COURSE NUMBER: POL 250


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POL 250

I. TITLE: Introduction to International Relations

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The nature of international society and the behavior of states in their relations with one another.

III. PURPOSE:
Studies show that many students have scant information about the events that shape our world. One survey asked 4 factual questions in 8 countries. (1. Do you know the name of the ethnic group that has conquered much of Bosnia and surrounded the city of Sarajevo? 2. Do you know the name of the group with which the Israelis reached a peace accord? 3. Who is the president of Russia? 4. Who is Boutros Boutros-Ghali?) A majority of Germans answered all 4 correctly; most French and Italians could answer 3; a majority of Spaniards could answer just one question; and most Americans and Mexicans were unable to answer any of the 4 correctly (John T. Rouke, International Politics on the World Stage, 6th ed., 1997, page 3). The world drama is important and it deserves our careful attention. We are on a global stage along with everybody else, and we are all caught up in the tidal ebb and flow of global events--a reality which we cannot escape.

World politics affect the personal economic conditions of each of us. The impact of international economics on domestic societies continue to expand as world industrial and financial structures become increasingly intertwined. Trade wins and loses jobs. We are dependent on foreign sources for vital resources. The ties between national and international affairs are so close that many social scientists now use the term intermestic to symbolize the merger of international and domestic concerns.

International politics can affect and determine the quality of the global environment. The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) reports that erosion destroys 25 billion tons of topsoil each year, 900 million urban dwellers breathe dangerous levels of sulfur dioxide, and 25% of the Earth's animal and plant species may become extinct by the year 2020 (Hartford Courant, May 18, 1992, p. A5). Global cooperation is necessary to stem and reverse the degradation of the biosphere.

International politics now has the potential of extinguishing most or all of the human race. According to the UN, the percentage of civilians killed during wars was 75% in the 1980s and 90% during the 1990s of total casualties. Most tragically, the casualties included 2 million children, who died from wounds and other war-related causes (UNICEF, 1996). In a nuclear war or act of nuclear terrorism, military casualties would be a mere footnote to the overall death toll.

If anything, the above drives in the fact that an educated student must realize that he/she are world citizens and must learn the issues that affect the world in general and the individual in particular. In a democratic society, individuals are important agents of political change through voting, protesting, joining issue-oriented groups, or having opinions recorded in a political poll. Few Individual actions may not change world politics, but the sum of many smaller actions can and does make a difference. Politics is not a spectator sport. On the contrary, politics is a participant-even a contact-sport. Accordingly, the course will address "Characteristics of the Murray State Graduate," by enabling the student to

1. engage in mature, independent thought and express that thought effectively in oral and written communication through the analysis of past and present international events and developments as is required and indicated in Part IX below;
2. understand the methodologies employed to discover knowledge and ascertain its validity as indicated in Part IV below;
3. apply sound standards of analysis and evaluation to reach logical decisions about the future of international affairs as indicated in Part IV below;
4. understand the role and applications of technology and science in the solution of the problems of a changing world such as the international environment, population growth and weapon systems;
5. demonstrate a critical understanding of the world's historical and philosophical traditions as the content outline indicates;
6. understand the dynamics of cultural diversity, of competing economic and political systems, and of complex moral and ethical issues as indicated in the content outline of the course;
7. learn the nature of responsible citizenship and pursue an active role in a democratic society as noted below;
8. develop a working knowledge of the subject which is becoming so essential for a successful and productive life.

IV. OBJECTIVES:
The 20th century, which is now drawing to a close, has been a time of momentous and rapid global change. It is hard for almost any of us to grasp how rapidly things are changing compared to the former pace of social, political, economic and technological evolution throughout history. For example, when this century began there were no airplanes; monarchs ruled Russia, Germany, Italy and most other countries; there were no important, ongoing global organizations; and there were about 1.5 billion people in the world to name a few. Now humans can rocket into space and deliver their weapons by ICBM; the UN, World Bank, WTO, and other international organizations play important and continuing roles in the world; and the world population has quadrupled to 6 billion people. All this has happened in just one century, a time period that represents 1/3 of 1% of the approximately 3,500 years of recorded human history and technology has been the prime mover of this rapid change. A key change in the international system has been the rapid rise in the number of states, which is now approaching 200. About 60% of all countries that exist today were not independent in 1945.

