Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - IS 451 D100

Seminar on Core Texts in International Studies (4)

Class Number: 3187

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    90 units. International Studies major or honours students.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An interdisciplinary course which aims to bring together different disciplinary perspectives on international affairs through the study of influential texts which, between them, involve study of core themes to the program: development, governance and civil society, war and peace, human rights and questions of culture and ethnicity.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, students:

  • gain substantive knowledge of key research themes in international studies
  • gain exposure to arguments from different disciplinary approaches to international studies
  • improve skills in synthesizing such arguments through analytic writing
  • improve skills in assessing such arguments through analytic writing

Grading

  • Weekly Writing Exercises (10) 30%
  • Essay #1 30%
  • Exam 30%
  • Class Participation 10%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

In addition to the required readings, we will read selected articles, book chapters, and other textual sources that will be available in digital form online through our Canvas website or through the SFU library website at www.lib.sfu.ca

REQUIRED READING:

Du Bois, W.E.B. 2014. The World and Africa and Color and Democracy. New York: Oxford University Press
(Although there are many versions of these texts, please use this version so that we can all refer to the same page numbers.)

Getachew, Adom. 2019. Worldmaking after Empire. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press

Harvey, David. 2007. A Brief History of Neoliberalism. New York: Oxford University Press

Kadivar, Mohammad Ali. 2022. Popular Politics and the Path to Durable Democracy. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press

Patel, Raj and Jason W. Moore. 2018. A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things: A Guide to Capitalism, Nature, and the Future of the Planet. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press

Wimmer, Andreas. 2018. Nation Building: Why Some Countries Come Together while Others Fall Apart. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.