PSC 209: World Politics TimeTable

By Prof. Jeremy Lewis, revised 12 Nov. 2012, with reporters, progress checks and new film questions.
Audiovisual materials will only be used where time and equipment permit. | Great Decisions media episodes
Discussion Notes | CIA World Factbook | Country Briefings from Economist |
No classes, Fall 2012: Monday 9/3; Fridays 9/14, 9/21, 10/5, 10/19, 11/2; & Thanksgiving 11/19-23
Week: [01] [02] [03] [dinner party] [04] [Test1] [05] [06] [07] [Test2] [08] [09] [10] [Test3] [11] [12] [13] [Honors eProject] [14] [Final]

Week	Author, Chapter: Topic [and Reporters]
Week 1 20-24 Aug	Introduction to the course [Lectures] [Discussion notes] *Honors section:* Presentations and discussion of Fareed Zakaria, "Restoring the American Dream," video, CNN, 6 March 2011(video shows, if you wait a minute, or wait for off-peak times). Fareed Zakaria, "Are America's Best Days Behind US?" Time, 14 March 2011, pp.28-33 David Von Drehle, "Don't Bet Against the United States," Time, 14 March 2011, pp.34-35
	Rourke & Boyer, Brief edition, 1: Thinking & Caring about World Politics How can one approach the study of world politics? Why should one care about world politics? What classifications of theory are there about world politics? Can we identify newer forms of the liberal and realist schools of thought?
Week 2 27-31 Aug	Rourke & Boyer, Brief edition, 2: The Evolution of World Politics [Discussion notes] How has global politics developed over the centuries? What were the contributions to political development of the Ancient Greeks and Romans? How did political participation become a part of the polis, and then of Rome? How did the mediaeval church develop in parallel to political structures? How did the reformation challenge the existing authority? What did the Treaty of Westphalia accomplish? How did international political structures develop in the twentieth century? How are they developing in the C21st?
	FPA, Great Decisions in Foreign Policy program 2012, topics for discussion: *Mark Dillen, America & the World: Challenges for the New President.* A 2011 guide from FPA [free PDF] Click each topic for video introductions, links, and quizzes. Arguments made in speeches during the Republican National Convention, 2012 Honors section:** Presentations and discussion of US Constitution, Article I (via National Archives, scroll down) Compare the enumerated & inherent Congressional authority in foreign affairs.
	*Honors section:* Prepare for presenting Great Decisions, 1.
Week 3 3-7 Sep	Rourke & Boyer, Brief, 3: Levels of Analysis Which of these approaches to studying the world is more effective? What ways might be found to prevent war in the long run? How many poles are there in today's world order? Is the US a hegemon -- or merely one power among many? Is China a superpower -- or merely a regional power? Is the EU a pole in the system -- or merely a collection of nation states that are at best regional powers? Do we usually place too much emphasis on the actions of states, and not enough on understanding the nature of the system or of mankind? Do non-governmental organizations make any difference in international politics? Does it make any difference to the conduct of a state, who is in charge? Arguments made in speeches during the Democratic National Convention, 2012 Check for AL World Affairs Council (AWAC) speaker event
	*Honors section:* Presentations and discussion of US Constitution, Article II (via National Archives, scroll down about half way) How powerful was the C-in-C position in 1787 -- and how powerful today? How is the appointment power allocated? How is the treaty making power allocated?
	*Honors section:* Presentations and discussion of Great Decisions 2012, 1. Augustus Norton, "Middle East realignment: the Arab upheaval" [Jeremiah] The popular revolts and upheaval of the Arab Spring have radically changed the face of the Middle East. What lies ahead for the Middle East’s transition to democracy? What are the prospects for the governments that have held out in this new order? With many longtime U.S. allies ousted, how will the U.S. recalibrate its relations with the new regimes?
	Dr. and Mrs. Lewis invite current and former students, with friends, to their home for an annual candle-lit dinner, 3-6 pm on Sunday 9 Sep. 2012. See Dates page for any changes, and check email for driving directions.
Week 4 10-14 Sep	Rourke & Boyer, Brief, 4: Nationalism: The Traditional Orientation Is the behavior of nation states the main cause of war and of peace? Do nationalism and nation-states define and divide the world? What is a nation? What is a Nation-state? What is nationalism? How have ideas of nationalism evolved over five centuries? After WW2, did nation-states decline or increase? What are the benefits of nationalism? What are the costs of nationalism? What happens when nations and states are not coterminous? Map of ethnic groups of the Caucasus \| map of Kurdistan Is nationalism outmoded? See Dates page for Test 1, which may include both multiple choice and written questions on the materials covered before the test.
	US Constitution, Article III (via National Archives, scroll down more than half way to section 3) (Late in this judicial article, find the Treason clause, which obviously impinges upon US foreign policy.). What did the Founders intend with the Treason clause; why did they restrict its language? Search for information about these alleged, modern traitors, and ask yourself whether they meet the constitutional criteria: John Walker Lindh (the so-called "American Taliban"), and Bradley Manning (of WikiLeaks notoriety). What reasons could be given by the prosecution and by the defence?
Week 5 17-21 Sep	Rourke & Boyer, Brief, 5: Globalization: The Alternative Orientation Can a new world order be achieved via global and transnational organizations? What causes globalization? What types of globalization are there? What are the benefits and costs of globalization? Does every state win from globalization -- or are there losers as well as winners?
	*Honors section:* Presentations and discussion of Great Decisions 2012, 2. Larry Diamond, "Promoting democracy: foreign policy imperative?" [Reporters for the sections: Rhett \| Skye \| Taylor \| Lyndi] The U.S. has had a history of advancing and supporting democracy around the world. What place does democracy promotion have in U.S. foreign policy today? With a choice of tools ranging from economic aid to military force, what are the appropriate yet effective methods that the U.S. should use to promote democracy? Allen & Sutton, Student Atlas, Middle East
	Gayle Tzebach Lemmon, "Michelle Bachelet Has a Mission," Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2011 [Dbox]
Week6 24-28 Sep	Rourke, 6: Power, Statecraft & National States: The Traditional Structure How do national and international organizations actually function -- and how do they contrast? Children of the Taliban, Frontline World documentary film, PBS, 2009 [Shown Friday, 28 Sep. 2012]
	*Honors section:* Presentations and discussion of Great Decisions 2012, 3. George Grayson, "Mexico: transborder crime and governance" [Dom X \| Jon \| Jeremy] Mexico’s border with Central America, as well as the border it shares with the U.S., has been a pathway for people, goods, crime and contraband in both directions. How can Mexico address these transborder challenges? What is the future of Mexico’s relations with its northern and southern neighbors? How will Mexico’s foreign relations affect its domestic politics?
Week7 1-5 Oct	Rourke & Boyer, Brief, 7: Intergovernmental Organizations: Alternative Governance How can international organizations establish cooperation, consensus and policing? See Dates page for Test 2, which may include both multiple choice and written questions on the materials covered before the test. Co-curricular activity: Presidential debate analysis party, 7:30 pm Wed. 3 Oct. 2012
Week 8 8-12 Oct	Rourke & Boyer, Brief 8: International Law & Human Rights [Notes of Rourke, Full edition, 9: International Law & Justice: an alternative] What are, or should be, the rules of behavior among nation states? Can treaties and common law bind nation states into civilized behavior? How do power and diplomacy reinforce -- or contradict -- each other? Can international law ever replace a balance of power in constraining nation states?
	*Honors section:* Presentations and discussion of Great Decisions 2012, 4. Ronald Deibert, "Cybersecurity: the new frontier " The securitization of cyberspace has caused a sea change for both governments and the private sector, faced with new threats, new battlegrounds and new opportunities. Faced with challenges such as international cybercrime and authoritarian control of networks, how will the U.S. and its democratic allies approach the cyber frontier? How does this new domain figure in U.S. strategic interests? Honors section: developing projects and presentations
Week 9 15-19 Oct	Rourke & Boyer, Brief, 9: Pursuing Security Notes of Rourke, Full edition 10: National Security: The Traditional Road Notes of Rourke, Full edition, 11: International Security: The Alternative How can security be achieved by states pursuing defense and alliances? Can cooperative action among states produce a world peace?
	*Honors section:* Presentations and discussion of Great Decisions 2012, 5. Michael O’Hanlon, "Exit from Afghanistan & Iraq: right time, right pace?" Ten years after September 11, 2001, the U.S. is winding down its military commitment in Iraq and slowly pulling out of Afghanistan. What exit strategy will help Afghanistan and Iraq build stable democratic nations? How can the U.S. continue to achieve its counterterrorism goals? What is the role of the U.S. in the future of the Middle East? Allen & Sutton, Student Atlas. \| CIA World Factbook Honors section: developing projects and presentations
Week 10 22-26 Oct	Rourke & Boyer, Brief 10/Notes of Full edition, 12: National Economic Competition: Traditional Road With the decline in the cost of transport and communications, can global trade transform relations among states? What is the justification for the US transferring billions of dollars in economic aid to the bankrupted European powers after the second world war? [Marshall Plan] The Economist newspaper's Big Mac Index, 2012 (to Purchasing Power Parity)*NEW* Where is the cheapest state in which to buy something -- and can we predict exchange rates? How can we measure the standard international cost of a good or service?
	*Honors section:* Presentations and discussion of Great Decisions 2012, 6. Sara Tjossem, "State of the oceans: waves of change The world’s oceans are essential to life on earth, and are tremendously sensitive to global climate change. What are the consequences of climate change on oceanic factors like biodiversity, sea levels and extreme weather systems? How can the U.S. and its international partners address the emerging challenges to this shared resource? See Dates page for Test 3, which may include both multiple choice and written questions on the materials covered before the test. Honors students (and those taking research project option): tutorial in office, on research projects.
