INSTRUCTOR: Jill R. Lane
PHONE: Weekdays -- (206) 251-4850 (cell)
COLLEGE EMAIL ADDRESS: jlane@sccd.ctc.edu
CAMPUS OFFICE: IB2423C, Cubicle 14 (directly above the bookstore)
OFFICE HOURS: Call or email for an appointment
TEXTS:
 International Politics on the World State: Brief John T. Rourke, Mark Boyer
 Taking Sides: Clashing Views in World Politics John T. Rourke
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course examines major issues in the international arena. This includes nationalism, rise of the Third World, imperialism the arms race, and foreign policy, past and present. Fulfills Global Studies requirement.
Transfer class.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
 To understand the importance of world politics to each of us
 To be able to put world events in context
 To understand the evolution of the World System
 To be able to analyze and discuss foreign policy
 To be able to define and comprehend nationalism, globalization and transnationalism
 To understand the various power structures and governance that exists within the world
 To examine more closely international law, human rights, security, the environment, and economic issues as influenced by different countries
* NOTE: A syllabus may change depending on the interests and directions of each class. So please check back for updates in this online information as the quarter proceeds -- especially if you print out the syllabus details and schedule early in the quarter.
1

Dates
Week 1:
Sept 24-29
Week 2:
Oct 1-5
Week 3
Oct 8-12
Week 4
Oct 119
Topics
Thinking and Caring about World Politics
The Evolution of World
Politics: History of the
World System
Levels of Analysis and
Foreign Policy
Nationalism
Assignments
Read Chapter I pp. 1-23
Choose country assignment by
September 29
Quiz Thursday
Friday Debate: Should All Foreign
Troops Soon Leave Iraq? P. 102-114
(Summarizer)
Read Chapter 2 pp. 25-45
In-Class exercise TBD
Thursday Quiz
Friday Debate: Does Globalization
Threaten Cultural Diversity? Pp. 21-
35
Read Chapter 3 pp. 47-68
Class Country presentations begin with the United States, China, Russia
Thursday Quiz
Friday Debate: Does the United
States Have a Sound Strategy for the
War on Terrorism? Pp. 226-253
Read Chapter 4 pp. 70-92
Class Country presentations on
Germany, North Korea, Israel, Iran
2

Week 5
Oct 22-26
Week 6
Oct 29-Nov 2
Week 7
Nov 5-9
Globalization and
Transnationalism
Thursday Quiz
Friday Debate: Is North Korea an
Aggressive Rogue State? Pp. 274-
291
Read Chapter 5 pp. 93-121
Class Country presentations on
France, Japan, England
Thursday Quiz
Friday Debate: Should the US take a
Hard-line with China about its international Economic policies? Pp.
162-184.
Power and the National
State; International
Government
Organization alternatives
Read Chapter 6 pp. 123-161
Reach Chapter 7 pp. 163-197
Class Country presentations on South
Africa, Algeria
Thursday Quiz
International Law and
Human Rights
Friday Debate: Is US Global dominance destructive? Pp. 36-52
Read Chapter 7 pp. 199--227
Class Country presentations on
Ukraine, Turkey, Columbia
Thursday Quiz
Friday Debate: Is US Global dominance destructive? Pp. 36-52
3

Week 8
Nov 12-16
Week 9:
Nov 19-21
Week 10
Nov 26-30
Week 11
Dec 3-7
Week 12
Dec. 10-12
National Economic
Competition
Presentations/Film
Preserving and
Enhancing the
Biosphere
Security
Final Exam
Read Chapter 8 pp. 278-303
Reach Chapter 11 pp. 306-332
Class Country presentations on
Switzerland, Australia, Brazil,
Thursday Quiz
Friday Debate: Is Economic
Globalization a Positive trend? Pp. 1-
20
Class Country presentations on
Thailand, Malaysia, Sierre Leone
Film TBD
Read Chapter 12 pp. 199--227
Thursday Quiz
Class Country presentations on
Sudan, Nigeria
Friday Debate: Can Destructive impacts from Global warming be confidently predicted? Pp. 345-359
Research paper due 10:00 a.m.
Nov 30
CRS Handouts
Read Chapter 9 pp. 229-273
Thursday Quiz
Model UN Thursday and Friday
Take home exam due 10:00 a.m.
Dec. 10
4

900-1000 points = A
800-899 points = B
700-799 points = C
600-699 points = D
Below 600 points = F
Specifics:
Quizzes.....................................................................200 points
Country Presentations...............................................200 points
Debates, Attendance, Class Participation.................200 points
Research Paper.........................................................200 points
Final exam................................................................200 points
_________________________________________________________
No credit, Incomplete or Withdrawals: If any requirements are not completed, one may request an incomplete and fill out an Incomplete Removal Agreement. Any withdrawal requires a Withdrawal Form.
Country Assignments:
During the first week of class, you must choose a country. No more than two students will be able to have a country.
Part I: Presentation
You will be required to give the class a 5-10 minute presentation on your country.
You may focus on one aspect of the country (ex. Trade) or the overall history of the country. Presentations are worth 200 points
Part II: Research Paper:
You are required to write a 5-6 page research paper on some aspect of your chosen country (ex. human rights record, foreign policy, relations with the Uniteded
States). At least three sources are required as is citation. You may use MLA or APA for the bibliography. You must also include citations within the text and I recommend using at least one citation per paragraph. North Seattle Community
College's weblink to the library has examples if you need them. A rubric for grading will be provided at a later date. The paper is worth 200 points.
5

Quizzes:
Quizzes will be taken during the second half of class on each Thursday. The quizzes will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. There will be 10 quizzes worth 20 points each
Final Exam:
Your final exam will be a take home exam. It will consist of four essays. Each question is worth 50 points, for a total of 200 points. It is closed book. You will be graded on content, grammar and citation. The exam will be given to you on
December 7 and is due back by 10:00 a.m. on December 10. Later exams will not be accepted.
6