Political Science

Introduction to International Relations/ POLS 285-1
Fall 2006
 

POLS 285-1

Class Time:                 Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-10:45 PM, 459 DuSable
Instructor:                    Prof. Daniel R. Kempton
Office address:            402 Zulauf
Phone:                          753-7055
Office hours:                Tuesday, & Thursday 2:00-4:00pm and by appointment.
E-Mail:                        dkempton@niu.edu
                                     (Expect an e-mail response within 2 working days.)

Graduate Assistant:   Ms. Andrea Mathie

Course description: Welcome to the ever-changing field of international relations. Already in your lifetime, the world has changed dramatically. The Soviet Union was replaced by fifteen new states; the ideological and military divide that once dominated analysis of international relations dissipated. Democracy and capitalism spread to dozens of new states. The communications revolution eroded states’ ability to control of information and ideas. Even the seemingly homogenous Third World, now called the Global South, has lost meaning in the new millennium. New issues such as terrorism, AIDS, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and global warming have risen to the top of the global agenda. Keeping pace with this changing world requires new tools and new theoretical approaches.

This course has three primary objectives. First, as an introductory course it strives to provide students with a basic understanding of the theories and models analyzing and explaining international relations. Because the field of international relations remains divided, students will be introduced to a number of competing theories including realism, liberal idealism, behavioralism, neoliberalism and constructivism. Students will also learn about a number of associated models for analyzing international relations. Each of these models or approaches emphasizes a different determinant of international relations (e.g., perception, rationality or group behavior). Finally, students will learn the basic terms and concepts used in international relations.

The second objective of the course is to use the theories and models learned in the first half of the semester to analyze some of the most serious international problems now facing the world.  With each of these topics students will be asked to read a short case that presents a specific international decision that was made to deal with the issue. Students will be required to remake these decisions in class as part of a small group case discussion or a class simulation. Other issues will be discussed as they arise on the pages of the Christian Science Monitor (CSM).

The third course objective is to help students develop their abilities to think and argue logically both orally and in writing. In addition to the tremendous significance of the issues discussed in class, the greatest benefit the course may provide to individual students is to give them numerous opportunities to logically consider international issues and to present their opinions. Toward this end the course employs a number of highly participatory teaching methods including: discussions of CSM stories, issues from lectures and case studies.

This course is an introductory course and presumes no background knowledge in the study of international relations or political science in general. However, the course does require students to read the course materials when assigned and to participate regularly in various class exercises and discussions.

Readings:

1. The main text for the course is: Charles W. Kegley, Jr., World Politics: Trends and Transformation, 11th edn., New York: Thomson & Wadsworth, 2006. Copies of the text are available for purchase at the University and Village Common bookstores.  Students are strongly encouraged to purchase the main text (but may share copies). Readings from the text are assigned in the Class Schedule (see below).  (If you wish to use a copy of the 10^th edn., you may acquire a copy of an older syllabus from the professor to aid you). 

2. Students are required to read all cases "prior to" the day that the case is scheduled to be discussed. The majority of the cases are available at the bookstores. While copyright laws prohibit the combining of these cases into a course package, students may make copies of these cases for their individual use. (One copy of every case will be available from the library’s reserves.  The professor or graduate assistant may also lend out cases for copying.  The first case will be distributed in class.  Questions to guide your case reading will be posted in the Newsgroup (see below). We likely will not have time to discuss all cases in class. 

3. Students are required to subscribe, individually or in groups, to the Christian Science Monitor (CSM). Despite its name, the CSM is not primarily a religious newspaper.  It is one of the most respected international papers and thought to have some of the most balanced reporting of any major paper. Moreover, studies show that the CSM has the highest percentage of international news of any major American newspaper.  The CSM offers students a special three-month introductory rate. Subscription forms will be made available the first two class sessions. Delivery is by mail. (Students with regular internet access may also read the electronic edition at http://www.csmonitor.com/.  However, I would urge you not to depend entirely on the electronic version unless you are already reading it.  Discussions of current events in international relations will be held during the first 10-15 minutes of class every Thursday.  Students are expected to have read the CSM prior to coming to class and may be called upon to discuss articles that they have read. Also, material discussed in class will appear on the examinations.

