Photo byAnthony Marcum.
CPSP International Studies 118N
Research Colloquia Spring 2010
Theme: Terrorism and Globalization: Twin Sides of the Same Evil?
Dr. James M. Glass
1140C Tydings, 405-4119
jglass@gvpt.umd.edu
Office Hours:
By Appointment
Discussion Leaders
|
Javiera Alarcon
|
Carmen Deanna
|
Tony Marcum
|
Mike McDonald
|
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
1. 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, please visit the Student Honor Council website.
DECORUM
Your two year International Studies program will be supervised by myself, and my four discussion leaders. Each of these talented and informed graduate students in the Government and Politics department will follow you throughout your time in International Studies. They will be your discussion leaders and advisors, and will be central to your experience as you progress through the program.
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 class must have a verifiable medical excuse; no exceptions. If you miss a class for reasons that are not dire emergencies or out of medical necessity, your grade will suffer. Attendance at discussion section is also mandatory. All due dates for assignments are 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.
Email will be routinely used to send messages about class assignments, and relevant events related to your class participation. If your email address changes, please let me know. Additionally, please update this information with the university at Testudo as soon as possible.
CPS 118N: SPRING COURSE CONTENT
We will have guest lecturers coming to class throughout the semester to discuss their ideas on the different manifestations of terror and its effect on international politics. We discuss issues from these lectures in conjunction with our discussions. Additionally, 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. We will provide further information on the debates and their organization during discussion sections.
Grading
25%Participation
10%Journal Entries
65%Final Paper
Participation in the course will count as 25% of your overall grade. We expect students to be active in contributing to the discussions about the readings for each week as well as the question and answer sections for each debate.
Students will keep a two-page journal of each lecture at the end of the course. These journal entries will count for a percentage of (2 entries * 5% = 10%) 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 we will accept paper copies.
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 65% 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.
Debate Themes
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.
Bibliographies: Places to Start your Research
Please note that each of the teaching assistants and I have prepared a research bibliography on each of the aforementioned topics. Please click on the links below to find the lists. 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. Students may draw from any of the following lists for their research, not just their teaching assistant’s bibliography.
Course Schedule for Spring 2010
PART A: THE PRESENTATION OF POLITICAL CONFLICT
26 January: Introduction: Library Orientation
2 February: Offices of Career Services & Study Abroad
9 February: Readings: TBA
16 February: Readings: Ethnic Conflict/Civil War
Paul Collier. 2003. The Market for Civil War. Foreign Policy May/June
Jerry Z. Muller. 2008. Us and Them: The Enduring Power of Ethnic Nationalism. Foreign Affairs March/April
23 February: Readings: Terrorism
Bin Ladin's "Fatwa", "Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders"
Scott Atran. 2004. Mishandling Suicide Terrorism. The Washington Quarterly Vol. 27 (3): 67-90
2 March February: Readings: Globalization
Altman, Roger C. 2009. Globalization in Retreat: Further Geopolitical Consequences of the Financial Crisis. Foreign Affairs July/August
Niall Ferguson. 2005. Sinking Globalization. Foreign Affairs March/April
9 March: Readings: Human Rights
Richard Falk. 2004. Think Again: Human Rights. Foreign Policy March/April
Michael Ignatieff. 2001. The Attack on Human Rights. Foreign Affairs November/December
16 March: NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK
PART B:TOPICAL DEBATES
23 March: Introduction to Debates
30 March: Debate Group 1 Presentation
6 April: Debate Group 2 Presentation
13 April: Debate Group 3 Presentation
20 April: Debate Group 4 Presentation
27 April: TBA
4 May : Guest Speaker: Dr. Patrick Deneen
11 May: Guest Speaker: Dr. Robert Bromber FINAL PAPER DUE