PSC 231-002: World Politics Spring 2008 4:00-5:15 PM, Tuesdays & Thursdays Location: CBC C216 Instructor: Dr. Nancy Brune Email: [email protected] Office: Wright Hall A220. Phone: 895-5230 Office Hours: 8:00-8:30 AM Mondays & Wednesdays; 5:15-6:15 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays Please note: Please use e-mail if you need to contact me. E-mail will be checked once a day. Course Content This course surveys the subfield of political science concerned with the scientific study of power, institutions, structures, and change in international relations. The class discussions will focus on debates among different theoretical approaches to the study of international relations. After taking this course students will be familiar with concepts, theories, and methods used in the study of international relations. Textbook • Goldstein, J. S. and J.C. Pevehouse (2008) International Relations. New York: Longman. Note: Earlier editions are acceptable. Additional Reading The instructor expects students to read a major international news source on a regular basis. Possible sources include: The New York Times, The LA Times, The Economist (www.economist.com); Financial Times (www.ft.com); International Herald Tribune (www.iht.com); Asia Times (www.atimes.com). Exams may include information on current events and the maps in the textbook. Course Requirements 1. Readings: Assigned readings should be completed before the lecture on that topic. 2. Examinations: There will be four exams (including the final exam). The quizzes are not cumulative. No make-ups will be given unless extraordinary circumstances exist and, a legitimate excuse and adequate documentation are provided PRIOR TO the examination that will be missed. If extraordinary circumstances require a student to miss an exam, the student will have the opportunity to make up the exam on the last day of scheduled class only. There will be no make-up exam for the fourth exam, which will be given during exam week. Grading There will be 4 closed book exams (including the final). Students must bring a Scantron form, a pencil/pen and exam (blue) books to each exam. The exams will be a combination of multiple choice questions and short essays. Exams will cover readings, lectures, and any additional handouts/readings. The standard university grading system will be used when issuing final grades. Percentage of Grade Exams (4 @ 22.5% each) 90% Participation 5% Attendance 5% Class Attendance Attendance in this course is crucial and roll will be taken. You may not attend class if you are not registered for the class. If you are requested by the Registrar or an Advisement office to obtain a facultysignature for any kind of add/drop or other administrative action, you will be referred to the Chairman of the Political Science Department. If you must leave class before it is over, please notify me before class. Class participation The course will be taught in a lecture format with emphasis on student participation. Your contributions to the class through your attentiveness, the frequency and quality of your contributions, and the degree of your preparation will influence your grade. Classroom Conduct Students must arrive on time and be prepared to begin class on time. If late arrivals become a problem, the doors will be locked once class has started. Students may use laptop computers only to take notes. If a student is caught using the internet or emailing during class, the student will be asked to leave the class and will be marked “absent.” Cell phones, ipods, MP3 players and pagers must be turned off and stored out of sight. If a cellphone goes off or a student is using an electronic device during class, the instructor will confiscate the phone for the remainder of the class. No recording devices will be permitted. Classroom behavior should always be courteous, respectful of others, and consistent with the expectations set forth by the university. Academic Misconduct and Copyright Violations Neither cheating nor plagiarism (using the words or ideas of another without citing the source) will be tolerated. Any attempt to cheat on an examination will be subject to the most severe penalty the University allows. Please review the University handbook for penalties. “Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community; all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility and professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to always take the ethical path. Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV’s function as an educational institution.” See the “Student Academic Misconduct Policy” (approved December 9, 2005, located at http://studentlife.unlv.edu/judicial/misconductPolicy.html). You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The University will neither protect nor defend you nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violation of fair use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability as well as disciplinary action under University policies. To familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, the University encourages you to visit its copyright website at: http://www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright. Disability Resource Center UNLV complies with the provisions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, offering reasonable accommodations to qualified students with documented disabilities. If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations, you will need to contact the DRC for the coordination of services. The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex (SSC), Room 137, and the contact numbers are: VOICE (702) 895-0866, TTY (702) 895-0652, FAX (702) 895-0651. For additional information, please visit: <http://studentlife.unlv.edu/disability/>. Religious Holidays and Official Extracurricular Activities If the date of any of the examinations conflicts with a religious holiday that you observe or an official extracurricular activity, the instructor must be notified no less than 1 week prior to the examination so that alternative