PLS 232 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Instructor: Beat Kernen Class Time: MWF 2-2:50
Office: PACB 322 Place: PACB 301
Tel.: 836-5926 Office Hours: MWF 11-12
e-mail: brk265f@mail.missouristate.edu T 5- 6
W 1- 2
Purpose of the Course
The course is designed to acquaint students with both the major actors and issues relevant in global politics. This entails gaining a knowledge of the theory as well as the practice of global politics. In simple terms, the students will hopefully learn what is happening in today's world, where it is happening, and why it is happening. From this perspective, the course will enhance the student's awareness of global affairs and the significance of being a citizen of this world.
Many of the discussions in class will be about contemporary problems at the global level. For obvious reasons, the foreign policy of the United States and this country's relations with its allies and adversaries will be prominent topics. In order to bring our discussions up-to-date, students are expected to read as much as possible on current events and to watch daily television news or listen to radio broadcasts regularly (the Lehrer-News Hour on PBS--6:30 p.m.--and the "Morning Edition"--6:00-10:00 a.m.--or "All Things Considered"--4:00-6:00 p.m. on NPR are highly recommended).
Readings: The textbook required for this course is:
Charles W. Kegley, Jr. and Eugene R. Wittkopf. World Politics, Trend and Transformation, 7th ed. New York: St Martin's/WORTH, 1999.
Because of the importance of geographic awareness in the study of international relations, students are also required to obtain the:
John L. Allen, Student Atlas of World Politics, 3rd ed., Guilford, Conn.: Dushkin/McGraw Hill, 1998.
In addition, a few articles from journals and newspapers may be assigned occasionally as supplemental readings.
Course Requirements
1. Three exams during the semester, each consisting of a combination of short-answer, term-identification, and multiple-choice questions.
2. A final exam (not comprehensive) at the end of the semester, consisting of short-answer, term-identification, and multiple-choice questions.
3. In-class assignments and quizzes.
4. An oral report based upon the research paper.
5. A group research paper (3-5 students) dealing with a current problem or issue of international affairs. Requirements: 10 pages per group member, typed, double-spaced, with footnotes and a bibliography, and collectively written introduction and conclusion.
The paper is due on the last day of classes; no late paper will receive a grade better than a B.
Grading:
- 3 semester exams, 100 points each: 300 points (20%)
- final exam 100 points (10%)
- assignments and quizzes, maximum 200 points (20%)
- oral report 100 points (10%)
- research paper 200 points (20%)
- participation and attendance 100 points (10%)
__________________
TOTAL 1000 points (100%)
Grading scale: Unless exceptional circumstances dictate otherwise, the grading scale used throughout the semester will be: 90-100%=A, 80-89%=B, 70-79%=C, 60-69%=D, <60%=F.
Plagiarism and Cheating
Plagiarism, defined as the "steal[ing] and pass[ing] off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own (Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed.) and other forms of cheating will result in an F for the assignment, quiz, exam, or paper in which it occurred. In repeated cases of cheating, a student will receive an F for the course. Please consult pages 56-57 of the Missouri State Undergraduate Catalog for university rules concerning academic dishonesty.
Attendance Policy
Attendance at all class sessions is expected. If, however, compelling circumstances such as participation at university-sanctioned events, illness, family-related occurrences do require absence from class, please notify the instructor ahead of time if at all possible.
Missed exams can be made up at the end of the semester, but no make-ups are allowed for missed quizzes, in-class assignments, and oral reports. Whereas 1 or 2 absences usually will not affect a student's grade, frequent and repeated absences will negatively affect the overall grade performance of a student enrolled in this class.
Students with Disabilities
If you have any kind of disabilities that may impact on your ability to carry out the assigned course work, please let me know at the beginning of the semester so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged for. Consult pages 10-11 of the Missouri State Undergraduate Catalog for further information.
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Missouri State University is a community of people with respect for diversity. The University emphasizes the dignity and equality common to all persons and adheres to a strict nondiscrimination policy regarding the treatment of individual faculty, staff, and students. In addition, in accord with federal law and applicable Missouri statutes, the University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, or veteran status in employment or any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. The University maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. Missouri State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Inquiries concerning the grievance procedure, Affirmative Action Plan, or compliance with federal and state laws and guidelines should be addressed to Melissa Manning, Affirmative Action Officer, Office of Human Resources, Carrington Hall 128, 901 South National, Springfield, Missouri 65804, (417) 836-4252.
Course Outline (the chapter assignments refer to the textbook by Kegley and Wittkopf; approximately 1 week will be used for each chapter):
PART I. INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: A FIELD OF STUDY AND ITS BACKGROUND
1. The Study of International Relations: Methodological Problems and Approaches;
- chapters 1 and 2
2. Foreign Policymaking, Nation-States, Non-State Actors, Alliances, International Organizations, and Multinational Corporations
- chapters 3, 6, and 7
FIRST EXAM
3. Political, Ideological, and Economic Divisions in Global Politics; Great-Power Politics in the 20th Century; Inequalities and the North-South Division
- chapters 4 and 5
PART II. INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY
4. Interdependence, Money, and Trade in the Global Economy
- chapter 8
5. The Globalization of Economic Politics and Markets
- chapter 9
SECOND EXAM
6. The Tragedy of the Global Commons--Limited Resources, Population Growth, and the Environment
- chapters 10 and 11
PART III. MILITARY ASPECTS OF GLOBAL POLITICS
7. Causes of War and Violence; Nuclear Weapons and War; Civil Wars and Other Forms
of Conflict; the Concept of Power; Trends in Military Capabilities; Coercive Diplomacy
THIRD EXAM
- chapter 15
9. War or Peace--Political Factors: International Law and Organizations; Integration; Democratization
- chapter 16
ORAL REPORTS
10. A World in Transition and the Future
- chapter 17
ORAL REPORTS
___________________________________________________________RESEARCH PAPERS due: Thursday, December 9, 1999, by 5:00 p.m.
FINAL EXAM: Monday, December 13, 1999, 11:00-1:00 p.m.
Date this site was last edited: 08/27/05
Your are visitor #:
ASSIGNMENTS/QUIZZES, ETC.:
Oral reports on Monday, December 6 and Wednesday, December 8!