GISA 106

Contemporary World Politics

Fall2017

Tuesdays14:00-16:45

J520

Jaechun Kim

J710 (tel: 705-8684)

Class Hours: 14:00-16:45 (Tuesdays)

Office Hours: 10:00-12:00 (Mondays); 13:00-14:00 and 17:00-18:00 (Tuesdays);

14:00-16:00 (Wednesdays)

Course Objective:

The primary objective of this colloquium is to familiarize students with current world affairs and to help them to conduct a debate on some of the more salient contemporary international issues that are taxing the minds of practitioners and scholars alike.

How the Course is Conducted:

Before the class, I want all the students to listen to the most recent episodes of current world affairs discussion shows such as CNN’s GPS (Global Public Square) hosted by Fareed Zakaria and others of students’ own choosing. The audio version of GPS is available free of charge on a number of podcast applications, although video version is not. When students come to the class, they should be fully aware of the issues in recent world affairs and prepared to partake in debates about them.

In the beginning of each session, we will be watching a video clips about the recent world affairs prepared by each week’s presenter(s), after which instructor and students will be discussing issues raised in those video clips. For the ensuing debates, students will take turns and host debates. Host(s) should let others know what he/she intends to discuss for the following week by posting them on the class website. The address is the following: Please post topics to be discussed and also discussion questions on “Student PPT” at least 3 days before the class meets.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of weekly host to decide issues to discuss for each class session.

Before we embark on our own debate, the weekly host will conduct current world affairs briefings.During the first meeting of the class, I will ask each student to identify news clusters or groupings that he/she is interested in and wants to keep track of. As for me, I am interested in news concerning international security issues in general (and Northeast Asian security issues in particular), US foreign policy, and shifting balance of power and alliances in international relations, etc., and these are the topics that I strive to keep track of and to make sense of by indulging in international news everyday. During my reading of world news, I skip news dealing with international trade and business issues. In terms of region, I read articles on Northeast Asia and the US. I seldom get into news dealing with European affairs. Students conducting news briefings are supposed to cover weekly developments of news topics that they identify as their primary concerns. CNN and other electronic news sources will be the basis of world news briefings and the ensuing discussion.(Depending on the size of the class, students might have to do the briefings and also hosting a number of times.)

In order to keep abreast of current world affairs, students are encouraged to subscribe for the paper or internet edition of many interesting news sources other than GPS. Economist and New York Times (International Edition) etc. feature some of the best articles and most up-to-date news. The GSIS library is a good place to start searching for relevant news sources. You can gain access to many news sources through internet, but some of the best articles are not for free. I also recommend you to subscribe for daily e-mail news updates from the New York Times, Washington Post, and Economist [registration (free) required], etc.

Instructor might designate primary discussants for each debate unless students volunteer to participate in the debate.

Toward the end of the semester, all the students have to write 20-25 length term papers.Term paper topics of your choosing should be related to the news topics that you’ve followed during the semester. I expect every one of the participating student make a presentation based on his/her term paper. I will give you leeway in regard to the format and issues of the paper (unlike the other classes of mine :)). But be reminded that students will have to get my permission concerning the topics they want to write about. Make sure you consult with me in regard for the topic and format of the paper by no later than week 8 of the semester.

Evaluation:

Class Participation–50%

Term Paper– 35%

Exam – 15 %

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