PSCI 4335 380: International Politics

Course Objectives:  This course introduces students to the study of international relations.  International relations is the study of the interactions among the various actors that participate in international politics. The course begins with a historical overview of the international system and the rise and functions of the nation-state. We then examine various levels of analysis and theoretical approaches– Liberalism, Realism, and Constructivism–and discuss the nature of foreign policy  decision making. The remainder of the course then applies these concepts to issues such as war and peace, the politics of international economic relations, international organizations, ethnic conflict, the environment, human rights, and globalization.

At the end of this course students will be able to:

•  demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts in International Relations and the three major perspectives (Realism, Liberalism, and Constructivism [plus demonstrate some knowledge of the Marxist perspective--a 4th perspective]) and use them to analyze and evaluate issues in world politics.

•  demonstrate an understanding of the three levels of analysis (system, state and individual levels) to evaluate and analyze international events and issues.

•  demonstrate an understanding of the actors, issues and the tools they use to pursue their interests in the international arena.

•  demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate current and historical events and issues in international relations.

•  be able to define, analyze and evaluate how power affects the relations between international actors and structures their interactions and decision-making processes.

•   demonstrate an understanding of how to analyze and evaluate the interaction between politics and economy in the international arena.

This course is a fully online non-synchronous course.

How does the course work?

If you are planning to take this course you must be self-motivated.  Because there is no classroom to report to every other day it is all too easy to allow yourself to inadvertently fall behind and become discouraged.  Therefore, you should set aside a daily time when you can visit the course for at least a two-hour period as a part of your regular schedule.  At the beginning of the semester you will be assigned a user name and a password [your TAMIU student email account name and password].  You will need to keep these in a safe place, because they are required to log into the course in Blackboard.

1. The Calendar:  Please refer to the course calendar in Blackboard often.  It will show when [Module] Discussions are open for comment [they are required], when quizzes are open [4-day window], when exams are open [12 hour window], and when and if extra-credit lectures are available.
2. This course requires each student to log into the course's Blackboard site at least every day, but you can do this at any time you wish at any hour of the day or night (except for the times when the university computer or the Blackboard is being worked on).  Please remember (especially if you are a night person) that I may not actually be physically present when you log into the course!
3. You are expected to read the appropriate chapters in the textbook as you progress through the course.  Read each chapter thoroughly and read each chapter a minimum of three times.  Skim the chapter before you review each chapter's online presentation to get an idea about the subject matter about to be presented.  Then after you have reviewed the online presentation read the chapter more seriously and thoroughly, taking notes or at least highlighting.  Remember, that you will be responsible on exams for all the material in the chapter, even if the Blackboard presentation does not cover all the chapter's material.  Lastly, in preparation for the exam read the chapter(s) again
4. Discussions:   For about every other chapter/module I will initiate a class discussion based upon a subject of the respective chapter.  We will conduct these within the Blackboard Discussion Area.  Each student is required to read the on-going discussion about every week, and each student is required to contribute to each and every discussion. What should I contribute, you may be asking?  Add your own comments to the discussion, type out anything from a few sentences to a paragraph (this is all that's required -- you may do more).  Perhaps you read a similar article in another newspaper or magazine and want to tell the class how the information presented is different or the same.  Perhaps you read an editorial of political commentary on the subject--tell us about it. You will also need to read any other student's discussion response and make a two or three or more sentence comment in reaction to what they have posted. This also means that everyone should read all of the discussions, questions, comments, and responses.  Discussions are a graded component of the online course.  Each discussion is worth 1 point.
5. AI Policy: Students are allowed to utilize AI to do research and find information for their discussion posts and exam essays. You may not, however, use more than 20% of the information generated by AI in their responses. Turnitin can check for the proportion of AI content just as it does for plagiarism. Any response with more than 20% nonhuman content will not be accepted and given a zero.
6. We will have three exams during the course: two mid-term exams and a final exam.  You will take these online.  

Expectations of the Course

Students are expected to:

• Review the “Start Here” materials, but especially this Syllabus.
• Participate and contribute to all the Discussions.
• Review and follow the Course Calendar.
• Log-in at least every weekday, MTWH.
• Respond to Discussions by the corresponding deadline.
  • One initial discussion response to the prompt, plus two comments in response to other students’ discussion responses.
  • Responses are not required on the Meet and Greet Discussion nor for Texas News #5.
• Respond to Blackboard Message, if necessary, within 2 days.
• Take Quizzes and Exams by the corresponding deadlines.
• Exams require Respondus Lockdown Browser. Quizzes do not.

The professor will:

• Log-in to the course at least every class day.
• Respond to emails within two business days.
• Grade assignments within four days of the assignment deadline.

Announcements/Course Messages/Emails

Announcements will be posted as needed.  Please do not use TAMIU email, instead send and receive messages via Blackboard Message. 

