Dr. Nathan Busch
243 Ratcliffe Hall
Phone: 594-8498
Email: nbusch@cnu.edu
Website: users.cnu.edu/nbusch
Office Hours: M/W, 10:00-11:30
                     T/TH, 2:30-3:30
                     I am also available by appointment.
                     
Course Description:
This course examines major issues in world affairs, including security issues, international financial and trading regimes, global ecopolitics and ethnic conflicts. It also provides elaborate coverage of emerging crises or conflicts or other notable world developments. International relations is one of the most fascinating subjects you will encounter because it is constantly changing. This is particularly true in the past decade. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the way in which we view world politics has undergone a profound transformation. New actors and issues have gained prominence and have challenged our fundamental beliefs about the very nature and substance of international relations. This course will introduce you to the major contemporary issues in international affairs and it will place these issues in their historical context.

Course Objectives:
•    Introduce students to basic issues in contemporary world affairs.
•    Cultivate the ability to think critically about these issues.
•    Encourage students to express their views coherently, intelligently, and politely, in class discussion.

Required Texts:
The following texts are available at the university bookstore.  (If you prefer, you can order them from an internet bookstore by clicking on the links below.)

•    Michael T. Snarr and D. Neil Snarr, Introducing Global Issues, 4rd Edition. Lynne Rienner, 2008.
•    Global Issues: Selections from the CQ Researcher, 2008 Edition. CQ Press, 2008.

Some readings are also on online reserves.  Click here for instructions on how to access online reserves.

***In addition to the texts, students are required to read the New York Times international section.

Course Requirements:
7% Engaging and insightful class participation
8% Unannounced quizzes
25% Exam #1
25% Exam #2
35% Final examination

There will be two mid-term exams and a final exam in this class, all of which be comprised of essay and short-answer identification format.  In the event of a “borderline” grade I will give the “benefit of the doubt” to those who attend class regularly and are prepared. Students are expected to do the readings prior to the class in which they are discussed. All work in this class will be cumulative, unless otherwise noted. You must complete all major assignments to pass this course.

Class participation
Showing up is not enough; a class like this will succeed only if you get involved.  Make comments, think of new examples, and ask questions.  Pull your classmates into the conversation.  Don't worry about saying what you think I want to hear.  I only ask that you back up your opinions with argument and evidence.  Refer to the text, showing you have not only read it but thought about it.  These are the standards I will use in judging the quality of your participation.

Quizzes
You should expect one roughly quiz per week.  The purpose of these assignments is to ensure that students are staying up with the readings and thinking about issues we have covered in class.  You will not be allowed to make up any missed quizzes.  I am aware that sometimes you will be unable to make it to class (e.g., car trouble, illness, sick relatives, etc.).  The reason why I drop the lowest quiz grade is to accommodate for these unforeseen events.

Disabilities: If you believe that you have a disability, you should make an appointment to see me to discuss your needs. In order to receive an accommodation, your disability must be on record in Disability Support Services, Room 101, McMurran Annex (Telephone: 594-8852).

Academic Advising Center: Students who believe that they may need special or additional accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the Academic Advising Center as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. I also invite you to see me at any time so that I can provide assistance with the course. I am available during office hours and by appointment. Please do not hesitate to come by.  I may also notify the Academic Advising Center if you seem to be having problems with this course. The Academic Advising Center is located in the Administration Building, Room 125. (757) 594-8763 (advise@cnu.edu)
 

Tentative Class Schedule
This schedule is subject to change if we require more or less time to adequately cover each topic.

Introduction:
Week 1-2: 
•  “Introducing Globalization and Global Issues,” Snarr and Snarr, chapter 1
•  Stephen M. Walt, “International Relations: One World, Many Theories,” Foreign Policy 110 (Spring 1998), pp. 29-46. Link to article (on campus only).

