POL 210: International Relations
Cerritos College
Spring 2017
POL 210: International Relations
COURSE SYLLABUS (This is a tentative syllabus, there MAY be changes made to Assignments as the semester progresses. We will be incorporating materials from REVEL online.)
To register on REVEL, go to: https://console.pearson.com/enrollment/wrzzqj
INSTRUCTOR: DR.SUNDAY P. OBAZUAYE
OFFICE: Social Science Building, Room 217 (SS-217)
PHONE: (562)860-2451 ext.2754
E-MAIL: sobazuaye@cerritos.edu
OFFICE HOURS: MTW 12:30pm-1:30pm; and also by appointment
In every class session, be prepared to LEARN, RETAIN, AND SHARE (LRS)
COURSE DESRIPTION, OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE
International Relations is the study of interactions among the various actors that participate in international politics, including states, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, sub-national entities like bureaucracies and local governments, and individuals. It is the study of the behaviors of these actors as they participate individually and together in international political processes. The primary objective here is to take a critical look at contemporary international affairs, with emphasis on politics among states; examine national foreign policies, the organizational, legal and economic dimensions of state systems; the causes of war and the future of the global order. Emphasis will be on the historical foundation of international relations, theories of international relations, the role of the U.N., international law, and contemporary critical issues in world politics. Students will acquire knowledge of the basic structures and processes of international political system; understand the conceptual framework needed for systematic analysis of world politics; understand and be capable of evaluating the validity of the idealist, realist, radical, and the constructivist approach to the study of international relations; and develop the ability to think critically about current issues and the future of the world order.
Transfer credit: CSU; UC
Recommendation: Completion of ENGL 52, or ENGL 72, or ESL 152, or equivalent with a grade of “C” or higher, or “Pass”, or completion of the placement process with eligibility for ENGL 100 and READ 54 with a grade of "C" or higher, or “Pass”, and completion of the placement process with a score sufficient to meet the AA Reading Proficiency requirement.
Students Learning Outcomes (SLOs):
- Students will be able to recognize the key terms use in international relations, as well as identify the three core principles and subfields of IR and analyze the role of IR in politics today.
- Students will be able to distinguish between state and nonstate actors and differentiate levels of analysis.
- Students will be able to identify the cultural, geographical, and economic characteristics that make up the different world regions.
- Students will be able to differentiate between the contending theories used to explain the wide range of international interactions; identify the characteristics of the international system and the forces that impact it from the perspectives of the various theories; and understand the foreign policy process.
INSTRUCTIONAL MODES AND STRATEGIES
Class lectures, discussions, occasional films/videos, group assignments, REVEL multi-media activities, and written assignments will be utilized.
COURSE MATERIALS
The following book is required for this course, and available in the Cerritos College
Bookstore and Textbooks Inc. (the bookstore across the street from the campus):
Goldstein, Joshua S. and Pevehouse, Jon C. International Relations, 11th Edition 2017 with REVEL Student Access Code card. Pearson. Package ISBN-9780134611099
How to get the textbook:
Requiredcourse material is available in the Cerritos College bookstore as a package with REVEL Access Code for $106.
Suggested options:
- Buy Access Code with eText from Pearson online for $69.95
- Buy Loose Leaf Textbook ONLY without Access Code from Pearson for $19.95
Useful Web Sites: United Nations (www.un.org); MDG (http://www.undg.org ; http://www.unmillenniumproject.org; http://www.munfw.org/images/conference%20preparation1.pdf; www.cerritos.edu/library/)
Students are encouraged to follow current political developments around the world. One way to do this is to read international news in the FT Newsfeeds, The Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and/or The Washington Post online. Another approach is to combine reading of periodicals such as The Nation, or The Economist with nightly broadcasts from sources such as CNN, ABC News, National Public Radio, BBC News, or the PBS News Hour. You can access major newspapers electronically via the political science department web site at www.cerritos.edu/library/ . Students are also strongly encouraged to participate in the CCMUN club activities – meetings, conferences, simulations – to gain practical experience of international politics and diplomacy.
For REVEL Technical Support:
If you encounter any issues, support materials are available at www.pearsonhighered.com/revel/students/support/index.html, including a call in number: 855-875-1801.
