Accessible Syllabus Template s16

1. San José State University College of Social Sciences/Political Science Department POLS 4, Introduction to International Relations, Spring 2016

Course and Contact Information

Instructor: Karthika Sasikumar

Office Location: Clark 451

Telephone: (408) 9241361

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: MW 10.30 to 11.30 AM and Th 12.30-1.30 PM

Class Days/Time: MW 3 to 4:15 PM

Classroom: Hugh Gillis 116

Course Description This course introduces students to the systematic study of international relations. The course is based on the idea that all political interactions take place between actors with their own interests, and within institutions that have their own incentives and authority. Both international security and political economy will be studied. The specific topics that will be taken up are the causes of war; the influence of domestic politics on war, global trade, finance, and development; and the international politics of the environment. GE Learning Outcomes

This course satisfies the requirements for General Education (Area D3). Therefore, students will write two essays of approximately 500 words each in order to satisfy the writing requirement.

The specific Student Learning Outcome that will be assessed this semester is SLO 2: “Students will be able to identify the dynamics of ethnic, cultural, gender/sexual, age-based, class, regional, national, transnational, and global identities and the similarities, differences, linkages, and interactions between them.”

of 6 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, POLS 4, SPRING 2016 Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

CLO1. Demonstrate knowledge of key facts about world politics

CLO2. Demonstrate comprehension of key concepts in theories in the discipline of International Relations by applying them to real-world problems

CLO3. Synthesize and evaluate the above theories, as shown by proposed resolutions to real-world problems

CLO4. Discuss major social issues in a civil and collaborative manner

Required Texts/Readings

Textbook The required textbook for the course is Jeffry Frieden, David Lake, Kenneth Schultz, World Politics 3rd edition.

I have chosen the e-book as the default required textbook, because it is the cheapest. You can also purchase a paperback (ISBN 9780393938098), or the three-hole punch version (ISBN 9780393277296), if you prefer. You are NOT required to bring the textbook to class. I have put five textbooks on reserve at the library. If you wish, you may buy the previous editions of the textbook, which are cheaper.

In addition, you will need to purchase a subscription to Statecraft, an online simulation. The code you need to access the simulation will be announced in class and on Canvas in the second week of class.

The class will rely heavily on the course management software Canvas. To access the course, go to sjsu.instructure.com. Your 9-digit SJSU ID is your username, and your password is the same as for my.sjsu.edu.

This course should appear under the Courses tab (top menu) when you log in to Canvas. Students should be aware that announcements, assignments and general information (including modifications to the syllabus) may be posted on Canvas or communicated in class.

For this course, you will need a computer with Internet access. Success in the course requires active participation by logging in multiple times a week for updates, to complete assignments, and to have virtual discussions with the instructor. For questions relating to Canvas, please contact Ecampus at http://www.sjsu.edu/ecampus/students/#studentresource

Technical support is provided at the following places on campus when you are having technical difficulties such as password reset, browser problems, and computer problems: • University Help Desk (Clark Hall 102) is the first point of contact for service and support to help you with password resets, login issues, email support Phone: 408.924.2377 Email: [email protected] Hours: Mon – Thu 8am - 9:45pm, Fri 8:00am – 4:45pm http://www.sjsu.edu/helpdesk/ • A.S. Computer Services Center (Student Union, 3rd floor) Phone: 408.924.6976 Hours: Mon - Thu 8:00am – 10:00pm; Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm http://as.sjsu.edu/ascsc/index.jsp • PC Help Line assists you with troubleshooting issues with your PC. Phone: 408. 924.1111

of 6 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, POLS 4, SPRING 2016 Course Requirements and Assignments SJSU classes are designed such that in order to be successful, it is expected that students will spend a minimum of forty-five hours for each unit of credit (normally three hours per unit per week), including preparing for class, participating in course activities, completing assignments, and so on. More details about student workload can be found in University Policy S12-3 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-3.pdf.

CLO Assignment Number Points Total points Due dates each 1 In class quizzes 4 10 40 2/22, 3/9, 4/6, 5/2 2 &3 Take home essays 2 15 30 3/14; 4/11 3 Simulation 1 12 12 ongoing 4 Class participation 10 8 ongoing 1 Final exam 1 10 10 5/19

Quizzes and final exam will have ‘fill in the blank’ and short answer questions. Take home essays will be approximately 500 words each and will be written over a period of 5 days. Class participation will be assessed based on this rubric.

Classroom Protocol

This is a seminar-style class, and your success in the course will depend to a great degree on your completing the required readings before class. Please be prepared to be called upon by name in class. This class does not allow for use of any electronic devices, including smartphones and laptops for note-taking, except in cases of documented medical need. There will be four closed-book in-class quizzes with 2-3 sentence answers. The final exam will be on a similar pattern. Class participation will be assessed based on this rubric.

