Contact Information | Course Description | Readings | Exams | Participation | Class Presentation | Global Problems Summit | Grading | Notes | Schedule of Topics and Readings | Links
Fall Semester, 1999
TR, 2:30-3:50 in Kauke 4
Professor: Matthew Krain
Kauke 221
(330) 263-2469
mkrain@acs.wooster.edu
Office Hours:
Monday & Wednesday, 3:00-4:30pm,
and by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course explores the politics of global problems at the dawn of the 21st Century. We will examine different theoretical approaches for understanding a range of issues that affect the global community such as war, arms proliferation, population growth, human rights abuses, poverty, ethnic conflict, nationalism, and environmental problems. This course also explores potential solutions to these problems at many different levels including efforts by individuals, non-governmental organizations, states, and inter-governmental organizations like the United Nations. A special component of this course is the Global Problems Summit -- a mock international conference where students play the roles of diplomats engaged in negotiations on solutions to major problems. A goal of this course is to encourage students to think critically about global problems, and global solutions.
READINGS
We will be using the following books:
Supplementary readings will be placed on reserve in the main library, and will be available on the World-Wide-Web, on our class web page, below.
All readings MUST be completed by the class session for which they are assigned. They will be necessary background for lectures and discussion, and you will be held responsible for them, both in class and on exams.
Finally, you are expected to keep up with news around the world. This will require you to get your news from two or more of the following sources:
1) a major national or international newspaper such as The New York Times, The Christian
Science Monitor, or The Wall Street Journal
2) a major news website such as the above papers sites, MSNBC-Online, or CNN-Online
3) a major news magazine such as The Economist, Time, Newsweek, or US News & World Report
4) major public news outlets with comprehensive news coverage such as NPRs National Public Radio News (89.1 on the radio) or PBSs The News Hour with Jim Lehrer
EXAMS
There will be two exams during the semester, each worth 25% of the course grade. The first exam will focus specifically on the first part of the semester. The final exam will be cumulative. Both exams will present essay questions that focus on theories about global problems, the historical context of key issues, contending perspectives, and potential solutions. Students are required to refer to course notes and reading materials when formulating their answers. The midterm exam will be taken during one given class session. The final exam will be distributed one week before it is due. Answers to the final exam are to be typed, double spaced, and include careful references to course material. Cheating WILL NOT be tolerated, and will result in automatic failure for the course!
PARTICIPATION
Students are expected to attend class, prepare course material in advance, and participate actively in class discussions and debates. Your input and feedback is essential to the smooth and efficient running of the class. My hope is that the classroom will contain an atmosphere in which ideas and opinions will be welcomed and addressed. On rare occasions, however, discussion may have to be curtailed, however, in the interests of covering the material. Class participation and overall professionalism (including factors such as attendance, promptness, courtesy, overall improvement, and other intangibles, to he evaluated and assigned at the discretion of the instructor) is worth 10% of the class grade.
CLASS PRESENTATION
Students will give individual presentations to the class that discuss and analyze a section of the assigned readings. This 5-10 minute presentation should summarize the arguments of specific readings and treat them analytically, providing illustrations and cases to support major themes. Students should also present a few questions or ideas to guide further class discussion. Students must prepare a 2-3 page 'talking paper' for their presentations and turn in a copy to the instructor at the time of the presentation.
THE GLOBAL PROBLEMS SUMMIT
This mock international conference is a unique opportunity for students to put theory into practice through debates about potential solutions to global problems. Two separate sessions of the conference are held during two weeks of the course. Students will choose a country to represent at both summit sessions and will take on that perspective while engaged in international dialogue about major problems. The first summit session will examine problems related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction including compliance problems with the non-proliferation regime and proposals for a Global Zero treaty. The second session will examine international development problems -- especially the question of the North's responsibility to provide assistance to less-developed countries.
Student attendance at the Global Problems summit is mandatory, and participation there is worth 15% of the course grade. Students should prepare for the conference by reading the summit rules packet and background information on their country. Working papers are due in advance of both sessions, worth 10% of the course grade.
GRADING
The grades will be assigned as follows:
25% = Midterm Exam
25% = Final Exam
10% = Class Participation
10% = Working Papers
15% = Summit Participation
15% = Course Participation & Professionalism (*)
(*) Reminder: Professionalism refers to other factors such as attendance, promptness, courtesy, overall improvement, and other intangibles, to be evaluated and assigned at the discretion of the instructor.
NOTES
Note #1: Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Any missed assignment or unexcused exam absence is subject to an automatic failing grade for the course (in other words, you cannot pass the class unless you do all of the work!). Late written assignments will be graded down one full letter grade for each day late. A paper handed in an hour after the deadline is considered a day late. If you anticipate missing an exam or a paper deadline, consult with the instructor as soon as possible.
Note #2: Students are encouraged to study together and assist one another in learning the material. It is assumed that you have done your own work. In short, don't cheat and don't plagiarize. If you have doubts about whether something violates academic integrity, check the Code of Academic Integrity, located in the Scot's Key. If there are still questions after you have read through the Code, make an appointment to speak with me about it.
Note #3: Students are encouraged to discuss assignments with me during office hours. However, students seeking to change their grade on an assignment or essay portion of an exam should be advised that I reserve the right to alter your grade in either direction (i.e.- if new problems are found during the regrade the grade would go down).
Note #4: It is your responsibility to inform me ahead of time about factors that are likely to interfere with your performance in the class. Measures for students with disabilities, non-native writers of English and other special issues will be taken in compliance with the college's policies
I. Adopting a Global Perspective
Aug. 31 - An Introduction to the Problems of the Global Community
Sept. 2 - CLASS CANCELLED
Sept. 7 - Integration vs. Disintegration
Sept. 9 - The "Old" World Order?: Geopolitics, Great Powers, and Realpolitik
Sept. 28, 30 & Oct 7 - Weapons Proliferation
AND
Oct. 12, 14 - Global Problems Summit #1: Weapons Proliferation
III. The Global Politics of Development
Oct. 26, 28 - Global Poverty and Inequality
Nov. 30, - Global Problems Summit #2: Development Issues
Dec. 2, 7
Dec. 9 - The Future of Global Problems
Dec. 16 - FINAL EXAM: due in my office (KAUKE 221) by 2:30