POLI 101
CONTROVERSIES IN WORLD POLITICS:
GLOBALIZATION AND AMERICA’S ROLE IN THE WORLD
Spring 2005
MWF 12:20-1:10 PM
Gambrell Hall 151
Jerel Rosati
Department of Political Sciene
Gambrell Hall 420
777-2981(777-3109, main office)
Rosati@sc.edu (Email)
http://www.cla.sc.edu/poli/faculty/rosati/index.htm (Rosati website)
http://www.cla.sc.edu/poli/faculty/rosati/undergrad.htm (Course website)
http://www.cla.sc.edu/poli/faculty/rosati/tothepoint.htm (To The Point: Rosati’s Newsouce website)
Please read the syllabus carefully for I have given great thought to the development of this course. The syllabus and much of the information related to the course can be found on the website above.
COURSE OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES
The first two-thirds of the course emphasizes 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).
The latter part of the course will focus on America's role in the world given the global context and differing global futures revolving around one book. It will describe, juxtapose, and discuss differing views of how the United States should and could operate in the twenty-first century, including in light of September 11 and the Iraq War..
The course focuses not only on acquiring knowledge and understanding of the “contemporary” world, but provides historical context and tries to allow one to look into the twenty-first century. Some of the many issues and controversies that will be studied include the implications of the collapse of the cold war, the nature of war and conflict, the workings of the world economy, the impact of science and technology, the dynamics of stability and change, the condition of the global environment, the role of culture and ideology, the process of human development, the future of democracy and global society. Through readings, lectures, and discussion, students will be exposed to a wide-range of knowledge and competing views that will result in a broad understanding of world politics and its impact on everyday human life. 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. If you like to learn you should particularly like this class.
REQUIREMENTS
Students will be evaluated through class participation, short exercises, and multiple examinations. 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.
1. Class Attendance/Participation/Exercises (100 points). 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 and be prepared to discuss them, especially relative to the topics of the course. I expect everyone to participate actively in the discussion of the day. Attendance affects your participation grade; excessive absences will result in a lower grade.
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. Three exams and a final exam (300 points each). There will be 4 exams. You get to drop your lowest grade from the first 3 exams. THE FINAL EXAM MUST BE TAKEN. There are no make-ups.
Each exam will be cumulative and consist of a variety of questions about the readings and current issues. Your responses should demonstrate your mastery of the information and concepts provided in the assigned readings as well as the ideas generated in class discussions.
Missing an assignment or examination. DO NOT MISS AN EXAM or an assignment. THERE ARE NO MAKE-UPS. A GRADE OF F AND 0 POINTS WILL BE GIVEN.
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
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 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. Obviously, the larger the class (like this class), the more challenging it will be to have active learning.
The class is organized around the required readings. I expect every student to come to class prepared and participate. 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 by addressing the following questions:
1. What is the author's purpose?
2. What is the basic theme(s) or argument(s) of the reading?
3. What are the most important historical events, information, concepts, etc., discussed in the reading?
4. How does this reading relate to the other readings, the central themes & topics of the course, and contemporary politics?
5. How powerful or weak is the argument and the evidence? Why?
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, bring the required reading 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 help “open” your mind and 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) become aware and think about various views or perspectives (including my view which I will provide)–many of which will differ from your own.
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 enjoys learning in general. 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 (which was renewed in 2003 and 2004 under the Walker Institute for International Affairs). 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 (3rd 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. His father had duo-citizenship (American and Italian), and fought in World War II (on the allied side); His mother was born and raised in Florence, Italy and came to the United States as a war bride. 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. Late mornings and afternoons, especially on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 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 to drop by or 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 REGULARLY, FOR I WILL BE SENDING YOU UPDATES, REMINDERS, AND ARTICLES FOR 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 READING
The course revolves around the readings. I EXPECT YOU TO DO ALL THE READING IN A TIMELY FASHION. The readings are intended to be accessible and diverse so as to improve your ability to acquire an understanding of the dynamics of politics and its real-world relevance. The required readings for each week are specified under Course Topics and Readings below.
