SRJC Course Outlines

3/18/2024 8:03:57 PMPOLS 25 Course Outline as of Fall 2023

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  POLS 25Title:  INTRO TO INTL RELATIONS  
Full Title:  Introduction to International Relations
Last Reviewed:9/12/2022

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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Students will be introduced to politics, theory, and institutions of international relations, with an emphasis on contemporary global issues.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Students will be introduced to politics, theory, and institutions of international relations, with an emphasis on contemporary global issues.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Fall 1981
Inactive: 
 Area:D
Social and Behavioral Sciences
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 DSocial ScienceFall 2012
 D8Political Science, Govt, Legal Instutns  
 DSocial ScienceFall 1991Summer 2012
 D2Economics  
 D5Geography  
 D6History  
 D8Political Science, Govt, Legal Instutns  
 DSocial ScienceFall 1981Summer 1991
 D2Economics  
 D5Geography  
 D6History  
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 4Social and Behavioral ScienceFall 1981
 4HPolitical Science:Govt and Legal Instutn  
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
C-ID:
 CID Descriptor: POLS 140 Introduction to International Relations SRJC Equivalent Course(s): POLS25

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Analyze and evaluate the central theoretical approaches to the study of international relations.
2. Describe the historical development of the international system.
3. Identify the key institutions and actors (state and non-state) in world politics, and evaluate how their interactions shape policy on issues such as international security, international trade, and the environment.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Define key terms, events, and concepts used in international relations.
2. Identify the main actors studied by international relations scholars.
3. Question their own values with respect to other countries and their foreign policy objectives.
4. Identify and evaluate the explanatory, descriptive, and predictive power of different international relations theories.
5. Understand the universal and enduring nature of conflict in the international system.
6. Describe the historical evolution of the international system.
7. Formulate ideas about how to address current world order problems such as nuclear proliferation, international warfare, global economic inequality, and climate change.

Topics and Scope
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I. Introduction to the Study of International Relations
    A. Historical development of the nation-state system
    B. Levels of analysis
    C.  Definitions and terms (e.g. actors, key institutions)
II. Theories of International Relations
     A. Realism
    B. Liberalism
    C. Constructivism
III. The State and the International System
    A. Conceptions of power
    B. Collective security
    C. Security strategies
IV. International Conflict and War
    A. Causes of war
    B. Military force
    C. Regional conflicts
    D. Terrorism
V. International Law and Organization
    A. International law
    B. United Nations and regional organizations
VI. International Political Economy
    A. Trade and money
    B. Economic development
VII. Environment and Population
    A. Climate change and resource scarcity
    B. Population and immigration
VIII. Selected Issues
    A. Arab-Israeli Conflict
    B. Politics of food and water
    C. Health and disease

Assignments:
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1. Read and study in the text (30-60 pages) and additional readings weekly.
2. Essay examinations including a final (2-4).
3. Analytical writing (2000-3000 words). These may be in the form of:
    A. Research papers
    B. Reaction papers
    C. Discussion posts
4. Optional assignments may include
     A. Written summaries of current events
    B. Quizzes
    C. Presentations
    D. Simulations
    E. Group work

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
25 - 45%
Analytical writing
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
40 - 60%
Essay examinations, Final, Optional quizzes
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 20%
Optional assignments


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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World Politics: Trend and Transformation. 17th Edition. Blanton, Shannon and Kegley, Charles. Cengage Learning. 2020
World Politics in a New Era. 6th Edition. Spiegel, Steven L., Matthews, Elizabeth G., Taw, Jennifer M., and Williams, Kristen P. Oxford University Press. 2013 (Classic)
Essentials of International Relations. 8th Edition. Mingst, Karen A., McKibben, Heather E., and Arreguin-Taft, Ivan M. W. W. Norton & Company. 2018 (Classic)
International Relations, 12th Edition. Pevehouse, Jon C., and Goldstein, Joshua S. Pearson. 2019

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