SRJC Course Outlines

12/9/2024 1:55:27 AMPOLS 25 Course Outline as of Fall 2012

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 Scheduled013 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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Introduction to politics, theory, and institutions of international relations with 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
Introduction to politics, theory, and institutions of international relations with 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

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Recognize the connection between international relations as a field and their personal lives.
2.  Define key terms, events, and concepts used in international relations.
3.  Identify key players--state and non-state actors--in international relations.
4.  Question their own values and popular myths with respect to other countries and their foreign policy objectives.
5.  Identify and evaluate the explanatory, descriptive, and predictive power of different theories of international relations.
6.  Understand the universal and enduring nature of conflict in the international system.
7.  Describe the historical evolution of the international system.
8.  Formulate their own 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.  Evolution of the nation-state system
     B.  Levels of analysis
         1.  Individual
         2.  State analysis
         3.  Interstate
         4.  Global
II.   Theories of International Relations
      A.  Realism
      B.  Alternatives to power politics
          1.  Liberal (Idealist)
          2.  Feminism
          3.  Postmodernism
          4.  Peace studies
III.  Foreign Policy and the Decision-making Process
      A.  Decision-making models
      B.  Foreign policy process
      C.  Limits on the rational actor model
      D.  Group dynamics
      E.  Role of substate actors
IV.  Conflict and War
      A.  Causes of war
      B.  Types of war
      C.  Terrorism
V.   International Organization and Law
      A.  United Nations and regional organizations
      B.  International law
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

Assignments:
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1.  Read and study one to two chapters in the texts and anthologies weekly.
2.  Regular attendance, participation, and notetaking in class is expected.
3.  Two to four essay examinations including a final.
4.  Eight to twelve pages of analytical writing.  
5.  Optional assignments may include written summaries of current events, oral presentations, simulations, or 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%
Written homework, Term papers
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%
Multiple choice, True/false, Essay Exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
5 - 20%
Oral presentations, simulations, and group work


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Essential Readings in World Politics (4th).   Mingst, Karen A. and Snyder, Jack.  Norton:  2011
International Relations, (Brief 5th).   Goldstein, Joshua S. and Pevehouse, Jon C.  Pearson/Longman:  2010 with the companion website
Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in World Poltics, (11th).  Rourke, John T.  Dushkin/McGraw Hill:  2003
World Politics: Trend and Transformation (12th)).  Kegley, Charles W. and Wittkopf, Eugene R.  Wadsworth:  2008

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