PSPA 251-01: INTRODUCTION TO WORLD POLITICS

Fall 2005

Instructor: Dr. Kevin S. Freeman                                                                                                                        Class Hours: TR 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

Office: Dial 247                                                                                                                                                   Office Hours: MWF 10:00 -11:30 AM

Phone: 521-6447                                                                                                                                                        Email: kevin.freeman@uncp.edu

Course Description: The purpose of this course is to give the student a basic understanding of the international system in which we live.  Although the class focuses on politics, one will soon learn that international relations is a combination of political, historical, economic, and sociological factors.  We will also come to the realization that world politics is not static—its rules are always changing.

The format for class meetings will consist of lectures and opportunities for discussion and debate. The instructor will make every effort to relate course concepts to the developments taking place in current events.  Class discussion, of course, is encouraged.

Course Objectives:

1.       To analyze how international relations and world politics has developed and changed over time

2.       To discuss the various ways the international system can be analyzed

3.       To analyze the methods, both violent and nonviolent, that international actors deal with one another

Text:  There is one required text for this course: World Politics: Trend and Transformation (10th^d ed) by Charles W. Kegley, Jr. and Eugene Wittkopf.  I reserve the right to assign additional readings as necessary.  This course will be much more enjoyable (and informative) for both you and your instructor if you are prepared for class discussion. (Remember: a happy instructor is a nice instructor!) 

Attendance: Attendance is expected in this class.  I will be passing a sign-in sheet around that each of you will sign each day.  If you do not sign the sheet, I will count you as absent for the day.  It will be very difficult to make a decent grade in this class without regular attendance--many of the test questions will be directly from lecture material and may not necessarily be found in your text.  Legitimate excused absences will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Students with Disabilities: Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the instructor, as early in the semester as possible.  All discussions will remain confidential.  Please contact DSS at 5421-6695.  This syllabus is also available in alternative formats upon request.  Please call the aforementioned number if you desire this.

Grading: There will be two tests—a midterm and a final exam—during the semester.  The tests will be a collection of short answer and essay questions.  The final exam will NOT be comprehensive.  In addition, we will have five short in-class quizzes, consisting of multiple choice questions.  I will drop the lowest of your quiz grades when calculating your final grade.  We also will take seven map quizzes throughout the semester, the lowest graded of which I will also drop.  It is imperative that you can identify places around the world in a class in International Relations!  The final exam is scheduled for Thursday, December 8 at 11:00 AM!

Midterm …………………………………………………….................................................................……………...……………………………………..100 points

Final Exam………...…………………………………………………………..…....................................................................……………………………100 points

4 Quizzes (30 points each) ………………………………………………………………....................................................................………………….120 points

6 Map Quizzes (10 points each) ……………………………………………………....................................................................………………………..60 points

Attendance……………..………………………………………………..……………....................................................................………………………...20 points

TOTAL ………………………………………………………………………………....................................................................……………..…………400 points

Grading Scale: 372-400=A; 360-371=A-; 348-359=B+; 332-347=B; 320-331=B-; 308-319=C+; 292-307=C; 280-291=C-; 268-279=D+; 252-267=D; 240-251=D-; < 240=F.

Make-up Policy: There will be no make-ups in this course.  If, for whatever reason, you should miss the midterm examination, the final exam will be counted at 85% in replacing that missing score.  No replacement grade will be given for the final exam.  The only exception to this will be for students with OFFICIAL scheduled university activities, and arrangements must be made to do such graded work BEFORE the scheduled date.

Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty of any variety will not be tolerated.  Any instance coming to the attention of the instructor will result in the assignment of an “F” grade for the course, and notification of appropriate Deans.

Disclaimer: We all know how boring long, droning lectures can be.  Teachers can learn a few things from class discussion, too.  But above all, I want this class to be both FUN and INTERESTING for all of us!

The Final Examination for this Class is scheduled for Thursday, December 8, at 11:00 AM!  Don’t be late!

In addition, the five quizzes are tentatively scheduled for the following dates:

September 13, October 4, October 25, November 15, and December 1

Finally, the seven map quizzes are scheduled for the following dates:

August 30: Western Europe

September 15: Latin America

September 29: Eastern Europe/Former USSR

October 20: Middle East

November 3: Northern Africa

November 17: Southern Africa

November 29: Asia and the Pacific