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                                                                                             SCCC 334Q

                                                     GLOBALIZATION AND AMERICA’S ROLE IN THE WORLD

 

 

Fall 2003                                                                                                                                                                     Jerel A. Rosati

Tuesday/Thursday 11:00-12:15 pm                                                                                                                       Gambrell 420

                                                                                                                                                                                     Rosati@sc.edu

 

 

                Please read the syllabus carefully for I have given great thought to the development of this course. 

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

 

                Students in this honors course will interact with similar honors courses under the supervision of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) and will include participation in online deliberations with students around the country and from several participating schools abroad.  Hopefully, this will allow students to be exposed to a much greater diversity of voices (information on this is available at www.teachingdemocracy.org, click on Students and the World; see also www.nif.org).

 

                The first half of the course is on the dominant forces of globalization, and their positive and negative effects on world politics, America's role in the world, and everyday human life.  We will juxtapose a conventional western/american view (represented by the Friedman book) with an alternative global developing view (represented by the Harrison book).  We will also use a short third book to place these two major views in perspective and update the debate and the dynamics of globalization.

 

                The second half of the course will focus on America's role in the world given the global context and differing global futures.  It will describe, juxtapose, and discuss differing views of how the United States is operating in the twenty-first century and how it should operate in the future.

 

                The course focuses not only on acquiring knowledge and understanding of the world historically and in the present, but into the twenty-first century.  Students will be exposed to a wide-range of knowledge and thought that will result in a broad understanding of world politics and America’s role in the world.  Another purpose is to help the student sharpen their "skills" as a critical thinker, an analyst, and an effective communicator. 

 

                Hopefully, this course will illustrate how important it is to remain aware of what is happening throughout the world and encourage you to be a more vigilant and active global citizen.  It is hoped that by the end of the semester you will find the course to be informative, interesting and enjoyable.

 

 

REQUIREMENTS

 

 

                Students will be evaluated through class participation, written essays and a final examination.  The intent behind these requirements is to have you study and think about the course material throughout the semester--to provide you with numerous opportunities to demonstrate the knowledge you have acquired and to get feedback--in order to maximize your ability to learn and grow as a student.

 

                THERE IS LOTS OF READING SINCE THIS IS A UNIVERSITY AND AN HONORS CLASS.  I EXPECT YOU TO DO ALL THE READING IN A TIMELY FASHION.

 

                1.  Class Participation (20%).  In order to get the most out of class, you must be prepared when you come to class.  Students are expected to complete the readings prior to class meetings and to come to class ready to discuss them.  You are also expected to keep abreast of current international issues.

                You may also be asked to complete very short exercises, usually written, in class and out of class revolving around communicating an understanding of the readings.  SHOULD YOU MISS A CLASS, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LEARNING WHAT WENT ON IN CLASS FROM YOUR CLASSMATES.

                Please come to class on time, and should you be late please sit in the rear and do not disturb your classmates and the class.

 

                2.  Written Assignments (20% each).  You must complete four essays.  All assignments are to be completed on time.  Late assignments will have to meet higher expectations.  Further information about the written essays is provided at the end of the syllabus. 

 

                3. Final Examination (optional).

 

                Missing an assignment or examination.  If you cannot fulfill a requirement by the due date, as a matter of courtesy I expect that you will contact me (or the GINT office, 7-3109) WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE DUE DATE and provide a legitimate explanation (e.g., medical illness) with evidence eventually provided.  Assignments which are allowed to be completed after the due date will be expected to meet higher standards given the additional time granted. 

 

                I am treating each of you as a  RESPONSIBLE YOUNG ADULT now that you are in college.  Therefore, I expect you to act responsibly and with simple courtesy.

