Monday 11th 1999
Announcements: The first paper will be due on Wednesday February 3 1999. Chapter 1 in Global Politics is to be read for class on Wednesday.

Professor Erik Gartzke
Office: N-170 Burrowes
Hours: Wed 1:30-3:30(or by appointment)
Phone: 865-1912
E-mail: gartzke@psu.edu

Course Description:This class is designed to introduce you to international politics a major field in political science. “Political” comes from the Classical Greek term for the state or government (polis) while “science” is associated with a way of thinking about problems so that explanations may evolve and be improved. Thus international politics is primarily interested in explaining the actions of interactions of states and other groups that span borders or encompass large regions of the earth. While international politics is interested in describing things that happen around the globe yesterday today and tomorrow political scientists are more interested in accounting for why what they observe occurs. Basic and enduring questions for students of international politics include “ Why do wars happen?” “ Why do countries trade (much or little)? ” and “Why is so little done about global problems (like pollution or poverty)?” As you can see “ why” is a popular word in political science. Adopt the habit of asking “why?” of topics in this course. You may have done so already. We will provide some answers but we are much more interested in providing you with “tools” that allow you to find your own answers. Required Texts:Primary Text:1. Minix Dean A. and Sandra M. Hawley. 1998. Global Politics. New York: West/ Wadsworth. Supplementary Text (must have this text for discussion sections):2. Rouke John T. 1998. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in World Politics 8th ed. Guilford CT: Dushkin.

You will also need to obtain these additional sources:

3. Additional Readings. Additional readings may be assigned from time to time throughout the course. They will placed on the reserve self at the library or are available on the Internet.

4. The New York Times (subscription available to students at a much reduced rate or free at locations on campus and in the library). Get in the habit of reading the international section of theTimes or another major newspaper everyday (Wall Street Journal Washington Post).
Questions from these readings will appear on both the Midterm and the Final.

There are five tasks through which you will determine your grade. No student who completes these five tasks in an acceptable manner will fail the course. Conversely failure to complete any assignments constitutes failure for the course as a whole. Complete assignments on time. But if you are late complete the assignment anyway so that you can at least pass the course.

Discussion: To really understand this stuff you need to read the assignment and then discuss them with others. Show up to class and be prepared for a lively debate (Think of it as a physical education for your mind). Poor attendance will be noticed and has consequences (see below).

Short papers: I assign two (2) short papers (five to seven pages typed double-spaced). Short papers are intended to allow you to acquire a better understanding of key concepts or topics in international politics. Acceptable short papers do not require research beyond the assigned texts. However additional research will typically be recognized by a higher grade. The first short paper assignment is attached to the end of this syllabus. The second will be distributed later.

Exams: There is a midterm and a cumulative final (emphasis on 2^nd half of course). Exams consist of 2-3 essay questions (for the midterm) 4-6 essay questions (for the final) and several short answer or "identity" questions. Exam questions come both from readings and from class lectures. Attend lecture regularly so that you are able to answer lecture-based exam questions. A week before the exam a list of 4-6 essay questions will be distributed in class. On the day of the exam you will be given a list of 2-3 essay questions and will have to choose 1-2 to answer.

Note #1: Assignments are due at the beginning of class. For fairness and in consideration to your TA late assignments and unexcused exam absences are subject to an automatic failing grade (an "F"). If you anticipate a valid excuse please consult with me or your TA at least one week prior to the date of the assignment or exam. Excuses for late papers and/ or absences from exams subsequent to the specific date will be accepted only with documentation of a serious medical or other similar emergency.

Note #2: Students are encouraged to study and learn together. However assignments are assumed to be the work of one person. Don’t cheat and don’t plagiarize. If you are in doubt about whether something constitutes a violation of academic integrity ask me or your TA.

Note#3:It is your responsibility to inform me or your TA of any factor likely to interfere with your ability to perform in this class well in advance of scheduled assignments. We cannot help you if we are not told or are told at the last minute. Appropriate measures for disabilities non-native writers of English and other concerns will be taken in compliance with university policy.

Note#4: Students seeking to change an assignment grade must do so in writing. Course Schedule (Code: M=Minix &Hawley R=Rouke. [# is chapter in text]):

FIRST SHORT PAPER ASSIGNMENT

(Please pay careful attention to the requirements of the assignments.

Failure to do so must adversely affect your grade.)

You will already have a "pet" country for the course. Familiarize yourself with the country and prepare a list of foreign policy objectives you think are the most important in pursuing the welfare of the society. Write a 5-7-page paper in which you make specific recommendations and defend your choices in terms of alternatives issues as well as the costs of pursuing your preferred policies. You may want to think of this paper as a professional piece of consultation in which you are advising the leaders of the state or other policy professionals. Be persuasive. Take a stand explain and defend your reasoning. Refer to the assigned readings and any other information to make your argument. Remember to read what you have written. Is it convincing to you? If not it may not be convincing to the person who grades you assignment.

The paper must be typed (no longer than 12 point type) double-spaced 1 inch margins all around. Number the pages. Staples the paper in the upper left-hand corner. On a separate cover page put only your social security number. You social security number is used for identification only after grading. Failure to follow this policy indicates that you acknowledge our ability to grade your work on its merits (regardless of our knowledge of your identity).

Grading for papers that follow the format will be based largely on content. However inattention to detail formatting poor grammar spelling and a failure to carefully craft the language of your essay will interfere with our ability to understand and appreciate your insights. Papers that contain significant spelling errors sloppy grammar or that are poorly worded will typically receive a lower grade. A good paper will use the proper format and address the questions posed above. Excellent papers will delve farther into the topic. I want you to think critically about the topic and will reward you for doing so even if we have a different opinion about something.

Research for the paper can be conducted first and foremost using the lectures text and reader for the course. Good sources for above-average research include bibliographic citations from the assigned texts. I encourage you to use office hours. I might be able to help.

Finally a note about referencing. You need not cite information obtained directly from the assigned text or from lecturing. References to other books newspapers journals etc. should be identified by adding the last name of the author and the year of publication in parentheses (()) to the end of the appropriate sentence just before the period (.). Direct quotes from other people’s work should be in quotations. Use few if any quotes and keep them short. We want to read your work not the work of others. Add a " Works Cited" page at the short paper with a full sentence to any texts cited. You can of course check with us if you have any questions.