INTL 201/GOVT 251: GLOBAL ISSUES
Pamela S. Chasek, PhDFall2013
Office: Miguel 424; 718-862-7248MWR 2:00-2:50Miguel 207
Office Hours: MWR: 12:00-2:00; 3:00-4:00
E-mail:
or
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this class is twofold:
- to provide students with an introduction to international studies; and
- to teach students how to research and write papers for the international studies major.
Specifically, the class will examine two primary types of global issues: those issues that cross political boundaries (country borders) and therefore affect individuals in more than one country. The goal is to introduce several of the most pressing global issues and demonstrate how strongly they are interconnected. Through the use of weekly readings, discussions and following international current events, the students should have a greater understanding of global issues that affect countries and people around the world and form the basis of international and intra-national relations.
Students will also learn how to research current international issues, develop and defend their positions on these issues and write papers that are well researched, well organized and well written. Whether or not a student is an International Studies major, the writing component of this class will help them improve their research and writing ability.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students are expected to attend all class sessions, do all of the required readings and participate actively in all discussions, which will form the basis of the class. Students will also be required to keep up with current international events by reading daily newspapers or checking a variety of news sources on the Internet on a daily basis. There will be both weekly discussions and unannounced quizzes on current events throughout the semester.
Students will also be required to write two short papers and a larger research paper during the semester. A separate hand-out will address the specifics of the papers. There will also be two exams and occasional unannounced quizzes on the readings.
Grades will be based on the following:
5% - Class participation and current events discussions
20% -Midterm Exam
40% -Papers (10%, 10% and 20%)
15% - Current events and other quizzes
20% - Final Exam
CLASS RULES
Discussions: During class discussions, all viewpoints are welcome and active debate is encouraged, as long as everyone is respectful of each other’s positions. You are welcome to bring water, sodas, coffee, tea, or other non-alcoholic beverages to class. I ask that you refrain from eating during class time and TURN YOUR CELL PHONES OFF.
Attendance Policy: You are required to come to class. However, we are all adults here and sometimes “real life” intrudes. I don’t need to know why you are absent. I will trust you as an adult. The rules are as follows: You may miss up to 3 classes during the term, no questions asked. When you are absent for the fourth time, your attendance will be reported to the Dean of your school. This will have an impact on your grade (if you’re not in class you can’t participate!). Manage your absences appropriately. If you have a medical situation that will mean more than 3 absences, let me know as soon as possible. Late arrivals or early departures may be considered absences at my discretion, particularly if they appear to be consistent, gratuitous or disruptive.
Students with Disabilities: If you have a documented disability that requires special accommodation(s), you need to provide acceptable documentation of that disability (or disabilities) to the SpecializedResourceCenter in Miguel 300. The SpecializedResourceCenter will then contact me with appropriate instructions to accommodate your needs.
Academic Integrity: “The basis of all learning is trust. Thus, academic integrity means that every member of the academic community accepts the responsibility to be open, honest, truthful, ethical, and accountable for all intellectual efforts, for all access to and presentation of data, facts, information, and opinions, and for all access to and us of data or other files (printed, oral, or digital) related in any way to students, faculty, staff, or administration. Academic integrity ensures the application of the highest academic standards and principles of conduct, honesty, and truth.” This text was excerpted from the ManhattanCollege policy on Academic Integrity. The ManhattanCollege policy on Academic Integrity will be applied to all violations of academic integrity in this course.
Along these lines, I have to mention plagiarism.Now, what is plagiarism? Plagiarism is taking someone else’s ideas and presenting them as your own. You could do this in many ways including buying a paper from the Internet or quoting someone without using quotation marks or acknowledgement. What if you used your own words, but the idea came from an article you read? If you don’t cite the article as the source of the ideas, you are guilty of plagiarism. We will talk about plagiarism in class and there is an article about plagiarism on the class Moodle site. Should you have any questions about what is and is not acceptable use, ask me. Your continued enrollment in this course past the first session is considered proof that you have read and understood the article on plagiarism on Moodle.