 

 

GRADES

 

 

                Your grade will be based, not on how well you do compared to others in the class, but on my assessment of your quality of substantive knowledge, quality of analysis, and effective communication demonstrated--in other words, the level of understanding demonstrated.  That is, an  A (average of 90-100) represents "excellent" understanding, a B+ (87-89) represent "very good" understanding, a B (80-86) represents "good" understanding, a C+ (77-79) represents "satisfactory yet promising" understanding, a C (70-76) represents "satisfactory" understanding, a D+ (67-69) represents "poor" understanding; a D (60-66) represents "very poor" understanding, and an F (below 60) represents an "appalling" level of understanding.  Therefore, you should work together and help each other out.

 

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

 

 

                The University of South Carolina, like all institutions of higher education, is fundamentally dependent upon the maintenance of proper standards of honesty.  Maintenance of those standards is the responsibility of every member of this academic community--students, instructors, and staff alike.  When confronted with clear evidence of academic dishonesty, I will respond vigorously.  SUCH IMPROPRIETY IN THIS CLASS WILL RESULT IN AN F FOR THE COURSE.

 

 

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY AND STRATEGY

 

 

                THERE IS LOTS OF READING SINCE THIS IS A UNIVERSITY AND AN HONORS CLASS.  I EXPECT YOU TO DO ALL THE READING IN A TIMELY FASHION.

 

                The class will be structured around what I call a class dialogue in which information, knowledge, and thought will be generated through lecture/background, discussion, and, in particular, the Socratic method.  I will often play the role of provocateur and advocate to stimulate participation.  The class dialogue emphasizes the importance of student participation and active learning as a means to improve one's skills, interest, information, knowledge, and, ultimately, understanding.  In essence, class discussions will consist of an active exchange between the student and professor.  When deemed necessary, background will be provided for some of the more difficult material and to provide appropriate context.

 

                The class is organized around the required readings.  I expect every student to come to class prepared and particpate.  Every student should be able to summarize and analyze each assigned reading and place it in perspective relative to the rest of the course material.  Students also are encouraged to offer comments or questions which contribute to class discussions on a regular basis.

 

                Again, please come to class on time and be courteous at all times. 

 

 

NATURE OF THE COURSE

 

 

                One ultimate purpose of higher education and the offering of this course is to broaden your knowledge and understanding about the world around you--to learn about things that you probably don't know much about and to think about things that you haven't given much thought to.  At the same time, I recognize that many individuals hold strong beliefs and feelings about things that involve the world and, in particular, the United States--often based more on faith and emotion rather than substantive knowledge.  Therefore, some of the material in this course may be controversial and will challenge you to think about many beliefs and assumptions you hold (and have rarely examined).

 

                Your role is to act as student, social scientist, or policy analyst, not policymaker, activist, or true believer.  The purpose of the class is to better understand the contemporary nature of world politics, regardless of what your feelings and opinions are about that reality.  Learning and understanding are to be accomplished through the accumulation of information and knowledge and reliance on an open and critical mind.

 

                Hopefully, this course will increase your knowledge by having you acquire:

                   i) lots of information,

                   ii) appreciate the complexity and contradictions of reality,

                   iii) recognize patterns and make generatizations supported by evidence, and

                   iv) recognize and think about different views (including my view which I will provide).

These are the building blocks to knowledge and understanding.

 

 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR (should you be interested)

 

 

