INST 4950-01
CAPSTONE SEMINAR: GLOBAL TRENDS
Spring 2015
Thursdays 3:10-5:40
CR 149
Dr. Yarong Ashley
Ross 233, ph: 766-4155
yarong@uwyo.edu
Office hours: Thursday 12-3
or by appointment
Graduate Mentor: Miss Jacqueline Todak
This capstone course is a culminating experience for students completing the BA degree in
International Studies. The course is built around readings, assignments, and a large culminating
research project in which you address a current pressing global problem of your choice. Our
goal is to understand and to address major trends of the early 21st century. The global problems
that affect the future of “civilization” include globalization generally, and more narrowly
traditional and non-traditional security threats ranging from proliferation of WMD, ethnic violence,
and global terrorism to environmental degradation, food shortages, energy insecurity, epidemics,
economic instability, etc. Accompanying these crises is the fear that existing institutions and
policies are unable to cope with weakening state structures, eroding social safety nets and
commitments to alleviate poverty, falling respect for human rights, and the tendency to neglect
global responsibilities in an increasingly interdependent world.
In your research you will work with a partner to identify, analyze and explain, and provide policy
recommendations to address the global problem you identify. The capstone experience requires
you to take an interdisciplinary research approach to a problem. Your research will involve an
examination of the historical, social, political, and economic dimensions of a problem of global
scope that you choose to explain and provide policy prescriptions for. The entire class will be
aware of and involved in your research, offering suggestions, criticism, and mutual support. As
much as possible, this reflects the way most of you will be working when you are out of school
and using your International Studies degree.
Unlike a typical college course, the capstone experience puts a great deal of responsibility on
your working independently and in partnership with others. You must set up your own work
schedule, keep to your own timeline, and work both independently and with your peers. We will
meet weekly as a class, and several weeks you will spend most of class time working with your
research partner. On these class days your professor and graduate mentor will circulate among
the research groups, listening and offering advice on research strategies, your analysis, and
policy formation. My role as an instructor in this course is that of a facilitator who is there to
motivate, encourage and guide the student to successfully complete the course project.
In addition to becoming well informed about the topic of your research, this capstone experience
will advance several goals of the International Studies degree. 1) Develop the capability to
engage in scholarly inquiry, i.e. to critically read, write, discuss, and present research on
international processes and issues. 2) Be introduced to different ways of knowing –
perspectives, theories, paradigms – including interdisciplinary approaches. 3) Be able to
recognize and appreciate the economic, historical, social, cultural, environmental, and political
dimensions of international processes and issues.
This course fulfills the Writing 3 (WC) requirement of the 2003 University Studies
Program. Advanced writing courses (WC) provide students with opportunities to further refine
their ability to communicate with academic or professional audiences through writing. In WC
courses, students receive instruction about writing that includes the effective use of revision and
editing processes to produce written work that conforms to written standards in a discipline
and/or interdisciplinary field. Students engage in a substantial writing component that requires
the use of appropriate research skills in order to address issues in a discipline and/or an
interdisciplinary field. WC courses also help students to develop a more sophisticated
understanding of the manner in which writing responds to the needs and purposes of different
audiences within a discipline or other professional contexts.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
This is a research seminar course, the success of which depends heavily on how well prepared
you are for each class. During the course of the semester, we will seek — as a group — to
develop an understanding of pressing global issues that interest you. You will be evaluated
through class participation and discussion questions, a short response essay, and through the
research paper and class presentations.
1. Class Participation and Discussion Questions (10%)
There will be three components for the evaluation of your class participation:
o
o
Class Attendance. In order to get the most out of class, you must be in class. You are
expected to attend all class meetings. Any absence must be excused by the
instructors.
Reading and Discussion Questions. You are expected to read all assigned readings
prior to the class under which it is listed. In addition, you will prepare discussion
questions based on class readings and must be ready to present these questions in
class.
o
Class Participation. Active classroom participation is expected of every student. This is
a research seminar, not a lecture course. Its success depends on all of you being
involved. You can only be an active participant if you are actively engaged in your own
research project. If you fall behind you can’t be of help to those who are moving
ahead. Class Presentations of your project are regarded as part of your class
participation. Your group will make two formal presentations of its research during the
semester. Dates for presentations are on the Course Schedule
2. Review Essay on Lester Brown”s Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization (20%).
3. Class Presentations (20%). You and your partner will make two formal presentations of your
research during the semester (10% each). Dates for presentations are on the Course Schedule.
