Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - POL 141 D100

International Relations (3)

Class Number: 5319

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Mon, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 16, 2024
    Tue, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores causes and consequences of international political conflict, including war, terrorism, protectionism, nationalism, economic disparity, migration, and humanitarian crises. Evaluates how states and non-state actors navigate and influence these conflicts and the role of international law, diplomacy, and organizational cooperation. Analyzes worldviews on war, peace, human rights, and world order. Students who have taken POL 241 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course Description

War in Ukraine and the Middle East. Climate change. Crypto currencies. Terrorism. Disease. Global events and processes are unfolding rapidly. Political Science 141 is designed to help students make sense of the global issues that confront them.

Students in this course will be introduced to key ideas and concepts in international relations and taught ways to make sense of world events. The course has no prerequisites and is open to all undergraduates at SFU. Topics include: The causes of war, why nuclear weapons promote peace and democracies do not fight each other, the challenges associated with tackling climate change, why the US dollar remains the world’s most important currency, and the reasons international cooperation is a lot like buying a used car.

Grading

  • Tutorial participation 15%
  • Examination 1 20%
  • Examination 2 20%
  • Examination 3 20%
  • Final paper 25%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

McGlinchey, Stephen. Foundations of international relations. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2022.


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.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

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