                Jerel Rosati is a Professor of political science and international studies and has been a member of the Department of Government and International Studies at Carolina since 1982.  He has a great love of knowledge and learning about the world and human affairs.  His intellectual interests range from American politics and history, United States foreign policy, the Vietnam War and the sixties to the dynamics of world politics and global change, the nature of human interaction, and political psychology.  His area of specialization is the theory and practice of foreign policy, focusing on the United States policymaking process, decision-making theory, and the political psychological study of human cognition.  He has been awarded the Outstanding Professor of the Year in the Humanities and Social Sciences by the South Carolina (Honors) College, the Outstanding Teacher in International Studies in the Department of Government & International Studies, Excellence in Teaching by the University of South Carolina Alpha Chapter of the Mortar Board Honor Society, and Outstanding Teacher in Political Science by the American Political Science Association and Pi Sigma Alpha (The National Political Science Honor Society).  In addition to the usual undergraduate and graduate students, he has also been awarded, and participated in, a number of instructional grants at the state and federal level (usually through the U.S. Department of State) as Academic Director, Field Director, and/or Project Director where he has taught students and scholars from all over the world, including Bulgarians, Chinese, Israelis and Palestinians, Somalis, Master’s of International Business students, and high school teachers. In 2002 he was the Program Director and Academic Director of a U.S. Department of State Fulbright American Studies Institute on U.S. Foreign Policy for 18 scholars-practitioners from all over the world.  He has been a Visiting Professor at Somalia National University in Mogadishu and Visiting Scholar at China’s Foreign Affairs College in Beijing. He is the author of over forty articles and chapters, as well as five books including The Carter Administration's Quest for Global Community: Beliefs and Their Impact on Behavior, The Politics of United States Foreign Policy (3^rd edition and translated in Mandarin Chinese), The Power of Human Needs in World Society, Foreign Policy Restructuring: How Governments Respond to Global Change, and Readings in the Politics of U.S. Foreign Policy.  He also has been a Research Associate in the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division of the Library of Congress's Congressional Research Service, President of the International Studies Association's Foreign Policy Analysis Section, and President of the Southern region of the International Studies Association.  He is happily married and the father of three children (and a fourth step-daughter, one cat, and one dog) and enjoys travel, athletics, music, reading, good company, and relaxing.  He came of age during the early seventies as an undergraduate at U.C.L.A when the events surrounding the Vietnam War and Watergate reached a crescendo, which had a profound impact on his intellectual and personal development to the present day.

 

 

CONTACTING ME AND INTERACTING

 

 

                Please feel free to come see me during my office hours or any other time I am free.  Afternoons, especially on  Tuesday and Thursday, are a particularly good time.  If you have any questions or complications that I should be aware, feel free to contact me.

 

                The best way to contact me is probably through email.  My email address is:  rosati@sc.edu.  I am good about checking my email and responding throughout the workweek.  I am much less likely to check my email during the weekend.

 

                Please check your emails, for I may send you articles and updates on the class.

 

               

                                                                                                  *    *    *

 

                THIS SYLLABUS REFLECTS THE EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS YOU MUST FULFILL.  I EXPECT YOU TO TAKE THE COURSE SERIOUSLY AND WORK AS HARD AS I DO--WHICH IS, AFTERALL, THE KEY TO LEARNING AND INTELLECTUAL GROWTH.

 

 

REQUIRED BOOKS

 

 

 

                THERE IS LOTS OF READING SINCE THIS IS A UNIVERSITY AND AN HONORS CLASS.  I EXPECT YOU TO DO ALL THE READING IN A TIMELY FASHION.

 

Thomas L. Friedman, The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2000)

 

                Paul Harrison, Inside the Third World (third edition, Penguin, 1993)

                Manfred B. Steger, Globalism: The New Market Ideology (Rowman & Littlefield, 2002)

 

                By the People: America’s Role in the World (Kendall/Hunt, 2003)

 

                Foreign Affairs reader, America and the World: Debating the New Shape of International Politics (W.W. Norton, 2002)

 

                Joseph S. Nye, The Paradox of American Power: Why the World’s Only Superpower Can’t Go It Alone (Oxford University Press, 2002)

 

                Michael Hirsh, At War With Ourselves: Why America is Squandering Its Chance to Build a Better World (Oxford University Press, 2003)

 

                Torbjorn L. Knutsen, The Rise and Decline of World Orders (Manchester University Press, 1999)

 

                Emailed articles.  I will also periodically send you a brief article on a contemporary issue to read via email.

 

                The books should be available at the University Russell House bookstore, as well as the two off-campus bookstores on Main Street.  If no books are at the stores, you can purchase them online at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com, as well as other websites.

 

                The readings are intended to be accessible and diverse so as to improve your ability to acquire an understanding of the dynamics of world politics and its real-world relevance.  The required readings for each class are specified under Course Topics and Readings below.

