CLASS INFORMATION SHEET
Political Science 5: International Relations
Instructor: Dr. Jeanne Marie Velickovic
Spring 2009
Office: Holt 320
Office Phone: 954 5292
E-mail: jvelickovic@deltacollege.edu
Office Hours: Office Hours: MWF 9:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m., Tu, Th 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. or by
appointment
Catalog Description
This course is an introduction to the field of International Relations. The course surveys
theoretical approaches to international relations, international conflict, global issues, and the
United States as a world power. (UC, CSU). It fulfills a general education requirement at Delta
College (Contemporary Perspectives), and is part of the UC/CSU general education pattern.
Required Texts
World Politics: Trend and Transformation. Charles W. Kegley. Twelfth Edition, 2009.
Wadsworth.
General Aims of the Course
- To understand the development of United States foreign policy from a position of nonentanglement to the present role of world leadership.
- To become aware of the factors that play a role in the shaping of foreign policy, and the steps
taken in formulating foreign policy.
- To recognize global trouble spots and determine what United States foreign policy objectives
should be in responding to these problems.
- To gain an understanding of foreign investment and world trade and the impact that these
forces can have on national economic development.
- To experience the complexity of foreign policy options through discussions that evaluate U.S.
responses to revolutionary changes in developing and underdeveloped nations.
Specific Objectives of the Course
- The student will analyze economic and political problems in developing nations.
- The student will evaluate the past record of United States responses to foreign policy issues in
terms of both short-term and long-term successes.
- The student will learn and critique theories of international relations.
- The student will analyze the sources of power in the international system.
- The student will compare and contrast the needs of United States’ security with that of other
nations.
- The student will analyze the causes of war.
- The student will define the conflict that exists between developed and developing nations
including the legacy of colonialism and imperialism.
- The student will identify and discuss the principle issues involved in a selected human rights
controversy.
- The student will evaluate news about international affairs derived from news sources.
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Course Requirements and Grading Criteria
Students will be evaluated based on examinations, one short research paper, quizzes and
homework assignments for a total of 350 points. Quizzes will be worth 100 points, and
homework assignments will be worth 50 points, the research paper will be worth 50 points, and
the two midterm examinations and comprehensive final examination will be worth 50 points
each. The instructor does not use a curve. A=90% and above, B=80-89%, C=70-70%, D=6069%, F=0-59% The maximum score is 350, and 315 points = A, 280 points = B,
245 points = C, 210 points = D, and < 210 points = F.
You have a choice of one of three short research papers that are due on the dates indicated. Five
homework assignments worth 10 points each will be given, and four quizzes worth 25 points
each. The format for the midterm and final exams will be the same: 20 multiple-choice
questions worth one points each, five short answer questions worth two points each, and one
short essay question worth 20 points, for a total of 50 points. Questions will be drawn from
lectures only. Class discussion is encouraged. You are also encouraged to raise questions in
class, and to make an appointment with the instructor if you have any questions or problems.
Make-up Exams and Quizzes
Make-up exams and quizzes will only be given if you can show written proof of an emergency
that prevented you from taking the exam. If you are too ill to take a test, you have to notify the
instructor before or on the test date, and provide her with a doctor’s note. Make-up tests have to
be taken within one week of the missed test.
Late Homework and Research Papers
No late homework assignments or research papers will be accepted. You have a choice of one
short paper out of three research paper topics, and five out of six homework assignments, that are
due on the dates indicated.
Scholastic Dishonesty
Scholastic dishonesty includes cheating on an examination, plagiarism, and collusion. The
penalty for scholastic dishonesty will be an automatic "0" on the assignment. Serious cases of
scholastic dishonesty will be referred to the Vice President for further action that may include
suspension.
Attendance
Regular attendance is required, in accordance with college regulations.
Withdrawal from the Course
See course schedule book for drop dates. It is the student’s responsibility to drop a course!
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Lecture Topics and Reading Assignments
I Approaches to International Relations
Week 1
Introduction: Exploring World Politics
Read Kegley chapter 1
Weeks 2-3
Theories of World Politics
Read Kegley chapter 2
January 19
Campus closed
No Class
January 23
Homework assignment 1
II Historical Overview of International Relations
Week 4
The Historical Setting
Read Kegley chapter 4
February 6
Homework assignment 2
Week 5
The Modern Era
Read Kegley chapter 4
February 11
Quiz 1 (Kegley chapters 1,2,3,4)
February 13-16
Campus closed
No class
III The Globe’s Actors and Their Relations
Week 6
Foreign Policy Decision Making
Read Kegley chapter 3
February 20
Homework assignment 3
Week 7
The Global South in a World of Powers
Read Kegley chapter 5
February 27
Midterm 1
Week 8
Nonstate Actors in a System of States
Read Kegley chapters 6-7
March 6
Homework assignment 4
Week 9
Humanitarian Challenges and the Protection of Human Rights
Read Kegley chapter 8
March 11
Quiz 2 (Kegley chapters 5,6,7,8)
March 13
Research paper topic 1 due (Humanitarian issue)
IV Managing Global Conflict
Week 10
The Transformation of Armed Conflict
Read Kegley chapter 13
March 20
Homework assignment 5
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Week 11
Military Power, Coercive Diplomacy and National Security
Read Kegley chapter 14
March 27
Research paper topic 2 due (Military conflict)
Week 12
The Realist road to Security
Read Kegley chapter 15
March 31
Campus closed
No class
April 3
Midterm 2
Week 13
April 6-10
Spring Break
Campus closed
No class
Week 14
The Liberal Institutional Paths to Peace
Read Kegley chapter 16
April 17
Quiz 3 (Kegley chapters 13,14, 15, 16)
V The Politics of Global Welfare
Week 15
Globalization and the Prospects for Global Governance
Read Kegley chapter 17
April 24
Homework assignment 6
Week 16
Money and Markets in the Global Political Economy
Read Kegley chapters 9-10
May 1
Research paper topic 3 due (International political economy)
May 1
Last day to turn in extra credit
Week 17
Population and Resource Pressures on the Global Environment
Read Kegley chapters 11-12
May 4
Quiz 4 (Kegley chapters 17, ,9, 10, 11, 12)
VI The Problematic Twenty-First Century
Week 18
The Future of World Politics
Read Kegley chapter 18
Final Examination: Wednesday May 20, 10.00 - 11:50 a.m.
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Social Science Division Classroom Expectations
It is expected that students in all Social Science Division classes will:
-be attentive to, and participate in, all instructional activities
-be courteous to people with different perspectives and values
-be respectful of all persons
-be on time
-not leave early without the instructor’s permission
-not disrupt class sessions by inappropriate behavior
-not cheat on assignments or examinations
-not engage in plagiarism
-not eat, drink or smoke in classrooms
-make use of instructor office hours during designated times
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