Discipline: Political Science Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Political Science 4


COURSE DESCRIPTION
4 Introduction to World Politics Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite(s): None.

Advisory: Qualification for ENG-1A.
A study of the theories, paradigms, and issues of global politics. Special attention is given to the role of the United States in the international community, the role of international organizations and international political economy. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
A study of the paradigms, theories, institutions, and issues of international political economy and world politics.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
Before entering the course, students will be able to:
  1. critically discuss and analyze primary and secondary texts, recognizing key ideas and responding in both oral and written form;

  2. analyze, synthesize, and evaluate concepts studied in primary and secondary texts using intermediate to advanced critical thinking skills;

  3. compose developed, unified, stylistically competent writing assignments and adjust writing to the target audience with intermediate to advanced skill.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1.   Describe, analyze, and evaluate concepts, paradigms, and theories
      and institutions of world politics. 
      a.   Compare trends, theories, and characteristics of two or more
             paradigms. 
      b.   Critically analyze how these paradigms and theories relate to
             each other.

2.   Demonstrate the ability to think creatively, independently, and
      critically about issues in world politics by: 
      a.   Using theories from paradigms within the course and debates
             to argue convincingly in defense of a position 
      b.   Selecting examples to illustrate points and organizing points of
             argument appropriately

3.   Critically discuss and interpret primary texts and examples of the
       history and/or cultures which produced them.

4.   Analyze and evaluate using research tools (to include primary
      texts, scholarly journals, secondary texts, current media and the
      internet) how current international organizations, governments,
      nongovernmental organizations, regional organizations impact the
      development of conflict and peace.

5.   Analyze and evaluate globalization and its impact on recurring
      human problems across geographical boundaries, and the
      problems unique to particular cultures.

6.   Demonstrate, apply, and synthesize understanding of foundational
      theories and critiques of theories within the Liberalism, Realism,
      and Constructivism paradigms through the writing of an original
      analytical and evaluative paper comprising a minimum of 20 pages
      to include: 
      a.   the analysis and evaluation of data 
      b.   an understanding of alternative explanations 
      c.    the forming of conclusions from the data.

7.   Demonstrate, apply and synthesize understanding of fundamental
      problems in world politics through writing of original analytical and
      evaluative essays of four to six pages.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 

Focus of class readings may be chronological, topical-thematic, disciplinary, and/or based on case studies. The class should cover at least five of the seven indicated topic areas.

1.   Definitions of power
      a.  General definitions:  power, war and peace,  manifestations of
            conflict, war, peace, and international political economy.
2.   Historical concepts of war and peace
      a.   Classical approaches to war:  Tzu, Machiavelli, Mahan and
            Mackinder
      b.   Classical approaches to peace:  Kant, Rousseau
3.   Methodological approaches
      a.    Definition of actors in world politics
      b.    Definitions of levels of analysis—individual, state, global or
             systemic and the contribution of actors at each level.
      c.    Definitions of theory and hypothesis and understanding the
             role of theories in   interpreting, explaining and predicting
             changes in world politics.
4.    Definitions of Paradigms and Theories of War and peace  
       a.    Liberalism Paradigm—classical theoretical approaches to
              explanations of peace and relationship to modern theoretical
              approaches of liberalism and collective security, democratic
              peace theory, neoliberalism, and complex interdependence -              Chomsky, Keohane, Gilpin, Wallerstein, Gunther Frank
        b.   Realism Paradigm—classical theoretical approaches to
              explanations of war and relationship to modern theoretical
              approaches of realism, balance of power, neorealism, and
              imperialism –Lenin, Carr, Waltz
         c.  Constructivism Paradigm—theoretical approaches illuminating
              new explanations of   areas of world politics not covered by
              traditional paradigms: feminist international   relations
              theory, ethnic identity theory, nationalism ethnic conflict,
              genocide, and   terrorism, Marxist theory, Human rights.
              Marx, Gurr, Gellately, Gurtov, Tickner