Reaching Me: Please e-mail me! I check e-mail throughout the day. I usually reply promptly, but don’t panic if you do not hear back from me after four hours. Just like you, I try to have a life. I encourage you to come to my office hours. Office hours are the best way to take care of concerns and papers. E-mail is best for questions and concerns that can be addressed in a paragraph or less.
READINGS
One text book is required for this course, in addition to any other supplementary materials that will be available on Moodle. The book is available in the bookstore and on reserve in the library.
Richard J. Payne. Global Issues: Politics, Economics, Culture, 4thedition.New York: Pearson/Longman, 2013. (Payne)
All readings are due on the day listed in the syllabus. Bring relevant book/reading to class.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
NOTE: This schedule is subject to change through the semester. All changes will be posted on Moodle and/or handed out in class.
1. 8/26Introduction
8/28NO CLASS
8/29Challenges of GlobalizationPayne, Chapter 1
2. 9/2NO CLASS – Labor Day
9/4Challenges of Globalization (continued)
9/5Writing Research Papers: ResearchClass meets in O’Malley 410
3. 9/9Struggle for Primacy in a Global SocietyPayne, Chapter 2
9/11 Struggle for Primacy (continued)Etzioni (Moodle)
9/12Intro. to Writing International Studies Papers
NOTE: Paper #1 due on 9/9, 9/16 or 9/23
Topics for Paper #3 due on 9/16
4. 9/16Human RightsPayne, Chapter 3
9/18Human Rights(continued)Mitchum (Moodle)
9/19Writing Research Papers: Outlines/Organization
5.9/23 Promoting DemocracyPayne, Chapter 4
9/25Iraq 10 Years LaterFawcett (Moodle)
9/26Writing Research Papers: References/Bibliography
NOTE: Paper #2 due on 9/30, 10/3 or10/16
6.9/30Global TerrorismPayne, Chapter 5
10/2Global Terrorism (continued)Mueller and Stewart; Rand
(Moodle)
10/3Weapons ProliferationPayne, Chapter 6
NOTE: Paper #3 outline and preliminary bibliography due on 10/10.
7.10/7Midterm Exam
10/9The Global Financial CrisisPayne, Chapter 7
10/10Global TradePayne, Chapter 8
8. 10/14NO CLASS - Columbus Day
10/15(Monday schedule)Global Trade (continued)Timmerman, Part II (Moodle)
10/16OutsourcingFriedman, Shiva and Cengage
(Moodle)
10/17Fair Trade: Guest Lecture: Lois HarrLocke (Moodle)
9.10/21Guest Lecture: Chris Brauel, VSO TanzaniaPayne Chapter 9
10/23Global Inequality
10/24Environmental IssuesPayne Chapter 10
10.10/28Guest Lecture on North Korea: Jérome Sauvage, UNDP
10/30Environmental Issues (continued)
10/31Climate ChangeCQ “Climate Change” (Moodle)
- 11/4 FrackingCQ “Fracking” (Moodle)
11/6Population and MigrationPayne Chapter 11
11/7Population and Migration (continued)
NOTE: 1st draft of Paper #3 due 11/11
12. 11/11Global CrimePayne Chapter 12
11/13Global Crime(continued)CQ “Organ Trafficking”
11/14Human TraffickingCQ “Human Trafficking”
- 11/18Human Trafficking (continued)
11/20The GlobalizationofDiseasePayne Chapter 13
11/21Disease (continued)
- 11/25HIV/AIDSStories of AIDS (Moodle)
11/27-28 Thanksgiving
NOTE: Final draft of Paper #3 due on 12/5
- 12/2Cultural Clashes and Conflict ResolutionPayne Chapter 14
12/4Cultural Clashes and Conflict Resolution
12/5Looking Ahead/Review for FinalGlobal Trends (Moodle)
(pp. i-xiv at a minimum)
Final Exam: Wednesday, December 11, 2013: 11:00-1:00 pm
1
Error! Main Document Only.