 

 

                Contemporary Affairs.  It is also expected that you will follow contemporary affairs through the media during this semester more than you might normally be accustomed.  Paying attention to the international news--such as reading the newspaper, watching network television, and listening to National Public Radio--is strongly encouraged.  You should also try to familiarize yourself with the litany of magazines and journals which present a host of intellectual, opinion, and policy positions.  Such journals can be found in the Thomas Cooper Library, the Richland County Public Library on Assembly Street, and bookstores like Barnes and Noble. 

 

                Suggested media  sources, predominantly American, for following contemporary affairs.  All the sources below can also be found on the web.  Remember, this is just a recommended sampling of media sources.  There are plenty more American media sources, and lots of quality sources beyond the United States–which is particularly important for becoming informed about world politics. 

                *    = best sources for American and international news

                **  = best sources for international news in general

                *** = best sources for alternative and diverse news and sources

 

                TV:                         

                  National News (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN)

                  The News with Brian Williams (MSNBC, CNBC), M-F, 9:00-10:00 and 10:00-11:00 pm

                  Nightline (ABC), M-F 11:30-12:00 pm

                 *The News Hour with Jim Lehrer  (PBS), M-F 6:00-7:00 pm

                  This Week with Sam Donaldson & Cokie Roberts (ABC), Sunday 10:30-11:30 am

                  Face the Nation (CBS), Sunday 12:00-12:30 pm

                  Meet the Press (NBC), Sunday 9:00-10:00 am

                 *60 Minutes and 60 Minutes II (CBS), Sunday 7:00-8:00 pm and Wednesday 9:00-10:00pm

                 *Frontline (PBS), Tuesday 10:00-11:00 pm

                  CSPAN

                  MSNBC and CNBC (at night)

                 

                Radio:                   

                 *Morning Edition (NPR), M-F 6:00-8:00 am

                 *All Things Considered (NPR), M-F 4:00-6:00 pm

                  Weekend Edition (NPR), Sat 8:00-10:00 am; Sun 9:00-11:00 am

                **The World (NPR), M-F 3:00-4:00 pm

                **BBC News

 

                Newspapers:

                 *New York Times (www.nytimes.com)

                 *Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com)

                **Christian Science Monitor (www.csmonitor.com)

                **International Herald Tribune (www.int.com)

                  Wall Street Journal

                               

                Newsweeklies:

                  In These Times

                  Newsweek

                  Time

                  U.S. News and World Report

                **The Economist (www.economist.com)

                **World Press Review  (www.worldpress.org )

 

                Intellectual/Opinion journals:           

                  American Prospect

                  Atlantic Monthly

                  Commentary

                  Chronicles

                  Dissent

                  Nation

                  National Review

                  New Republic

                  New York Review of Books

                  Progressive

                  Reason

                  Utne Reader

                  Z Magazine

 

                Policy journals:

                **Foreign Policy (www.foreignpolicy.com)

                **Foreign Affairs (www.foreignaffairs.org)

                  International Security

                  National Interest

                  Orbis

                **World Policy Journal (www.worldpolicy.org/journal)

                  Department of State Bulletin

 

***SELECTIVE RECOMMENDED WEBSITES.   

 

In addition to perusing the New York Times, Washington Post, The Economist, BBC News, Newsweek, The New Republic, Foreign Policy magazine, and more, these are my favorite sites that uniquely SYNTHESIZE news, information, and opinion from a variety of mainstream and alternative sources: 

 

alternet.org 
http://www.alternet.org/

 

democracy now
http://www.democracynow.org/

moving ideas
http://www.movingideas.org

buzzflash
http://www.buzzflash.com/

 

common dreams news center
http://www.commondreams.org/

 

Good cites for lots of LINKS from a variety of organizational and ideological perspectives (in addition to some of the above):

 

The new york times politics navigator

http://www.nytimes.com/library/politics/polpoints.html

 

the progressive review
http://prorev.com/links.htm

 

people for the american way
http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/

turn left: the home of liberalism
http://www.cjnetworks.com/~cubsfan/liberal.html

