Langill Home
PLS 152
SMC Courses
Assignments/Web Links
Readings
Lecture Outlines
Suggested Paper Topics
Contact Information:
Office: Old Main 333
Phone: 360-438-4588
Office Hrs:
MWF 10-11; 1-2
TTR 9:30-11
By Appointment
email:
rlangill@stmartin.edu
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PLS 152
Global Issues
Saint Martin's University
COURSE SYLLABUS
Dr.
Richard L. Langill Fall,
2005
email: rlangill@stmartin.edu Office: Old Main 333
Office Hrs: MWF 8-9am and 10-11am TR
9:30-11
Office Hrs also by appointment
PURPOSE
OF THE COURSE
The
purpose of this course is to provide a critical understanding of
a range of global issues that confront the peoples of the world. The instructor does
not assume that you have any knowledge or background on these issues.
However, he does hope that you have some interest in
understanding the various dimensions of these issues as an informed
citizen.
The course will begin by analyzing the major issues of terrorism
and human rights. Then, we
will examine global ecological problems. global energy problems, and the
problems of world population, food, and world hunger. In the final section of the course we will
focus on nuclear issues including the problem of nuclear proliferation,
the North Korean nuclear program, and Bush policy on national missile defense.
FORMAT
OF THE COURSE
The
instructor proposes to run this course on a lecture/discussion basis. A
series of textbooks and reserve readings have been selected to highlight
various dimensions of US policy toward these problems. The instructor
will lecture on the background of these problems in class.
He expects that students will read these works BEFORE coming to
class so as to stimulate informed discussion of these problems.
The
instructor urges students to make an effort to keep up with current
political and international affairs by watching TV news programs and
reading at least one quality newspaper like the New York Times or
Washington Post. Both
of these newspapers are available on line for free though you must
register and obtain a password to obtain these on line.
The URL’s for these are
www.nytimes.com
and
www.washingtonpost.com.
These are really great sources of high quality information on
current world affairs.
The
instructor welcomes conflict and controversy, particularly in dealing
with alternative policy prescriptions.
Nobody has a monopoly on Truth except PRAVDA,
the former Soviet Communist Party newspaper, and since the demise of the
CPSU not even PRAVDA is sure of the truth in Russia today.
There are few final answers to any of the questions we will raise
in class. What students
should grasp after completing this course is that alternative policy
prescriptions usually flow from different value assumptions that
individuals have about politics.
The
instructor will make extensive use of public affairs programs that
deal with the issues under consideration. These programs
should not be viewed as entertainment. They are an integral part
of the course. The instructor expects that students will
take notes on these programs and be prepared to discuss the arguments
and themes raised by these programs in class. Material on these programs
will appear on examinations.
POLICY PAPER
Students will be required to write a 7-10 page policy paper on one of
the topics we will cover in class. The paper should follow the broad
outlines indicated below. The first section of the paper should define
the issue. What is the nature of the problem? Why is it important? What
are the dimensions of the problem? The second part of the paper should
explain current US foreign policy on the issue. This can be ascertained
by examination of presidential speeches, the speeches and policy
documents of the Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense or other
appropriate governmental officials. A good source for this section of
the paper is the State Department web page (www.state.gov). The final
section of the paper should provide a critical analysis of the issue.
What do you think that the US should do about the issue under
consideration? What do other authorities think US policy should be on
the issue.
A list of broad topics suitable
for your paper can be found at the following link:
Suggested Paper Topics.
Students may wish to research a
different topic with the consent of the instructor. A series of
web site links are also provided at the following site:
Assignments/Web
Links.
Paper topics must be selected by September 20th.
A preliminary
bibliography is due by October 18th.
Paper due November 29th
It is important that you use good academic sources for this research.
Journals like Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Congressional Quarterly
are excellent. Quality newspapers like the New York Times,
Washington Post, or Christian Science Monitor also provide good quality
material for your research. These maybe available through EBSCO,
Nexus-Lexus or other research databases in the SMC library. If you are
not familiar with these sources please talk to the instructor or the
reference librarian. Popular news magazines like TIME, Newsweek, etc.
are not acceptable sources for this research.
Grades for the paper will be based
on the quality and amount of research, quality of writing, and
attention of proper form. (The paper must have footnotes and a
bibliography) Any standard form (Turabian, MLA, etc.) is
acceptable.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism
is a serious academic offense punishable by a failing grade and in some
cases expulsion from the institution.
Do not even consider plagiarizing a paper.
If you are unsure
about what constitutes plagiarism, check the SMC College Catalog
or SMC Student Handbook.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance
is an essential part of this course. Students will be allowed 2
unexcused absences for any reason.
Beyond this limit, students will be penalized 5 points per class
missed. Excessive unexcused absences may result in failure in this
class. The instructor
reserves the right to use pop quizzes if attendance proves to be a
problem. Particular
problems should be discussed with the instructor.
PARTICIPATION
Evaluation
of class participation is based on a combination of attendance and your
willingness to raise questions and answer questions that are posed by
the instructor. There will
be several small out of class research projects that will count toward
your discussion grade. The
instructor will also attempt to have at least one extensive discussion
on each of the topics covered in class.
EVALUATION
Final grades will be
based on the following formula:
60%
Three Examinations worth 20% each. (Final is not
comprehensive.)
20% Class participation/discussion
20% Research Paper
100%
COURSE ACCOMMODATIONS
If you need course adaptations or
accommodations because of a disability, if you have medical or safety
concerns to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case
the building must be evacuated, please talk with me as soon as possible.
TEXTBOOKS:
(GI) Global Issues. The CQ Researcher.
2005 Edition CQ Press, 2005
(AEGI) Annual Editions: Global Issues, 05/06, Dushkin Press,
2006
| 10/11 |
FIRST EXAMINATION October 11th |
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| 10/18 |
Bibliography for Research Paper
Due |
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| 10/13-20 |
Global Ecological Problems (3) |
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Required
Reading: |
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(CQ)
Chpt 14, pgs 291-318 |
|
(AEGI) #'s 1, 7, 8, 9, 11, 43 |
|
|
| 10/25 - 11/3 |
Population, Health and Development (3) |
|
Required
Reading: |
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(CQ) Chpt 15 and 16
pgs. 319-340 and 341-359 |
|
(AEGI) #'s 5, 6, 35 |
| |
Required Web Reading: |
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The Misery Behind the Statistics:Women Suffer Most |
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In India and Africa, Women's Low Status Worsens
Their
Risk of AIDS |
|
|
| 11/8-15 |
World
Energy Problems (3) |
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Required
Reading: |
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(CQ) Chpt 7, pgs.
137-158 |
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(AEGI) #'s 8, 21, 22 |
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Last Gasp for
Gas? |
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| 11/17 |
SECOND
EXAMINATION November 17th |
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|
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Research Papers Due November 29th |
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FINAL EXAMINATION TUES 12/13 1pm |
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