POL 200 syllabus

SYLLABUS
For
POL200 21st Century Political Institutions



Instructor’s Information Class Session Information
Name: Dr. Hofhiemer Meeting Dates: NMW
khofheimer@ecpi.edu Meeting Times: 5:30-10:30 pm
757-285-3132 Class blog url: kerry-nnpol200.blogspot.com
faculty.ecpi.edu/khofhemer


Course Information

I. Course Credits:
This is a 3-credit course.

II. Course Prerequisites:
Eng 110 and IST 120

III. Required Textbooks:

International Politics on the World Stage, 11/e
John T. Rourke
ISBN: 0073103551
Copyright: 2004

Global Issues 06/08
ed. Robert M. Jackson
ISBN: 007351603-1
Copyright: 2006

SUPPLEMENTAL READING LIST:
• A major national or international newspaper such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, The Financial Times, or The Wall Street Journal

Following are some useful links:
The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/
The Economist http://www.economist.com/
The International Herald Tribune http://www.iht.com/
The Times (London) http://www.thetimes.co.uk/
The Guardian (London) http://www.guardian.co.uk/
Slate.com (links to major stories) http://www.slate.com/

• A major news website with reputable global coverage such as the above papers' sites, MSNBC-Online, or CNN-Online.
• A major news magazine such as The Economist, Time, Newsweek or US News & World Report
• Major public news outlets with comprehensive news coverage such as NPR's National Public Radio News (89.5 FM on the radio) or PBS's The News Hour with Jim Lehrer.

Course Website:
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073103551/student_view0/index.html


IV. Course Description:

This course explores political issues at all levels: individual, group, national, and international. Students will become familiar with the basic vocabulary of the discipline, learn about the different ways that political issues are studies, and develop critical reading, thinking, and writing skills. In addition, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the origins and historical development of world civilizations to include their historical and political significance in today’s global community. Students will be able to recognize and ethically assess similarities and differences in points of view.
Political Science 200 is an introduction to various theoretical and empirical approaches to the study of politics with emphasis on three concepts central to political life in all societies: security, economy, and identity. The course examines these concepts in relation to the international system, nations, groups, and individuals.
This course is designed to provide students with a framework for understanding international politics. It introduces major concepts and contending approaches in the field of international relations; examines historical watersheds from which policy makers frequently draw lessons; and surveys contemporary issues in the international political economy, international security, and cultural identity and geography.

In surveying these areas, we shall take up questions such as the following: What accounts for broad patterns of conflict and cooperation in the international system? How do international conditions such as the distribution of power, the design of international institutions, or international norms influence the behavior of states and non-state actors? How do national or individual characteristics such as culture, interest groups, or individual leaders affect foreign policy? Will a greater number of democratic regimes mean more peace and fewer wars between states? What are the implications of globalization for economic development? Why is the institutionalization of international humanitarian law so hotly debated among liberal states? In what ways has transnational terrorism affected the integrity of the national state and international norms regarding intervention and war?

This course will help students to develop analytical skills to understand the actors, goals, and tools that set international politics apart from domestic politics. The course is not about current affairs, although students will examine some of the most significant global conflicts and current debates that concern policy makers and publics today. As this is a writing intensive course, students will have the opportunity to hone their skills in academic argumentative writing through two major analytical papers and several class presentations during the term.

The course will provide an introduction to international politics in the context of the end of the Cold War and the intensification of economic, social, and political processes on a global scale (globalization). It is a foundation course constructed to provide a coherent framework for introducing the main issues in contemporary 21st Century Institutions and
the controversies surrounding them. Another of the course goals is to provide students with the intellectual tools necessary to analyze developments in international relations both critically and creatively.

Parallel goals of this course include developing effective research, analysis, speaking, and writing skills about international issues. On a normative level, the class also aims to foster a global understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, difference, and human rights through critical thinking. Together, these objectives help form the basis for future coursework in and out of the discipline and, moreover, should help students make informed judgments about the global political world around them.


V. Writing Requirement:

Daily journals, midterm exam and the final research paper.

VI. Degree Program Student Outcomes Supported By This Course:

• Use writing processes to explore, think and learn critically, and to write and speak appropriately for various tasks and audiences.
• Develop logical and ethical arguments, and observe appropriate writing conventions.
• Demonstrate an ability to use technical media in written and spoken communications.

