POLSC
252
Instructor: Dr. Joanna
Briganti
Textbook
(bring to class)
IR: the New World of
International Relations. Michael G. Roskin and Nicholas O.
Berry
Methodology
Classes
are primarily lecture, discussions and in-class activities, with some variation
from session to session. The
instructor will moderate several class activities and projects. Students will be expected to do substantial preparation for
some of these activities.
Course
Requirements
1.
Attendance/Participation/In-Class Learning Activities:
Attendance
is absolutely required. There will
be material presented in class that will supplement the material in the
textbook. At times extensive
material outside of the textbook is covered in class.
Students are responsible for all material covered during class sessions
including class activities. Note taking is very strongly recommended.
Notebook computers are welcome if self-powered and quiet.
Attendance
is also necessary to earn enough points for a higher grade in this course.
As noted below, points are awarded for participation in various in-class
activities. You
must be actively and visibly participating to receive points for in-class
activities.
2.
Text and Supplemental Readings:
Students
are expected to read the assigned material before
each class session and be prepared to participate in discussions or activities
related to the text readings.
3.
Chapter Critiques or “In the News.”
Each
week for one of the chapters assigned you will be expected to complete and
submit one of the following.
a)
A 50+ word written critique of the assigned textbook chapter (up to 10
essays maximum), or
b)
A 50+ written summary of an interesting foreign affairs issue that you
obtain from a major news source. You
may not use the internet for this
purpose. See the attachment for outline guidelines.
4.
Research Project #1: Team Paper/Presentation - Middle East Peace Summit
The
purpose of this project is for you to gain knowledge of the region known as the
Middle East. To do this you will collaborate with fellow students to obtain and
present information about a nation or area from the Middle East.
Details of this project are outlined on a separate page.
NO LATE PAPERS ARE ACCEPTED FOR POINTS. Note: The college provides writing assistance through the
Writing Fellows Program and the Learning Assistance Laboratory.
5.
Research Project #2: Travelogue
This
project will be completed with a partner. Your team will develop a short
presentation by which you will present your research about a foreign country.
You will report your research as if you have visited your selected country. Your
research will include a brief overview of your nation’s culture, its current
relationship with the United States, and other information outlined in the
assignment description. You will
present your findings through the use of art, objects, imports, persons, videos,
or other visual aids. Details of
this project are also outlined on a separate page.
6.
Internet/Minor Homework Assignments
From
time to time a short homework assignment may be required.
A few of these assignments involve using the internet.
If you need assistance with these assignments you should notify your
instructor well before the due date.
7.
Exams:
There
will be four exams administered in class. The
format for these exams will be multiple choice/true and false, with possibly
some matching or short answer. Questions
for exams and quizzes are drawn from all course resources: textbooks, lecture,
discussions, activities, handouts, films, student presentations, etc.
As
a policy, NO MAKE-UP EXAMS ARE GIVEN (proven
emergencies considered on a case-by-case basis).
Exams are weighted as outlined below.
Missed exams will receive a score of zero points.
In the event that a make-up exam is allowed because of an emergency, that
exam may be different from the exam administered in class.
All assignments and tests will be kept by the instructor. You will be given the opportunity to examine your grade and
any comments written on the assignments. You
should make yourself a copy of all completed assignments and your research
papers before you turn them in.
Final
Grades
Grades
are determined by a point/percentage system.
Late assignments will not receive grade points.
Course Requirement
Points Possible
Exams (50 points x 4)
200
Chapter critiques/outlines
100
Middle
East Research Project
100
Travelogue Project
50
Other classroom
activities/homework
50
----------------------
-------------
Total
500
A = (90%) 450 - 500 pts.
B = (80%) 400 - 449
C = (70%) 350 – 399
D = (60%) 300 - 349
E = less then 300 pts.
Policy
on Academic Dishonesty
The college catalogue policies regarding cheating and plagiarism apply in this class. Copying material is one form of plagiarism, even if the material is not copied word for word. You may be asked to produce your sources where plagiarism is expected.