Assignments and Assessment

Quizzes: there is a quiz for each chapter. You have two attempts for each quiz and only the highest grade will be recorded. Do each quiz twice.

Discussions: there are five discussion session in the course. you will need to write a response to the discussion prompt. These will normally be two to three paragraphs long. You will also need to read any other student's discussion response and make a two or three or more comment in reaction to what they have posted.

Exams: there will be three exams, two mid-term exams and a comprehensive final exam. The exams will include one essay each. The topics will be displayed at least five days prior to the exam essay's due date. In your three to four paragraph long essay, you should informally cite or list [at the end] at least two sources.
 

Course Communication Guidelines (Netiquette)

There are course expectations concerning etiquette or how we should treat each other online. We must consider these values as we communicate with one another. Visit Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ web page on Netiquette for further instruction.

Accommodations/Accessibility Policy

Texas A&M International University seeks to provide reasonable accommodation for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Director of Student Counseling and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodation. For more information, contact the online at Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS), via phone at 956.326.3086 or by visiting the staff at the Student Center, room 118. A link to the Disabilities Services for Students site has also been included under the "Resources" tab inside the course.

Student Support Resources

The University wishes to have all students succeed in their courses. To provide support to our students, an array of services in the areas of technology support, academic support, student support, and accessibility support may be found at the University. For more information, visit the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services page on University Resources and Support Services.

Computer/Technology Requirements

Minimum Technical Skills Expected

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Students in distance education should have knowledge of basic computer and Internet skills, as mentioned on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage. Additional skills required for this course include knowing how to use Turnitin. If you use an Apple computer, you need to change the word processor files to a .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .txt format. Turnitin cannot read Apple word processor files. For more information see: https://guides.turnitin.com/01_Manuals_and_Guides/Student_Guides/Turnitin_Classic_(Deprecated)/09_Submitting_a_Paper

Computer/Technology Requirements

When participating in distance education courses, it is vital to consider the technology involved in order to have a successful course. Online students will need regular access to a personal computer that runs on a broadband Internet connection.

It is recommended that you meet the technical requirements listed on the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Services’ webpage when using the learning management system (LMS) of the University.

Additional Software. You will need the following additional software: Microsoft PowerPoint for viewing lesson presentations and Microsoft Word for viewing course files and submitting assignments. TAMIU Students may access online versions of this software through their Dusty Office 365 account at https://dusty.tamiu.edu/. This site also provides students access to download the Microsoft suite for educational use. See instructions for downloading the Microsoft Office suite.

Note: Students if you do not own the required hardware, software or do not have access to internet, it will be more than highly challenging for you to make any progress in this class. However, my goal is to assist you to find solutions and guide you appropriately most of the required materials can either be found free of charge at TAMIU’s library, computer labs, and classrooms.  In addition, you may also purchase any of these items at any electronic store.

Learning Management System (Blackboard)

Students are provided with guides on how to use the Blackboard LMS. Guides may be available at http://www.tamiu.edu/distance/students/elearning-orientation.shtml or by contacting the eLearning team at elearning@tamiu.edu.

Technical Support Services

Because of the nature of distance education courses, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) computing and information services are vital to the success of online students. This webpage covers contact information for Distance Education Services (Blackboard Support), the OIT Help Desk, and E-mail support: Technical Support Services.

Respondus LockDown Browser

This course requires the use of Respondus Lockdown Browser. The above-mentioned fee pays for a whole academic year. I do not use Lockdown Monitor, as this is far too intrusive.

Watch this short video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser.  A student Quick Start Guide (PDF) is also available.

Download Instructions

Click the Student Support top-middle tab located in Blackboard. Locate the Download Respondus LockDown Browser module and click on the icon or link. You will be redirected to the information for Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor. Links to download the software for PC and Mac are listed Installing the Respondus LockDown Browser Download section. It is free to download and install the software (on its own). Note: computers in TAMIU computer labs already have this program.

Once Installed

• Open LockDown Browser
• Log into Blackboard Learn
• Navigate to the test and begin

Note: You won't be able to access tests with a standard web browser. If this is tried, an error message will indicate that the test requires the use of LockDown Browser. Simply start LockDown Browser and navigate back to the exam to continue.

Cost for Respondus Monitor

There is a $15 fee for the webcam feature that's used with LockDown Browser (sometimes referred to as Respondus Monitor). This course does not require Respondus Monitor. This is a one-time fee, valid for 12 months (365 days) for all courses or exams that use Respondus Monitor. You will be prompted to make the purchase the first time an exam requires the use of LockDown Browser's webcam feature. Payment can be made with PayPal, Visa or Mastercard.

To pay for Respondus Monitor:

1. Start Respondus LockDown Browser.
2. Navigate to your test.
3. Complete the set-up process, which includes a payment screen for entering credit card information.
4. Payment and entering credit card information is only necessary one-time per course.

