I. General Information

1. Course Title:
International Relations

2. Course Prefix & Number:
POLS 2450

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course is an introduction to the concepts and practice of international relations, especially politics between different nations.  Topics of study include globalization; differing national systems, interests and motivations; foreign policy and diplomacy; war and threats to international security; international law and organizations; global economics and technology; and the future of international relations.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading College Level CLC or Reading College Level

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Ridgewater College, POLS 135 International Relations, 3 credits
Minnesota State Moorhead, POL 160 International Relations, 3 credits
St. Cloud State, POL 251 Introduction to World Politics, 3 credits

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course fulfills a requirement for the following program(s):

Political Science Transfer Pathway, AA (TPPS)

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:

• Goal 5 – History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Goal 8 – Global Perspective

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate oral communication skills	Debate and discuss current international political issues.
Demonstrate written communication skills	Write various chapter assignments and persuasive essays on international political issues.
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Apply differing theories and practices of international relations to current international political issues and offer alternative solutions.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

 

• Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.  MnTC Goal 8
• Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious and economic interests of different nations.  MnTC Goal 8
• Analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, and political differences that affect their solution.  MnTC Goal 8
• Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.  MnTC Goal 5
• Examine and analyze the growing globalization and interdependence of nations and peoples and the effects it will have on the future of international relations.  MnTC Goal 8
• Assess global politcal institutions, employing a variety of International Relations theories. MnTC Goal 5
• Assess global political processes, employing a variety of International Relations theories. MnTC Goal 5
• Assess global political cultures, employing variety of International Relations theories. MnTC Goal 5
• Compare and contrast perspectives on international relations / world politics. MnTC Goal 5
• Reflect on or participae in the roles and responsibilities of global citizens. MnTC Goal 8
• Reflect critically on one's own values and opinions about global issues. MnTC Goal 8
• Examine key or consequential events of the Cold War. MnTC Goal 5
• Examine the rise of China as a global super power in the 21st century. MnTC Goal 5

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. World Politics: Complexity and Competing Processes
• Conflict and Cooperation
• Globalization versus Fragmentation
• Anarchy versus Order
2. Theory and World Politics
• Levels of Analysis
• Theoretical Paradigms/Worldviews: Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism
3. World Politics and Economics: 1648-1945
• 30 Years War and the Peace of Westphalia
• 18^th Century Europe
• The Industrial Revolution
• World War I and II
4. World Politics and Economics: The Cold War
• Who or What Caused the Cold War?
• The Bretton Woods System
• Vietnam and its Consequences
• Why did the Cold War End?
5. Imperialism and its Victims
• Origins of Imperialism
• British Empire, Russia and the United States
• Social Impact and Economic Consequences of Imperialism
6. Globalization and Fragmentation in a New World Order: 1991-Present
• A New World Order?
• U.S. Economic Hegemony
• Genocide
7. Security Theory and Practice
• Military Power
• Strategies for Security: Deterrence, Defense, and Compellence
• Arms Control and Disarmament
• Terrorism
8. World Politics: Trade and Investment
• Trade
• Capital Markets and Investment
• Economic Power
9. World Politics: Development
• Human and Social Development
• Political Development
• Economic Development
10. Human Issues: Demographic Trends
• Population
• Migration
• Health and Disease
11. Resource Issues
• Resource Issues
• Water
• Food
• Energy
12. Global Governance: International Law and Organizations
• International Law
• International Organizations
• United Nations