POLS 2401: GLOBAL ISSUES
DR. CRAIG B GREATHOUSE
Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice
West Main Hall 318
706-867-3504
Office Hours: Spring 2010
MW 9:00AM-11:00AM
T/TH 2:30PM-3:45PM
Or By Appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An analysis of the basic forces which govern the behavior of nations in their relations with one another. This study of world power conflicts, diplomacy and international cooperation is designed to acquaint the student with the basic issues and areas of conflict among the nation-states of the contemporary world.
COURSE GOALS
Understand the basic actors and concepts of the international system
Understand the role of theory in the study of international relations
Describe the major influences which affect how the international system functions
Sharpen writing and analytical skills through testing and the completion of an analytical paper
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
This course will be conducted using a combination of lecture and Socratic Method supplemented by outside reading by the students. Critical thinking and analysis skills will be refined through the use of a common term paper among all of the sections of Global Issues.
CODE OF CONDUCT
For this course the code of conduct that is articulated in the student handbook and reiterated on pg 26 of the undergraduate bulletin serve as the rules for this class.
Violations will be dealt with by the instructor and may be elevated to the Departmental Chair and or Dean of Students for additional action. All options remain open to the instructor up too and including an administrative withdrawal from this class are possible.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Mandatory attendance will not be demanded within the scope of this class. Missing class will adversely affect your grade in that information that I present within the scope of lecture and discussion may not be covered in the book. I have found that there is a direct correlation between the number of times that a student misses class and the grade that they earn. If you miss a class, talk to one of the students in the class to get a copy of the day’s notes. If you must miss class for an extended period of time come talk with me and we will make arrangements to deal with situation. It remains the student’s responsibility to deal with any of the consequences as a result of missing class. MISSING CLASS WILL HURT YOUR GRADE.
Roll will be taken several times during the first three weeks of the semester for university required administrative purposes. If you do not sign into role after the add drop week then you will be dropped from the course during enrollment verification.
If you have to leave class early please talk to the instructor at the beginning of the period. Please be cognizant of the of fact that you will be disturbing the class as you leave so take every care to make the disruption as minimal as possible.
TESTING AND GRADING
NO LATE TERM PAPERS OR OTHER MAJOR
ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!!! PAPERS
AND TESTS ARE DUE IN CLASS ON THE DAY OF THE ASSIGNMENT.
I DO NOT ACCEPT PAPERS OR OTHER MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS SENT VIA EMAIL OR FAX.
PAPERS NOT UPLOADED TO TURNITIN.COM ON TIME WILL HAVE DEDUCTION OF 30% OFF THE FINAL GRADE
Grading in the course will be based on the university’s grade distribution.
A’s = 90-100 - exceptional work
B’s = 80-89 – good work
C’s = 70-79 – average work
D’s = 60-69 – below average
F’s = 59 and below – failing
Your final grade in the course is determined by an average of all work done during the semester. At times an assignment or grading element may have a greater or lesser weight than other work done during the semester. If this is the case you will be informed and the grade will be calculated with that in mind. Quizzes may not be specifically scheduled in a syllabus but I retain the right to quiz students at anytime I see fit.
I consider cheating on tests or papers to be a major violation of the academic integrity policy. (pg 101 bulletin) Therefore, if you are caught cheating you will be given an F for the semester and your case referred to the Academic Integrity Council for further action.
The grades for this class will be determined by the following criteria this semester.
There will be three exams, each worth 100 points. Each exam will be essay in nature examining major themes and ideas that have been dealt with in class. There will be two components to each test an in-class element and a take home element. You will be given the take home test one class period before the test. This will be an essay question which you will be expected to answer in significant detail. On the day of the test you are to bring in the typed essay, which you will also upload to Turnitin.com. For the take home section you may ONLY use the book and class notes. The second part of the test will be an in class element. You are required to bring either a blank blue book of blanks sheets of notebook paper to class for tests days. The in class component will be a combination of a number of short answer questions, a short essay, and a map quiz.
There will be one major writing assignment given during the course. The paper will be towards the end of the semester. The paper will be worth 100 points.
Special policies: All
take home exams and papers must be uploaded to Turnitin.com if uploaded late
the element receives 30% deduction from final grade.
Analytical
Paper:
All students in global issues will write a 5 page paper. Students will utilize APA as their citation style. The paper will utilize information from the student’s text as well as personal opinion. It should be stapled in the upper left hand corner, with a cover page, double spaced and be in Times New Roman 12pt font, page margins are to be one inch all the way around. The paper will answer the following questions:
First define a state. 2. Then describe the challenges that the state driven international system faces from transnational actors. 3. Within the context of these challenges, do you believe it is still possible for the state to provide for the welfare (economic, strategic, and environmental) for its own citizens? 4. Does your analysis change if you are talking about one of the least powerful actors in the system? 5. Taking on the perspective of an actor with little power, describe briefly the ethical parameters that you would like to see in the international community.
The essay will be graded on the following rubric: Significant examples to support your position will be expected within the scope of the paper
20 pts – define a state
20 pts – Describe the challenges to states from transnational actors
20 pts – Can the state still provide for citizen welfare needs?
20 pts – Does your analysis change based on your own position of power?
20 pts – What should be the ethical parameters of the international community
Paper is to be double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font, with a cover page, double spaced, and fully spell checked and proof read.
This course through its written assignment addresses IL Learning Outcomes #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5
PAPER IS DUE on APRIL 1, 2010 in class. THIS MEANS YOU MUST BRING A PAPER COPY TO
CLASS TO TURN IN DURING CLASS.
There will be a 50 point assignment on definitions that will be posted separately. This assignment must be submitted as a hard copy in class, uploaded to turnitin.com AND also uploaded in electronic format to VISTA.
You will have 50 points of historical knowledge assessment. You will have 5, ten question quizzes in VISTA over the course of the semester. Teach of these quizzes will match one of the sections in the History Since 1945 book. These 5 quizzes will be of multiple choice questions related to different events and ideas in each section.
The final 150 points for the class can be earned through your participation in the simulation which will be run during the course of the semester. This simulation will consist of 8 assignments each worth 19 points. Much more information will be given about the simulation and how it works at a later time.
There are a total of 650 points that can be earned within the scope of this course.
TURNITIN.COM information
Class number = 3035640
Password = anarchy (case sensitive)
MAKE UP TESTS
If you miss a test there may be an opportunity to take a
make up. Make ups tests are given at
the sole discretion of the instructor. You must have a valid reason why you missed
the test and be able to offer proof to
support your position. Sleeping in
or just not feeling up to it are not valid excuses. If you are sick go to the
Academic Integrity Policy:
- Honor Code: "On my honor, I will not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth or tolerate those who do."
- Suspected violations of the Academic Integrity policy should be referred by students to the instructor. If the instructor concludes that a violation of the Academic Integrity policy has occurred, the instructor will either (1) penalize the student and file an incident report with the Academic Integrity Council or (2) refer the matter directly to the Academic Integrity Council. If an incident report is filed by the instructor, the instructor will review the completed report with the student and will request that the student sign the report as an indication that the student is aware of the contents of the report.
PLAGIARISM
IF YOU ARE CAUGHT PLAGIARISING IN THIS COURSE, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN F FOR THE COURSE. YOU WILL THEN BE FORWARDED TO THE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY COUNCIL FOR FURTHER ACTION. I DO NOT TOLERATE PLAGIARISM IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM.
PLAGIARISM DEFINED - is using others' ideas and words without clearly acknowledging the source of that information. Plagiarism is offering someone else's work as your own, whether one sentence or whole paragraphs, and whether from an internet source, book, periodical, or the writing of other students.
Plagiarism Software Check Statement
Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com site.
You will be submitting both of your research assignments and your tests to Turnitin for a plagiarism check. More information will be provide on how access turnitin for this course. In addition the instructor may use other approaches such as google searches or other methodology in addressing suspected plagiarism. Failure to turn in a test or paper to turn it in will result in an automatic 30% deduction from the final grade of that assignment.
BOOKS
The following books are required for this course
Sutch, Peter and Juanita Elias. 2007. International Relations: The Basics. New York: Routledge.