The books should be available at the University Russell House bookstore and the two off-campus bookstores on Main Street. If no books are at the stores, be “proactive”–inquire if and when they will come in. You can always purchase them online (at www.barnesandnoble.com, www.amazon.com., www.powells.com, or www.abebooks.com, as well as other websites), or through the telephone. If you’re still having problems, notify (email) me as soon as possible.
1. Thomas L. Friedman, The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2000)
2. Paul Harrison, Inside the Third World (third edition, Penguin, 1993). Most of these books will be arriving in a few weeks at the South Carolina Bookstore on Main St. and Green St.
3. World Bank Atlas (2003 or 2004). Different bookstores ordered different editions. Once I know which edition everybody has, I will make the corresponding changes in the Course Topics and Readings below .
4. Michael Hirsh, At War With Ourselves: Why America is Squandering Its Chance to Build a Better World (Oxford University Press, 2003),
5. FREE emailed and/or web articles. Additional required readings will be emailed to you and/or available on my course website, focusing on contemporary affairs and the Bush Administration. PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL REGULARLY FOR I WILL BE SENDING YOU ARTICLES, REMINDERS, AND UPDATES FOR THE CLASS (try to keep it clean and trash unnecessary emails so your “free” email account has enough space to get emails and attachments).
6. It is also expected that you will follow contemporary affairs through the media during this semester more than you might normally be accustomed. I would like you to sign up and receive FREE email subscriptions to:
– The New York Times (for an American perspective) at www.nytimes.com, check The Daily Headlines (Daily Featured Section)
– The Economist (for a European, especially British, perspective) at www.economist.com, check Politics This Week
– World Press Review (for perspectives from around the world) at www.worldpress.org, check World Press Review Newsletter
See also TOTHEPOINT: Rosati’s Newssource for more on contemporary affairs and your professor’s perspective @ http://www.cla.sc.edu/poli/faculty/rosati/tothepoint.htm (Can be accessed from my website).
RECOMMENDED READING AND SOURCES
Following Contemporary Affairs. The national news--on network television or on National Public Radio--is strongly encouraged as well. Additional recommended mainstream and alternative media sources for following contemporary affairs can be found on MY TO POINT WEBSITE.
You may want to familiarize yourself with the litany of magazines and journals which present a host of intellectual, opinion, and policy positions. These sources can be found in the Thomas Cooper Library, the Richland County Public Library on Assembly Street, at bookstores like Barnes and Noble, and on line through my website (and others). Remember, what you will likely find is a recommended sampling of predominantly American 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. Going beyond the American media is strongly encouraged.
Other programs, magazines, and literature are available, as well as fictional accounts (e.g., novels, movies) with important political messages.
COURSE TOPICS AND READINGS
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
– We will go back and forth between the Friedman and Harrison books, interspersed with contemporary issues and the World Bank Atlas, followed by the Hirsh book.
– For the Friedman book, read it quickly. Get the thrust and major points–there is lots of padding.
– For the Harrison book, read it closely. It is very rich, so get the major points and try to absorb the information.
– 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 or make available to you. Remember: you are responsible for staying abreast of contemporary affairs.
– For required articles sent by email or on the course website, print them out, read, and save.
– PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR ARTICLES AND UPDATES ON THE CLASS
Introduction to Globalization and America’s Role in the World
1. Introduction and Overview (Aug 19)
Read over syllabus closely; come to next class with any questions.
FIRST MANDATORY EMAIL/INFORMATION ASSIGNMENT. Due by next class. Email me the following information as a list in the following numerical order (you cannot get a passing grade unless you fulfill this assignment):
1) name (as registered)
2) social security #
3) phone numbers (home; work; cell; other)
4) email address
5) major
6) class (e.g., freshman)
7) have you taken or are you enrolled in university 101?
8) do you work during school? hours per week? doing what?
9) career goal?
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) what was your first “political” experience (in person or through, e.g., t.v.)