Week 11 29 Oct-2 Nov	Rourke, Brief 11/Notes of Full edition 13: International Economic Cooperation: Alternative Road Maria Shriver, One Minute to Midnight: The Cuban MIssile Crisis (film, continued) PBS, The Marshall Plan, documentary film Further readings TBA
	*Honors section:* Presentations and discussion of Great Decisions 2012, 7. James Castle, "Indonesia: prospects for prosperity" [Jeremy, Rhett & Brian] Having emerged from authoritarianism in the last 15 years, Indonesia has made remarkable strides politically, economically and socially. Yet the new, democratic Indonesia is still a developing country facing considerable challenges. How can Indonesia continue its path of growth, reform and prosperity? What is Indonesia’s role in the global community? Allen & Sutton, Student Atlas. \| CIA World Factbook [Ariel] Honors section: developing projects and presentations
Week 12 5-9 Nov	Rourke, Notes of Full edition 14: Preserving & Enhancing Human Rights Rourke & Boyer, Brief, 12/Notes of Full edition 15: Preserving & Enhancing the Biosphere Dr. William Moomaw, "Energy, National Security & Climate Change". Professor of International Environmental Policy, Tufts University, and, since 1992, lead author on the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Notes of Illustrated lecture to class and to AWAC, April 6, 2010. *NEW* Is economic competition or cooperation the key to development? Without a world government, how can human rights be upheld? Can we create a global civil society in the absence of a world government?
	*Honors section:* Presentations and discussion of Great Decisions 2012, 8. William Sweet, "Energy geopolitics: quandaries intensify" [Farah, Jeremiah & Jon] The energy markets have been shaken by the instability of Middle East oil and the vulnerability of nuclear power. Moreover, developing countries like China are becoming bigger energy consumers, while energy producers like Russia see the opportunity to widen their influence. In this changed landscape, how will the U.S.’s energy needs affect its relations with other nations? Allen & Sutton, Student Atlas. Does it matter where the oil comes from? What should be the energy path for the US? (Conservation; nuclear; import oil & exploit in N. America; renewables; public transit and denser cities; expand military sea and land control; lowest cost in short term -- or a long term solution?) What should Europe do -- keep dependency on pipes & OPEC, or an alternative? Honors section: developing projects and presentations
Week 13 12-16 Nov	Documentary films Honors section: eProject deliverable by TurnItIn, see Dates page, citations page and Requirements page Great Decisions 2012, Fall Update [PDF] *NEW* PBS video, *Ambush in Mogadishu* [1993] See also Ridley Scott's fine recreation on film, Black Hawk Down, based on the excellent book by Mark Bowden. What were the circumstances on the ground in Somalia in 1992? How did non-profit International NGOs operate in Somalia? What was the rationale for the US sending in forces? Was it realism or idealism that led the US to intervene in Somalia? Was the mission subject to mission creep, or was expansion rationally determined? Was the UN the right body for the peacekeeping mission? Should the UN have retaliated for the attack on peacekeepers? Should the UN have attempted to arrest Aideed? Was the snatch tactic the proper one to adopt? Was the US right to withdraw -- or should the US have doubled down on its bet? Is it practical to engage in two-track intervention -- or that self-defeating? After the "Black Hawk Down" incident, should the US have retaliated instead of withdrawing? If the US had stayed in Somalia, how would the country have developed since? [Dbox] Film, CNN, Christiane Amanpour, "The War Within," on radical Muslims in the UK What does the Islamic radical movement seek in the UK? How much popular support is there for this movement in the UK? Is sharia law compatible with western democracy? Is a radical Islamic movement necessarily violent?
*19-23 Nov:*	*Thanksgiving Break*
Week14 26-30 Nov	Documentary films *Honors, briefings on research: the issue; the research question; arguments; evidence; and findings.* Film, PBS Frontline, Children of the Taliban Given the strategic partnership of the US and Pakistan since 9/11 -- and to some degree, since the Nixon administration, can the US ensure the stability of the Pakistani regime? What recruiting methods of the Taliban are shown in the film? How close have the Taliban come to the population centers of Pakistan? What changes do the Taliban enforce on population they control? What is the longterm prognosis for Pakistan, a nuclear capable nation state? Kill/ Capture? Inside the Secret Campaign to take out thousands of Taliban and Al Qaeda Fighters. Film, PBS Frontline, 2011. *NEW* In the war in Afghanistan, should the strategy have been expanded from Counter Terrorism (CT) to Counter Insurgency (COIN)? Was McCrystal's strategy of raising the tempo of Special Forces' night raids justified? Did the strategy create more terrorists than it killed? Did the strategy create space for a political solution? What were the effects on the civilian population? What were the "metrics" for success? Does the film succeed in being objective, despite the reporters' being embedded (with the 101st Airborne in Khost province, Eastern Afghanistan)?
3-7 Dec	Comprehensive Final Exam: Thurs. 6 Dec 2012 at 14:30, in usual classroom