INTA 2040
Spring 2006
Science, Technology & International Affairs
TR 3:05 – 4:25pm
Howey (Physics) L2
Dr. Michael L. Best
TA: To be announced
Office Hours: Tuesday 2.00-3.00pm, Habersham Room G12, or by appointment
This is a dynamic syllabus; it is subject to change. Please consult the web for the latest version.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
Price, M. E. (2004). Media and Sovereignty: The Global Information Revolution and Its Challenge to State Power. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
Siochrú, S. Ó., Girard, B., & Mahan, A. (2002). Global Media Governance: A Beginner's Guide.Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Grübler, A. (2003). Technology and Global Change. Cambridge, UK: CambridgeUniversity Press.
Note that (at least two of) these texts are written at a very high level. Do not despair. We will take our time reading them and spend time in class reviewing the material.
OVERVIEW
This class will examine the reciprocal relationship of science and technology, on the one hand, and relations within and between actors, on the other. In other words, we will study how science and technology has influenced and determined international affairs and, similarly, how international affairs have influenced and determined science and technology.
We will examine not just the affairs of states but non-state actors as well, such as multinationals and civil society. Indeed, one question we will consider is to what degree technology has diminished the role of the state in international affairs.
While we will take a broad view of technology we will also use a few example areas to focus our study. In particular, we will look at energy technologies and modern information and communication technologies and the media.
COURSE REQUIRMENTS
One policy brief(15%). Each student will produce ashort policy brief advocating some position on a topic related to the course so far.
One media report (15%). Each student will pick and critique a new media source.
Two midterm exams (20% each). These two exams will be a mix of machine-scorable questions and/or short answer questions and will probe the student’s understanding of class themes, readings, and lectures.
Final exam (30%). This exam will be a mix of machine-scorable questions and/or short answer questions and will probe the student’s understanding of class themes, readings, and lectures.
.
NOTE ON LATE SUBMISSIONS
Incompletes will not be given for this course. All submissions lose half a grade for each day (or fraction) late. Missed in-class exams will be marked as zero. Approved absences and late submissions, or required incompletes, will be given appropriate accommodations.
STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC HONESTY
Students in this class are expected to abide by the Georgia Tech Honor Code and avoid any instances of academic misconduct. In particular, plagiarism of any sort, in any writing, will not be tolerated. A useful web resource is: All students should become familiar with this website and strictly adhere to these proscriptions.
Plagiarizing is defined by Webster’s as “to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own: use (another's production) without crediting the source.”
If caught plagiarizing, you will be dealt with according to the GT Academic Honor Code.
For any questions involving these or any other Academic Honor Code issues, please consult me or
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AND READINGS
Jan 10Class Introduction
Jan 12Technology and diffusion
Grübler, pp 1-49
Jan 17Why regulate the media?
Siochrú, Girard, & Mahan, pp vii - 32
Jan 19The ITU (and the WSIS)
Siochrú, Girard, & Mahan, pp 35-50
Jan 24The WTO (and TRIPS)
Siochrú, Girard, & Mahan, pp 51 – 98
Jan 26ICANN
Siochrú, Girard, & Mahan, pp 99 – 116
Jan 31The FCC
Readings TBA
Feb 2Trends in global governance
Siochrú, Girard, & Mahan, pp 119 – 181
Feb 7Modeling change
Grübler, pp 49-115
Feb 9Ultimate causes of differing levels of growth
Grübler, pp 117-127
Feb 14Midterm
Feb 16New media and sovereignty
Progress grades due
Feb 21The Nation-Place versus Cyber-Space
Price, pp 3-29
Feb 23Media and democratization
Price, pp 31-54
Feb 28Metaphors and Models
Price, pp 57-87
Mar 2Privatization
Price, pp 89 - 116
Mar 7Technologies of Freedom
Price, pp 117 - 167
Mar 9CLASS CANCLED
Mar 14Rwanda and Radio Mille Collines
Price, 171-225
Mar 16Global Voices
Price, 227 – 250
Media report due
Spring Break
*Mar 27Sam Nunn Policy Forum
Mar 28Special guest lecture TBA
Mar 30Agricultural technology
Grübler, pp 131-194
Apr 4Midterm
Apr 6CLASS CANCLED
Apr 11Industrial technology and energy
Grübler, pp 195-290
Apr 13Services
Grübler, pp 291-338
Policy brief due
Apr 18The technology-environment paradox
Grübler, pp 341-394
Apr 20Energy and information technologies
Readings TBA
Apr 25ICT’s and development
Readings TBA
Apr 27Class wrap-up