Issues
in World Politics
POLI /
INTL 361-901
CRN:
45324 / 45325
Fall
2023
Mondays,
4:00 pm - 6:40 pm
MPC
Academic Learning Commons
Room
2107
POLI 361. Issues in World Politics. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3
credits. An exploration of several significant issues in world politics. Topics
may include peacekeeping and collective security, international economic
competitiveness, global environmental politics as well as selected others.
Topics will vary with current events and trends in the international arena. Crosslisted as: INTL 361.
Instructors: Chris Burdett & Bill Newmann
Email: clburdett@vcu.edu
Phone: 703-966-0461
(Burdett)
804-828-2076
(Newmann)
Have a question? Need
advice? Contact us via email at any time. Or, stop by to chat:
Burdett: Founders Hall rm.
322: Mondays, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Newmann: Founders Hall rm.
318: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
* * *
During
the fall semester 2023, our sections of Issues in World Politics will be
unique. Though we will still explore significant issues in world politics, we
will do so through games and simulations! An important part of the class
experience involves the issues and the mode of instruction. Both feature
in the learning outcomes for the course. Students will:
Students will also develop
and refine techniques for:
And the best part? We hope
that the games and simulations will increase the fun-factor as we work together
to successfully achieve these outcomes!
Our classroom will be a welcoming
and supportive classroom based upon mutual respect for our ideas,
experiences and individual integrity. We want you to know that we are
grateful for your presence and input in this course regardless of your
immigration status, country of origin and/or citizenship, race, ethnicity,
religious affiliation, gender/sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or
dis/ability. Thank you for enriching our world, sharing your vital experience,
and contributing to the diversity that makes our intellectual community vibrant
and evermore creative. We pledge our utmost effort to create an inviting
environment for all because together we will make this a meaningful experience.
Together we will thrive.
Students should visit http://go.vcu.edu/syllabus and
review all syllabus statement information. The full university syllabus
statement includes information on safety, registration, the VCU Honor Code,
student conduct, withdrawal and more. Use VCU Libraries to find and access
library resources, spaces, technology and services that support and enhance all
learning opportunities at the university. (https://www.library.vcu.edu/)
Political
Science majors should meet with the department’s friendly and helpful advisors
at least once a semester (even during the summers) to make sure you are on
track and to discuss your academic and professional goals. Current minors and
those considering a POLI major or minor are also encouraged to visit. You may
make an appointment through the Navigator app or through a link on your VCU
Portal. You may also contact POLI advising at poliadvisor@vcu.edu.
Political Science is also fortunate to have a dedicated librarian who can help
you find materials to use in your research (when needed). Reach her at:
slrodgers@vcu.edu or make an appointment at: https://vcu.libcal.com/appointment/8778
Assignments
& Grading
Assignments
for the course are divided into three categories: map quizzes, simulation
papers, and participation:
Map Quizzes will test
your knowledge of a region’s political geography - that is, the locations of
countries and key cities involved in the simulations featured in this course.
As there are three simulations, there are three mandatory map quizzes. Each is
open notes. Links to each quiz will be available under the Quizzes folder on
Canvas one week prior to their due dates (see the Course Schedule).
Simulation papers are
research papers that focus on your specific role in the simulation as well
as the issues you will discuss during the simulation. Use the paper
as a tool to prepare so that you have a sense of who you are in the simulation,
what you want to see happen, and how you plan to accomplish these goals. Each
paper is 5-6 pages in length (excluding cover sheets and bibliographies) - no
more, no less - and must be properly cited. They are due on the first day of
their respective simulation. Thoughtful, imaginative, and carefully researched
papers will receive the highest scores. (Additional instructions will be
provided in the simulation exercise packets under Modules on Canvas.)
There are three simulations
1.
China Taiwan
2.
European Parliament
3.
Iranian Nuclear Weapons and the JCPOA
Participation
involves your contributions to the simulations. Based upon the design of the
simulations, participation will principally involve (a) speeches to your group
or organization and/or (b) contributions to written documents, such as memos or
resolutions. Being consistently active will lead to the highest participation
scores.