Guidelines

When taking an online exam that requires LockDown Browser and a webcam, remember the following guidelines:

• Select a location where you won't be interrupted
• Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and also that you've allotted sufficient time to complete it
• Turn off all other devices (e.g. tablets, phones, second computers)
• Clear your area of all external materials — books, papers, other devices
• Remain at your computer for the duration of the test
• LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted.

Getting Help

Several resources are available if you encounter problems with Lockdown Browser:

• The Windows and Mac versions of Lockdown Browser have a "Help Center" button located on the toolbar. Use the "System & Network Check" to troubleshoot issues.

• If you have problems downloading, installing, or taking a test with Respondus Lockdown Browser, email the TAMIU eLearning Team at elearning@tamiu.edu.

Web Conferences

I will hold online office hours Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm, but simultaneously I will be present in my AIC 335 faculty office,

RUBRICS

Discussion Grading Rubrics

All discussions are worth a maximum of 10 points. Grades may fall between the scores listed below.

10 points: Student comment is on subject and fully answers the discussion prompt with an example and/or mention of the significance or importance for the study of Texas government. Student has also commented on two other students’ comments.

8 points: student comment is on subject and almost fully answers the discussion prompt but may lack an example and/or mention of the significance or importance for the study of Texas government. Student has also commented on another student's discission responses.

6 points: Student comment is on subject and answers the discussion prompt but incompletely and lacks an example and/or mention of the significance or importance for the study of Texas government. The student discussion post complies with the 8-point criteria, and the student did not comment on any other students’ posts.

4 points: Student comment is on subject but incompletely and uses poor grammar and spelling. Student has not also commented on any other student’ comments.

2 points: Student comment is present, but is off the subject or of extremely poor quality. Student has not also commented on any other student’ comments.

0 points: No attempt to respond.

Essay Exam Question Rubric

Exam essays should be at least 3 paragraphs, with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The essay should also informally cite two sources. The textbook is a valid source.

50 points:  Student correctly and thoroughly answer the essay prompt, provides an explanation of the significance for Texas state government and provides an example; and then explains. The student cites at least two sources; one of these may be the textbook [or perhaps ought to be the textbook].

40 points: Student correctly and thoroughly answer the essay prompt, provides an explanation of the significance for Texas state government and provides an example, but their explanation is not solid. The student cites at least one source, which may be the course textbook.

30 points: Student correctly answers the essay prompt but does not provide an example and/or mention of the significance or importance for the study of Texas government.  Or student does provide a valid example and/or mention of the significance or importance for the study of Texas government, but the essay response is incorrect. No references are cited.

20 points: Student makes a good faith effort, but more than ½ is missing. No references are cited.

0 points:  No attempt or response is wholly incorrect.

Late Work Policy

Late work will not usually be accepted, except under extraordinary circumstances.

Course Evaluation

At the end of this course, students are encouraged to complete a course evaluation that will be distributed to them via email and through a course link.

Accessibility and Privacy Statements on Course Technologies

At Texas A&M International University, we believe that all students should have equal technology opportunities in the classroom. These technologies/sites may also require user data, such as the creation of a username and password. You may find the accessibility and privacy policies of the technologies used in this class on the following pages: Accessibility Statements and Privacy Statements.

Syllabus Subject to Change

While information and assurances are provided in this course syllabus, it should be understood that content may change in keeping with new research and literature and that events beyond the control of the instructor could occur. Students will be informed of any substantive occurrences that will produce syllabus changes.

Special Note for Online Courses

This course is designed to present you with the same material as you would receive in a traditional class. Some students who have taken these courses before realize that all of the lecture material is online and that they can move ahead of the rest of the class. However, if you do not attend to the material at least once a week together with discussion participation, you will fall behind and it will be difficult if not impossible to catch up. Because you are not going to a lecture hall at a specified time, in your mind it will be easy to think that this course can be put to one side. Take it from someone who did poorly in self-paced courses as an undergrad for that very reason: resist this impulse.

Closing Notes to Students

Please remember the following:

• I am always happy to meet with students to discuss their concerns about the course, by appointment. I will be available for most of the semester.
• Student is totally responsible for keeping track of their grades. The course Blackboard page allows you to check you grades within the course. Don't worry, you and the professor are the only ones who can see your grades.  The Blackboard gradebook is sometimes messed up.  Ask if in doubt. It often makes you think you are doing much worse [or occasionally much better] than you really are. If there are questions about grades or other problems, it is the student's responsibility to politely let the professor know of these. 
• The procedures described in this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. Announcement in class or through the course’s Blackboard page is considered sufficient notice.
• There will be material on the tests that is not be covered in online lectures but is in the textbook.
• It is essential that you read each text carefully and thoroughly. This is a college course and much reading is required. I recommend you read the textbook three times. Skim the assigned chapter before class, then read it thoroughly after class, and last read it again when studying for the exam.
• I want you to do well. Please work hard and please read.
• GOOD LUCK! [but it’s not really mostly luck]