Colorado State University-Pueblo > Division of Continuing Education > Independent Study > Political Science

POLSC 305 – International Relations

DETAILS
Semester-hour credits:	3
Tuition:	$448.50
Methods:

DESCRIPTION
International Relations examines a multiplicity of issues about the international system and its actors. It is the objective of this course to provide the students with the main tools for them to better understand historical and current events. The events should be understood not as simple facts. Rather, students should be able to engage in critical and analytical debates about world events, identify the actors that make-up the international system, and critically examine the actions of international actors. The analysis of major international relations theories will enable the student to develop his/her own critical observations about past, present, and future events in the international community. By the end of the course, students should be able to read major newspapers, watch the news, and critically evaluate the information presented from a broader international perspective. International Relations examines the relationship between states and other international actors as interwoven and necessitating broader theoretical explanations to analyze actions taken by diverse international participants, such as governments, leaders, government organizations or IGOs, and non-governmental organizations or NGOs.

REQUIRED MATERIALS & TEXTBOOKS
	Mingst, Karen. 2004. Essentials of International Relations. Norton & Company. (3rd Edition)

	Rouke, John. 2005. Taking Sides: World Politics. Gilford: Duskin & McGraw-Hill. (12^th Edition)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
There will be 3 (three) short reports (worth 50 points each) on the assigned chapters (1 to 2 pages). The goal of the short reports is to make sure that the student is understanding the material that he/she is reading before he/she has to complete one of the larger assignments. You need to summarize important issues listed in the chapters. How well you summarize the contents of the chapters will be part of your grade. It is important that you summarize well the chapters, because these short reports will be beneficial for the final exam. There will be one short report, about 2-3 pages, worth 50 points, regarding one of the issues of Taking Sides. The student needs to choose one of the issues assigned in the syllabus, analyze and summarize the yes and no arguments, consider who makes for a better argument and why, and finally provide for his/her own argument or opinion about the issue/topic at hand. Please, see read further instructions and ideas about assignment on the sheet accompanying this syllabus titled “General Guide for Reading Taking Sides.” The professor wants the student to have a broad and intelligent overview of International Relations. One way to grasp International Relations as a discipline is to provide for two different kinds of papers. In the first paper, the student must address the theoretical perspectives that help political scientists to better explain events and decision-making processes in the international community. The first paper (worth 200 points) requires the student to select an international conflict and analyze it by using two of the theoretical perspectives of chapters 3 and 4 (Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism, Radical Theories or Marxism). The first paper should be 3-4 pages (typed, single space) plus a bibliography page. In the second paper, (worth 200 points) the student chooses issues of international relations and provides his/her own view along with a critique. The second paper is a thematic analysis. This paper needs to be 3-4 pages plus a bibliography. There will be a Final Examination. The student will have 90 minutes to complete the exam. The student will have to find a University approved proctor. It is a closed book and closed notes exam.

DISCLAIMER: Tuition, credits, medium, description, instructors, books, materials, homework assignments, grading scale, and availability are subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date status, please contact the Continuing Education staff.