POLS 285-3: Introduction to
International Relations
Instructor: Mariana Cotromanes
Class: Monday, Wednesday, Friday,
Location: DuSable 246
Email: mcotroma@niu.edu
Office Hours and Location:
Monday and Wednesday,
This course begins by studying the historical developments of international relations (development of the state and international system). We will then move on to cover such topics as international governance, ethnic conflict, war, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and globalization. Overall, this course concentrates on achieving a clear understanding of international relations theories and models, and learning how to apply them when studying current events and issues.
Course Materials
The readings are assigned according the course schedule below. Please have the readings done prior to attending a class meeting. The readings are integral to class lecture, discussions, exams, and papers, so it is vital that the readings are completed. There are documents on Blackboard which will be required reading, but for the majority of this course, we will be reading the following book (available at the University Bookstore, Village Commons Bookstore, and Amazon.com).
Karen A. Mingst, Essentials of International Relations, FOURTH
Edition, 2008
In addition, we will be watching videos in class on
occasion; issues concerning the videos may appear in class assignments (exams,
papers, etc.). If you miss a class in
which a video was shown, there is no guarantee that you will have access to
it.
Attendance
Attendance will be taken at every class meeting, but officially there is no attendance policy; though it is strongly encouraged to come to class. If at the end of the semester students have “borderline grades” and I see that they have attended class often, I will consider bumping their grades up to the next grade. Attendance is also strongly encouraged because some topics will be covered in classes which are not in the textbook.
Participation (10 percent)
Participation is worth 10 percent of your grade. If you are not in class, you obviously cannot
participate, so attendance is thus encouraged. At times there will be group activities (case
studies) which will be part of this participation grade.
Grading of participation is based upon the thoughtfulness and frequency of comments during class discussion and group activities. For example, frequent and voluntary participation with insightful comments will receive full credit. However, if participation is sporadic, involuntary, or non-existent, this will be looked upon as barely above average, average, or below average/failing, respectively.
Case Studies
Attendance is also encouraged through occasional case studies, which count towards your participation grade. Roughly, for every other week you will be required to read a case study (a study of a certain event in international relations). On a case study day you will break up into groups to negotiate, debate, and/or discuss aspects of them—thus is it very important to read these case studies closely.
Presentations (10 percent)
You are required to present one news story to the class. You will sign up for a presentation date today. You will need to choose a news story no less than three days before your presentation and post it on the Blackboard discussion board so that all the students can read the new story prior to class. Failure to do this promptly will result in a one-letter grade deduction. Your presentation should be 5-10 minutes long in which you: explain the background/history of the issue/event, explain the issue/event/individuals involved, the policy options available to resolve the issue, and provide your opinion regarding the policy options. Also, you will ask the class questions to promote a 5-10 minute class discussion (which you will lead with my assistance). This is an informal presentation, so powerpoint is unnecessary (handouts are acceptable).
Research Paper (20 percent)
There will be one research paper for this course, which is
worth 20 percent of your grade. They should
be seven to ten pages (12-point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, standard
margins)—papers should absolutely not be any shorter than seven pages, or any
longer than ten (the quality of your work will likely suffer if the paper is
too short or too long, which may result in a lower grade). Quotes and ideas from the book and other
sources should be cited in the following format: (Smith, 15). There must be a bibliography at the end of
the paper. Beware of plagiarism, as it
will not be taken lightly—it will result in failing the assignment, if not the
entire course.
Grading is based upon the student’s ability to adequately
answer the question, while integrating class materials and reflecting
thoughtful analysis of the question. See
attached papers for more information.
·
Paper topic: is very open—you are to choose an international issue of interest to
you, discussing it in detail providing historical and background information,
and providing practical and well-researched policy recommendations which could
be used by the major actors involved.
More details will be provided later on in the semester.
Research Paper Detailed
Outline (10 percent)
You are required to
turn in a detailed outline of your research paper. This means that you will use normal outline
format, explaining your ideas, citing your sources throughout, and providing a bibliography. This assignment is to be between two to four
pages (12- point font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, standard margins). Outlines should absolutely not be any shorter
than two pages, or any longer than four (the quality of your work will likely
suffer if the outline is too short or too long, which may result in a lower
grade).
Exams: Midterm
and Final (25 percent each; 50 percent total)
There will be two
exams, each with 50 multiple choice questions.
Each exam is worth 25 percent for a total of 50 percent.
Grade Breakdown
Participation: 10%
Presentation: 10%
Research Paper: 20%
Detailed Outline: 10%
Exams (2): 50%______
100%
Important Dates
March 2: Midterm Exam
March 23: Detailed Outline Due
April 20: Research Paper Due
May 6: Final
Exam
Special Notes/Class Policies
Syllabus
Items on this syllabus are subject to change. You will be notified of such changes either in class or by email. Please be sure to check your email on a weekly, if not daily, basis.
