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GT24A: International Relations: Theories and
Approaches
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| Lecturer: |
Lisa Vasciannie |
| Lecture Times: |
• Tuesdays 5:00 - 7:00 pm (SR5) |
| Office hours: |
• To be announced |
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| Pre-requisites: |
GT12A; |
| Co-Requisites: |
NONE |
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| Course Description |
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| “The student should not be frightened by the word theory.
Theory is nothing but systematic reflection on phenomena,
designed to explain them and to show they are related to each
other in a meaningful, intelligent pattern, instead of being
merely random items in an incoherent universe. Every discipline
requires theory to guide research, to provide a basis for
explanation, and if possible, to lead to a probabilistic predictive
capability.” (Dougherty, James E, et. al., Contending
Theories of International Relations, 2001, p. 17)
Theory is central to the discipline of International Relations.
It is theory that distinguishes the field from the study history,
current affairs or journalism and makes the subject area more
than simple descriptive thought. This course examines the
evolution of theory in IR and provides an overview some of
the main theoretical approaches to the study of IR from the
traditional Idealism and Realism; to the radical Postmodernism
and Feminism; as well as the Neo-Marxist perspectives of the
developing world. Theories of International Political Economy
and International Organization will also be explored.
The main purpose of GT24A is to facilitate a comprehensive
understanding of how major scholars, past and contemporary,
have theorized about the dynamics of international relations.
The theories generally make a number of propositions which
sometimes offer conflicting perspectives, but also occasionally
overlap. Our main task will be to outline, critique, compare
and contrast the assumptions and values which underlie each
of these theories so students may enhance their own critical
understanding of International Relations as well as form their
own perspectives.
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| Course Assessment |
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Tutorial presentation
/ participation – 15% (8% presentation/participation;
7% submitted paper) :
Unless otherwise stated, tutorial presentations should
be approximately 15 minutes. Participation in tutorials
is mandatory. Good participation goes beyond merely reading
a presentation once for the semester. It requires careful
reading of at least the material on the course outline,
and regular meaningful discussion of the topics. Your
preparation for and participation in discussions are central
to interesting and productive tutorial sessions. Failure
to prepare and participate in tutorials will result in
significantly lower grades. Questions pertaining to any
part of the lectures, readings or any matter related to
the course material are welcome.** |
| Mid-semester examination
– 25% This will be held during
normal lecture hours in October (date to be announced)
Final Examination – 60%
You will be required to answer three essay type questions,
one from each section, in two hours. ** STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT
THEIR MAIN TUTORIAL ASSIGNMENT ONE WEEK AFTER THE PRESENTATION.
This should be
5-6 typed pages (maximum 1500 words), double spaced.
Note: Late submission of assignments
will incur a penalty of 5% per day up to one week. Thereafter
No assignment will be accepted. |
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| Regulations |
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Please note the University’s
Examination Regulation 25 regarding attendance. It states:
“Any candidate who has been absent from the
University for a prolonged period during the year for
any reason other than illness or whose attendance at
prescribed lectures, classes, practical classes, tutorial
or clinical instructions has been unsatisfactory or
who has failed to submit essays or other exercises set
by his teachers may be debarred by the relevant Academic
Board, on the recommendation of the relevant Faculty
Board, from taking any University examinations.”
In other words, attendance at tutorials is mandatory. |
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Please become acquainted with
the University’s Examination Regulation 73 on
cheating and plagiarism:
“Plagiarism is a form of cheating. Plagiarism
is the unauthorized and/or unacknowledged use of another
person’s intellectual efforts and creations howsoever
recorded, including whether formally published or in
manuscript or in typescript or other printed or electronically
presented form. Plagiarism includes taking passages,
ideas or structures from another work or author without
proper and unequivocal attribution of such source(s),
using the conventions for attributions or citing (eg.
MLA: Chicago:ACS;AIP;ICMJE etc) used in this University.
Since any piece of work submitted by a student must
be that student’s own work, all forms of cheating
including plagiarism are forbidden.”
In other words, plagiarism will not be tolerated. |
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| This course
has a companion website at www.mycourse.thomsonlearning.com.
Students are required to enroll online in order to access
additional reading material, tutorial questions, course
announcements and other important material. The access
code is 84200. Students may also check their campus pipeline
accounts for similar information. |
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LAV |
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September 2005 |
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