Part I: Conflict and Security

Weeks 2-3: WMD Proliferation
•  “Weapons Proliferation and Conflict,” Snarr and Snarr, chapter 2
•  “Nuclear Proliferation and Terrorism,” CQ Researcher, chapter 4
•  White House, National Strategy to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction, December 2002, pp. 1-6; http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/nspd/nspd-wmd.pdf.
•  Joseph Cirincione, “Historical Overview and Introduction,” in Joseph Cirincione, ed., Repairing the Regime: Preventing the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction, http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/Repairing_App1.pdf.

Week 4: Russian “Loose Nukes”
•  Oleg Bukharin and William Potter, “Potatoes were Guarded Better,” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, vol. 51, no. 3 (May-June 1995).  Online reserve.
•  Paul F. Walker, "Nunn-Lugar at 15," Arms Control Today, May 2006 Link to article (on campus only); html version.

Week 5: Terrorism
•  "Global Security" Snarr and Snarr, ch. 5
•  Paul Berman, "The Philosopher of Islamic Terror," New York Times Magazine, March 23, 2003. Link to Article (on campus only).
•  Jessica Stern, “The Protean Enemy,” Foreign Affairs, July/August 2003. Link to Article (on campus only).
•  The Al Qaeda Training Manual, available at U.S. Department of Justice website, http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/manualpart1.html (skim)

***9/25 Exam I

Weeks 6-7: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
•  Michael Roskin and Nicholas Berry, "Eternal Warfare in the Holy Land," in The New World of International Relations, Ch.8, pp. 120-142. On reserve.
Click here for instructions on how to access online reserves.
•  David Makovsky and Eran Benedek, “The 5 Percent Solution,” Foreign Policy, September/October 2003. Link to article.
•  Michael Rubin, “Hamas’ International Strategy Works,” Middle East Forum, February 8, 2007, http://www.meforum.org/article/1638

Part II: Humanitarian Intervention, Peacekeeping, and Genocide

Week 9: Humanitarian Intervention and Peacekeeping
•  "World Peacekeeping", CQResearcher, Chapter 4
•  Franklin L. Lavin, “Asphyxiation or Oxygen: The Sanctions Dilemma,” Foreign Policy 104 (Fall 1996), pp. 139-155. Link to article (on campus only).
•  Stephen J. Solarz and Michael O’Hanlon, “Humanitarian Intervention: When is Force Justified?,” Washington Quarterly, vol. 20 (1997), pp. 3-14. Link to Article (on campus only).

***10/21 Fall Break

Week 10: Stopping Genocide
•  "The Challenge of Human Rights," in Snarr and Snarr, chapter 4.
•  Scott Straus, "Darfur and the Genocide Debate," Foreign Affairs, January/February 2005  Link to article (on campus only).

Part III: The Global Economy and Development

Weeks 11-12: International Political Economy
•  “Free Trade vs. Protectionism: Values and Controversies," Snarr and Snarr, chapter 6
•  “The Political Economy of Development,” Snarr and Snarr, chapter 7
•  Daniel Drezner, "The Outsourcing Bogeyman," Foreign Affairs 83, no. 3 (May/June 2004), p. 22-34. Link to Article (on campus only)

***11/6  Exam II

Week 13:  Ending Poverty?
•  "Poverty in a Global Economy," Snarr and Snarr, chapter 8
•  "Population and Migration," Snarr and Snarr, chapter 9
•  "Ending Poverty in Africa," CQ Researcher, chapter 7

Week 14: Energy, Sustainable Development, and The Environment
•  "Sustainable Development," Snarr and Snarr, chapter 13.
•  “Regulating the Atmospheric Commons,” Snarr and Snarr, chapter 14.
•  "Energy Nationalism," CQ Researcher, chapter 8.
•  John Browne, "Beyond Kyoto," Foreign Affairs, July/August 2004,
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20040701faessay83404/john-browne/beyond-kyoto.html

***November 27, Thanksgiving Break

Week 15: Summary and Conclusion
“Future Prospects,” Snarr and Snarr, chapter 16

***Last Day of Class: 12/4

***Final Exams:
        Section 01 (T/TH 1:00-2:15): December 11, 11:00 AM-1:30 PM
        Section 02 (T/TH 4:00-5:15): December 11, 2:00-4:30