The objective of the course is to teach the student about international relations in general. Particular attention will focus on the emergence of the international political system, the forces and issues that impact the behavior of states and organizations, and the challenges facing the world community. A variety of methodologies with several orientations such as power, human social relations, and economics as well as different levels of analysis are utilized in understanding world politics. It should be clearly apparent that the course does indeed emphasize the international perspective and does introduce the student to the fundamental concepts and methods of analysis for a better understanding of international affairs. These tools will be of immense value in developing the critical thinking and the communication components of the learning process. The latter can be demonstrated in written and oral forms through exams, reports and class participation. Exam questions shall be designed to promote critical thinking through conceptualization and analysis. The Socratic method of teaching employed in this course will force the student to communicate orally through active rather than passive learning. Finally, the course reinforces and builds upon the skills and the knowledge learned from CIV 101 & 102.

V. CONTENT OUTLINE:
A. International Politics
    1. The Study of World Politics
    2. Evolution of the World Political System
    3. System-Level Analysis
    4. State-Level Analysis
    5. Individual-Level of Analysis
B. Forces That Shape World Politics
    6. Interests: National, Global, Individual
    7. Nationalism (nation & nation-states)
    8. Transnational Ideas, Ideology, & Morality
C. Relations Between the States
    9. Power
    10. International Law
    11. Diplomacy
    12. International Organizations (IGO & NGOs)
    13. War
    14. Arms Control
D. Economics, Ecological, and Social Challenges
    15. Economics of the North
    16. Economics of the South
    17. Global & Regional Economics
    18. Social & Ecological Changes

VI. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
The course has always been taught through the use of active learning process. The Socratic method of teaching has always been utilized. Furthermore, an emphasis is placed on concepts and issue-oriented approaches. Every student is expected to engage in class discussions.

In addition to a voluminous textbook (589 pages), the student is expected to continuously read specific magazines, search the web sites on the computer, and submit in writing critical analysis of international events and issues.

VII. FIELD AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCES: N/A

VIII. RESOURCES:
Primary resources include the University Library, computers, and assigned readings.
Required reading is the textbook:
Rouke, John T. International Politics on the World Stage, 6th edition, 1997.

IX. GRADING PROCEDURES:
Hourly exams and the final exam (all essay) shall count for 60% of the course grade. Written and oral reports and class participation shall count for 40%.
The grading distribution shall be as follows:
1. Exams                             - 60%
2. Written & oral reports     - 20%
3. Class participation           - 20%

The letter grade assigned at the end of the semester is based upon the following distribution:
100% - 90% = A
89% - 80% = B
79% - 70% = C
69% - 60% = D
59% - 0% = E

Make-up exams are a privilege and NOT a right. There must be an exceptionally good reason for missing an exam on the assigned date. Every effort MUST be made to take an exam on time. If I agree to the reason you missed a test and is verifiable if I so request, you will then be permitted to take a make-up during the LAST WEEK of the semester and before the beginning of final exam week.

X. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Regular class attendance is vital to academic success. Except in truly extraordinary circumstances, missing more than 10% of scheduled class sessions (generally 4 MWF; 3 TTh) will result in lowering of your course grade; missing more than 25% of scheduled class meetings (generally 10 MWF; 7 TTh) will result in automatic failure of the course.

If you miss a class session, then it is your responsibility to find out what transpired during the class period when you were absent. If you need further clarification, please feel free to call on me. Please do not call and ask me if anything important shall be discussed during your absence. Every class session is IMPORTANT to your knowledge and exams.

XI. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: See attached.

XII. TEXT AND REFERENCES: Please refer to point VIII above.

XIII. PREREQUISITES: Willingness to work and learn.

XIV. LEGAL ISSUE:
The above materials are designed as a general guideline. Experience has indicated that individual classes may require special attention and that some deviation in the above procedures may be necessary. Consequently, the instructor reserves the right to make those adjustments which he feels will be helpful both to the individual student and to the class as a whole. Any adjustments made pursuant to this paragraph must be made as an exercise of reasonable discretion and consistent with fundamental fairness.

Last updated February 8, 2000. Designed and maintained by Kyosung Koo