4. Research Project (50%). You will do a research project, in installments, by writing three papers:
(1) Project Proposal and Bibliography (S/U). Provide 6-8 pages of text, double-spaced that
addresses: 1) what you plan to do--state your research question(s)/policy problem(s); 2) why
you plan to do it--the purpose (i.e., why is this issue significant to international politics and the
reader should find this of interest); 3) explain how and why you define the problem as you do; 4)
explain how you plan to proceed--your strategy. The proposal should include a preliminary
outline of the project and sources that you plan to use. Provide a bibliography of the work you
have reviewed with this proposal.
(2) Overview/Research Paper that explores the project (20%). This paper is the research
portion of the paper that presents the conceptual orientation of the paper and provides appropriate
empirical evidence and comparisons to support your emerging conclusions. you will work through
several draft versions of the paper to produce a final product. The paper must include full citations
and bibliography. It should be a fully formed research paper of around 20 pages.
(3) Final Research/Policy Paper (30%). A final paper that includes the overview research paper
and policy paper which offers actions to address the problems associated with your topic. It should
be around 30 pages of text (typewritten, double-spaced) with appropriate citations and
bibliography. It should be preceded by an executive summary that states its main argument (an
abstract of roughly 150 words that specifies the purpose and what you have accomplished in your
paper), the research paper outlining the nature, scope, and analysis of the problem, and the policy
implications of your analysis. Your final paper should look professional and be as error-free as
possible. Appendices will not count toward the final length of the paper.
All work must be turned in on time – late papers will NOT be accepted except in dire
circumstances and with the prior permission of the instructor. If you must miss class, please let
me know in advance. Excessive absences will result in a significantly lower grade for the
course. All written work will be graded based on the quality of the content and scholarship
(analysis) as well as its written style and overall presentation. Much of the written work is a
collaborative project and it is expected that you will do your share of the work in each phase of
the project.
If you have a physical, learning, or psychological disability and require accommodations,
please let me know as soon as possible. You will need to register with, and provide
documentation of your disability to, University Disability Support Services (UDSS) in
SEO, room 330 Knight Hall, 766-6189, TTY: 766-3073.”
REQUIRED TEXTS AND READINGS
Brown, Lester, Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization (New York: W.W. Norton, 2009), PDF
version will be provided.
Booth, Wayne, Craft of Research, selected chapters (Chicago, University of Chicago, 2008. PDF.
Isbister, John, Promises not Kept: Poverty and Betrayal in the Third World (Kumarian Press, 2006),
chap 3; posted to WyoWeb and provided by instructors
McSweeney, Bill, Security, Identity and Interests: A Sociology of International Relations (Kindle
Edition, 1999), selected chapters posted to WyoWeb and provided by instructors
Keohane, Robert and Joseph Nye, Power and Interdependence, 3rd ed. (New York, Longman,
1999), chaps 1-2; chapters provided by instructors
Additional Readings will be distributed to the class with specific assignments.
COURSE SCHEDULE
It is important that you are aware that this course schedule is subjected to change as
necessary.
Session 1 (Jan 29): Overview of the Course and Identifying Pressing Global Challenges
-
Read – Brown, preface and chap 1
2nd half of class – Discussion: Identifying pressing global issues and finding your research
interest
Session 2 (Feb 5) Global trends and issues, and your project interests
-
Read – Brown, chap 2-6; Booth, part 2: chap 3-4
-
Formation of research groups – discuss potential research interests
Session 3 (Feb 12): How to write a book review
-
Read – Brown, 7-13. Booth, part 2: chap 5-6
-
Research groups finalized; meet to outline research project
Session 4 (Feb 19): Research in Social Science:
-
Read –M Heath & C Tynan: How to Crafting a Research Proposal.
-
Research groups meet in 2nd half of class to discuss scope of research project
-
Critical Review Essay due – electronic copy due to instructors\ and graduate mentor
Session 5 (Feb 26): Research groups meet with the instructor separately to discuss project
proposals.
-
Read – Booth, part 3: chap: 7-8.
1st draft of project proposals are due by noon, Tuesday Feb 24th to instructor & to
your graduate mentor prior to the Thursday class. Submit electronically.
Session 6 (Mar 5): Explaining in Social Science: Theories and their application
-
Read Isbister, chap 3; McSweeney 2-3, 5; Keohane and Nye 1-2
Research groups meet in 2nd half of class: revising project proposals and finding
appropriate application of theory.
Session 7 (Mar 12): Research groups meet with the instructor for further discussion on
proposals.