Grade Distribution:
|
September 18 |
(averaged with other map quizzes for a total
of 5% of the class grade) |
|
|
September 25 |
20% |
|
|
China-Taiwan Simulation Participation Grade |
September 25 and October 2 |
10% |
|
Europe Map Quiz |
October 16 |
(averaged with other map quizzes for a total
of 5% of the class grade) |
|
Europe Simulation Paper |
October 23 |
20% |
|
Europe Simulation Participation Grade |
October 23, 30, and November 6 |
15% |
|
Middle East Map Quiz |
November 27 |
(averaged with other map quizzes for a total of
5% of the class grade) |
|
Iran Simulation Paper |
December 4 |
20% |
|
Iran Simulation Participation Grade |
December 4 and 11 |
10% |
The last day add/drop is August
28th, while the last day to withdraw or
select the pass/fail
option is October 27th.
China Taiwan Simulation
·
China-Taiwan Simulation
Paper Instructions
·
China
Taiwan Simulation Resources
(Governmental)
·
Simulation
Roles
(Assigned)
European Parliament Simulation
·
(DROI)
Subcommittee on Human Rights
·
Additional Resources and Links
o
Committee
on Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety
o
Committee
on Foreign Affairs
o
European
Commission – Copernicus
o
The
Political Groups of the European Parliament
o
European
Parliament Organization and Rules
o
EU Institutional
Style Guide
o
Timeline
EU Immigration and Asylum Policy
·
Climate Crisis Links
o
Connecting
the Dots Between Climate and Air Quality
o
A
Turning Point on Climate Change and Health
o
Managing
the Health Risks of Climate Change
o
The
Rise of Infectious Diseases
o
The
Green Transition and the Western Balkans
o
European
Parliament: Climate Change
o
WIRED:
The EU Just Kicked Off its Biggest Climate Experiment Yet
·
Migration Crisis Links
o
EURONEWS:
Southern Countries call for more robust migration deal
o
Vimont: Migration in Europe: Bridging the Solidarity Gap
o
2022
HAC Refugee and Migrant Crisis Europe
o
The
Human Cost of EU’s Response to the Refugee Crisis
o
Migration
Council: Council Agrees Mandate on EU Law dealing with Crisis Situations
o
How
the EU Manages Migration Flows
o
European
Parliament: Migration: A Common Challenge
o
Reuters:
Poland, Hungary Stand Alone in Opposing EU Migration Reform
Iranian Nuclear Weapons and the JCPOA
·
Iran
Backgrounder and Paper Assignment
·
Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action Text
o
Sunset
Clauses
(US
Institute
for
Peace)
o
Sunset
Clauses
(Foreign
Affairs)
Course Schedule: See
also Modules on the Canvas page
All readings for this
course are available for you free of charge through the links provided below.
The readings have also been uploaded to Canvas under Modules.
August 28th: Syllabus review & discussion of the
practice of simulations
·
China-Taiwan Paper and Simulation Super
Brief Intro PPT
September 4th:
*** No class; University Closed ***
September 11th: Concepts
of International Relations
·
IR
Theory and Great Power Rivalry PPT
·
Joyce P. Kaufman. Introduction to International
Relations: Theory and Practice (Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield,
2022): Readings also available on the Modules page of Canvas.
September 18th: China-Taiwan
Simulation Backgrounder
*** Asia Map Quiz Due. ***
September 25th: China-Taiwan Simulation, Week 1
*** China Taiwan
Simulation Paper Due: Bring a hard copy of
your paper to class. ***
Day
One Simulation Schedule and Goals
October 2nd: China-Taiwan
Simulation, Week 2
October 9th: Risk-a-thon
Play the board game, Risk,
and see how theory and strategy intersect.