2. Story-Telling and Memory
Read syllabus closely and ask questions to clarify [ALWAYS BRING SYLLABUS TO CLASS]
Read Stephen Kinzer, “Guatemala: The Unfinished Peace” New York Review of Books (June 21, 2001), pp. 61-63 [on my course website]
Read David Van Biema, “The Legacy of Abraham,” Newsweek (September 30, 2002), pp. 64-75 [on my course website]
3. An Illustration of Global Participation and Activism
Continue contemporary affairs reading
Guests: “Wheels of Justice” program
For more information about
the tour, see the attached flyer or go to their website at:http://www.justicewheels.org/
or else contact tour coordinator Ceylon Mooney at ceylon@vitw.org or
917-567-5048
LAST DAY ADD/DROP WITHOUT GRADE OF W, Friday, January 14
The Conventional Western-American Liberal View
4. Foreword, Opening Scene, The New System and Information Arbitage in The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization
Read Friedman, foreword, opening scene, chaps 1-2
read World Bank Atlas [WBA] (2003, 35th edition), preface [check for the edition you have]
read World Bank Atlas [WBA] (2004, 36th edition) forward and user's guide
5. The Lexus and the Olive Tree, And the Walls Came Tumbling Down
Read Friedman, chaps 3-4
WBA 2003, topics 23 and 24
WBA 2004, topics 21 and 22
6. Microchip Immune Deficiency, The Golden Straightjacket, and the Electronic Heard
Read Friedman, chaps 5-7
WBA 2003, topic 21
WBA 2004, topic 20
7. DOScapital and Globalution
Read Friedman, chaps 8-9
WBA 2003, topic 18
WBA 2004, topic 17
8. Shapers, Adapters . . ., Buy Taiwan, Hold Italy, Sell France
Read Friedman, chaps 10-11
WBA 2003, topic 19
WBA 2004, topic 18
9. The Golden Arches Theory
Read Friedman, chap 12
WBA 2003, topic 22
WBA 2004, no comparable topic (get copy from neighbors)
10. Demolition Man, Winners Take All
Read Friedman, chaps 13-14
WBA 2003, topic 14
WBA 2004, topic 13
11. FIRST EXAM
LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT GRADE OF WF, Monday, February, 21
An Alternative Developing Global View
12. Preface and Introduction to Inside the Third World
Read Harrison, preface and introduction
WBA 2003, topics 3 and 5
WBA 2004, topics 1 and 5
13. The Cruel Sun: The Curse of the Tropics; Winner Takes All: Pre-Colonial Societies and Colonialism
Read Harrison, chaps 1-2
WBA 2003, no comparable topic--get copy from neighbor
WBA 2004, topic 12
14. The Westernization of the World
Read Harrison, chap 3
15. Eco-Catastrophe in Africa, Polarization in Asia
Read Harrison, chaps 4-5
WBA 2003, topic 13
WBA 2004, topic 11
16. Land or Death in Latin America, The Shrinking Earth and Ecological Threats
Read Harrison, chaps 6-7
WBA 2003, topic 15
WBA 2004, topic 14
17. Exodus, The Promised Land
Read Harrison, chaps 8-9
WBA 2003, topic 4
WBA 2004, topic 4
18. Workless of the World, The Barefoot Businessman
Read Harrison, chaps 10-11
WBA 2003, topic 17
WBA 2004, topic 16
19. The Curious Economy, Sins of the Fathers, Population
Read Harrison, chaps 12-14
WBA 2003, topics 1 and 2
WBA 2004, topics 2 and 3
20. Malnutrition, The Diseases of Poverty
Read Harrison, chaps 14-15
WBA 2003, topics 9 and 11
WBA 2004, topics 7 and 9
21. The Alienation Machine
Read Harrison, chap 17
WBA 2003, topics 7 and 12
WBA 2004, topic 6
22. Women’s Lot
Read Harrison, chap 18
WBA 2003, topics 8 and 10
WBA 2004, topic 10 and 8
23. SECOND EXAM
The Conventional Western-American Liberal View (cont.)
