Students taking International Relations will be provided with a framework for studying the complexities of timely international issues and examining United States foreign policy. In this course, students will pay close attention to current events, global problems, and their historical context. Students will be expected to participate in regularly held discussions, debates, and simulations related to international relations.
Prerequisites: Modern World History
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
Identify the causes and consequences of globalization;
Recognize and evaluate the competing theories for explaining international interactions.
Explain how foreign policy is formulated.
Assess the causes and consequences of violence between and within states.
Identify and describe the major actors in international relations, including states, intergovernmental organizations, and nongovernmental organizations.
Use the knowledge and theoretical tools developed in the course to explain contemporary global events.
GRADING SCALE & GRADING BREAKDOWN
Daily Work and Map Quizzes: 80%
This will include all work including debates, projects, quizzes and presentations
Final = 20%
Includes: Final Map test, Oxford Debate and Forum Project
UNITS & COURSE CONTENT - Student interest will drive much of the course content but we will certainly cover the following:
I. Introduction to International Relations
II. The Game Changer, How 9/11 Changed Everything.
III. Most Favored Nation, China and the Balance Between Economics and Everything Else.
IV. Who Cares About Africa, Why Developing Nations Matter in Global Politics.
ASSIGNMENTS
Map Quizzes - Map quizzes will be taken in class throughout the semester. Students may not use notes for map quizzes. At the end of the semester students will take a world map quiz that will require them to identify all the countries and some cities of the world. Don't panic... if you keep up throughout the semester, you will rock it.
Quizzes - all quizzes are open note unless otherwise noted
Projects - 2 projects will be assigned during the course in which students will be required to collaborate with peers to demonstrate their knowledge and skills
Participation - students will be assessed on their participation during class discussion. Participation will be assessed based on quality and quantity of the participation.