October 16th: European
Parliament Simulation Backgrounder
*** Europe Map Quiz Due. ***
October 23rd: European
Parliament Simulation, Week 1
*** Simulation Paper Due: Upload a Microsoft Word
version of your paper to Canvas. ***
If you are scheduled to sit on the Committee on the
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, please read the following:
If you are scheduled to sit on the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, please read the following:
October 30th: European Parliament Simulation, Week 2
If you are scheduled to sit on the Committee on the
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, please read the following:
If you are scheduled to sit on the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, please read the following:
November 6th: European
Parliament Simulation, Week 3
If you are scheduled to sit on the Committee on the
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, please read the following:
If you are scheduled to sit on the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, please read the following:
November 13th: Pandemic
Play the board game, Pandemic, to simulate fighting
a global pandemic.
November 20th:
*** No class; University Closed ***
November 27th: Iran
Simulation Backgrounder
*** Middle East Map Quiz Due. ***
December 4th: Iran
Simulation, Week 1
*** Simulation Paper Due: Upload a Microsoft Word
version of your paper to Canvas. ***
December 11th: Iran
Simulation, Week 2
Honor
Code
All work completed for this course is subject to the Honor
Code, and violations are taken very seriously. In the event that you are
unfamiliar with the terms and conditions of the Honor Code, I suggest reading
the University’s regulations which may be easily downloaded in pdf format from https://policy.vcu.edu/universitywide-policies/ (listed
under “Honor System and Standards of Academic Conduct”). Of particular
importance is Section II which details “Academic Misconduct”. These include:
All violations will be immediately submitted to Student
Conduct and Academic Integrity, very likely resulting in penalties that far
outweigh the supposed benefits of any of the above infractions. Resist the
temptation to take short-cuts; and in the event that you are having trouble
with the materials you should absolutely seek out the first best resource for
help: your professors. Our doors are always open to your questions and
concerns.
Update: Class Policy on Artificial Intelligence Tools
(e.g., ChatGPT, OpenAI)
Students are expressly prohibited from using AI tools to
complete coursework such as by generating text/content that is passed off as
one’s own, or by answering exam questions. This is no different than violations
currently covered by the definitions of cheating and plagiarism noted above.
Additionally, misrepresenting AI contributions as a reflection or product of your
effort defeats the pedagogical objectives of this course. If you abdicate
responsibility for doing the work then you forego the chance to actually learn
something.
AI Tools FAQ
Does this mean that AI is completely out of bounds for use
during this course?
Not necessarily.
What use of AI tools is acceptable?
Based upon the course assignments, AI tools may be used
like you would use a search engine to identify sources for your blog entries.
Keep in mind, though, that every time you turn to an AI tool to complete a
task, you lose out on the chance to sharpen your own skills. Additionally, AI
tools are not perfect. Their errors become your own if you rely on them without
scrutinizing them.
What about using AI to summarize sources?
At this point, AI becomes an indirect contributor to
assignment content because summaries are a form of content-generation. Relying
on an AI summary is therefore equivalent to reading another author’s analysis
from a conventional source like an article or a book.
What should I do if I use an AI tool to summarize sources?
Like any contributing source, you would need to cite the
AI tool and treat the content the same way as you would if you were quoting
or paraphrasing. If you use the same words, then you need to put quotation
marks around the AI-generated content and cite it using the citation method
required by the course; if you put the selection into your own words, then you
only need to cite it.
How do I cite AI-generated content?
Standard citation methods have not really caught up with
AI-generated content. I’ve asked you to use parenthetical citations for this
course, so I recommend citing it like a personal communication:
(Name of AI tool, date of access)
Should I do anything else?
Yes. Please document your use of the AI tool, just like you
would for any source. Keep a copy with metadata (like date of access, name of
tool, etc.). Think of this like keeping your receipt after buying something at
the store.
And, because your use of AI cannot be cross-referenced
independently, you should submit a copy of your interaction as an
attachment/upload for the assignment. This latter step is quite important,
actually, because the point of citations is to give your reader the opportunity
to independently verify your use of the source. If your reader cannot track
down a copy of whatever you cited, then this is a big problem.
*** If you have any questions about whether you’re
following the Honor Code while using AI tools, please contact us. Though the
landscape is changing quickly, we should still make every effort to help you
accomplish your goals and play by the rules at the same time. ***