Current Events in International Politics
Political
Science 260
Instructor:
Mr. Timothy Ruback
Office:
Office
Hours T
Email:
truback@asu.edu
Class
hours: TTh. 3:15 – 4:30
Location: LL 148
A theme I wanted to write about: what is home? A certain concrete horizon to which one relates... The hiddenness of that horizon. The more urgently one relates to it as a result. The outline of this horizon changes (sometimes it is created by mountains, at other times by an urban skyline), the arrangement of the people, relationships, milieus, traditions, etc. changes, but the horizon “as such” remains. As something absolute. Something that merely assumes different concrete forms.
--Vaclav
Havel, Letters to Olga
When anyone asked him where he came from, he said “I am a citizen of the world.”
--
Diogenes Laertius, Life of Diogenes the Cynic
Current events in international politics, either crises or recurring conditions, all are informed by this simple principle: given the amount of political, economic, and social networks that cross national boundaries, citizens of states are increasingly connected, and no state can adopt isolationism as a workable policy. But, while people and markets become interconnected and less bound by national borders, states work to secure the interests for their own citizens. In short, in most instances of global politics, everyone must try to negotiate the different political areas that are trying to bring the world together, and those that are trying to keep the world separate. In this course, we will directly address this political condition by asking the question “What, if anything, do citizens owe to people beyond their borders?” In asking this question we will focus on issues regarding cosmopolitanism and human rights, and explore why humanitarian intervention is a thorny issue, both conceptually and practically.
Prior knowledge of theories of international politics is not
a requirement for this course; however, a good knowledge of
REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance &
Participation:
Political
Science 260 will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from
Anyone who will be missing class because of debate tournaments, track meets, or other ASU-approved activities must notify the instructor and make whatever arrangements are necessary with him in the first two weeks of the semester.
E-mail:
All students are required to have an e-mail address that they will check regularly for course-related information. I may intermittently send course-related email to students regarding assignments, relevant links, questions to keep in mind about the readings, answers to unanswered questions, reactions to in-class discussion, syllabus emendations (if necessary), and the like. In short, you are responsible for having and maintaining an active email address, and you are held accountable for all announcements delivered over email, whether or not you have checked your account, whether or not there are problems with your account.
Fulfilling the
University Literacy (L1) Requirement:
POS 260
partially fulfills the University Literacy and Critical Inquiry (L1) General
Studies Requirement. “Literacy is
competence in written and oral discourse; critical inquiry is the gathering,
interpretation, and evaluation of evidence” (ASU General Catalog 2001-2002, p.
78). Thus a large component of the final
grade stems from the ability to think critically about the topics covered in
class and to present your own understanding of them in written course
assignments. The ability of students to
write coherently, clearly, and grammatically correct, as well as to gather,
disseminate, and utilize relevant information in their papers, will form the
basis for grading assignments.
Thoughtful and constructive participation in classroom discussion is
also expected.
Awareness:
Students
attempting to take the study of politics seriously need to be aware of current
events, both national and global. To
this end it is necessary to read quality newspapers and commentaries on a
regular basis. The sources below are
easily accessible and will serve as a good basis for keeping up to date on what
is happening in our world. The instructor
will be happy to provide other sites via email for students desiring additional
or more specialized sites.
The Economist: http://www.economist.com
The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com
National Public Radio: http://www.npr.org
The
Guardian (
RULES &
REGULATIONS:
Classroom Courtesy
& Decorum:
In a
course such as this one, with such important topical subject matter,
disagreements will necessarily occur, perhaps even heated disagreements. Students are, of course, encouraged to
disagree—to raise scholarly concerns, to voice nagging doubts, to offer
counter-points, to expose logical absurdities, etc.—with the arguments offered
by the texts, by each other, and (especially) by their instructor. Nevertheless, such disagreements must
fall within the grounds of appropriate classroom decorum. Inappropriate classroom disruptions,
disregard for speakers, and/or personal attacks will not be tolerated. Breaches
in decorum include, but are not limited to: talking without being recognized,
interrupting your fellow students, and rude or disrespectful language or
behavior. Students acting in violation
of these principles will be reprimanded, and may be asked to leave the
classroom. In short, always show respect
to your fellow students and scholars.
In
addition, I expect that students will follow these rules regarding classroom
decorum:
·
Arrive on time for each class session.
Late arrivals disturb other students and the flow of lectures and class
discussion.
·
Do not leave class before it ends.
Again, this disturbs the class.
If you leave early without the instructor’s prior permission, you may be
marked absent for that class session.
Incompletes:
ASU
rules state that the grade of incomplete will be awarded only in the case of
dire emergencies that prevent an otherwise satisfactorily progressing student
from completing his or her work.
