Course Description
Although the absence of any overarching political authority serves to characterize world politics as anarchical, nation-states and other international actors have increasingly coordinated their actions in world affairs over the centuries. The study of international organization is the study of that cooperation.

This course focuses on the cooperative efforts among nation-states and other international actors. The first part of the course will assess different theories of international relations and will attempt to explain why states succeed or fail at creating institutions for international governance and what effects those institutions have. The second part of the course will examine how international organizations attempt to accomplish cooperation. The major emphasis will be on the experiences of the League of Nations and the United Nations system. Yet the course also takes a closer look at regional and specialized agencies and will analyze a broad range of issues with which these organizations try to deal. Specifically, it focuses on five general issue-areas: collective security, international economics, global ecology, social welfare, and human rights.

Student Learning Outcomes:
1- The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with general trends in international governance while at the same time affording them the opportunity to investigate particular international actors in greater depth;
2- At the end of this course, students will be able to conceptually evaluate and critically analyze fundamental themes, concepts, and theories of international relations. In particular, the course will assess different theories of international cooperation;
3- Students will develop an understanding of why states (and non-state actors) succeed or fail at creating institutions of global governance;
4- This course will foster their understanding of how international organizations are managing global challenges and how their actions can really affect world politics;
5- This course will promote students’ awareness of global patterns and conditions and a perspective that is sensitive to rising global problems.

Course Requirements:
Your performance in this course will be assessed in the following manner:

            Class participation 10%
            Mid-term Exams 30%
            Oral Presentation 10%
            Term Paper 20%
            Final Exam 30%

Grading System:
The grading scale for this course is as follows:

            100 – 90 = A
            89 – 80 = B
            79 – 70 = C
            69 – 60 = D
            59 and below = F

Term Paper and Oral Presentation (30% of your grade):
You will be required to write a paper on an international organization concerned with the international protection of human rights. The purpose of this assignment is to acquaint you with general trends in global organizations while at the same affording you the opportunity to investigate particular international actors in greater depth. To that end, each one of you will prepare a report of the history, operations, and purposes of the organization. The paper must be at least 10 pages long (typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-space, page-numbered and one-inch margins) and will be due Wednesday, April 5 at the beginning of class time. Only the introduction, main body, and the conclusion count towards the requirement of a total of 10 pages. Short papers will be deducted one full grade point per page short. All borrowed, quoted, paraphrased, and unoriginal material must be cited appropriately (otherwise it is plagiarism and you will be punished for it). Your grade will be determined by the quality of your presentation and discussion of the subject matter in the paper, and the strength of your argument.

You will also be expected to give a class presentation of about 20 minutes on the organization you investigated. Be prepared to answer questions about the organization you are presenting. In addition, you will provide the class with a handout about the organization highlighting important points that the class should know.

Mid-Term Exams (30% of your grade) and Final Exam (30% of your grade):
There will be two mid-term exams each worth 15% of your grade. All exams will be a combination of both objective and essay questions. Questions will draw from assigned readings, lectures and any other material presented during class time (e.g. videos, guest speakers, etc.). Please note that the final exam will be comprehensive in scope and held on the officially scheduled exam day and place.

Class Participation (10% of your grade):
Classroom discussion plays an important part in this course, both as a component of your final grade and as a way of learning the material (and, hopefully, learning it in a way that has enduring value for you). I expect you to take an active role in the learning process. Be ready to discuss the readings, recent events, and carefully prepare your arguments before class meetings.

Attendance Policy:
Attendance to this course is mandatory. NGCSU attendance policy will be strictly enforced. After your fourth absence, I have the right to drop you from the class (“W” or “WF” in your records). Please familiarize yourself with its terms as stated in the undergraduate bulletin.
I will call roll at the beginning of each class meeting. Arriving late to class or leaving early will count as an absence.

Absences carry an additional penalty since absentees will not be able to participate in class and will miss lecture notes and arguments made during discussion. You are strongly encouraged not to miss your classes.

Policy Regarding Make-up Exams and Incomplete Grades:
Make up opportunities and incomplete grades will be given at my discretion and in accordance with college policy. You should make every effort to contact me before the time of the scheduled assignment (mid-term or final exam) to arrange a make up (provided you are conscious). I will require proof of suitable and valid documentation (medical, administrative, or legal) to make up the missed assignment afterward. Avoid such instances. My phone number and e-mail address are printed on this syllabus.

I reserve the right to change the exam questions or format on any make up exam offered.

Academic Integrity Policy:
NGCSU honor policy will be strictly enforced. The Integrity Code reads as follows:

“On my honor, I will not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth or tolerate those who do.”

Class Etiquette Policy:
Because students using their cell phones disrupt a class already in progress and distract other students, I will ask you to turn them off at the beginning of each class.
The same principle applies to foods and drinks in the classroom. As long as they do not constitute a distraction or nuisance, they will be allowed into the classroom at my discretion.

Students with Disabilities:
NGCSU is committed to equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities. Any student with a disability that may affect his or her ability to perform successfully in class should provide me with official notification from the Office of Student Disability Resources to coordinate reasonable accommodations. Procedures for registering are published in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Required Texts:
Margaret Karns and Karen Mingst, International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance, Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2004

There also is an assigned collection of readings that must be purchased at the campus print shop.

Reading Assignments and Lecture Topics:

Jan 6                      Course Overview and Presentation

Jan 9 - 20               Introduction. Review of Theories of International Relations

Karns and Mingst, Chapters 1 and 2; Thucydides, “Melian Dialogue;” Hans Morgenthau, “A Realist Theory of International Politics;” Michael Doyle, “Liberalism and World Politics;” Stephen Walt, “International Relations: One World, Many Theories;” Woodrow Wilson, “The World Must be Safe for Democracy” and “The Fourteen Points”

Jan 16                     MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR HOLIDAY – NO CLASS

Jan 23 - 30             International Regimes
Stephen Krasner, “Regimes and the Limits of Realism: Regimes as Autonomous Variables;” Susan Strange, “Cave! Hic Dragones: A Critique of Regime Analysis;” Helen Milner “International Theories of Cooperation Among Nations: Strengths and Weaknesses;” John Mearsheimer “The False Promise of International Institutions”

Feb 1                       FIRST MID-TERM EXAM

Feb 3 - 8                  Evolution of International Organization: The League of Nations
Karns and Mingst, Chapter 3

Feb 10                      NO CLASS

Feb 13 - 17               The United Nations
Karns and Mingst, Chapter 4

Feb 20 - 22               European and Non-European Regional Organizations
Karns and Mingst, Chapter 5

Feb 24 - Mar 1         Search for Global Governance
Karns and Mingst, Chapters 6 & 7

Mar 3                        SECOND MID-TERM EXAM

Mar 6 - 10                Search for Peace and Security
Karns and Mingst, Chapter 8

Mar 13 - 17              SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES

Mar 20 - 24              Organizations and Economic Issues
Karns and Mingst, Chapter 9

Mar 27 - 29              Managing Resources
Karns and Mingst, Chapter 11

Mar 31 - Apr 3         Promoting Human Rights
Karns and Mingst, Chapter 10

Apr 5                         Term Papers Due

Apr 5 - 24                 Oral Presentations

Apr 26 - 28               Dilemmas of Global Governance in the Future. Course Review
Karns and Mingst, Chapter 12

Wed., May 3             FINAL EXAM
 

SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE