International Politics

International Politics Fall 2023
Schedule Last Updated: 12/07/23 Skip to October
Date	What We'll Discuss	Assignments Due

August 8/22	Course Syllabus Additional info: NKU's tutoring center NKU's study abroad opportunities	Do not print schedule; may be subject to change Remember to regularly refresh this page There is no textbook for this class. I will provide everything you need. You might also find these resources helpful: An international relations glossary Free open source textbook If you choose to buy and follow along in the optional textbook, the posted chapters correspond with what we'll be covering at that time. We will not discuss anything specific from the textbook, nor will I specifically be referring to or referencing anything from it
8/24	Introduction	No assignment
8/29	Some basics	No assignment
Section I Theories & States
8/31	The Peloponnesian War	Reading: The Melian Dialogue Discussion questions *If you choose to follow along in the textbook, the posted chapter reading pages correspond with what we'll be covering at the time. Chapter 1 pp 7-14; 22-27
September 9/5	Theories- Realism & Liberalism	Readings: Hobbes Rousseau Discussion questions Chapter 3 pp 78-102
9/7	Theories & Kashmir	Reading: Kashmir Discussion questions If you're interested, United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, Moderates in Kashmir, Long Way to Go in Kashmir, India-China Gunfire If you're interested-read what Hobbes (realism) and Rousseau (liberalism) say about why people create governments
9/12	The State-Sovereignty Discuss readings & video **review Exer 1 (due 9/21)	Readings & video: About the UN video On Joining the UNSC Changing the Status Quo? (read up to interview) Discussion questions If you're interested-India, Kenya, Ireland, Mexico, Norway, the lengths countries go to
9/14	The State- Territory Discuss articles-on Canvas Discussion Board- see announcement *Questions on Exercise 1?	Readings: Rules for Outer Space Defunct Satellites Regulating Space Junk Discussion questions If you're interested, a cool article about Space Junk, more on Space Junk, and one about Japan's efforts to collect space junk; a much more in-depth look at the military aspect, and an interesting article about Nigeria's No Fly Zone, Falling CHinese Debris, Space Junk Same Problem as Climate Change?, It Came From Space, Robot Garbage Hunters, Dumping Trash on Mars!?!
9/19	The State- Population	No assignment
9/21	The State- Resources Discuss readings and media	Readings & Media Mangroves Blue Carbon Watch this video Look at this map Discussion questions If you're interested- NOAA info on Blue Carbon, video on how mangroves help the oceans, World Bank project in Indonesia, IMF debt swaps in Belize Chapter 3 pp 78-102
9/26	The State- Resources Discuss Exercise 1	Exercise 1 due to Canvas at 10 am -.25 penalty for 'briefly' late submission until 10:10 am -Latest accepted submission at 10:45 am with a 1-point penalty -no assignments will be accepted after this time since we're discussing Exercise 1 in class
9/28	The State- Resources Discuss readings	Readings: Cursed are the Cheesemakers Greek Feta Discussion questions If you're interested, more on EU-MX trade pact, India wants GI label, EU's GI sales worth a bundle, US-UK dispute, recent WTO ruling, China's Belt & Road Initiative, Dibs on Basmati, another cheese dispute, and the China-Australia tiff A good source of information on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and some specific points on the situation Remember you need a Blue Book and a dark ink pen to take the exam
October 10/3	Finish resources	Study Guide for Exam 1
10/5	Exam 1 on Section I	Remember to bring a Blue Book and a pen
Section II Securing the State, People, & the Planet
10/10	International Law Discuss reading	Readings: Mercury Agreement Chapter 5 145-153 If you're interested, UN on Small Arms
10/12	International Law class not meeting- watch film	Film (126 min.) Discussion questions for the film: How does the film demonstrate IL is primitive? How is the Cold War an integral part of events in the film? What transnational issues does the film address?
10/17	No Classes- Fall Break	Do something fun!
