International Relations syllabus

International Relations (PolSc250)

Instructor: M. Giuili

Spring 2012- Florence-Italy

Course description: Introduction to various aspects of international relations and politics. Consideration of such topics as the sovereign and national state and international politics, the nature of world community, international law, world economics, the United Nations and other international organizations, and contemporary world problems.

Taking this class in Florence will give an additional dimension to the material that we will be covering in the textbook. Very often the same international events are interpreted differently in Europe and in the US and that will allow for good class discussion and group work.

International relations will use many of the social science fields like psychology, philosophy and particularly economics. We will be looking at many fields that are directly related to the lives of students taking this class and that will make the material more relevant and interesting.

The Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) for this class:

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

1-      Discuss the principle historical factors, including the development of foreign policy, leading to the present international situation

2-      Recognize and discuss various elements of power in international relations

3-      Describe the most prominent structures of the international community and explain their interaction with states

4-      Demonstrate a basic understanding of the major theoretical approaches to world politics and the methodologies used to study them

5-      Think and argue critically about issues in international relations

Textbook for this class:

“International Politics on the World Stage” (brief), 8^th edition by John Rourke and Mark Boyer.

ISBN 978-0-07-337899-2

Course methodology: The class will consist mainly of lectures and discussions based on the textbook, enclosed articles and current events. Group work will allow you to analyze issues from different points of view and a group class presentation will also be part of your overall assessment. At the beginning of the semester you will pick a country or geographical area dealing with a conflict, give a historical overview, research the source of their problems and assess potential outcome.

Your final grade will be computed in the following manner:

                Midterm exam                                                      30%

                Final exam                                                            40%

                Class presentation                                              20%

                Class participation/group work                      10%

Tentative Schedule

February                1             Introduction and organization

                                 3             World Politics ch.1

                                 6             ch1

                                 8             Evolution of World Politics ch.2

                                13           ch.2

                                15           Levels of Analysis ch.3

                                20           ch.3

                                22           Nationalism – ch.4

                                27           Globalism –ch.5

                                29           ch.5

March                    5             National State – ch.6

7                   Midterm Exam

19           National State – ch.6

21           IGO

26           ch.7

28           Security - ch.9

April                       2             ch.9

                                 4             National Economic Competition – ch.10

                                11           ch.10

                                16           International Economics – ch.11

                                18           ch.11

23                 Final Exam

24                 Final Review