-
Read – Booth, part 3: chap 9-11; part 4, chap 12-15
2nd Draft of project proposals is due by noon, Tuesday March 10th to instructors
and your graduate mentor prior to the Thursday class. Submit
electronically.
Session 8 (Mar 19): Spring Break
Session 9 (Mar 26): Theories and Applications continue
Session 10 (Apr 2): Group meetings with the instructor: working on the first draft of your
research paper
1st Draft of research papers is due by noon on Mar 31st prior to the Thursday
class. Submit electronically to professors.
Session 11 (April 9): Groups activities: working on your 2nd draft
Session 12 (April 16): groups meet with instructor and graduate mentor on 2nd draft.
2nd draft of research paper is due by noon on April 14th. Submit electronically.
Session 13 (April 23): Social Change strategies: How to make policy recommendations.
Group meetings on the second half of class: discussion on policy suggestions.
Session 14 (April 30): Global and Area Studies Program Assessment: Presenting Your
Project in class.
Policy paper draft due by noon on (May 1st) to instructor and graduate mentor.
Session 15 (May 7): Group policy paper presentations
Session 16 (May 14): TBA celebrate the final class.
Final papers due by 5pm, May 15th (hard copy only)
EXPECTATIONS FOR WRITTEN WORK
Paper Format:
All papers should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Your papers should
take into account the questions that are posted under the Course Themes and Seminar
Discussions explanation in this syllabus.
Your work should be presented professionally and you should avoid using phrases such
as "I feel" and "I think." Instead, your argument should follow logically from the examples and
comparisons you provide. Remember your briefing paper is not an opinion paper, but one
presenting recommendations and supporting research that demonstrate how and why you judge
the problem and potential solutions as you do.
For further help contact the Writing Center. Individual appointments are available with
consultants to discuss writing related issues.
Plagiarism:
You are expected to do your own work on written assignments. Plagiarism is any failure
to correctly reference another person's work or ideas. Simply changing a few words in a
sentence does not make it your own work. Be warned, if you are guilty of plagiarism you will
receive a zero on that project, fail the course, and will be prosecuted to the full extent of
University regulations. Please review the Academic Dishonesty Policy for International Studies
available at http://www.uwyo.edu/INTSTUDY/.
Citation Style: A specific citation and reference style is required in this course when you write
your papers. You may use the in text style of the American Political Science Association (APSA)
or the International Studies Association. Illustrations of the APSA style are provided below.
In-text citation format:
(1) If the author is named in the text, cite by year of publication: Garrison (1999)
(2) If the author is not named in the text, cite by last name, comma, and year of
publication: it has been noted (Homer, 2001) that . . .
(3) If necessary, provide the page # (Keohane and Nye, 1999:22)
(4) Multiple authors should be listed in full in the first citation and by et al. thereafter: (Stern,
Sundelius, and ‘t Hart, 1997: pp. 200-201); (Stern et al., 1997:217-221)
(5) If an author has multiple references for any single publication year, indicate specific
works by use of lower case letters: (Rourke, 1999a:45; Boyer, 1999b:22). . .
(6) Series of references should be (Glad 1976; Holsti, 1983; Starr, 1983)
(7) Webpage citations should follow the style above as closely as possible. At minimum,
citations should include author or authoring organization and the date accessed. The full
webpage address must be listed in the bibliography.
Reference format:
(1) Books should be listed by author(s), year, title, place of publication, and publisher:
Rourke, J. and M. A. Boyer (2000) World Politics: International Politics on the World Stage.
Brief-3rd ed. Guilford, Conn: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill.
(2) Journal articles should be listed by author(s), year, title of article, journal name, volume and
inclusive pages:
Lipset, S. M. (1983) Radicalism or Reformism: The Sources of Working-class
Politics. American Political Science Review 77:1-18.
(3) Chapters in edited volumes should be listed by author(s) year, title, volume title, volume
editor(s), inclusive pages, place of publication, and publisher:
Weber, M. (1984) "Legitimacy, Politics, and the States." In Legitimacy and the
State, edited by William Connolly, pp. 32-62. New York: New YorkUniversity
Press.
(4) Monographs in a series should be listed by author(s), year, title, series title, place of
publication, and publisher:
Fromkin, M. (1968) The Limits of Recognition. Singer Series on Law and
International Society. New Haven CT: Sanger Publishers.
(5) Newspapers should be listed by author, date, title, newspaper, page numbers.
(6) Websites should be listed by author/organization, title of page, web address, and date
accessed.