Withdrawals:
If
you decide that you need to withdraw from this course, it is your
responsibility to do the paperwork required to ensure that you are withdrawn
within the relevant dates allowed. The
relevant dates are noted, for your convenience, on page 7 of this syllabus.
Paper Requirements
and Due Dates:
Students
are expected to adhere to formatting requirements given with paper assignments.
Written
assignments are due in class on the
appropriate date. Late papers will be
downgraded at the equivalent of a 10% score reduction for each business day (or
part of day) late, to a maximum of 100% of the available points for that
assignment.
Late
papers that are not date/time stamped will not be accepted. Late papers left on my desk may very well go
unnoticed, so be sure to use my department mailbox instead.
Late
papers will be accepted without penalty only
if accompanied by medical (or other appropriate university-sanctioned)
documentation.
No
papers may be turned into the instructor via email attachment, without the
instructor’s prior permission.
Academic Honesty:
Plagiarism
will not be tolerated, and will result in an automatic failing grade for that
assignment and quite possibly the entire course. If you are having difficulty understanding how
to cite articles properly, please see your instructor.
A
good general rule for this course, and truly for all courses, is that students
need to be aware of what constitutes academic dishonesty and the consequences
thereof. Refer to the relevant ASU policy,
particularly the Student Academic Integrity policy, at: http://www.asu.edu/studentlife/judicial/integrity.html
Extra Credit:
There will be no opportunities granted for individual extra credit assignments.
GRADING:
Overview:
A major component of the final grade stems from the ability to think critically about the major concepts and topics introduced in readings and discussions. The ability to comprehend key concepts – to write coherently and clearly, as well as to gather disseminate and utilize relevant information—will form the basis for awarding grades.
Your grade is comprised of the following components: Performance and participation in the Nations Simulation, three written book reviews, your performance in an in-class presentation & leading an in-class discussion, a final paper, and an assessment of your overall participation.
Participation: 10%
Nations Simulation: 15%
Book Reviews: 30%
In-Class Presentation: 25%
Final Paper: 20%
Total: 100%
A =
90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
E = 0-59%
There is no curve in this course; this means that it is possible for every student to receive an A grade on any one assignment, or for the course as a whole (as is the obverse).
I do not intend to use the +/- system for your final course grades, though this may be changed by unanimous request of the course participants.
Participation:
Your
participation score will reflect how much your regular contributions to
the class demonstrate that you have read, though about, and understood the
reading, as well as your adherence to the rules of classroom courtesy &
decorum. To encourage participation, roll will be taken regularly. The following is what is expected of you:
·
Presence
— you are present in class when class begins.
· Preparation — your contributions demonstrate that you carefully read the assignment and understand the key points.
· Quality of Argument — you contribute accurate, relevant evidence with sound and insightful reasoning.
· Quality of Expression — your contribution is clear, concise, audible, and directed to your peers.
· Contribution to the Process — your contributions demonstrate that you are listening to others' comments, building upon their ideas, responding to them, respecting them, constructively criticizing them, or asking constructive questions.
· Critical Thought — your contributions show critical awareness, and avoid basic logical fallacies.
Nations Simulation:
Near the beginning of our semester, you will simulate the interactions among the leaders and diplomats of seven countries, each with varying social identities and containing various social schisms. Begin now to read the rules of the simulation and the descriptions of the countries to be represented, so that on the second day of class you can choose a country to represent and meet the other representatives of your country. You can then arrange a time to coordinate your nation's strategy and parcel out the responsibilities that will enable you to enact your strategy. Although there are a few designated roles to fill (executive, diplomats, etc.) each of you will be responsible to gather, interpret, and evaluate evidence in your simulation packet, in the secrets supplied to your country, in your observations during the simulation. You will also assemble and analyze this evidence to draw conclusions, assess alternative strategies, and learn from your successes and failures. Each of you will also prepare a short (2-3 page) summary report at the end of the simulation assembling that evidence, documenting the strategies you based upon it, and examining the consequences of your chosen strategies.
Your grade will be based on the quality of your news releases, your preparation and overall effort, and according to the rules laid out in the simulation booklet -- especially your ability to faithfully portray the cultural and ideological identities of your assigned countries (see the grade sheet). To ensure that everyone pulls their weight, part of your grade will be based on the peer evaluation of your teammates.
For this course we will amend the standard rules in two ways. First, you must limit your press releases to 150 words, so make every word count. Second, Paragraph 10 of the official "Rules and Guidelines" stipulates that an attacking nation or coalition must have four times the military resources of its target before it can declare war. We will not abide by that requirement. Instead, any country can declare war as long as it has a convincing justification. Also, the official rules stipulate that to be victorious, the attacking nation or coalition must have four times the military resources of the target to be successful in war. We will require instead that a victorious nation or coalition only have at least double the military resources of the target nation(s) and allies.
