Fall 2007 Second Year Syllabus

International Studies | FALL 2007 SECOND YEAR SYLLABUS

College Park Scholars International Studies 218N
Research Colloquia Fall 2007 - CCC 1205
Theme: Terrorism and Globalization: Twin Sides of the Same Evil?

Dr. James M. Glass

1140C Tydings, 405-4119

jglass@gvpt.umd.edu

Teaching Assistants

Javiera Alarcon

1104 Centreville, 5-9304
jalarcon@gvpt.umd.edu

Tony Marcum

1104 Centreville , 5-9304

amarcum@gvpt.umd.edu

Shana Marshall

Tydings Hall

smarshall@gvpt.umd.edu

Mike McDonald

1104 Centreville, 5-9304

mmcdonald@gvpt.umd.edu

Office Hours	Glass	Javiera	Tony	Mike
Monday	---	---	---	---
Tuesday	---	---	1:00 to 4:00 PM	---
Wednesday	---	---	---	---
Thursday	---	---	---	---
Friday	---	---	---	---
If these times are not convenient for you, we will gladly make an appointment.

INTRODUCTION

Two issues of international politics find themselves in our modern times intertwined: globalization and terrorism. Indeed some argue that terrorism is a response to the kinds of relationships forged in the process of globalization; the hatred of things ‘western’ and ‘decadent’ drives much in radical Islamic theory; and the antipathy towards the West, particularly the United States has a great deal to do with the capitalist presence in what were formerly traditional, at least in a religious sense, political and cultural environments. In this colloquium, we will study this complex relationship through its political, ethical, and moral contradictions. We will also look at the effect of these two dynamics on democratic theory and the prospects for the concept and practice of freedom. What does it mean to be ‘free’? Is the concept of ‘freedom’ dependent on specific cultural definitions of what the term means? Does how we think about freedom depend on religious orientations and values? In addition, how important is the western or liberal concept of freedom to groups for whom religious and theological concepts govern thought, behavior and political action? Does globalization diminish the prospect of realizing the western, liberal notion of freedom in non-western societies?

GENERAL POLICIES

We will try to meet any extraordinary needs of any student. Such needs arise out of either preexisting or new conditions. Such conditions may include persona, social, physical, emotional or other impairments. To be properly considered students must present an Accommodation Form. A copy of the Accommodation Form should be on file in the disability support service (DSS) Office, 0126 Shoemaker Bldg. (301) 314-7282, dss@umail.umd.edu

2. The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. All assignments must have this sentence on the front page: "I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination." It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For information on the code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor council, please visit: http://www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/whatis.html

DECORUM

Please be mindful of the proper decorum in all scholar classes: no cell phones, beepers, ipods, etc. Please come to class appropriately dressed. You are in the University now, and the scene here is very different from high school. I assume that students will internalize decorum expectations and rules; I and your teaching assistants are teachers not disciplinarians.

ATTENDANCE AND LATE POLICIES

Absence from any film or class must have a verifiable medical excuse; no exceptions. If you miss a film or class for reasons that are not dire emergencies or out of medical necessity, your grade will suffer. Attendance at discussion section after the film is mandatory. All due dates for assignments for listed in the course schedule, no late papers will be accepted, unless there is a medical or compelling reason. With the diversity of religious backgrounds at the university, we will not penalize students for religious holiday observances. Please notify us during the first two weeks of class if there is a scheduling conflict that way we can decide appropriate dates for make-up assignments.

E-MAIL

Email will be routinely used to send messages about class assignments, and relevant events related to your class participation. If your email changes, please let me know. Additionally, please update this information with the university by visiting: http://www.testudo.umd.edu/apps/saddr/

CPS 218N: FALL COURSE CONTENT

We will see three films dealing with different manifestations of terror and its effect on international politics. We discuss these films every subsequent week. The second part of the course involves debating contentious issues. Your debate team may draw from newspapers, magazines, articles, books, and internet data sources. In our organizing session on the debates, students will choose one of the following themes and prepare an issues oriented presentation. You may either affirm or negate these propositions.

Students will keep a two-page journal of each film and for each book. These journal entries will count for a percentage of 20% (4 entries * 5%) of your final grade. These journal entries will be due to your assigned TA no later than the Thursday during a week we have class, by 12:00 PM. We encourage students to email their entries, though paper copies will be accepted.

At the end of the semester, you will be required to turn in a 5-7 page essay on your presentation. You will be graded on the quality of your essay; it will count for 80% of your final grade. In order to not penalize those individuals who present early in the semester, the deadline for the paper is the last day of class. Participation in discussion section will help your grade if you are on the borderline between two grades.

-- “Terror is a legitimate and moral response to the evils of globalization”

-- “The war in Iraq was wrong from the start and now it is time to end it.”

-- “Ordinary citizens are just as responsible for mass murder as their political leaders.”

-- “Globalization and American capitalism are the true cause of terrorism in the world. If economic policy were significantly changed, terrorism would decrease significantly.”

-- “If walls were built to keep out unwanted and illegal immigrants were deported, America would be a better place for Americans.”

-- “It is not always appropriate to interfere in cases of mass murder around the world because sometimes mass murders are political response to historically-held grievances in cultures whose value systems are different from ours.”

-- “There is a universal standard of morality and decency that should govern how people of any country treat others, even in times of war.”

-- “If we have to choose, we should protect our security over our civil liberties.”

-- “It is wrong to speak out against the government or the military in times of war.”

-- “When a genocide or atrocity takes place, there is a political imperative for countries to intervene anywhere in the world to stop it.”

REQUIRED READING

Stern, Jessica. 2004. Terrorism in the Name of God: Why Religious Militants Kill. Harper Perennial. ISBN: 0060505338

BIBLIOGRAPHIES: PLACES TO START RESEARCHING

Please note that each of the teaching assistants and I have prepared a research bibliography on each of the aforementioned topics. These are posted below. We strongly encourage you to read some of the materials from all of the lists to prepare your research presentations as well conducting your own independent research.

COURSE SCHEDULE

PART A: FILM AND THE PRESENTATION OF POLITICAL CONFLICT:

Reading: Stern. Terrorism in the Name of God.

9/4: Organization of Debates and Choice of Topics : Munich

9/18: Paradise Now: Discussion in Small Group Sections

10/2: The Last King of Scotland: Discussion in Small Group Sections

10/16: Meeting: Study Abroad

PART B: TOPICAL DEBATES:

10/23: Discussion of Terrorism in the Name of God.

10/30: NO CLASS

11/6: Debate 1 Group Presentation

11/13: Debate 2 Group Presentation

11/20: NO CLASS

11/27: Debate 3 Group Presentation

12/4: Debate 4 Group Presentation

12/11: Wrap up/ Prep for the Spring Semester: FINAL PAPERS DUE

Last Updated: 23 October 2007