University Policies

General Expectations, Rights and Responsibilities of the Student As members of the academic community, students accept both the rights and responsibilities incumbent upon all members of the institution. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with SJSU’s policies and practices pertaining to the procedures to follow if and when questions or concerns about a class arises. See University Policy S90–5 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S90-5.pdf. More detailed information on a variety of related topics is available in the SJSU catalog, at http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/catalog/rec- 12234.12506.html. In general, it is recommended that students begin by seeking clarification or discussing concerns with their instructor. If such conversation is not possible, or if it does not serve to address the issue, it is recommended that the student contact the Department Chair as a next step.

Dropping and Adding Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current semester’s Catalog Policies section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html.

of 6 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, POLS 4, SPRING 2016 Add/drop deadlines can be found on the current academic year calendars document on the Academic Calendars webpage at http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars/. The Late Drop Policy is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for dropping classes.

Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.

Consent for Recording of Class and Public Sharing of Instructor Material University Policy S12-7, http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-7.pdf, requires students to obtain instructor’s permission to record the course and the following items to be included in the syllabus:

 “Common courtesy and professional behavior dictate that you notify someone when you are recording him/her. You must obtain the instructor’s permission to make audio or video recordings in this class. Such permission allows the recordings to be used for your private, study purposes only. The recordings are the intellectual property of the instructor; you have not been given any rights to reproduce or distribute the material.” o It is suggested that the greensheet include the instructor’s process for granting permission, whether in writing or orally and whether for the whole semester or on a class by class basis. o In classes where active participation of students or guests may be on the recording, permission of those students or guests should be obtained as well.  “Course material developed by the instructor is the intellectual property of the instructor and cannot be shared publicly without his/her approval. You may not publicly share or upload instructor generated material for this course such as exam questions, lecture notes, or homework solutions without instructor consent.”

Academic integrity Your commitment, as a student, to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University. The University Academic Integrity Policy S07-2 at http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S07-2.pdf requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The Student Conduct and Ethical Development website is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/.

Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 at http://www.sjsu.edu/president/docs/directives/PD_1997-03.pdf requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the Accessible Education Center (AEC) at http://www.sjsu.edu/aec to establish a record of their disability.

of 6 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, POLS 4, SPRING 2016 2. POLS 4 Spring 2016 Course Schedule

Schedule is subject to change with fair notice on Canvas.

Course Schedule

Week Date Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines 1 Feb 1 (M) Intro, no reading 1 Feb 3 (W) Ch.2 interests: what do actors want from politics? 2 Feb 8 (M) Ch.2 interactions: why can’t actors get what they want? 2 Feb 10 (W) Ch. 2 institutions +game theory 3 Feb 15 (M) Ch. 3 What is the purpose of war? 3 Feb 17 (W) Ch. 3 Do wars happen by mistake? 4 Feb 22 (M) 1st quiz (Chapter 1 of textbook); intro to simulation 4 Feb 24 (W) Ch.4 Whose interests count? Do politicians spark wars? 5 Feb 29 (M) Ch.4 Military and special interest groups 5 Mar 2 (W) Simulation discussion 6 Mar 7 (M) Ch. 4 Do democracies fight each other? 6 Mar 9 (W) 2nd quiz (Chapters 2-4 of textbook) 7 Mar 14 (M) Ch. 7 What’s so good about trade? First take home due 7 Mar 16 (W) Ch.7 Why do governments restrict trade? 8 Mar 21 (M) Ch. 7 Explaining trends and patterns 8 Mar 23 (W) Ch. 8 How and why do people invest overseas? 9 Apr 4 (M) Ch. 8 Why is international finance controversial? 9 Apr 6 (W) 3rd quiz (Chapters 7-8 of textbook) 10 Apr 11 (M) Ch. 10 Why is development hard to achieve? Second take home due 10 Apr 13 (W) Ch. 10 Are rich countries responsible? 11 Apr 18 (M) Ch. 10 Development policies and politics 11 Apr 20 (W) Ch. 13 Why are good intentions not enough? 12 Apr 25 (M) Ch. 13 Why do polluters usually win? 12 Apr 27 (W) Ch. 13 How can institutions promote cooperation? 13 May 2 (M) 4th quiz (Chapters 10 and 13 of textbook) 13 May 4 (W) Ch. 14 Can the spread of WMD be stopped?

of 6 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, POLS 4, SPRING 2016 Week Date Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines 14 May 9 (M) Ch. 14 Will China and the US fight? 14 May 11 (W) Ch. 14 Will globalization continue? 15 May 16 (M) Ch. 14 Global government? 15 May 19 Final exam 9.45 am to 10.10 am in HGH 116 (Thu)

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