24. Backlash
Read Friedman, chap 15
25. Groundswell
Read Friedman, chap 16
WBA 2003, topic 16
WBA 2004, topic 15
26. Rational Exuberance, Revolution is U.S.
Read Friedman, chap 17-18
27. If You Want to Speak to a Human, Press 1
Read Friedman, chap 19
28. There is A Way Forward
Read Friedman, chap 20
WBA 2003, topic 6
WBA 2004, no comparable topic
An Alternative Developing Global View (Continued)
29. The Unfair World Economy
Read Harrison, chap 19
Jonathan Kwitny, “The Bankers, the Business, and the Lawyers,” in Endless Enemies: The Making of an Unfriendly World (1984), pp. 8-30, on course website
WBA 2003, topic 25 [no comparable topic--get copy from neighbor]
WBA 2004, topics 24 and 23
30. Something is Rotten in the State
Read Harrison, chap 20
WBA 2003, topic 20
WBA 2004, topic 19
31. Princes and Paupers, The Limits to Unequal Growth
Read Harrison, chaps 21-22
32. Summary
Read Harrison, 1993 Overview
Helen Epstein, “Time of Indifference,” New York Review of Books (April 12, 2001), pp. 33-38 [on course website]
33. THIRD EXAM
The Future of America, Empire, and the World?
34. The Age of the Uberpower
read Hirsh, preface, introduction
“Illusions of Empire: Defining the New American Order," Foreign Affairs (March/April 2004), by G. John Ikenberry, on course website
35. Navigating the Permanent Quagmire
read Hirsh, chap 1
"Bush and God," Newsweek (March 10, 2003), by Howard Fineman, on course website
"Cheney's Long Path to War," Newsweek (November 17, 2003), by Mark Hosenball, Michael Isikoff and Evan Thomas
36. The American Temptation
read Hirsh, chap 2
President George W. Bush, “West Point Commencement Speech,” (2002), on course website
U.S., President John F. Kenndy, “Inaugural Address” (1961), on course website
“U.S. Had Key Role in Iraq Buildup: Trade in Chemical Arms Allowed Despite Their Use on Iranians, Kurds,” Washington Post (December 30 2002), by Michael Dobbs, on course website
37. What is the International Community?
read Hirsh, chap 2
"Over 100,000 Iraqis killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom," Asheville Global News (November 4-10, 2004), compiled by Patrick Byrne, on course website
38. The Argument from Hard Power
read Hirsh, chap 4
"Global Security Firms Fill in as Private Armies: 15,000 agents Patrol Violent Streets of Iraq," San Francisco Chronocle (March 28, 2004), by Robert Collier, on course website
39. When Ideas Bite Back
read Hirsh, chap 5
"THE GRAY ZONE: How a secret Pentagon program came to Abu Ghraib," The New Yorker (May 24, 2004), by Seymour M. Hersh, on course website
40. Rethinking Multilateralism
read Hirsh, chap 6
"The Vanishing Case for War," New York Review of Books (December 4, 2003), by Thomas Powers, on course website
41. The Dirty Work
read Hirsh, chap 7
"Blind Into Baghdad:The U.S. occupation of Iraq is a debacle not because the government did no planning but because a vast amount of expert planning was willfully ignored by the people in charge. The inside story of a historic failure.” The Atlantic Monthly (January/February 2004) by James Fallows
42. Toward a New Consensus
read Hirsh, conclusion
"The Unseen War," The New York Review of Books (May 29, 2003), by Michael Massing, on course website
read Moises Naim, “Five Wars of Globalization,” Foreign Policy (January/February 2003), pp. 29-37, on course website
[42 MWF classes total. The other class days will be used for discussing class topics in greater depth and contemporary world affairs.]
FINAL EXAM , Saturday, April 30, 2 pm
Do not make any travel plans to leave Columbia before you complete the exam. Thank you.