International Studies 101

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays, from 9:40 – 11:10 am

Dumbach Hall 229, Lake Shore Campus

Loyola University Chicago                                                                     Department of Political Science

 

Patrick Van Inwegen

e-mail: [email protected]

www.geocities.com/pvaninw

Office: Damen Hall 955a

Office Hours by appointment

Office Phone: (773) 508-3064

 

 

Course Description

This course offers an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of international studies.  International studies are dependent upon the integration of various fields of study.  This integration brings a clearer picture of where we have been, where we are, and where we are going.  The course will begin with an exploration of cultures through the lens of the world’s religions.  Next, we will take a closer look at history and politics through the lens of realism.  Finally, we will turn from civilizations and politics to a closer look at the current international situation through the lens of economics.  By course end, the following objectives should be met by all students:

1.) Students should demonstrate familiarity with the basic terms and concepts of the major world religions.

2.) Students should have an increased awareness of the world and some of the events and structures that shape our world.

3.) Students should appreciate the interconnectedness of academic disciplines and the benefits that different fields bring to understanding our world. 

 

Required Books

Huston Smith. 1994. The Illustrated World’s Religions: A Guide to Our Wisdom Traditions. San Francisco: Harper San Francisco.

 

John J. Mearsheimer. 2001. The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

 

Thomas Friedman. 2000.  The Lexus and The Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization. New York: Anchor Books.

 

Course Obligations and Requirements – more detailed instructions for each will be given

Class Participation – attendance and participation in class will be required.  Students should come to class prepared to ask questions for clarification and respond to the assigned readings as well as participate in class.  Two thirds of the class participation grade will be based on attendance with the other one third coming from active participation.  Students will treat all others with respect.

Exams – After each section, there will be an exam that covers the content of that section.  Exams will be a mixture of multiple choice, true/false, matching, short answer and brief essay.

Out of Class – There will be a number of opportunities for students to participate in activities that relate to the class but that take place out side of class.  Students must attend two events/activities off campus or on-campus lectures/discussions.  After attending an activity, students will e-mail a 500-600 word response to the event to the instructor ([email protected]).  The first response should relate to culture/religion or politics/history (due June 5) and the second to politics/history or economics/environment (due June 19).

Grading Percentages                                                             Grading Scale

Class Participation:       15%                                         90-100 A                     70-75   C

Out of Class:                10%                                         86-89   B+                   66-69   D+

Exam #1:                      20%                                         80-85   B                      60-66   D

Exam #2:                      25%                                         76-79   C+                   0-59     F

            Exam #3:                      30%

 

Political Science Department Statement on Academic Honesty

It is not appropriate to submit a paper that has already been or will be submitted to another course.  Papers must be the product of the student’s own work.  Papers written by anyone other than the student, including those purchased from commercial research services, are unacceptable. 

            Academic dishonesty on an examination or other assignment is also inconsistent with Loyola’s standards of academic integrity.  This includes, in the words of the catalogue, “obtaining, distributing, or communicating examination materials prior to the scheduled examination without the consent of the teacher; providing to, or obtaining information from another student during the examination; or attempting to change answers after the examination has been submitted.”

            Additional rules concerning academic integrity and examples of acceptable and unacceptable conduct can be found in the undergraduate catalogue.  Academic dishonesty will not be permitted in this course and will result in the grade of F for the course.

 

Course Outline and Calendar

Have assigned readings and assignments completed by class time for the dates below.

I. Cultures of the World – Through the lens of Religion (Huston Smith)

May 19            Introduction to the course, content, and syllabus

May 20            Smith Introduction pp. 8-14 and Hinduism pp. 17-26, 40-46, and 49-56

May 21            Buddhism pp. 59-79 and 94-96

May 22            Confucianism pp. 98-121 and Taoism pp. 122-143

 

May 26            NO SCHOOL

May 27            Islam pp. 145-169 and 177

May 28            Judaism pp. 178-203

May 29            Christianity pp. 204-229 and Conclusions pp. 245-249

May 30            EXAM #1 – NOTE THIS IS A FRIDAY, A MAKE-UP DAY FOR MONDAY

 

II.  Conflict in History – Through the lens of Politics (John Mearsheimer)

June 2              Mearsheimer Introduction pp. 1-28

June 3              Anarchy and the Struggle for Power pp. 29-46

June 4              Wealth and Power pp. 55-75

June 5              Strategies for Survival and Great Powers in Action pp. 138-140, 147-152, 168-

172 and 209-213

Out of Class #1 Due

 

June 9              The Offshore Balancers pp. 234-238

June 10            The Causes of Great Power War pp. 334-359

June 11            Great Power Politics in the Twenty-First Century pp. 384-402

June 12            EXAM # 2

 

III.  Economics in a Global World – Through the lens of Economics (Thomas Friedman)

June 16            The New System and The Lexus and the Olive Tree      pp. 3-16 and 29-34

June 17            The Golden Straightjacket and The Electronic Herd pp. 101-117 and 132-142

June 18            DOSCapital 6.0 and The Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention  pp. 151-166, 248-254 and 261-264

June 19            Will Globalization Make You Happy? (hand-out)

            Out of Class #2 Due

 

June 23            Demolition Man pp. 279-291

June 24            The Backlash and The Groundswell pp. 327-364

June 25            There is a Way Forward pp. 434-475

June 26            EXAM #3 (Final Exam)

 

Out of Class Events/Activities

 

Students will participate in two activities/events outside of class.  After attending an activity, students will e-mail a 500-600 word response to the event to the instructor ([email protected]). The reflection paper should comment on the activity / event as well as how it relates to what we have learned or discussed in class or in the course readings.  The activities must loosely relate to:

 

1. Culture / Religion or Politics / History                          (due June 5)

 

2. Politics / History or Economics / Environment              (due June 19)

         

The cultural event/activity that you attend should be in a culture other than what you were raised in.  For example, someone raised in the Western culture should not write about the Impressionism exhibit at the Art Institute (that is Western culture), try instead the Indian Religious Art exhibit, also at the Art Institute.

At least one of the out of class events/activities must take place off-campus, in a museum, theater, or other non-academic setting.  Some possible museums are listed below.  Please check with the instructor BEFORE attending an exhibit (if not at a museum listed below) or theater performance to ensure that it will count.

 

Art Institute of Chicago – 111 S. Michigan Ave. 312-443-3600 www.artic.edu/aic
Admissions: Adults, $10; seniors and students, $6; Tuesdays are free for everyone. 

Hours: 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (late closing at 8 p.m. Tuesday); 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Culture

 

Field Museum – 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive 312-922-9410 www.fmnh.org
Admissions: Adults $10; children (3-11), students and seniors $5; Call for free days. Discounts for Chicago residents.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday -Sunday; last admission 4 p.m. Culture, History & Environment

 

Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum – 1852 W. 19th St. 312-738-1503 www.mfacmchicago.org

Admissions: Free.

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; closed Monday and all government holidays. Culture

 

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – 2430 N. Cannon Drive 773-755-5100 www.chias.org
Admissions: Adults, $7. Chicago residents get $1 off admission. Free days for all: Weekdays May 28-July 10 (not including holidays or special exhibitions).

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Environment

 

Museum of Science and Industry – 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive (773) 684-1414 www.msichicago.org
Admissions: Adult $9.00 Chicago residents get $1 off admission.

Hours: Monday – Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Economics & Environment

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