This course introduces students to the major issues of world politics, and provides them with the analytical tools and historical background necessary to understand these issues.  The course is not a survey of current events.   Rather, it seeks to develop the student’s ability to analyze and interpret world events and processes within a broader theoretical context.  The course is organized into two major parts.  The first part focuses on basic perspectives concerning the study of world politics and the history of world politics through World War Two.   The second part focuses on sets of contemporary global issues such as conflict and security, political economy, and cooperation.

Course Web Site:  The course web site is not located on the University’s online course management systems, e.g., Blackboard.  The URL for the course home page is:

http://hilltop.bradley.edu/~dannehl/pls208/208indx.htm

Required Text:  Karen A. Mingst, Essentials of International Relations, 4^th edition, ISBN: 978-0-393-92897-6.

Students should note that there is proportionately greater reading for some topics than for others.  Thus, they should pace themselves with respect to the readings.  Students also are advised that the readings and lectures sometimes may be in disagreement about certain points.  Your instructor is not (inordinately) confused.  There is no single accepted "truth" about much of the material we will cover in this course; the readings and lectures will present alternative interpretations of both theory and history.  In order to excel in this course, the student must learn to identify, explain, and evaluate the significance of contending arguments.

Requirements:  Three in-class examinations will be given during the semester.  The three examination grades will be equally weighted in determination of your course grade.

No extra-credit assignments will be available.

Grading:  Each course assignment will be graded on a 100-point scale.  The standard grading scale will be:

100-90   A       69-60           D
89-80     B       59 or less      F
79-70     C

The course will not be graded on a curve.  Students should not feel compelled to compete against one another, and there is no reason to condemn a fixed percentage of students to a failing grade regardless of their course performance.   However, if the distribution of course grades is low, downward adjustment of the cut-off points may be made.

Academic Integrity:  Students in this course are required to uphold the strictest standards of academic integrity.  The University’s policy on breaches of academic integrity is discussed in the Student Handbook and Undergraduate Catalog.  The instructor will follow the University policy to the letter.  Any occurrence of cheating will result in a grade of zero (0) for that assignment and be reported to the Director of Residential Life and Student Judicial System.  The instructor also will pursue charges against the student(s) involved in accordance with University procedures.

Simply put, the instructor has a zero tolerance policy regarding breaches of academic integrity and will seek the maximum possible punishment for any violator.

Specific procedures to protect academic integrity during course examinations will be discussed in class.

Attendance:  Attendance will not be taken on the assumption that you are a responsible university student and you consider your academic career to be a full-time job; therefore you will attend class.  The instructor considers unexcused student absences to be indicative of a student's lack of commitment to the course.  Poor attendance will adversely affect a student's chance of receiving favorable treatment in the event of a grade-breaking situation at the end of the semester.

Makeup Examination Policy:  Permission to make up an examination will be granted only under very specific or dire circumstances.  Those circumstances and associated procedures are detailed below.

1. Any student who will miss an examination due to required participation in a University-sanctioned activity, e.g., membership on a University athletic team in scheduled competition, must notify the instructor in advance of the absence and provide documentation of the absence at that time.  The date and time of the makeup examination will be determined at the time that the student informs the instructor of the impending absence.

2. If a student is unable to take an examination due to an emergency, the student or their responsible designee must notify the instructor in person or by telephone within 24 hours of the examination.  E-mail notification is unacceptable.

3. The makeup examination must be taken prior to the graded original examination being returned to students in the class.  In extreme circumstances, e.g., a student's prolonged absence due to hospitalization, the instructor may administer a makeup examination after the original examination has been returned.  This decision is at the sole discretion of the instructor and his decision shall be final.

4. Proper documentation of the circumstances surrounding the student's absence from the original examination must be provided prior to the makeup examination being administered.  Failure to provide proper documentation shall be construed as the student's failure to complete the relevant course assignment and no credit shall be given for that assignment. Examples of proper documentation include the following:

·  for absences due to medical reasons, a doctor's excuse specifically covering the time during which the exam was scheduled;

·  for absences due to funeral attendance, a copy of the relevant obituary;

·  for court appearances, copies of court documents showing the required date and time of appearance;

·  for automobile accidents, copies of relevant police reports and towing bills showing the exact date of the accident.

Academic Accommodation:  All students are expected to meet the requirements for this course.   Students with learning disabilities who need accommodation must discuss the matter with their instructor during the first two weeks of class and provide documentation verifying need.

Any exception or change to course policies shall be at the sole and final discretion of the instructor.

All teaching materials, lectures, and exams are copyright © 2008 by Charles Dannehl.  All rights are reserved.  No person may record any class session, by electronic or other similar means, without the express permission of the instructor.

Anticipated Schedule:

PART I:    LEVELS OF ANALYSIS, ANALYTICAL PERSPECTIVES & HISTORICAL EVOLUTION

• Course Description and Requirements; Introduction to International Relations

Reading:  Mingst: chap. 1.

• Levels of Analysis and Analytical Perspectives

Reading:  Mingst: chaps. 3-6.

PART II:    GLOBAL ISSUES

• Conflict and Security

Reading:  Mingst: chaps. 8 & 2.

• Political Economy

Reading:  Mingst: chap. 9.

• Cooperation

  Reading:  Mingst: chaps. 7 & 10.

EXAM 1 TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

EXAM 2 TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21

EXAM 3 SCHEDULED FOR COMBINED EXAMS PERIOD 1 ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, AT 5:00 PM, IN BRADLEY 142

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