CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY

Department of Social Sciences

Global Issues POLS 2401

(CRN 23580)

Semester: SPRING 2009

Instructor: Dr. Augustine E. Ayuk

Office: G 110P, Arts and Sciences

Email: Augustineayuk@mail.clayton.edu

Office Phone: 678-466-4848

Office Hours: Tues. and Thurs.11::20am to 12:30pm

Class Hours:12:45pm-2:00pm Wednesday 9:00am to 1:30pm or by appointment.

This is a junior level elective in political science with two prerequisites, POLS 1101 and either HIST211 or HIST2112. If you have not taken these courses or their equivalent, please discuss with the instructor and/or your advisor. Any upper level political science or history course you had previously taken will be beneficial.

This course focuses on a wide range of issues including state supremacy and its ability to manage global issues such as transnational flows of goods, services, money, and ideas, the continuing problem of population explosion and poverty in the developing world. The phenomenon of failed states in the post-Cold War era will be examined, including governance, global environmental issues, international concerns with human rights, weapons proliferation, terrorism and other forms of transnational crime as well as the rise of transnational activist groups.

1. Provide students with an historical background of international policy choice.

2. Familiarize students with key perspectives in IR such as the realist, liberal or idealist point of view

3. Draw some parallels between the U.S. governmental system and other governmental systems in other industrialized or advanced countries

4. Provide students the necessary tools to make informed assessment about current political, social economic and environmental realities.

5. Assist students understand how international relations issues affect their daily lives.

Outcomes and Assessments

Graduating political science majors should:

The course will employ different teaching techniques to explain relevant materials.

The course has a lecture-discussion format. Introductory lectures will outline the central issues to be addressed in the various sections, and the lectures will be followed by informed discussions and debates. The instructor will lead the discussion on clashing perspectives designed to focus on controversial topics. Student will take a stand/position on each topic, arguing for or against, based on facts. Students are expected to read all required materials, and be in a position to engage intellectually in these discussions. ( if time permits, we will watch videos on course-related topics, to parallel and complement our textbook and other readings).

All students will be expected to participate actively in class discussions and demonstrate an understanding of key concepts as well as apply those concepts. Students will be required to read and summarize relevant articles in this course

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. Roll will be taken each class session

Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon student’s ability to remain enrolled in their course. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades

1. Students are expected to attend classes regularly and on time.

2. Student must sign roll each class meeting, to ascertain their presence in class each class session

3. Student is prohibited from signing the roll for a friend, classmate, boy/girlfriend, or spouse who did not attend class on a given day.

4. Students are required to hand in assignments as scheduled, otherwise, points will be deducted at the discretion of the instructor.

5. In addition to the prescribed text, the instructor will hand supplemental materials to students periodically, including video documentaries.

6. Student will be responsible for all class materials in the event of an absence.

7. Any absence in excess of three (3) days, without approval of the instructor, will result in significant loss of attendance and participation points.

8. Make-up test will be given only in the case of a documented medical or personal emergency. Questions in the make-up test may be different from the origin questions. ( usually, 2-3 essay questions) Make-up test shall be given to a student within two days of the originally scheduled test day/date.

** No student will be allowed two make-up tests in the semester.

Cheating will not be tolerated in this, or other course in the university. Please familiarize yourself with the CSU’s honor code and rules at the following website:

http://adminisservices.clayton.edu/judicial/ 

1. All cell phones, pagers, IPODS should be turned off and placed out of sight during class

2. In class discussion : Please be respectful to fellow students and the professor. Lively discussions, heated debates, disagreements on the subject under discussion will not be allowed to devolve into unwarranted arguments and personal criticisms. Remember, " We should criticize arguments , not the people who make them."

3. Students should refrain from eating in class. You are allowed to bring your soft drink, water, or coffee to class. Please open your can of soft drinks before bringing it to class.

4. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Talking among students which disturbs the instructor or other students is unacceptable. Use of offensive language or derogatory remarks will not be welcome in class

5. Cheating or assisting friends or classmates during a test, quiz or final examination will not be tolerated. Students who violate this policy will be dealt with, in accordance with CSU Student Handbook.

You are encouraged to meet with me at any time that is mutually convenient to discuss issues relating to the course, as well as your performance in class. If you are having difficulties with the course, I urge you to meet with me as early as you can, so we can address some of your concerns. Do not wait till the end of the semester before seeking a conference with me about your grades/performance.

Note: While I will strive to keep to my office hours as scheduled, periodically, exigencies may arise, requiring me to be somewhere else. Please let me know in advance that you plan to meet with me on a given date and time.

Notebook computers will not be used in the classroom in this course. Students who wish to take notes using their notebook computers are free to do so. Browsing the internet during class will note be tolerated. Student found in violation of this rule will be asked to leave the class.

Behavior which disrupts the teaching-learning process during class activities will not be tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255 ( 678-466-5445), or disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu

Adjustment in Course Schedule :

Every effort will be made to follow the course schedule outline, however, the instructor reserves the right to make some adjustments as circumstances dictate. Students will be notified of change in schedule if unforeseen or uncontrollable events occur (illness, weather, travel).

Students will be evaluated on the following:

Three test @ 15% each = 45%

Final exam @ 25% = 30%

Written summaries and critique of articles = 15%

Attendance and participation = 10%

D 60 - 69

Students will also be assigned articles in the course of the semester, will be asked to summarize and critique the articles. Guidelines will be provided to the students before commencement of assignment.

Richard J. Payne. Global Issues: Politics, Economics, and Culture (2^nd edition). Pearson/Longman Publishers, 2009.

* Articles and other supplemental materials will be copied and handed to students

* Students will utilize information from New York Times as well as from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

Epsilen Home Page http://www.epsilen.com 

January 13-15

* Introduction to the course

January 20-22 The struggle for Primacy in a Global Society (2)

(Article # 1 due 1/22)

January 27-29 Promoting Democracy (4)

Review for test # 1

February 5-10 Human Rights (3)

Clashing Perspectives: Do Adequate Strategies exist to combat Human Trafficking?

February 12-17 Global Inequality (8)

Globalization and Development: Perspectives- Times, CSIS, Internet

February 19-24 Global Trade (7)

February 26 Review for test # 2

Population: Overview and Trends (UN Population Report)

Article # 2. The Century Ahead

Clashing Perspectives 1: Are declining growth rates rather than rapid population growth today’s major global problem? Clashing Perspectives 2: Should the International Community attempt to curb population growth in the developing countries?

Population: Issues and Actions (UN FOA)

Time, CSIS, Internet

March 24- 31 Environmental Issues (9)

(Article # 2 due 3/24)

Clashing Perspectives 1: Do Environmentalist overstate their case?

Article # 3. Water is running out.

Apr. 2-7 Globalization of Disease (12)

(Article # 3 due 4/7)

Clashing Perspectives: Is the international community adequately prepared to address global health pandemics?

April 14-16 Cultural Clashes and Conflict Resolution (13)

Clashing Perspectives: Is religious and cultural extremism a global security threat?

Article # 4 The Politics of Death in Darfur

Conflict: Perspectives- Times, CSIS, Internet

Apr. 21-23 Global Terrorism (5)

Article # 5 Lifting the veil

Apr. 28 Weapons Proliferation (6)

Clashing Perspectives: Is a nuclear Iran a global security threat?

Post IR Survey

Apr. 30 Chapter 6 continues

(Article # 5 due)

LAST DAY OF CLASS, REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAM

Final examination schedule will not be altered for the sake of convenience to a student. A student can request change of time and date for a final exam only for serious personal or family reasons, backed by appropriate documentation. Student must receive approval from the instructor, the appropriate department head/dean.

Student may also request a change of date and time for final exam if there is a conflict with another class that cannot be resolved.

Student who shows up late in a test or final exam will not be granted extra time to finish his/her work