Guidance
Please do not
hesitate to meet with me during office hours if any help is
needed with course work (paper writing, considering a political science major, understanding
the material better, etc.). Communication
by email is also strongly encouraged.
Conduct
Professional conduct in class is expected. This
includes, but is not limited to: coming to class on time, acting with respect
towards others and the opinions they express, no phone calls (cell phones
absolutely must been vibrate and only answered/used in an emergency!), no text
messaging, no private conversations, no sleeping, no newspaper reading, no
internet surfing, etc. If behavior
becomes disruptive I reserve the right to ask individual(s) to leave the
classroom.
Cheating
Students will be
held to the academic integrity standards as articulated by the Northern
Illinois University Undergraduate Catalog.
During exams students will be watched closely for cheating and papers
will be checked closely for plagiarism. Cheating
of any sort will be taken very seriously; the consequence may be failing an
assignment, or even the entire course.
Late Papers
Late papers are absolutely NOT accepted. If
you do not turn in a paper on time, you will receive a zero for that
paper. Papers must be turned into class
ON TIME in hardcopy format as well as on SafeAssign
on Blackboard. Failure to submit
hardcopy and electronic copy promptly will result in a ZERO for the assignment. To turn in a paper late there must be extreme
circumstances, for which you can provide official documentation. If your car breaks down, show me the towing
or garage receipt; if you have the stomach flu, get to the doctor and ask for a
note to bring to me. Also, you must contact
me as soon as possible before the paper is due. The purpose of this is so that all students
have the same amount of time to complete an assignment and get graded on it; this
policy is made to encourage fairness.
Makeup Exams
There are NO makeup exams. If you miss an exam you will
receive a zero for that exam. Only under
extreme circumstances (for which you must provide official documentation;
see previous) can a makeup exam be taken.
Also, you must contact me as soon as possible before the paper is due.
Students with Disabilities
NIU abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding provision of reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. If you have a disability and need instructional or examination accommodation, please contact me immediately in order to provide the necessary accommodations. 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).
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 $50.00. 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 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.
Department of Political Science 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 events, and accessing important details related to undergraduate programs and activities. To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu.
About the Political Science Department
The department is located on the 4th floor of the Zulauf building. If you are considering a political science major or minor, please feel free to visit and/or contact the following individuals for guidance:
Andrea Mathie, Undergraduate Adviser: Zulauf
420, (815) 753-7045, amessing@niu.edu
Matthew J. Streb, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Assistant
Professor: Zulauf 407, (815) 753-7046, mstreb@niu.edu
Karen Schweitzer,
Undergraduate Studies Secretary: Zulauf 415, (815)
753-1015, karens@niu.edu
Course Calendar
Week 1
January 12: Introduction
January 14: Introduction to theories and history; Read pages
1-53
January 16: Case
Study #1: The Melian Dialogue; available at: http://www.nku.edu/~weirk/ir/melian.html
Week 2
January 19: *No
class*- Martin Luther King Day
January 21: Introduction to theories and history continued
January 23: News Story Day #1
Week 3
January 26: Overview of international relations theory; Read pages 55-80
January 28: Overview of international relations theory
continued
January 30: Case
Study Day #2: Deciding
Week 4
February 2: *No
class* *office hours canceled*
February 4: The international system; Read pages 81-98
February 6: News
Story Day #2
Week 5
February 9: Discussion of current events
February 11: *No
class* *office hours canceled*
February 13: Case
Study Day #3: From
Week 6
February 16: The international system continued
February 18: The state; read pages 99-162
February 20: News
Story Day #3
Week 7
February 23: The state continued
February 25: The
state continued
February 27: Review
Week 8
March 2: Midterm Exam
March 4: News Story
Day #4; Review Midterms
March 6: *No Class*
Spring Break – *(last day to
withdraw)*
Week 9
March 9: *No Class*
Spring Break
March 11: *No Class*
Spring Break
March 13: *No Class*
Spring Break
Week 10
March 16: The individual; Read pages 139-162;
March 18: The individual continued
March 20: News Story Day #5
Week 11
March 23: Intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental
organizations, and international law; Read pages 163-208; Detailed Outline Due
March 25: IGOs, NGOs continued
March 27: Case Study
Day #4: Peacekeeping and
Diplomacy in
Week 12
March 30: Tentative
movie day on
April 1: Tentative movie day on
April 3: News Story
Day #6
Week 13
April 6: War and strife; Read pages 209-248
April 8: War and strife continued
April 10: Case Study
#5: Watershed in
Week 14
April 13: International political economy; Read pages
249-287
April 15: IPE continued
April 17: Case Study #6:
Week 15
April 20: Globalizing issues; Read pages 288-328; Research Paper Due
April 22: Globalizing issues continued
April 24: Case Study
Day #7: The Case of the
Week 16
April 27: News Story
Day #7
April 29: Review for
Final Exam
May 1: *No Class*-- Reading Day
Week 17
May 6: **Final Exam**