UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA
POLS 2401
Introduction to Global Issues
3 Credit Hours
College of Arts and Letters
Department of Political Science & International Affairs
I.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Instructor: Dr. Kathleen Woodward
Office Location: Administration Building, Room 102, Oconee Campus
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesdays: 9:50-10:50am and 11:50am12:20pm. Tuesday and Thursdays: 3:15-4:45pm. If you need a significant
amount of time when meeting with me, it is best if you email me for an
appointment.
Contact Information: Please contact via email at kathleen.woodward@ung.edu
II.
TEXT AND OTHER MATERIALS
Shiraev, Eric B. and Vladislav M. Zubok. (2015). International Relations
Oxford University Press: New York.
Online textbook supplemental resources (optional): www.oup.com/us/shiraev.
No login code is needed.
Additional readings, audio-visual, and websites may be provided and assigned.
III.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An analysis of the basic forces that govern the behavior of states in their relations
with one another and with global institutions. This study of world power conflicts,
diplomacy, and international cooperation is designed to acquaint the student with
the basic issues and areas of conflict and cooperation among the main actors of
the contemporary world.
This course can be used in either Area B or E in the core curriculum.
This course fulfills the Global Perspectives learning outcome.
IV.
COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the time students have finished this course, they should be able to:
1. Demonstrate the use of prominent international relations (IR) theories to
analyze interactions among states, non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), and inter-governmental organizations (IGOs).
2. Analyze the role of economics, religion, culture, and history in
international relations.
3. Analyze differences in states’ perspectives of and approaches to
international relations.
4. Analyze the role of non-state actors, including IGOs and NGOs in
international relations.
5. Students will analyze political, cultural, or socioeconomic interactions
among people or organizations of the world (Area B Learning Outcome
for the UNG)
Assignment meeting Area B Learning Objective: Students will
analyze, discuss, and write an essay about a current international
relations event, including interactions of states, peoples, IGOs,
NGOs, and/or other non-state actors, using relevant international
relations’ theories.
V.
UNG ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Classes begin: Aug. 17
Holiday, no class: Sept. 7
Last day to withdraw from course: Oct. 12
Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 23-27
Classes End: Dec. 4
Final Exam Week: Dec. 7-11
VI.
COURSE GRADING
Test I: 25% of final grade. Tentative test date: Sept. 9th
Current Events’ Simulation Essay: 5% of final grade. Due day of Test I. This
assignment meets the Area B Global Learning Objective highlighted above.
Test II: 25% of final grade. Tentative test date. Oct. 7th
Test III: 25% of final grade. Tentative test date: Nov. 18th
“Terrorism Essay:” 5% of final grade. Due day of Test III.
Campus “Citizenship” Participation: 5% of final grade. Students will receive
1% credit for verifiable attendance at one of the campus events identified on a list
that will be given to students. Attendance at five events is needed to receive all
5% points in the final grade. All events will relate to global issues or concepts of
citizen participation and empowerment.
Common Assignment Essay: 10% of final grade. Due day/time of final exam
This “common Assignment” is mandated by the Department of Political Science &
International Affairs for all sections of POLS 2401 on all UNG campuses. Students will
read a short academic journal article chosen by the department and answer assigned
questions. This essay is required by the department to be submitted to Turnitin.com for
the purpose of reducing plagiarism across POLS 2401 sections/campuses. You also need
to turn in a hard copy to me for grading purposes.
VII. COURSE CALANDAR
Week 1: Introduction to course, Chs. 1 & 2 (Inro. & Realism)
Week 2: Chs. 2 & 3 (Realism & Liberalism) & Discuss Current Event’ Simulation
Week 3: Chs. 3 & 4 (Liberalism & Alternative Theories) & Discuss Current Event’ Simulation
Week 4: Finish Unit I (Chs. 1,2,3, & 4), review for test, Test I, and current events’
simulation essay due.
Week 5: Chs. 5 (International Security)
Week 6: Ch. 6 (International Law) and International Courts
Week 7: Ch. 6 (International Law) and International Courts
Week 8: Finish Unit II (Chs. 5 & 6), review for test, Test II
Week 9: Ch. 7 (International Political Economy - IPE), Global Financial Institutions
Week 10: Ch. 7 (IPE), Economic Systems, and Development/Growth Strategies
Week 11: Chs. 7 & 8 (IPE & Terrorism)
Week 12: Ch. 8 (Terrorism) and Cases in Terrorism
Week 13: Cases in Terrorism
Week 14: Finish unit III (Chs. 7 & 8), review for test, Test III, and essay on terrorism due.
Week 15: Finish anything not completed. If above schedule not finished, use this week to
complete. Students work on Common Assignment in class with my assistance.
Finals Week: Turn in Common Assignment, due on scheduled day/time of class’ final exam
VIII.
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance and Participation:
Attendance and participation may be considered in calculating your final grade if
you are close to the borderline of a grade. Announcements are made and
explained in class and it is difficult to do well in the class if you are not connected
through regular attendance. Attentiveness, in addition to participation, in class is
considered when adjusting borderline grades.
Make-up information:
Students need to inform me via email if they will miss a test, quiz, or assignment
deadline prior to the due date and time. The reason must be a verifiable medical
or emergency situation that is more serious than a cold, headache, etc. Students
are not automatically entitled, as they were in high school, to make up exams,
quizzes, and assignments, unless the absence is excused for a verifiable medical
reason. You need to be present for all tests, etc. I understand situations do arise
that prevent presence, even family and childcare issues, but please follow the
above guidelines and email me. Do not just assume you can make up the test or
assignment. This is a major difference between college and high school of which
you need to be aware.
General Classroom Policies
Please refer to the below link (Student Handbook) for information regarding UNG
policies for attendance, disruptive behavior, withdrawals, etc.:
http://ung.edu/student-involvement/_uploads/files/studenthandbook/UNG_Handbook.swf
IX.
SUPPLEMENTAL COURSE INFORMATION
See the following link for UNG information supplementing this syllabus,
including disability services, plagiarism, class conduct, and more.
http://ung.edu/academic-affairs/policies-and-guidelines/supplementalsyllabus.php
Accessibility Statement
If you need this, or any other document related to the class, in another format,
please email Kathleen Woodward at kathleen.woodward@ung.edu or call 678717-3670.
Academic Integrity Policy:
University of North Georgia’s honor policy is below:
“On my honor, I will not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth, conspire to
deceive, or tolerate those who do.”
See the link below to the student handbook, beginning on page 33, for
information and policies regarding plagiarism.
http://ung.edu/student-involvement/_uploads/files/studenthandbook/UNG_Handbook.swf
This link also outlines student code of conduct violations’ procedures and is found
on the Dean of Students website:
http://ung.edu/dean-of-students/student-code-of-conduct/index.php
* (Specific details of this syllabus may be subject to change.)