If you forget your login information, go to the Forgot Username or Password link to retrieve your username or reset your password. Then, enter your email address and click continue. Check your email account for an email with the subject, "Pearson Username/Password Request." The message will contain all of the usernames that are found for that email address. Choose one account to use with REVEL.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Class Attendance: Students are encouraged to attend class and be prepared to discuss the reading materials. Attendance will constitute 50 points of your final grade. You are allowed ONE absence by the instructor during the course of the semester. There will be 5 points deducted for each absence.
Readings: Assigned readings should be completed before the class period in which they will be discussed. Lectures are meant to give general clarity to information you absorb from the textbook.
REVEL Media Assignments (Simulations and Videos) and Quizzes: There will be 11 media assignments and quizzes worth 5 points each during the course of the semester. You are allowed to take each quiz one time only. The final exam will be essay only and will be worth 100 points. There will be unannounced Pop-Quizzes in class. You must be in class to take a pop quiz. The purpose of the pop quiz is to encourage students to read the assigned chapter before coming to class.
Group Learning Activities (GLA)
The class will be divided into groups for in-class group learning activities. GLAs are designed to foster cooperative learning among students. A student must be in class to participate and earn points for these activities. Each GLA is worth 5 points.
Reports: There will be one group research paper assignment of 6-7 pages required for this course. The research paper is worth 100 points. The purpose of this assignment is to give students the opportunity to learn about the UN 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals, which is the commitment made by the world’s heads of State and Government to “End Poverty by 2030” by collectively taking responsibility to uphold the principles of human dignity, equality and equity at the global level. See www.un.org. Details will be announced in class.
The project will be graded as follows:
Part 1
Country profile (1-2 typed pages, double space). This is worth 25 points, due in class by Wednesday, 3/8/2017.
Part 2
Thesis statement/outline/bibliography (2-3 typed pages, double space). This is worth 25 points, due in class by Wednesday, 4/12/2017.
Part 3
Final report (6-7 pages, typed, double space). This is worth 100 points, due in class by Wednesday, 4/26/2017.
Presentations: Group Presentation of MDG project is worth 20 points.
All reports must be typed, double-space, 12 point font, one-inch margins and stapled.
**** WORKSHOPS - For writing tutorial you are required to participate in 2 of the Research Workshops
offered in the Cerritos College Student Success Center (Success Center). Each workshop is worth 5 points per attendance. To earn the 5 points for each workshop attended, you are to submit in class one paragraph
report discussing who conducted the workshop, topic, place, time, what you learned
and how your participation will help you in writing your research paper.
****First Workshop = week of February 13 – 17 (Report due in class 2/22/17)
****Second Workshop = week of March 20 – 24 (Report due in class 3/29/17)
MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS
Plagiarismis a form of academic dishonesty that is taken very seriously by the Cerritos College Faculty (Cerritos College General Catalog, page 31-33). Any attempt at plagiarizing will result in an automatic grade of “F” in the assignment involved.
Attendance: It is the student's responsibility to participate fully in class once enrollment is complete. However, should it become necessary to withdraw from class, it is the student's responsibility to present a signed drop card to the Admissions and Records Office before the deadline to drop. THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY OF WITHDRAWAL FALLS TO THE STUDENT. (See Spring 2017 Schedule of Classes Page 4 for Deadlines Dates for Withdrawal and page 22 for withdrawal information).
Student Responsibility to Learn: I expect each student to take responsibility for their learning in this class. That means, you are first accountable to yourself and then to the instructor for your efforts in this class. Ask yourself, “Am I doing my very best to earnthe grade I desire from this class?” I look forward to assisting you in your learning but you must be willing to seek assistance. REMEMBER, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR LEARNING AND GRADE IN THIS CLASS!!
The Honesty Code: Be honest with yourself so you can find the courage to succeed…
My 3 Rs:Reading; (W)riting; and Researching skills are 3 essential skills students must acquire in order to be successful as professionals.
Disabilities Related Accommodations: It is my priority to provide on a flexible and individualized basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have documented disability conditions. Please let me know immediately or come to office hour if you have a disability for which special accommodations will be required.
International Students: It is my priority to provide on a flexible and individualized basis, reasonable accommodations to international students who are not familiar with the American political system. Please let me know immediately or come to office hour if you are an international student in this situation.
