RECITATION: Introduction to International Relations
Monday 8:00 – 8:50
Wednesday 12:00 – 12:50
Office: Ketchum 401Email:
Office Hours: Wed 11-12, Thu 10-11
COURSE DESCRIPTION
As you know, this course compliments the lecture portion of PSCI 2223. Recitation is an opportunity for students to discuss the detailed themes presented in lecture, explore questions raised by lecture, and engage in classroom debates regarding the complex issues discussed throughout the course. To achieve these goals, it is imperative that students come prepared, having read all assigned material. Also, because we may use examples from current events to illustrate course themes, a close following of world news is highly encouraged throughout the semester.
REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING
Recitation accounts for 30% of the total course grade. This 30% will be divided into three equal portions of 10%: participation and attendance (10%) and two 4-6 page papers (10% each).
Participation and Attendance (10%):
Regular attendance is imperative to the success of any small class and this recitation is no exception. The success of this recitation is largely dependent upon participation and discussion, and I expect all students to attend each week. Students are allowed two absences without penalty, but each additional absence will result in a 10% reduction of the attendance grade. Tardiness in excess of 10 minutes will be marked as an absence.
Participation is vital to seminar-style courses and recitations, but it is not easily quantifiable. At the end of the course I will use participation for “cusp decisions” when students are close to the cutoff between two grades.
Papers (10% each):
Your papers should be 4-6 pages in length, which equates to approximately 1200 – 1800 words. Papers should be double-spaced and written in 12 point Times New Roman font. Pages should be numbered. All sources should be cited using an accredited citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago). Your papers will be graded on organization, strength of and support for your argument, the use of credible sources, and grammar. Wikipedia is not an academic source. Papers must be submitted both in print and via email to .
The first paper will be due at the beginning of your recitation section during the week of February 26th. This assignment will ask you to evaluate the Iraq war from an objective academic perspective. This paper should not be a partisan rant. Rather, you should use course readings to build a theoretical foundation for your argument, evaluate the positions of McCain and Odom, and place your argument within the context of one or more of the approaches to the academic study of international relations we will cover in the first few weeks of the course. You will receive a specific prompt from me in the early part of the course.
The second paper will be due at the beginning of your recitation section during the week of April 16th. This assignment will ask you to critically assess international peacekeeping operations. Should international actors become involved in civil conflicts? When is intervention important and when should it be avoided? The course readings assigned for the weeks following spring break will be helpful for this assignment and a more specific prompt will be given at that time.
Late Work Policy:
Papers should be submitted at the beginning of class on the due date. Papers will be penalized 10% for each day that they are late. For example, if your paper is due Monday during recitation, it will be penalized 10% if it is turned in after recitation and an additional 10% for each successive day it is late. The maximum late penalty is 50%, meaning that if you turn your paper in to me by the last recitation, you can still receive 50% of the points for the assignment.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Academic Integrity:
All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible forknowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution.Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academicdishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. Allincidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council(; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be inviolationof the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctionsfrom the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but notlimitedto university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on theHonor Code can be found at at
Students with Disabilities:
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit tome a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needsmaybe addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based ondocumented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and
Religious Observances:
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make
everyeffort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because ofreligious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments orrequired attendance. In this class, I ask that you inform me of such religious observances before the missed class period. Full details on the university policy regarding religious observances can be found at:
Appropriate Classroom Behavior:
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriatelearning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioralstandardsmay be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibilitytotreat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guideclassroomdiscussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they andtheirstudents express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity areespecially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing withdifferences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender
variance, and nationalities.
Class rosters are provided to the instructor withthe student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you byanalternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference earlyinthe semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. Seepolicesat:
-
-
Sexual Harassment:
The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination andHarassment( the University ofColorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policyonAmorous Relationships applies to all students, staff and faculty. Anystudent,staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject ofdiscrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex,age,disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contacttheOffice of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the OfficeofJudicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH and the campusresources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination orharassment can be obtained at