International
Political Relations
GVPT 200, Section
YS41, Summer Session II-C
2102 Tydings Hall,
Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Mr. Jesse-Douglas
Mathewson, Instructor
Office
Hours
Monday & Thursday, 1:45
– 2:45 PM
(or by appointment)
1115A Tydings Hall
Email
Last
Updated: Monday, July 09, 2012
–Philosophy and
Objectives–
This course is an
introduction to the principles, players, and practice of politics on the world
stage. We shall seek to understand not only what is happening in the world
around us, but to understand who is responsible and why. We shall also consider
the many dilemmas of international politics: morality vs. self-interest,
diplomacy vs. force, independence vs. interdependence, democracy vs.
dictatorship, etc… Finally, we shall explore the effects that these concepts
and issues have on your future and everyday life.
Make no
mistake: you are a political actor, like it or not.
I consider it my
primary responsibility not to simply offer facts but to provide you with the
capacity to independently acquire, analyze, evaluate and apply information. After
successfully completing this course, you will come away with a broader
understanding of the world in which you live, a deeper understanding of your
position and your responsibilities in the international community, and a sense
that, as the song implies, it is a small world after all.
To these ends, I
shall not treat you as an anonymous figure in a passive audience. You and your
classmates will participate as active members of the learning process through
frequent in-class discussion of key concepts and texts and group projects
investigating substantive contemporary issues. In doing so, it is my
expectation that you will develop more effective thinking skills and retain
more information than you would in a class based on lectures, closed-book
testing and rote memorization.
–Class Policies–
Classroom
Courtesy
As I intend to commit myself fully to your
academic growth during, I expect a similar commitment from you to the rest of
the class.
·
Attend
all classes
·
Complete
readings and class assignments on time.
·
Do
not interrupt or distract your fellow classmates.
·
Avoid
responding to classmates using derogatory and/or negative language during
discussions in class and online.
·
Refrain
from any negative characterizations of any group defined by
race/color/ethnicity, gender, faith or sexual orientation or any language based
on said characterizations.
·
Silence
all cell phones and electronics upon entering the classroom.
Technology
I fully endorse the use of technology such as
laptops, tablets and e-readers in the classroom for reading, taking notes,
investigating relevant topics and other academic purposes.
However, the use of technology for
non-academic purposes in my class is strictly prohibited. Chatting, texting,
and social networking, and/or visiting related websites regardless of intent,
during class time will result in a zero grade for class participation and the
temporary forfeiture of devices during the class period. Use of cell phones for
any of the purposes listed above, or for texting or voice during the class
period, is also prohibited.
Academic
Integrity
I will in no way tolerate academic dishonesty
to any extent or in any form. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited
to: cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, and the facilitation of any of these
infractions. For a full explanation of the University policy on academic
dishonesty, please consult the Code of Academic Integrity at: http://www.president.umd.edu/policies/docs/III-100A.pdf
Penalties for academic dishonesty begin with
failure of this course and include the possibility of dismissal from the Young
Scholars program. This policy will be administered fairly and indiscriminately,
without regard to personal situation, progress at the University, or any other
extraneous condition.
Unexpected
Absences
All religious observances will be
accommodated so long as I am is notified in advance. In the event of another
University-accepted excuse, please notify me as soon as possible.
–Materials and Resources–
Books
· Mingst & Arreguin-Toft,
Essentials of International Relations, 5th
edition (referred to as International
Relations)
· Mingst & Snyder, Essential Readings in World Politics, 4th
edition (referred to as Readings)
Articles
Listed
below and provided online
Online
–Assessment–
Class Participation:
20%
Attendance
and quality of discussion; you may boost their participation grade by engaging
in discussions on the course blog, by meeting with me after class, or by
sharing your thoughts via phone or email.
The
participation portion of the class includes discussion of current events. On
days when you have no other assignments or assessments due (Mondays and
Tuesdays), search the news for a current event in international relations. We
will discuss it during class through the lens of political science.
Group Projects: 20%
As
a group, you’ll have thirty minutes to teach the class something new but
related to course topics. The goal is a project that is informative,
interesting, and interactive. It will be graded by me and your classmates.
Responses: 30% (10%
each)
You
are to produce written reactions to classes and readings each week, due in my UMCP
email inbox one hour before class on Wednesday.
Closed-book
Assessments: 30% (10% each)
Each
Friday you will have an in-class, closed book exam. Each exam will consist of
both short answer and essay questions. Each exam will count for 10% of the
final grade.
–Schedule and
Assignments–
The
following readings and assignments are due before class on the day they appear.
Week One (July 9-13)
M 7/09 Introduction
T 7/10 Approaches
to International Relations
International Relations, pp. 1-14
Readings, pp. 1-24
Current Events Discussion
W 7/11 Contending
Perspectives (part I)
International Relations, pp. 65-81
Readings, pp. 31-60
First Responses Due
R 7/12 Contending
Perspectives (part II)
International Relations, pp. 81-91
Readings, pp. 64-97
First Round of Group Projects
F 7/13 The
International System
International Relations, pp. 93-114
Readings, pp. 98-126
First Closed-book Assessment
Week Two (July 16-20)
M 7/16 The
State (part I)
International Relations, pp. 116-29
Readings, pp. 130-48
Current Events Discussion
T 7/17 The
State (part II)
International Relations, pp. 129-43
In-class Film:
Thirteen Days
Current Events Discussion
W 7/18 The
State (part III)
International Relations, pp. 144-54
Readings, pp. 151-59, 166-86
Second Responses Due
R 7/19 The
Individual
International Relations, pp.156-80
Readings, pp. 191-219
Second Round of Group Projects
F 7/20 IGOs,
NGOs and International Law
International Relations, pp. 181-230
Second Closed-book Assessment
Week Three (July 23-27)
M 7/23 Elastic
Day
Current Events Discussion
T 7/24 War
and Strife (part I)
International Relations, pp. 234-61
Readings, pp. 320-6, 335-49
Current Events Discussion
W 7/25 War
and Strife (part II)
International Relations, pp. 264-82
Readings, pp. 349-68
Third Responses Due
R 7/26 International
Political Economy
International Relations, pp. 283-324
Readings, pp. 484-91
Third Round of Group Projects
F 7/27 Wrap
Up and Review
Third Closed-book Assessment
