Course Description:
In this course, you will learn about several contemporary issues in international politics and the analytical tools to
analyze them. Major parts of the course cover such topics as the dynamics of conflict and cooperation, the
processes of foreign policy decision-making, major international economic issues, and basic future trends in global
politics. The course also provides an overview of the primary perspectives and analytical approaches for studying
world politics. The overall objective is to give students sufficient awareness of the interaction of political,
technological, economic, and social factors to permit a critical appreciation of the contemporary international
environment and ways of thinking about the future.
Course Learning Goals: After taking this class, students should be able to:
• Be familiar with major concepts and theories for studying international relations (IR)
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• Translate knowledge from IR theories to ongoing events in global politics
• Learn about the relevant actors in international relations and their interests
• Understand how institutions constrain and affect interactions in international relations
Grading Criteria
Final course grades will be assessed based on the student’s performance in the following items:
Graded Item Points % of final grade
Response Paper 62.5 12.5%
Current Events Assignments (2) 62.5 12.5%
Section Grade 150 30%
Exams (3) 225 45%
Total Points: 500 100%
Course grades will be distributed as follows:
99-100: A+ 77-79: C+
93-98: A 73-76: C
90-92: A- 70-72: C-
87-89: B+ 67-69: D+
83-86: B 63-66: D
80-82: B- 60-62: D-
Below 60: F
Course Structure
This course includes a large lecture (340+ students) that meets twice per week along with smaller discussion
sections (<30 students) that meet once per week. Students will find course information on the ICON page
(icon.uiowa.edu), including links for submitting paper assignments.
Students are expected to:
● Review the course syllabus to learn about the overall course structure, purpose, and deadlines.
● Read assigned readings before each class. The date listed after each reading is the day it is due.
● Attend the main lectures and discussion section each week.
● Submit assignments by designated deadlines via the ICON “Assignments.”
● Participate in discussions in assigned sections. The TAs will clarify the expectations for their sections.
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Course Work
Response Paper: 12.5%
You will write one short (2-3 page) response paper based on a prompt. We provide more detailed instructions
for the format and the prompt on ICON. The paper is due on 10/29. If for some reason you are dissatisfied with
the final grade received on your paper, you may submit a written memo to your teaching assistant (TA)
explaining why you think the grade is unfair. This memo must be submitted within 1 week of receiving the
paper grade. Your TA will read the memo, re-read the paper, and then assign a new grade. The TA reserves the
right to assign a lower grade after reading the paper again.
Current Events Assignments (2): 12.5%
You will complete two short (one page) assignments relating course material to current events (12.5%, 2 at
6.25% each) due on 10/9 and 11/21. We provide more detailed instructions for these assignments on ICON.
Section Grade: 30%
Each student is assigned to one of the following discussion sections.
Section A01 (O’Brien) Wednesday 8:30-9:20am 131 SH
Section A02 (Lee) Tuesday 5:00-5:50pm 151 SH
Section A03 (Timbs) Wednesday 12:30-1:20pm 151 SH
Section A04 (Ngo) Wednesday 5:30-6:20pm 151 SH
Section A05 (O’Brien) Tuesday 5:00-5:50pm 131 SH
Section A06 (Timbs) Thursday 11:00-11:50am 151 SH
Section A07 (Ngo) Wednesday 12:30-1:20pm 131 SH
Section A08 (Ngo) Thursday 8:30-9:20am 131 SH
Section A09 (Timbs) Thursday 5:00-5:50pm 151 SH
Section A10 (Timbs) Wednesday 5:30-6:20pm 131 SH
Section A11 (Lee) Thursday 12:30-1:20pm 472 PH
Section A12 (Lee) Thursday 5:00-5:50pm 131 SH
Section A13 (Lee) Wednesday 11:30am-12:20pm 151 SH
Section A14 (O’Brien) Thursday 2:00-2:50pm 31 SH
Section A15 (Ngo) Wednesday 11:30am-12:20pm 131 SH
Section A16 (O’Brien) Wednesday 9:30-10:20am 74 SH
Discussion section grades (150 points) are based on attendance and participation for each class (10 points per
section, 130 points total) and 2 pop quizzes (10 points per quiz, 20 points total). You can miss one section
without grade penalty. You will not have sections in week 1 or week 11 (during the second exam week).
Sections will include a variety of activities such as discussions, simulations, and review of course material. Your
section grade will be updated throughout the semester on ICON.
Exams (3): 45%
Examinations (45%, 3 @ 15% each): There are three multiple choice exams covering material from the
textbook, lectures, and discussion sections. Each exam is worth 15% of the final grade, covers roughly 1/3 of
the course, and is non-cumulative. The exams will be taken online in a monitored environment (more
information provided in class). The first two exams are scheduled on Thursday, October 3rd and Tuesday,
November 5th. The last exam will be scheduled during finals week, with the day and time yet to be determined by
the university. The final exam is NOT comprehensive. Requests to take the exams at times other than the
scheduled times must be made in advance and will be granted at the discretion of the instructor. If a student
fails to take an examination, the decision to allow a makeup and the penalty associated with that makeup, if
granted, is completely at the discretion of the instructor.