Veterans: It is my priority to provide, on a flexible and individualized basis, reasonable accommodations to students who are veterans. If you are a veteran please see me immediately after the orientation. “Veterans you have served us. Now we are here to serve you.” Please visit the Veteran’s Resource Center at: www.cerritos.edu/va or go to VRC Building (Veteran’s Resource Center Building located near the Student Center and Bookstore) for available services designed specifically to help you succeed in college.
Classroom Decorum: Students are encouraged to actively participate in class discussions by asking or answering questions during lectures; however, disturbances will not be tolerated. This includes private conversations and/or eating during class. I will enforce this rule for the benefit of all who are willing, committed, and determinedto excel in this course.
There will be no eating, drinking, or chewing of gum allowed in this classroom.
Students are advised to turn off cell phones, and all other electronic devices EXCEPT FOR eText only. ABSOLUTELY NO PICTURE TAKING AND RECORDING IS ALLOWED IN THE CLASS WITHOUT THE PROFESSOR’S PERMISSION.
Grades: Grades will not reflect a student’s political opinion in this course. However, I care about how you arrive at your conclusions, how you support your conclusions, and how well you understand other opinions.
STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO FORM STUDY GROUPS, AS THIS IS AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF COOPERATIVE LEARNING.
Using the Syllabus: I reserve the right to make changes to this syllabus whenever it becomes necessary in order to foster students’ learning in this class.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
A. Grades will be based on the following:
11 media assignments and quizzes (5 points each) 55 points
Final exam 100
points
One group report 100
points
Country Profile(Group) 25
points
Thesis/Outline/Biblio (Group) 25 points
Group Presentation 20
points
Class attendance 50
points
2 Workshops (5 points each) 10 points
Pop Quizzes (TBA)
GLA (TBA)
Total 385 points possible (Tentative)
B. Grading Scale: (Tentative)
90-100% = A = 346-385 points
80-89% = B = 308-342 points
70-79% = C = 269-304 points
60-69% = D = 231-265 points
Below 60% = F = less than 231 points
Lecture, Reading, and Assignment Schedule (Tentative)
Week One (1/11)
Syllabus; Register in REVEL; Students Intro.; Groups/Research Topics
Week Two (1/18)
Lecture 1: Understanding International Relations
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 1
Week Three (1/25)
Lecture 2: Realist Theories of International Relations
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 2
Homework: TBD
Week Four (2/1)
Lecture 3: Realist Theories of International Relations
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 2
Homework: TBD
Week Five (2/8)
Lecture 4: Liberal Theories of International Relations
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 3
Week Six (2/15)
Lecture 5: Social Theories of International Relations
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 3
Homework: TBD
Week Seven (2/22)
Lecture 6: Foreign Policy
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 4
Research Workshop-1 report due in class
Homework: TBD
Week Eight (3/1)
Lecture 7: International Conflicts
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapters 5
Homework: TBD
Country Profile – Group due
Week Nine (3/8)
Lecture 8: Military Force and Terrorism
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 6
Homework: TBD
Week Ten 3/13 – 3/19 SPRING RECESS
Week Eleven (3/22)
Lecture 9: International Organization, Law, and Human Rights
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 7
Homework: TBD
Week Twelve (3/29)
Lecture 10: International Trade (IPE)
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 8
Homework: TBD
Research Workshop-2 report due in class
Week Thirteen (4/5)
Lecture 11: Environment and Population
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 11
Thesis/outline/Biblio due in class
Homework: TBD
Week Fourteen (4/12)
Lecture 12: The North-South Gap
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 12
Homework: TBD
Week Fifteen (4/19)
Lecture 13: International Development
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 13
Week Sixteen (4/26)
Lecture 14: International Development
Readings: Goldstein and Pevehouse, Chapter 13
Group Report due in class
Homework: TBD
Week Seventeen (5/3)
Lecture 15: Group Presentation and critique
Week Eighteen (5/10)
Lecture 16: Group Presentation and critique
Review For Final Exam
Week Nineteen (5/17)
Final Exam Wednesday 5/17/17 6pm – 8pm
Tips for Reading a Chapter
- Read introduction and summary
- Identify 3 main ideas
- Write down 12 vocabularies/key terms and their meanings
- Pay attention to examples and case studies
- Read the whole chapter
- Do assigned chapter media assignment and quiz in mypoliscilab
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