Spring 2019 - POL 346 J100

International Organization (4)

Class Number: 6191

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Wed, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 10, 2019
    Wed, 11:59–11:59 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Tyler Chamberlain
  • Prerequisites:

    Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of the structures and processes and the main substantive decisions of the United Nations and related international organizations. Based upon in-depth study of the UN Charter, the Security Council, General Assembly, Secretary-general and Secretariat and their constitutional and political interactions since 1945, with special attention to the theory and practice of international organization advanced by the principal Western countries, the Soviet Union and Soviet bloc, the People's Republic of China and leading Third World countries.

COURSE DETAILS:

We live in a globalized world, and this offers promises as well as potential pitfalls.  In response to the nature of political problems in such a world, nation-states stand to benefit from harmonizing their policies and ensuring methods of continued cooperation.  However, despite this pressure to cooperate, the timeless insight of realism holds sway: in an anarchic world with no global authority to protect individual states, cooperation seems like a risky move, insofar as it requires states to trust the intentions of others.  The desirability of increased cooperation between states is sometimes offset by the difficulties inherent in such cooperation, either through bilateral agreements or international regimes.

This course will examine some of the issues pertaining to global governance, inter-state cooperation, and forms of international organization from the perspective of a variety of theories of international relations.  We will examine theories and explanations of international organization, before turning to a few specific issues in global politics.  We will pay special attention to the institutional nature of the United Nations, as well as competing theories of its role in international affairs.

There will be one 4-hour lecture each week.

Grading

  • Participation 10%
  • Presentation 15%
  • Model UN 20%
  • Essay 25%
  • Final Exam 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Baylis, John, Steve Smith, and Patricia Owens (2017). The Globalization of World Politics, 7th edition. Oxford University Press.
ISBN: 978-0198739852

Jussi M. Hanhimāki (2015). The United Nations: A Very Short Introduction, 2nd edition. Oxford University Press.
ISBN: 978-0190222703

Keohane, Robert (2005). After Hegemony: Cooperation and Discord in the World Political Economy. Princeton University Press.
ISBN: 978-0691122489

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.
For details, see http://www.sfu.ca/politics/undergraduate/program/related_links.html and click on “Plagiarism and Intellectual Dishonesty” .

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS