv.edu/, 702‐985‐0866) provides resources for students with disabilities. If you feel that you have a disability, please make an appointment with a Disabilities Specialist at the DRC to discuss what options may be available to you. If you are registered with the UNLV Disability Resource Center, bring your Academic Accommodation Plan from the DRC to me during office hours so that we may work together to develop strategies for implementing the accommodations to meet both your needs and the requirements of the course. Any information you provide is private and will be treated as such. To maintain the confidentiality of your request, please do not approach me before or after class to discuss your accommodation needs. Religious Holidays Policy – Any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class or lab work because of observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make up missed work. The make‐up will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor no later than the end of the first two weeks of classes, February 3, of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. This policy shall not apply in the event that administering the test or examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the university that could not reasonably been avoided. For additional information, please visit: http://catalog.unlv.edu/content.php?catoid=4&navoid=164. Incomplete Grades ‐ The grade of I – Incomplete – can be granted when a student has satisfactorily completed all course work up to the withdrawal date of that semester/session but for reason(s) beyond the student’s control, and acceptable to the instructor, cannot complete the last part of the course, and the instructor believes that the student can finish the course without repeating it. A student who receives an I is responsible for making up whatever work was lacking at the end of the semester. If course requirements are not completed within the time indicated, a grade of F will be recorded and the GPA will be adjusted accordingly. Students who are fulfilling an Incomplete do not register for the course but make individual arrangements with the instructor who assigned the I grade. Tutoring – The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides tutoring and academic assistance for all UNLV students taking UNLV courses. Students are encouraged to stop by the ASC to learn more about subjects offered, tutoring times and other academic resources. The ASC is located across from the Student Services Complex (SSC). Students may learn more about tutoring services by calling (702) 895‐3177 or visiting the tutoring web site at: http://academicsuccess.unlv.edu/tutoring/. UNLV Writing Center – One‐on‐one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV students at the Writing Center, located in CDC‐3‐301. Although walk‐in consultations are sometimes available, students with appointments will receive priority assistance. Appointments may be made in person or by calling 895‐3908. The student’s Rebel ID Card, a copy of the assignment (if possible), and two copies of any writing to be reviewed are requested for the consultation. More information can be found at: http://writingcenter.unlv.edu/ Rebelmail – By policy, faculty and staff should e‐mail students’ Rebelmail accounts only. Rebelmail is UNLV’s official e‐mail system for students. It is one of the primary ways students receive official university communication such as information about deadlines, major campus events, and announcements. All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after they have been admitted to the university. Students’ e‐mail prefixes are listed on class rosters. The suffix is always @unlv.nevada.edu. Final Examinations – The University requires that final exams given at the end of a course occur at the time and on the day specified in the final exam schedule. See the schedule at: http://www.unlv.edu/registrar/calendars. Final Exam due (5/11). Reaction Paper Grading Rubric Elements Missing On Right Track 0‐1 points
2‐3 points
Research question not defined or defined inaccurately Basic idea of research question is described There may be a few errors in understanding Define Research Question Basic Criteria Fulfilled
3‐3.5 points
Something Great 3.5‐4 points
Research question is placed in the context of Research question overall IR concepts described accurately, The research question is concisely, and logically described accurately, concisely, and logically
Describe Method Used Define the General International Relations Theory Used (Realism, Liberalism, Feminism, etc.) Relate to Recent International Event Grammar/Spelling Length The method used is accurately described as Name of method used, General Method Method not described or but context not (qualitative, quantitative, well as why this described inaccurately understood/described method was used is or mixed) described. understood
The correct theory is Theory not described or General theory is named The correct general credited and the effect described or described but description is not theory is correctly named that this theoretical inaccurately quite accurate and briefly described perspective has on the research is understood Event is current, and the Student does not relate application of the Event is current. Event is not recent. paper to international principles from the paper Application is feasible Event does not relate event. Event is not is both accurate and and well‐thought out well international interesting
to concept in paper Major spelling/grammar Some spelling /grammar No major Writing is smooth and errors errors spelling/grammar errors elegant with care paid to Significantly longer or Length too short or too Meets length crafting a coherent essay shorter than required
long
requirements