VII. Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to perform, explain, and demonstrate the following learning objectives:
• demonstrate mastery of the main theoretical approaches to the study of world politics
• interpret historical and contemporary issues using appropriate analytic frameworks
• articulate normative positions on some key ethical dilemmas in international relations

VIII. Course Grading:
Final grades are determined by a weighted average of examinations, labs, papers/projects, writing assignments, and oral presentations if applicable. Your final grade in the course will be based on the following:

Two major tests (midterm and final): 30% (15% each)
Two major papers (midterm and final paper): 30% (15% each)
Daily journals (sum of all six grades): 15%
Debate: 10%
Classwork/Quizzes: 10%
Participation: 5%
Total: 100%


Letter grades are determined as follows:

A 90–100% of the total percentage points possible
B 80–89.9% of the total percentage points possible
C 70–79.9% of the total percentage points possible
D 65–69.9% of the total percentage points possible
F less than 65% of the total percentage points possible

Students must earn an average of 65 to successfully complete this course.



School Policies

IX. Late Assignments:
Assignments turned in late due to a documented excused absence will be graded as initially assigned. Late assignments due to unexcused absence will lose 10 points/day the assignment is late. For example, if a student has an unexcused absence for Monday's class and submits the assignment on Tuesday, the highest grade the assignment can receive is a 90. If submitted the following class meeting (Wednesday in this case or 2 days later), the highest grade the assignment can receive is an 80.

X. Retest/Make-up Exam:
A student who misses an original examination or scores below 65 on an examination may arrange with the instructor for a make-up/retest examination. All make-up/retest examinations must be taken within three days of the student’s return to class or the awarding of a failing test grade. The maximum grade for any make-up/retest is 65 unless sufficient documentation is provided. Students will earn their full grade on make-ups for documented absences. Quizzes that are missed follow the same rules.

It is the student’s responsibility to see the instructor of the course in order to schedule a retest/make-up examination. The appointment times for retest/make-ups are scheduled at the instructor’s discretion.


XI. Early Exam:
Students may elect to take an exam early due to a conflict. Arrangements should be made in advance with the instructor, and the student’s grade will not be affected.

XII. Attendance:
Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled class meetings. Students are encouraged to tell their instructor in advance or to call the administrative office if they will be absent.

Instructors may request a review board for students whose absences from class interfere with their ability to meet course objectives. Action may include being dropped from the course, probation, or suspension. If a pattern of excessive absences is noticed throughout the student’s program, a review board may be held as well.

Whenever a student believes his/her attendance record is in error, a written request challenging the error may be submitted to the Academic Dean within three weeks of the end of the course.

XIII. Electronic Communication/Recording Devices:
To minimize classroom disruptions and protect the integrity of test-taking situations, activated electronic communication devices such as pagers, cellular telephones, and recording devices are not permitted in classrooms at the College unless you have the specific written permission of the instructor. The only exception to this policy will be for on-call emergency personnel (police, fire, EMS), who will be required to notify their instructor of their need for such devices at the beginning of the term and provide documentation verifying their occupation. However, on-call emergency personnel may not leave a testing situation; communicate by electronic means and return to complete an examination. In these cases, instructors should make arrangements for retesting. Use of personal laptop computers is acceptable during class.

XIV. Students with Disabilities:
Students who have documented disabilities that require accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Vice President for Academic Affairs as well as the instructor of the course in order to insure that together we create an optimal environment for educational achievement.

XV. Honor Code:
The Honor System at ECPI is based on individual integrity. This system assumes
that every student will accept his or her role in the academic community with a feeling of self-respect and duty.

The Honor Pledge States:
I pledge to support the Honor System of ECPI. I will refrain from any form of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a member of the academic community, it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of the honor code. I understand that any failure on my part to support the Honor System will be turned over to a Judicial Review Board for determination. I will report to the Judicial Review Board hearing if summoned.

Since each student attending ECPI is required to sign the Honor Pledge; it follows that work submitted by a student must be his/her own work. Suspected violators of the Honor Code are to be referred to the Teacher, Associate Dean, or Dean of the college.