The International System

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

MAC Critical Thinking & Inquiry in the Social & Behavioral Sciences Learning Objectives:

• Critically analyze claims, arguments, artifacts or information
• Construct coherent, evidence-based arguments

In this course, student learning relating to MAC CTI SBS SLO #1 and SLO #2 will be assessed through in-class short response and essay questions (included on the Midterm Examinations and Final Examination).

Substantive Content Learning Objectives:

• Explain, critique, compare, and apply major theoretical approaches to international relations
• Identify and explain the role of major actors in the international system, including sovereign states, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, multinational corporations, etc.
• Describe and analyze issues in the sub-fields of international security, international organization, and international political economy

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Attendance Checks	10%
Weekly In-Class Quizzes	40%
In-Class Midterm Examinations (2)	30%
Final Examination	20%

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
93.00-100.00	A
90.00-92.99	A-
87.00-89.99	B+
83.00-86.99	B
80.00-82.99	B-
77.00-79.99	C+
73.00-76.99	C
70.00-72.99	C-
67.00-69.99	D+
63.00-66.99	D
60.00-62.99	D-
0.00-59.99	F

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance: Attendance will count 10% toward the final course grade. Attendance will be assessed through random attendance checks beginning in Week #2.

At the start of every class meeting, the instructor will flip a coin at the beginning of each class meeting to determine if there will be an attendance check. If there is an attendance check, the instructor will circulate a sign in sheet. Students who sign in will earn 100/100 for the attendance check, while students who are absent and do not sign in will earn 0/100. At the end of the semester, the average Attendance grade will be calculated based on the total number of randomly determined attendance checks; students may miss one graded attendance check without penalty. After the first missed attendance check, students may be excused from subsequent attendance checks only in cases of documented medical or family emergency.

Participation: Participation will not be formally assessed but will be be factored into the final course grade as extra credit at the margins. In practice, students who consistently participate (e.g. by contributing to class discussions, answering questions posed by the instructor, raising questions in class, etc.) and whose final course grade is within one point of a higher letter grade will be upgraded to the higher letter grade (however, students who do not regularly participate will not be downgraded on their final course grade). To evaluate participation for the purposes of determining extra credit, the instructor will monitor the quality and consistency of students’ contributions to in-class discussion, including responses to the instructor’s questions, engagement with other students, and student questions.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Mingst, Karen A. and Heather Elko McKibben. 2021. Essentials of International Relations, 9th edition. Norton. ISBN: 9780393872817 (available via UNCG First Day Complete and UNCG Bookstore)