 5.      Definition of National Security and Terrorism 
          a.  Historical approach to U.S. national security 
          b.  Historical delineation of U.S. foreign policy doctrines and
               strategic approaches
          c.   Role of international institutions and national security-
                UN      
          d.  Comparison of paradigms and theoretical perspectives on
                U.S. national security approaches

6.       Ethnic Conflict, Identity, Nationalism, Genocide, and Terrorism 
         a.   Definitions of identity, culture, ethnic conflict, genocide and
               terrorism
         b.   Levels of analysis: individual, state, and systemic
               explanations for global phenomena of genocide, ethnic
               conflict, and terrorism
         c.   Types and cases of ethnic conflict and genocide—ethnic
               groups and indigenous populations, refugees
         d.   Comparison of paradigm and theoretical perspectives on
               nationalism, ethnic identity and roots of terrorism

 7.      International Political Economy and International Organizations 
          a.   Definitions of development inequalities of Global North and
                Global South states
          b.   Definitions of international economic institutions and role in
                economic development
          c.    Level of analysis: individual, state and systemic
                explanations for unequal economic growth and the impact in
                the areas of population, health, labor, environment, food,
                and government policy
          d.   Paradigm and therortetical explanation of different
                economic systems and organization of international
                economy-Globalization , Hegemonic Stability and role of
                hegemon, Neoliberalism and role of structural adjustment
                mercatilism and neomercantilism, sustainable developent
                and underdevelopment theories. 
           e.  Comparison of paradigm and theoretical perspectives on
                international poitical econom and internation orgaiztions

              

                                   
                           

Case studies of countries or groups impacted by international economic policies, U.S. foreign policy or national security policy, UN policies may include but not be limited to, the following:  Nicaragua, Cuba, China, Chile, East Timor, Iraq, Iran, Rwanda, Israel, Chiapas, Palestinians, and Kurds.

 
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Presentation of lectures and discussions on types of war, creative methods for peace, division of labor in the international political economy including critical methods and individual biographies, in order for students to understand the relationship of power, war, peace, and international political economy.
  • Guest writers/lecturers invited to class to discuss topics on war, ethnic conflict, international political economy and international and nonprofit international organizations.
  • Presentation, discussion, and detailed examination of case studies of war, imperialism, conflict, peace, global inequality in the international political economy throughout history.
  • Showing films, videos, slides, distributing handouts, and/or using electronic or computer-based media in order to reinforce understanding of concepts related to war, power, peace, and international political economy in world politics.
  • Cooperative/collaborative learning tasks, simulations, and activities designed to assist students in activating, stimulating, and acting upon the resources of creativity within themselves. Special projects may comprise
    o a UN Security Council simulation and
    o a classroom presentation and
    o set up of a conference presentation of students’ research.
  • Individual conferences in order to evaluate and advise students on original writing or creative projects.
  • Computer-assisted and/or web-enhanced instruction which reinforces the course content.

 
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • A minimum of two significant pieces of formal academic writing beyond quizzes or examinations is required. 
  • Individual and group assignments designed to demonstrate successful understanding and application of basic concepts and definitions of power, war, ethnic conflict, peace, and international political economy.
  • Questions on topics and content designed to evaluate students’ understanding of the key approaches to power and theories of war and international political economy and development.
  • Quizzes/examinations designed to assess students’ ability to recall, critically analyze and apply key concepts and course content.
  • Participation and regular attendance as required by instructor to ensure progress in mastering the course content and participation in collaborative learning projects.
  • Final examination designed to assess students’ mastery of the essential concepts explored in the course.
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Gurtov, Melvin. Global Politics in the The Human Interest. 4 ed. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1999.
  • Jones, S. Walter. The Logic of International Relations. 8 ed. New York: Longman Publishers, 1997.
  • Kegley, Charles W. with Eugene R. Wittkopf. World Politics: Trends and Transformation. 10 ed. Belmont: Thomson Learning Inc., 2006.
  • Mingst, Karen. Essentials of International Relations. 3 ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2004.
  • Paterson, Thomas and Merrill, Dennis. Major Problems in American Foreign Relations. 6 ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2005.
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