Friday November 22
Al-Jassar, Collins, Carfang, Estep and Khiev
Regional Issues
Monday November 25
Armendariz, Azamuddin, Haskollar, Mohan, Salamat, and Withers
Environmental Issues
Monday December 2
Carmona, Gebavi, Meyers, Moghal, Stauber and Weiss
Issues in International Relations
Wednesday December 4
Athon, Dumas, Montufar, Stearns, Traverse and Vijayan
Link to Presentation Instructions.
Link to Student Outlines.
See schedule for when you will be presenting on the right side of this screen. Presentations are arranged topically and there will be no changing of the presentation schedule.
India Pakistan at War
For years, India and Pakistan have struggled over the disputed territory known as Kashmir. The land that sits between both countries in the high elevations of the Himalayas has been the source of at least one "hot" war and numerous other low intensity clashes. Now that both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons, the small and not-so-small skirmishes have the potential to spark global disaster. This case study looks at the history of this conflict, focusing on one recent time of rising tensions in 1999-2001. Articles focus on the potential impact of a major war between the two nations as well as the current casualties of border clashes.
On March 24, 1999, a coalition of European and American forces under the aegis of NATO - the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - attacked Yugoslavia in an effort to minimize the ability of Serb forces to "ethnically cleanse" the province of Kosovo. In less than three months, Serb forces agreed to a withdrawal from the province of Kosovo. This marks both the first combat use of military forces under NATO command as well as the first successful air war - a no ground forces were ever deployed. The articles begin with tensions prior to the bombing, accounts of the bombing and types of targets, and the aftermath of peacekeeping in Kosovo.
U.S. Unilateralism
Following the end of the Cold War, it is clear that there no longer exists a bi-polar world. While scholars disagree wether or not the world is uni-polar, with the U.S. as a hegemon, or multi-polar, with the U.S. as the dominant power, there is no disagreement that U.S. policy is often at odds with both its allies and the world community at large. This case study looks at a number of examples where the U.S. has defied international agreements. These include: the Kyoto Treaty on carbon dioxide emissions, the U.S.-Russian Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the Land-Mine Ban Treaty, a treaty on Germ Warfare, and a U.N. Conference on Racism.
Former Colombian President Andres Pastrana announced an ambitious plan to combat the spread of illegal narcotics in 2000. With the backing of the Clinton Administratio, this plan requested aid from the U.S., Japan, and a number of European countries. The money was budgeted to end the so-called Drug War - to enhance the Colombian military's ability to eradicate coca production, to bring narco-terrorists to justice, and to provide aid to farmers and incentives to grow food rather than coca. Articles focus on the extent of the drug problem particularly as it has led to civil war in Colombia and the details of U.S. involvement in "Plan Colombia."
China in the WTO
Days after the September 11 bombings, China was formally admitted into the World Trade Organization (WTO) - the world's premier organization for encouraging the opening of markets to international competition. China's entrance came after a significant battle over whether their entrance should be contingent upon political and human rights reforms. China presents the largest potential market in the world, should it continue to develope. And entrance in the WTO, many western nations hope, will ensure access to this market. Articles focus on the early debates about the pros and cons of China entering the WTO as well as accounts of the significant hurdles that were encountered in the process of becoming a member of the trade organization.
International AIDS Epidemic
AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome - was unheard of twenty-five years ago. Today, it has claimed millions of lives and infects millions more. Like so much in international politics, AIDS is not indiscriminate. While the U.S. battles the epidemic and new drugs are able to significantly delay the onset of AIDS symptoms, other countries are unable to pay for the costly drugs required to achieve this partial success. The epidemic has risen to such proportions that the United Nations held a special conference on the AIDS epidemic, its international consequences, and ways to cooperate in combating the spread of it in June of 2001. Articles focus on the U.N. conference as well as how the AIDS epidemic has had different impacts in Africa, India, and the U.S.