TH 10/19	International Law Discuss film and articles	Readings: A Line in the Sea Force Majeure *If you're interested, here are more worthwhile articles: Small Reef, Big Problems, SCS Ruling, US Navy over SCS; The Nine-Dash Line, Bolivia's claim and the official ICJ ruling (and in plainer English), US & UK in the South China Sea, more on AUKUS
10/24	The Environment Discuss readings	Readings: Fast Fashion Sustainable Wardrobes If you're interested: Columbia Climate School on Fashion, Fashion's Impact, Sustainability Act, NY's bill, A Year without Buying Stuff
10/26	The Environment Discuss reading	Reading Saving the Planet (if you hit a paywall pdf ) Exercise 2- begin tracking info for this exercise today-due 11/2 If you're interested Fishing, garbage problems Liberia, plastic bottles
T 10/31	The Environment Discuss reading	Reading Saving Indonesia's Fisheries Discussion questions for the rest of the semester
November TH 11/2	The Environment Class not meeting- complete & submit Exercise 2 tracking analysis	Exercise 2 due to Canvas by 12:05 pm
11/7	Security & Cooperation Discuss readings	Readings & video No Rosewood of Such Virtue Trafficked Rosewood Trees Crystals *If you're interested, mining licensing for Madagascar
11/9	Security & Cooperation Discuss readings	Readings North Korea's Weapons Tests Workers Why Sanctions are Difficult to Enforce Sanctions on Russia If you're interested: Israel and the Gaza Strip Global conflicts 2023 Turkey and the PKK Previous sanctions on Russia and Russia's response (but the reality is, Russians want European cheese) Conflict in Yemen In-depth background on N Korea N Korea wants sanctions eased N. Korea Parking Tickets UN Sanctions on NK-comprehensive overview of the 12 UN Resolutions passed regarding NK UN Investigation of NK China's Violations NK's Coal Exports Why sanctions are difficult to enforce Assessment of Kim Jung Un's Decade of Rule Legal analysis of sanctions on Russia
11/14	Security & Cooperation Discuss readings	Readings A Charred Harvest If you're interested Finland & NATO Echoes of the Sudetenland Just Visiting War with Sweden? a more detailed video about the beginning of the Arab Spring more on terrorism in the Sahel (in French) UNSOM report on Somalia UN Support for Somali, more about it The Unintended Consequences Chapter 5 161-167 (except p. 165); Chapter 6
11/16	Diplomacy & Negotiation	Class not meeting- Exercise 3 due at 12:05 pm -.25 penalty for 'briefly' late submission until 12:10 pm -Latest accepted submission at 12:45 pm with a 1-point penalty. No papers will be accepted after this time.
11/21	Diplomacy & Negotiation Class not meeting--online Discussion Board- see email	No readings *If you're interested, The History of OPEC, recent-ish OPEC decisions Chapter 4- pp 119-132
11/23	Thanksgiving Day	No classes
11/28	Human Security & Development Discuss Exercise 3, along with today's videos and articles	Readings & videos Hero Rats and Hero Rats and Hero Rats III The Lucky Fish (if you hit a paywall read this) The Lucky Fish Project If you're interested, TED talk about hero rats, and in Cambodia and another, APOPO, rats abroad, build your own light, Mo Ibraham Foundation, Survey on Global Poverty Ch 7 Study Guide for Exam 2
11/30	Human Security & Development Discuss videos and articles	Readings & videos: The Original Bottle Bulb New & Improved Bottle Bulbs (if you hit a paywall pdf) World Toilet Day video and article Ch 9
December 12/5	Exam 2	Remember to bring a NEW Blue Book and a pen
12/7	Wrap-up session	In-class activity for Exercise 4 *If you submit Exercise 3 by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, 12/12, you will get +1 point on the assignment.
TH 12/14	Final Exam Time is 10:10-12:10	There is no final exam. Instead, Exercise 4 is due via Canvas no later than 12:10, the end of your scheduled exam time. -.5 penalty for 'briefly' late submission until 12:25 pm -Latest accepted submission at 11 pm with a 2-point penalty. No papers will be accepted after this time.