Department of Political Studies
Département d’études politiques
2600 College, Sherbrooke Québec, Canada J1M 1Z7
T 819 822 9600 / F 819 822 9661 / ubishops.ca / gilbert.gagne@ubishops.ca
POL 242-A
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
PRINCIPLES, INSTITUTIONS AND POLITICS
Fall 2014
Tuesday - Thursday 8:30 - 10:00
Instructor: Dr. Gilbert Gagné
Office: N 105
Office Hours: Wednesday 14:00 - 17:00
HAM 303
Tel: 822-9600, ext. 2439
E-mail: ggagne@ubishops.ca
OBJECTIVES AND STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE
This course seeks to familiarize students with the role of international institutions in world politics,
particularly intergovernmental organizations (IGOs). We will study the origins, structures, and
processes of institutions designed to resolve world conflict and secure international cooperation.
Both multilateral and regional organizations will be examined. The course is structured around
seven themes: 1) global governance, international actors, and key features of IGOs; 2) the League of
Nations and the United Nations system; 3) regional IGOs; 4) peace and security; 5) socio-economic
cooperation; 6) human rights and the environment; and 7) current debates on IGOs.
TEACHING APPROACH
The course has a lecture format, but class discussions and student participation are encouraged.
Readings are prescribed to complement lectures, to facilitate students’ understanding, as well as to
stimulate interest and participation.
READINGS
The required readings for the course are contained in a textbook, available at the University
Bookstore:
Karns, Margaret P. and Karen A. Mingst, International Organizations: The Politics and Processes
of Global Governance, 2nd edn, Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner, 2010.
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REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
- Mid-Term Exam
- Term Paper
- Final Exam
20%
40%
40%
Exams: Both mid-term and final exams will consist of short and longer essay questions drawn, by
order of importance, from the lectures, readings, and discussions. The mid-term exam will last one
hour and twenty minutes and will be held on Thursday 16 October from 8:30 to 9:50 during the
class session. The final exam will last three hours and will take place during the examinations
period at the end of term.
Research Paper: A typed, double-spaced 10-15 page paper, excluding the bibliography, on a
specific topic related to the course content has to be submitted on, or before, Tuesday 25
November. Students have all latitude to work on an aspect of international institutions which
interests them particularly. The topic must be approved by the instructor. A paper copy (excluding
an electronic submission) must imperatively be submitted by the due date. No late paper will be
accepted.
The paper must have a minimum of eight scholarly references used and quoted (not just listed in the
bibliography). The paper must also conform to the norms for the submission of university papers,
notably as regards notes and bibliography. Students are advised to consult Writing and Style Guide
for University Papers and Assignments, available at the reserve desk of the University Library.
LECTURES AND READINGS
I) GLOBAL GOVERNANCE, INTERNATIONAL ACTORS, AND IGOs
1.
International Actors and Their Relationships
 Ch. 1, “The Challenges of Global Governance”, pp. 3-33.
 Ch. 6, “Nonstate Actors: NGOs, Networks, and Social Movements”, pp. 219-254.
 Ch. 7, “The Role of States in Global Governance”, pp. 255-285.
2.
IGOs and World Politics
3.
IGOs: Different Types, Common Features, and Decision-Making Procedures
4.
Intergovernmental and Supranational Features
5.
The Functions of IGOs
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6.
The Role of International Organizations: Main Theoretical Perspectives
 Ch. 2, “The Theoretical Foundations of Global Governance”, pp. 35-60.
7.
The History and Evolution of IGOs
II) THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS AND THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM
1.
The League of Nations
 Ch. 3, “Foundations of the Pieces of Global Governance”, pp. 63-93.
2.
The Lessons from the League
3.
The United Nations Organization and its Central System
 Ch. 4, “The United Nations: Centerpiece of Global Governance”, pp. 95-143.
III) REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
1.
Regional Political Cooperation
1.1
1.2
2.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Regional Economic Cooperation/Integration
2.1
2.2
The European Union
The North American Free Trade Agreement
 Ch. 5, “Regional Organizations”, pp. 145-218.
IV) PEACE AND SECURITY
1.
Peace Operations
2.
Arms Control and Disarmament
3.
Terrorism as a Global Threat
 Ch. 8, “The Search for Peace and Security”, pp. 289-385.
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V) SOCIO-ECONOMIC COOPERATION
1.
The Sphere of UN Specialized Agencies
2.
International Finance, Development, and Trade
2.1
2.2
2.3
The International Monetary Fund
The World Bank
The GATT/World Trade Organization
 Ch. 9, “Promoting Human Development and Economic Well-Being”, pp. 387-446.
VI) HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
1.
Self-Determination, Humanitarianism, and Human Rights
 Ch. 10, “Protecting Human Rights”, pp. 447-495.
2.
The Environment: A Weak IGO Framework
 Ch. 11, “Protecting the Environment”, pp. 497-534.
VII) INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: CONCLUDING REMARKS
1.
A General Appraisal of IGOs as International Actors
2.
IGOs: Current Debates and Prospects
 Ch. 12, “Innovations in Global Governance for the Twenty-First Century”, pp. 537-553.
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