Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - IS 210 D900

Comparative World Politics: Trajectories, Regimes, Challenges (3)

Class Number: 5856

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 21, 2021
    Wed, 10:00–10:00 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces students to the variety of systems of governance in the world today, examines the historical and cultural sources of their different developmental trajectories, and assesses the challenges they face in the future. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will introduce students to the developing world or the Global South. Introduces students to the variety of systems of governance in the world today, examines the historical and cultural sources of their different developmental trajectories, and assesses the challenges they face in the future. Various themes and issues which are significant to the Global South countries will be discussed. Students will learn about these issues and also the primary divide between the Northern and Southern countries.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Participants will: (a) acquire a detailed and theoretically informed understanding of the historical development of the Global South and its relationship to such key events colonization, nationalism, and nation-building. Students will learn to display this engagement through analytical essay writing and the presentation of complex arguments in tutorial discussions and presentations. By the end of the course, they should have acquired a sound knowledge of key theoretical and practical debates of the Global South.

Grading

  • Attendance and Tutorial Participation 20%
  • Term Paper 30%
  • Midterm Exam (Take-Home) 20%
  • Final Exam (Take-Home) 30%

NOTES:

Students will be required to submit their written assignments to Turnitin.com in order to receive credit for the assignments and for the course.

The School for International Studies strictly enforces the University's policies regarding plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty. Information about these policies can be found at: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/teaching.html.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Politics in the Developing World, ed. by Peter Burnell, Vicky Randall and Lise Rakner, Oxford University Press, 2017.

Additional readings will be placed on Reserve with the SFU Library.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).