MONTGOMERY COLLEGEREQUIRED READINGCOURSE OBJECTIVESCOURSE DESCRIPTIONLEARNING OBJECTIVESASSIGNMENTS / PROJECTSWEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULEWeek 1 & 2Week 9Chapter 6: Agrarian Reform and the Politics of Rural ChangeWeek 10INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVESGRADESGRADING STANDARD / SCALESCALESTUDENT CODE OF CONDUCTCLASSROOM LEARNING TIPSMONTGOMERY COLLEGE Department of Social Sciences / Political Science Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus PS: 282 – POLITICS OF THE THIRD WORLD - 33479 Mon / Wed – 1.00 PM - 2.15 PM - Room: Commons 113 Syllabus - Spring 2010Professor: Dr. Syed A. WasifOffice Tel: 240 - 567-1400Email: [email protected] / Hours: Reading and Writing Center (Faculty Room) / 12 Noon – 1.00 PM NoonREQUIRED READINGThe following book is required for this course:- Handelman, Howard. The Challenge of Third World Development, 4th edition. Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006. ISBN: 0-13-193070-2.- Additional readings as determined by the Professor.- In addition, students must read or visit the website of one of the following media sources on a weekly basis: The Wall Street Journal The Washington Post The New York Times The Washington Times The BBC or CBCCOURSE OBJECTIVESThis is an undergraduate-level course in Third World Politics. This text explores political,economic, and social issues common to diverse Third World countries. It stresses the themes of democratization, modernization, and dependency theory, examining the nature of underdevelopment. The text analyzes the major political and socio economic rifts that divide many of these nations and the efforts being made to understand and address these challenges.1COURSE DESCRIPTIONPolitics of the Third World is an introductory course designed to familiarize students withvarious theories and perspectives that aid in understanding political and economic development in less developed countries. This course is interdisciplinary, utilizing concepts and information from various disciplines for reaching rational conclusions. This course analyzes the politics of the underdeveloped / developing countries. Various bases of political cleavage and cooperation will be examined; ethnicity, language, social classes and ideology. Cultural differences between these countries will be identified and their political implications explored, as well as differences within geo-cultural areas. It critically examines the different ways of thinking about the Third World, from the moments of anti-colonialism and de-colonization to neo-liberal globalization. The course briefly surveys some of the paradigms and theories of ‘development’ and how they conceptualize the Third World. It sheds light on human rights, human development and human security perspectives on the Third World, and the paradoxical implications of the contemporary merger between security and development. Lectures will cover important points in the text providing greater depth and analysis. However, Lectures will not be a mere rehearsal of that which you have already read. LEARNING OBJECTIVESAfter successful completion of this course, students should be able to explain:1. Third World politics from the perspective of the most vulnerable segments of people in developing countries: women, peasants and minorities2. The events, ideas and actors that helped shape the emergence of the ‘Third World’.3. Competing theories of development and underdevelopment.4. The importance of power/knowledge in understanding the ‘Third World’.5. The symbolic power of naming states and actors as terrorists, rebels, rogues.6. Critical understanding of the human security and human rights paradigms.7. The implications of the merger of development and security. ASSIGNMENTS / PROJECTS1.Interviews with the NGOs from the Third World Countries active in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, on issues discussed in the textbook.2.Critical assessment paper that should (a) directly engage the text we are reading.2WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULEWeek 1 & 2Chapter 1: Understanding UnderdevelopmentWeek 3Chapter 2: Democratic Change and the Change to DemocracyWeek 4 & 5Chapter 3: Religion and Politics Week 6 & 7Chapter 4: The Politics of Cultural Pluralism and Ethnic Conflict. Week 8Chapter 5: Women and Development. Week 9Chapter 6: Agrarian Reform and the Politics of Rural ChangeWeek 10Chapter 7: Rapid Urbanization and the Politics of the Urban Poor. Week 11Chapter 8: Revolutionary Change Week 12 & 13Chapter 9: Soldiers and PoliticsWeek 14 & 15Chapter 10: The Political Economy of Third World Development. 3INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVESThe class will follow the following format. Learning objectives will be identified and described at the beginning of each class (written on board). I usually note the day and week that we are in for the semester. Keeping track of the number of weeks and days left in the course helps us to focus our efforts and redefine priorities.Class discussion will center on those learning objectives stimulated by reactions to discussion questions, problems posed, or small group activity. This requires that students read assignments in advance to make the most efficient use of class time.• The Political Science Perspective: Students shall be able to identify the questions, which have driven the development of theory in political science. What are the questions that this discipline specializes in? How is political science the same as other social sciences? How is it different? .• Doing Political Science: The Scientific Study of Political Behavior, institutions, and movements: Students shall be able to identify the nature of the scientific research process and endeavor as it applies to the study of the problems and structure of the political world. Students shall be able to discuss the major methods and problems with doing research.• Basic Political Science Paradigms/Concepts: Students shall be able to understand the construction, reproduction, and change of a) what motivates the individual in politics;b) group interests and special interests and c) political parties and government institutionsas tools in the social construction of power in society, We will emphasize the exercise of power as it effects race ethnicity, gender, and class in the social stratification of