Book Reviews:
Three short (3-5 page) book
reviews will be required, asking you to assess the main themes of the main
readings we’ve considered this semester.
Detailed instructions on the structure, topic, and format of these
reviews will be offered in class at a later date.
In-Class
Presentation:
Students are responsible for
leading, or co-leading the course discussion for one in-class
meeting. When you lead, or co-lead a
class discussion, you are responsible for a brief oral presentation outlining
the key themes of the reading (here you are supposed to review, not critique,
the work), then lead the class through a set of discussion questions you have
prepared. Your discussion questions
should be turned into the instructor (email attachments are okay for this
assignment) 24 hours before class. If
you’re leading discussion with a partner, you may divide presentation duties as
you see fit.
Research Paper:
An 5-7 page critical research
paper due at the end of the semester (in lieu of a final exam), on a topic of
your choosing, that relates to the themes of the course. Detailed instructions on the structure,
topic, and format of these reviews will be offered in class at a later date.
Required Books:
Ignatieff, M. (2001) Human
Rights as Politics and Idolatry.
Nussbaum, M. (2002) For
Love of Country: On the Limits of Patriotism.
Power, S. (2002) “A
Problem from Hell:”
Reiff,
D. (2002) A Bed for the Night: Humanitarianism in Crisis.
Singer, P. (2002) One
World: The Ethics of Globalization.
Other Required
Texts:
Nations: A
Simulation Game in International Politics
Purchase
Nations online by going to the following website: http://www.guisd.org/shop2_search.cfm?productid=25
Click the "buy"
button, and then select the ".pdf" version. Once you pay the
$3.50, you can download the file and print it for immediate use.
Recommended Texts:
Hacker, D. (1993) A Pocket Style
Manual.
Strunk, W. Jr., and E.B. White.
(2000) The Elements of Style, 4th
ed.
I have not
ordered copies of the recommended texts.
These are popular books, and should be readily available on-line, and at most local bookstores.
Important Dates:
First day of classes: 18
January
Sign-ups for Nations &
presentations: 20 January
Late registration and
drop/add deadline (in-person): 21 January
Late registration and
drop/add deadline (web & sun-dial): 23 January
Nations summary due: 10 February
Book Review #1 due: 03
March
Spring break: 14 – 18 March
Book Review #2 due: 29
March
Course withdrawal
deadline (in-person): 01 April
Course withdrawal
deadline (web & sun-dial): 03 April
Final Paper topic
selection due: 05 April
Complete withdrawal
deadline: 03 May
Last day of classes: 03 May
Book Review #3 due: 03 May
Final
Paper due: TBA
Course Schedule:(*)
Section I: Introduction & Simulation
18 Jan: Review of Syllabus
(sign-ups for Nations simulation; sign-ups for in-class presentations)
20 Jan: The Structure of an Argument
(review of logical fallacies at http://www.datanation.com/fallacies/index.htm)
Week 2:
25 Jan: Nations simulation I
27 Jan: Nations simulation II
Week 3:
01 Feb: Nations simulation III
03 Feb: Nations simulation debriefing
Week 4:
08 Feb: Singer, P. Ch. 1 & 2
10 Feb: Singer, P. Ch 3
(Nations summary paper due)
Week 5:
15 Feb: Singer, P. Ch. 4
17 Feb: Singer P. Ch 5&6.
Week 6:
22 Feb: Nussbaum, M. p. 1-71
24 Feb: Nussbaum, M. p. 72-end
Week 7:
01 Mar: TBA
03 Mar: TBA
(Book Review #1 due)
Week 8:
08 Mar: Ignatieff, M.
10 Mar: Ignatieff, M.
Week 10:
22 Mar: Ignatieff, M.
“Comments & response”
24 Mar: Power, S. Ch 1-3
Section IV: Humanitarian Intervention & Its Problems
Week 11:
29 Mar: Power,
(Book review # 2 due)
31 Apr: Power, S. Ch 6-7
Week 12:
05 Apr: Power, S. Ch 8
(Final paper topic selection deadline)
07 Apr: Power,
Week 13:
12 Apr: Power,
14 Apr: Power, S. Ch 12-14
Week 14:
19 Apr: Rieff, D. ch. 1&2
21 Apr: Rieff, D. ch. 3&4
Week 15:
26 Apr: Rieff, D. ch. 5&6
28 Apr: Rieff, D. ch. 7&8
Week 16:
03 May: Reiff, D. conclusion & course wrap-up
(Book Review #3 due)
(*)The instructor
reserves the right to add relevant articles to the ones listed on the syllabus,
to remove items from the syllabus, or to make other necessary alterations, if
required. Whenever possible, at least one week’s notice will be given for any
additional required readings.
THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT. DO NOT
LOSE IT AND MAKE SURE TO REVISIT IT REGULARLY DURING THE SEMESTER.