Writing Assignments: Each student is required to keep a course journal.  To maintain the journal you must write an average of two entries each week.  Each entry should include a very brief summary of the major thesis or argument of an article or editorial related to international affairs appearing in the Christian Science Monitor.  The majority of the entry should consist of your assessment of the argument or thesis of the article.  Do you agree with the writer’s argument?  Are the actors in the article making effective or foreign policy decisions, and why?  Each entry should be of approximately one-half page in length, double spaced.  Please print out, or cut out, a copy of each article you comment on so that copies may be submitted with your journal.  Journals must be submitted twice during the semester.  Journals will first be submitted on September 21 and should include 7 entries.  The second submission date is November 21 and should include 14 new entries.  A total of 21 entries should be submitted.  Journals are best submitted in an inexpensive two pocket folder.  Please be sure to indicate the title, author, date and source for each article with each entry.

Each student will also submit a short case study.  Each student should take an issue previously addressed in his/her journal and mirror the format of the cases used in class.  The essay should identify a particular decision maker, the dilemma he/she faces, a clear statement of the objectives of the decision maker, and some discussion of at least two alternatives the decision maker might reasonably adopt.  In the closing paragraph the student should also indicate which alternative the student would recommend and why.  The essay does not need to summarize the dilemma in great detail.  Instead, you can cite The Monitor articles, and other sources for background material.  (The CSM on line regularly provides links to related stories in other newspapers.)  The essay should be approximately 5 pages in length, double spaced (using font 11 or 12) and should use a standard citation method.  Citations must appear either at the bottom of the page, in the text, or at the end of the paper.  A bibliography is required. Although primary consideration in evaluating the journals will be placed on content and the logic of the arguments, presentation (including spelling, grammar, and correct word use) will also be considered. Cases taken from a perspective other than an American one are especially encouraged.  The case study must be submitted by November 30, or it will be deemed late, and downgraded according to the general rule below.

Journals and case studies are due at the beginning of class on the assigned day.  Late writing assignments will be downgraded 1/3 letter grade for each weekday that they are late. (A journal submitted after class will be considered one day late).  Thus, an "A" brief becomes and "A-" after one day and a "B+" after two days. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Therefore, students with sick relatives, paper-eating canines, low-life typists, or virus-prone computers--as well as those students who are routinely taken hostage aboard alien spaceships--are strongly encouraged to compensate for any potential mishaps by preparing their journals in advance of the submission deadlines.  To avoid these concerns you may complete your assignments early.  All writing assignments must be completed to pass the class.

Undergraduate Writing Awards: The Department of Political Science will recognize, on an annual basis, outstanding undergraduate papers written in conjunction with 300-400 level political science courses or directed studies. Authors do not have to be political science majors or have a particular class standing. Winners are expected to attend the Department's spring graduation ceremony where they will receive a certificate and $50. Papers, which can be submitted by students or faculty, must be supplied in triplicate to a department secretary by February 28. All copies should have two cover pages--one with the student's name and one without the student's name. Only papers written in the previous calendar year can be considered for the award. However, papers completed in the current spring semester are eligible for the following year's competition even if the student has graduated.

Participation: Participation is an important part of this course, and as such is required of all students. The participation grade will comprise 10% of the final grade and is designed to assess both the quantity and quality of each student's participation in this collective learning experience. Participation grades will include attendance, participation in news discussions, participation in cases, and participation in class. Students who miss any more than 4 classes in total, or more than two cases-for whatever reason-will have a deduction taken from their participation grade. Those students who post “at least” three substantive messages to the class discussion group, which can be accessed in blackboard at http://webcourses.niu.edu/, are eligible for a “B” or higher participation grade 

Extra Credit: No individual extra credit assignments will be created.  However, extra credit will be available for attendance at specific political science related activities and the submission of a one page report.  Qualifying activities will be announced on the class blackboard announcement page or in class.  Included in these will be movie nights, political science related talks, and POLS related professional activities.  To receive the extra point a student must first attend the qualified activity and second, submit a half page report relating what he or she learned from the event.  Extra Credit points will be added to the Quiz grade.  If a 100% is reached on the quiz grade, additional points will be accrued toward the participation grade.