McWilliams, Wayne C, and Harry Piotrowski. 2009. The World Since 1945: A History of International Relations. Boulder: Lynne Rienner.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week One: Introduction, Blood vs. Money, Why Study IR
Sutch ch 1, 2,
Start reading section 1 in McWilliams
Week Two: Types of Actors in the system – Sutch ch 5
Week Three: Power in the system – Greathouse lecture
Simulation Starts on January 19, 2010
Section One Quiz for History opens January 21 and closes January 22, 2010
Week Four: Levels of Analysis
Start reading section 2 in McWilliams
Simulation Assignment One due Jan 28, 2010
Week Five: Test # 1 then start Nationalism vs. Globalism
Sutch ch 7
Simulation Assignment 2 due Feb 4, 2010
Week Six Theory – Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism
Sutch ch 3,4
Simulation Assignment 3 Feb 11, 2010
Section Two Quiz for History opens Feb 11 and closes Feb 12, 2010
Week Seven NO CLASS AT ISA NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Work on definition assignment and simulation
Begin reading Section 3 in McWilliams book
Week Eight Theory
Simulation Assignment 4 due Feb 25, 2010
Week Nine Theory
Section Three Quiz for History opens March 4 and closes March 5, 2010
Week Ten Test # 2 – International Law
Simulation Assignment 5 due March 11, 2009
Start reading McWilliams Section 4
Spring Break March 15-19
Week Eleven Conflict & Security
Simulation Assignment 6 due March 25, 2010
Week Twelve Security Continued
PAPER DUE APRIL 1, 2010
Section Four Quiz for History opens April 1 and closes April 2, 2010
Week Thirteen Security
Simulation Assignment 7 due April 8, 2009
Start
reading McWilliams Section 5
Week Fourteen International Economics
Week Fifteen Section Five Quiz for History opens April 19 and closes April 20, 2010
Finals Week Test # 3
Simulation Assignment 8 due during Final
CLASS FINAL =
Thursday April 22, 2010 from
3:30pm-5:30pm
Information Literacy Statement (for 3-4000 level courses, optional in lower level courses)
Information Literacy Learning Outcomes*
1) The information literate student determines the nature and extent of the information needed. (Know)
2) The information literate student accesses needed information effectively and efficiently. (Access)
3) The information literate student evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system. (Evaluates)
4) The information literate student, individually or as a member of a group, uses information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose. (Use)
5) The information literate student understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally. (Ethical/Legal)
*Learning Outcomes adapted from the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) standards
This course through its two written assignments addresses IL Learning Outcomes #1, #2, #3, #4, and # 5
On-line evaluation
Class Evaluations: Class evaluations at NGCSU are now
conducted on-line through Banner. Evaluation of the class is considered a
component of the course and students will not be permitted to access their
course grade until the evaluation has been completed. The evaluations
will be accessible beginning one week prior to Final Exam week.
Early Alert Participation
I
am committed to your success in this course and at this university. I may, therefore, refer you to other persons
and/or services available to help you achieve academic success. In turn, if you are referred, you will be
expected to comply with the referrals.
Please understand that such referrals are not a form of punishment,
rather, they are intended to help you.
NGCSU
has implemented an Early Alert/Early Intervention program. I am a participating faculty member in the
program. I may, then, refer you to other
persons and/or services at the university designed to help you achieve your
academic goals. You, in turn, will be
expected to take advantage of the help offered to you.
As
your teacher I am committed to your academic success, not only in this class,
but at this university. If I feel you
would benefit from some of the special services available to students, I will
make the appropriate referral. I will,
further, expect you to comply with the referral and take advantage of the
services offered.
Accommodation for Students with Disabilities:
North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU) is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and to the principle of individual rights and responsibilities. To that end, the policies and procedures of NGCSU reasonably ensure that a person with a disability is not, on the basis of that disability, denied full and equal access to and the enjoyment of academic programs and co-curricular activities or otherwise is subjected to discrimination in such programs and activities.
The policies for access by individuals with disabilities at NGCSU are designed to ensure full compliance with all pertinent federal and state legislation, specifically to include Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
To receive disability accommodations, the student should contact the Coordinator of Disability Resources, Office of Academic Support Programs, Room 207 Barnes Hall. Approval of reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.