 

 

Good sites for links to mainstream and alternative MEDIA AND NEWS SOURCES (OR ORGANIZAATIONS) from around the United States and throughout the world::

 

newslink 

http://newslink.org

american journalism review

http://www.ajr.org/

 

 

                Other programs, magazines, and literature are available, as well as fictional accounts (e.g., novels, movies) with important political messages. 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                          COURSE TOPICS AND READINGS

 

 

THERE IS LOTS OF READING SINCE THIS IS A UNIVERSITY AND AN HONORS CLASS.  I EXPECT YOU TO DO ALL THE READING IN A TIMELY FASHION.

 

                                           [If you miss a class, you are responsible for contacting a classmate

                                                             to find out the reading and class assignments.]

 

                                       [Please bring the required readings with you to class for each session.]

 

                HELPFUL INFORMATION:

                – Each numerical topic below refers to one class session and lists the required (and recommended, if any) readings for that session

                – Read and be able to summarize the required readings

– Recommended readings are just that: recommended if you would like additional information and knowledge

– We will often begin the class or integrate within the class contemporary issues and the contemporary articles I email you.  Remember: you are responsible for staying abreast of contemporary affairs.

                – For articles sent by email, print them out, read, and save.

                – PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR ARTICLES AND UPDATES ON THE CLASS

 

 

COURSE INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

 

1. Introduction and Overview (Aug 21)

Read over syllabus closely; come to next class with any questions.

 

                FIRST MANDATORY EMAIL/INFORMATION ASSIGNMENT.  Due by Friday, August 22. Email me the following information as a list in the following numerical order (you cannot get a passing grade unless you fulfill this assignment):

                Put as your Subject heading: SCC334q email assignment

                   1)  name (as registered)

                   2)  social security #

                   3)  phone numbers (home; work; cell; other)

   4)  email address [I HIGHLY RECOMMEND AVOIDING HOTMAIL GIVEN ALL ITS PROBLEM]

                   5)  major

                   6)  class (e.g., freshman)

                   7)  have you taken or are you enrolled in university 101?

                   8)  career goal?

                   9)  do you work during school?  hours per week? what do you do?

                  10) home town (raised most of life)?

                  11) where have you traveled to outside the U.S.?  If not outside the U.S., then outside the southeast?

                  12) have you taken me for a course before?  if yes, what and when?

                  13) name three good/favorite movies you have seen this year?

                  14) name a novel that you voluntarily read this year (and preferably liked)?

                  15) name a non-fiction book that you voluntarily read this year (and preferably liked)?

                  16) what’s your favorite hobby?

 

CONTEMPORARY GLOBALIZATION

 

2. The Conventional Western-American Liberal View (Aug 26)

read Friedman, foreword, opening scene, parts I and II

 

3. The Conventional Western-American Liberal View Continued (Aug 28)

read Friedman, foreword, opening scene, parts III and IV

 

4. An Alternative Developing Global View (Sept 2)

read Harrison, preface, parts I-III

 

5. An Alternative Developing Global View Continued (Sept 4)

read Harrison, parts IV and V, epilogue

read Helen Epstein, “Time of Indifference,” New York Review of Books (April 12, 2001), pp. 33-38 [article will be emailed to you]

               

6. Placing Globalization in Perspective (Sept 9)

read Steger, preface, chapters 1-3

 

 

7. Placing Globalization in Perspective Continued (Sept 11)

read Steger, chapters 4-6

 

ESSAY # 1 DUE.  IN NO MORE THAN TWO PAGES, PROVIDE THE BASIC ARGUMENT AND BRIEF  SUMMARY OF FRIEDMAN AND HARRISON.  HOW DO THEY FIT IN STEGER’S FRAMEWORK?  HOW WOULD HE ANALYZE AND ASSESS THEM RELATIVE TO THE GLOBALIZATION LITERATURE? 

