Course Syllabus
About
Syllabus
Problems in Contemporary International Politics
50:790: 322 Section 90
William C. Shanahan
856-963-6610
Rutgers University
SUGGESTED TEXT: Students will receive timely articles that are used to illustrate the subject at hand. There is simply no shortage of defense policy “thinkers” and their related articles.
SELECTED READINGS: Students shall keep current with reading assignments from the assigned articles as well as from media sources that cover American defense policy. The student should use free online news e-mails from the media: Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times or visit their websites daily during this course. Readings will coincide with a particular class lecture topic. Students are required to discuss these readings in open class debate. A vigorous discussion of issues of the day will play a major part in the class participation portion of your grade.
COURSE
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will provide students the opportunity for an analytical study of Problems in Contemporary International Politics, especially as it relates to both the United States’ and global interests. We will study the doctrinal background for both international strategies, and major world issues, as well as case studies and current events. We shall openly and honestly debate all aspects of this topic without retribution. People have varying opinions on most issues in the political science world, we can and will discuss the various facets of these issues.
GOALS: This course will provide you with a multi-dimensional view of issues, problems, and conversely, opportunities associated with international politics, its history, status quo, responsibilities, and its future. Goals to be achieved in this class are the ability to identify responsibilities, strategies, and courses of actions as they pertain to the US and its relationship to other countries, both allies and adversaries, and work through each issue in a logical, analytical manner. Additionally, I expect open and honest debate. I expect a “non-attribution” environment for our discussions. Speaking of issues, this is an issue based course. I don’t want non-analysis of these important issues, just reading and repeating someone else’s views. Rather, you will become a subject matter expert on some issue within the international political world. You will do this by focusing on an issue that interests you and write an issue paper on it. The paper is the capstone of your course. Each step is designed to allow you to excel at your final paper.
SKILLS: This course will give you the opportunity to develop analytical and problem solving skills that will benefit you in academic and professional environments. You must be able to spot issues associated with your responsibilities and work through each problem given an appropriate policy setting. Then, after clearly identifying the relevant issues; the student must analyze the facts, issues, both pro and con, and produce a logical conclusion based on the analysis, then display all of this on the final paper. Additionally, there is a presentation involved in the development of your issue paper. As you enter the professional working environment, public speaking, at least in small groups is important. It also helps the class and me discuss your presentation and help develop more aspects of your paper.
GRADES
PAPER (60%): You are required to write an 8 page paper on an international political problem/issue that you have picked and submitted to me by the set date. I want to know the source for your material (bibliography) and any quotes taken from specific works or people are to be documented (footnotes). Spelling and grammar count. Papers must be double spaced with 1.25” side margins. Pick a topic that there is ample resources and support material to support it. Papers are due during the exam period as assigned. No exceptions. Tip: get your topics in as early as you can. There are some subjects that sound great, then once researched turn out to be a 3-page paper. Run your topics by me and I can help you choose the better topic. Additionally, I want your papers to be issue oriented and not just a report. See below for the preferred format.
CLASS PARTICIPATION (15%): Students are required to take an active part during class discussions. This is your chance to speak your mind on some of the most important ethical issues of the day. Inattention in class as well as lateness and absences will adversely affect this portion of your grade. Please understand that if you are not in class, you cannot participate later in events that you missed, such as presentations. So class attendance is crucial to a successful grade. Since this class is a hybrid, understand that I will post frequent small assignments in order to better grade your class participation. Most of these assignments are not long, drawn-out exercises, but rather primers or skill building techniques in for critical thinking.
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS (25%): Students are required to give in-class presentations on a current American Foreign Policy problem/issue of their choice taken from media sources. Students can elect to do more presentations after consultation with me if they feel that their first effort needed improvement. Plan for approximately 10-15 minutes of briefing time and follow on questions by me and the class. The presentation outline is provided below.
QUIZZES or Micro-Assignments (15%): There may be several quizzes during the semester to allow me to gage your progress. These will be administered through the Canvas Class Page. If used, the 15% will be substituted for class participation.
PRESENTATION and PAPER OUTLINE
ISSUE: Briefly describe the ethical issue in a legal argument issue statement. Start with “whether” or “should.”
Example: “Whether the state legislature should adopt A1234 that disregards the federal health care law and restricts its citizens from participating in it.”
RULE: State the relevant rule(s) on the issue. Provide a synopsis of the rule, law, regulation, or common practice associated with your issue.
ANALYSIS/APPLICATION: Apply the rules to your position on the issue. That’s right…take a position on an issue. Support your position with the strongest arguments/facts first. This is where your grade is apparent. Your ability to identify then analyze an issue is a key factor in critical thinking. Merely relaying facts or opinions others have produced is of little value to your grade. This is where you drill down on the issue and argue the pros and cons of it. At the end of that analysis, you should have a conclusion. Students often tell me that they have changed their positions on issues due to this analysis. That’s the idea.
CONCLUSION: Wrap up succinctly and use the strongest argument for your position.
Note: There are often no “right” or “wrong” positions. Your grade reflects your preparation and depth of analysis and not whether the class or I agree with you or not, be bold.
ADMINISTRATIVE
COMMUNICATION: You can email me with most routine questions. Additionally, use the telephone number above for all phone calls during working hours.
Canvas: There is a Canvas page set up for this class. Please check it regularly, as I will place announcements, quizzes, and reminders there instead of using email.
ATTENDENCE: Please adhere to the Rutgers University attendance policy for this class.
“Students are expected to attend all scheduled course meetings. Missing one class is equivalent to missing a week in a regular semester. It is the policy of the university to excuse without penalty students who are absent because of religious observance and to allow the makeup of work missed because of such absences”.
If you have a schedule conflict, please let me know in advance.
CLASS SCHEDULE: Please see the calendar on the Sakai page for the current schedule.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY: Please refer to the following link for specifics: http://www.camden.rutgers.edu/RUCAM/info/Academic-Integrity-Policy.html
Course Summary:
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