Students with Disabilities: NIU abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding provision of reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Moreover, your academic success is of importance to me. If you have a disability that may have a negative impact on your performance in this course and you may require some type of instructional and/or examination accommodation, please contact me early in the semester so that I can provide or facilitate in providing accommodations you may need.  If you have not already done so, you will need to register with the Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR), the designated office on campus to provide services and administer exams with accommodations for students with disabilities. CAAR is located on the 4th floor of the University Health Services building (753-1303). I look forward to talking with you to learn how I may be helpful in enhancing your academic success in this course.

Plagiarism Statement: According to the NIU Undergraduate Catalog "Students are guilty of plagiarism, intentional or not, if they copy material from books, magazines, or other sources without identifying and acknowledging them. Students guilty of, or assisting others in, either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz, or examination may receive a grade of F for the course involved and may be suspended or dismissed from the university." In short, all ideas that are not your own or well known must be footnoted. A general rule is that if the information cannot be found in three or more commonly available sources it should be footnoted. All direct quotes must be placed in quotation marks. These guidelines will be enforced. If you are unsure as to what should be footnoted either play it safe and footnote, or ask for assistance.

Examinations: There will be two examinations, a mid-term and a final. Each examination will be worth 20% of the semester grade. The mid-term examination will be held on October 17, and will include all course materials and readings covered to that date. The final examination will be held on December 14, 10:00-11:50 PM in Du 459. Those who have a conflict, or simply prefer to take the examination on another date, may take the examination on December 11, time and room to be announced. The alternate examination must be requested in advance in writing. Each examination will contain:

• 20 multiple choice questions (each is worth 1 point)
• 30 points from 15 of 17 identification questions (each is worth 2 points)
• 50 points from 2 essay questions (each is worth 25 points)

 

Quiz Grade:  During the semester at least four, but likely more, quizzes will be administered.  Quizzes will not be announced ahead of time.  Quizzes will cover material in the assigned readings or material presented in the previous class sessions.  Extra credit points will be applied first to the quiz grade. 

Grading:* The final grade will be:

1.                  20% mid-term examination

2.                  20% final examination

3.                  10% Quiz Grade

4.                  10% first journal submission

5.                  20% second journal submission

6.                  10% critical essay

7.                  10% participation.

 

*The professor will personally grade all examinations, essays and journal submissions.  All appeals of these grades should go directly to the professor.  Participation in the student news group and quizzes will be graded by the graduate assistant (Ms. Andrea Messing-Mathie) and appeals of these should go initially to Ms. Mathie.

 

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Web Site: Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to consult the Department of Political Science web site on a regular basis. This up-to-date, central source of information will assist students in contacting faculty and staff, reviewing course requirements and syllabi, exploring graduate study, researching career options, tracking department event, and accessing important details related to undergraduate programs and activities. To reach the site, go to http://www.polisci.niu.edu/index.html.  

Course Outline and Due Dates:

COURSE OUTLINE

* All Cases must be read prior to their discussion and appear in red type and italics in the outline.

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LINKS to Relevant Sites:

News Sources:
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE (Paris)
BBC World News
Chicago Tribune
Christian Science Monitor
CNN Breaking News
The Drudge Report
International Herald Tribune
Itar-Tass News Service (Russia)
Kyodo News (Japan)
The Times  (London)
New York Times
Reuters World News
Washington Post
Washington Times
Xinhua News Service (China)

Terrorism News Sources:
Terrorism Research Center
General Links on Terrorism
US State Department's Office of Counterterrorism
US Department of Defense on Countering Terrorism
EERI Counterterrorism Home Page & Links

Others Links:
The Kennedy School of Government Case Program
Electronic Citation Style Manuals
Evaluating Internet Sources
Bartlett's Quotations

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