 

8. Basic American Approaches to the World (Sept 16)

read By the People, all

read Jerel Rosati and John Creed, "Extending the Three-Headed and Four-Headed Eagles: The Foreign Policy Orientations of American Elites During the Eighties and Nineties,"  Political Psychology 18 (September), pp. 583-623 [and possibly the update from Jerel Rosati, The Politics of United States Foreign Policy (Harcourt Brace, 2004)]

 

MORE PERSPECTIVES AND DEBATES

 

9. The End of History  (Sept 18)

read Foreign Affairs, Rose, Fukuyama, Hungtington

 

10. The Clash of Civilizations (Sept 23)

read Foreign Affairs, Hungtington, Ajami,

                                                                                                                                                               

11. The Coming Anarchy? (Sept 25)

read Foreign Affairs, Kaplin, Ikenperry

 

12, 13. Reading Week (Sept 30, Oct 2)

 

14. Liberalism and Democracy (Oct 79)

read Foreign Affairs, Zakaria, Plattner

 

15. Liberalism and Capitalism? (Oct  9)

read Foreign Affairs, Rodrik, Dollar & Kraay

 

16. Fall Break (Oct 14)

 

17. The West, Love and Hate, Islam, Terrorism (Oct 16)

read Foreign Affairs, Zakaria, Doran, Boroumand and Boroumand, Walt

               

ESSAY #2 DUE.  IN NO MORE THAN TWO PAGES, USE THE REQUIRED READINGS TO ADDRESS “WHY DO THEY HATE US?”  WHO; TO WHAT EXTENT, AND WHY? 

 

DEBATING AMERICA’S ROLE IN THE WORLD?

 

18. Competing Perspectives (Oct 21)

read Foreign Affairs, Kupchan, Kagan, Brooks & Wohlforth

 

19. Competing Perspectives Continued (Oct 23)

read Foreign Affairs, Betts, Bush, Ikenberry

 

20. The Paradox of American Power (Oct 28)

read Nye, preface, chapters 1-3

 

21. The Paradox of American Power (Oct 30)

read Nye, chapters 4-5

 

22. The Future of America, Empire, and the World (Nov 4)

read Hirsh, preface, introduction, chapter 1

 

23. The Future of America, Empire, and the World (Nov 6)

read Hirsh, chapters 2-3

                                                                                               

24. The Future of America, Empire, and the World Continued (Nov 11)

read Hirsh, chapters 4 and 5

 

25. The Future of America, Empire, and the World Continued (Nov 13)

read Hirsh, chapters 6 and 7, conclusion

 

ESSAY #3 DUE.  IN NO MORE THAN THREE PAGES, USE THE REQUIRED READINGS TO ADDRESS “WHAT SHOULD BE AMERICA’S FUTURE ROLE IN THE WORLD?”  WHICH AUTHOR MAKES THE STRONGEST ARGUMENT?  WHICH AUTHOR MAKES THE WEAKEST ARGUMENT?  EXPLAIN. 

 

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE AND SYNTHESIS

 

26. The Rise and Decline of World Orders (Nov 18)

read Knutsen, introduction, chapters 1-3

 

27. The Rise and Decline of World Orders (Nov 20)

read Knutsen, introduction, chapters 4 and 5

 

28. The Rise and Decline of World Orders (Nov 25)

read Knutsen, chapters 6 and 7

 

29. Thanksgiving (Nov 27)

 

30. The Rise and Decline of World Orders Continueed (Dec 2)

read Knutsen, chapters 8 and 9, epilogue

 

31. Wrap-Up (Dec 4))

 

ESSAY #4 DUE.  IN NO MORE THAN FOUR PAGES, PROVIDE THE BASIC ARGUMENT AND A SUMMARY OF KNUTSEN.  GIVEN ALL THE READINGS WE HAVE COVERED, WHAT IS THE LIKELY  FUTURE OF GLOBALIZATION AND THE WORLD?  WHAT IS AMERICA’S LIKELY FUTURE ROLE IN THAT WORLD?  WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN BE DONE?  EXPLAIN. 

 

                FINAL EXAMINATION (optional)