INTL 5860: Issues in Political Sovereignty

Course Description

The course examines the changing nature of national sovereignty. The nation/state is the prominent player in the international system. Yet, with the rise of international issues, which cross borders and shift power within the international community the definition of sovereignty, is changing. This course will discuss some of these "transovereign" issues such as terrorism, crime, disease, environmental degradation and resource depletion and the international efforts to control them. These same issues, which threaten each nation, also force a change in the definition of sovereignty in order to confront the threat. The course will also look at international organizations and international law designed to help control these cross border issues. Yet, how does the nation/state maintain national sovereignty if power and control are yielded to such organizations? What are the effects on the nation/state and sovereignty because of this shift in power?

Course Objectives

Listed below are the long-term objectives you should be striving towards as a participant AND contributor in this course.

Student should understand the traditional definitions of Sovereignty.
Students should understand the changes to sovereignty reflected in current events.
Students should understand "transsovereign" issues, which have precipitated the changes in the current definition of Sovereignty.
Students will look at organizations to which nations have yielded Sovereignty.
Students will explore how these changes to Sovereignty have and continue to change the community of nations (current world system).

Prerequisites

It is assumed the student has adequate writing and analytical skills. Also, as for all Internet courses, the student must be disciplined and self-motivated.

Course Materials

Please go to MBS Direct to find the appropriate textbooks for this course.

Please be aware when purchasing your textbooks that the International versions of the text may differ from the Domestic (North American) version required for your course.

Click here for more information about textbooks for online courses..

Course Activities

The course will be conducted entirely online. Students are expected to participate in all course activities as assigned by the instructor. Course activities may include extensive reading, papers, presentations, discussions, quizzes, and/or group projects.

Discussions:
Student "active" participation in online discussions is mandatory. It is expected that students' comments should integrate their own experience with the topic. Discussion dialogue should always be substantive, thoughtful, respectful, and meaningful with the instructor and other students. Discussion questions could be based on any course material such as weekly assignments and readings.

Project:
The student will complete a course project. The instructor will provide specific project details because intermediate deliverables are due throughout the class.

Additional:
The instructor may assign additional essays, research reports, current event assignments, and presentations.

Participation:
The instructor reserves the right to drop any student enrolled in the course who fails to participate in class appropriately, e.g., nonparticipation in discussions and/or failure to submit assignments.

Policy Statements

University policies are provided in the current course catalog and course schedules. They are also available on the university website. This class is governed by the university's published policies. The following policies are of particular interest:

Academic Honesty:
The university is committed to high standards of academic honesty. Students will be held responsible for violations of these standards. The university reserves the right to utilize electronic databases, such as Turnitin.com, to assist faculty and students with their academic work. Please refer to the university's academic honesty policies for a definition of academic dishonesty and potential disciplinary actions associated with it.

Drops and Withdrawals:
Please be aware that, should you choose to drop or withdraw from this course, the date on which you notify the university of your decision will determine the amount of tuition refund you receive. Please refer to the university policies on drops and withdrawals (published elsewhere) to find out what the deadlines are for dropping a course with a full refund and for withdrawing from a course with a partial refund.

Disturbances:
Since every student is entitled to full participation in class without interruption, disruption of class by inconsiderate behavior is not acceptable. Students are expected to treat the instructor and other students with dignity and respect, especially in cases where a diversity of opinion arises. Students who engage in disruptive behavior are subject to disciplinary action, including removal from the course.

Student Assignments Retained:
>From time to time, the department will retain student assignments or projects for the purpose of academic assessment. In every case, should the assignment or project be shared outside the academic department, the student's name and all identifying information about that student will be redacted from the assignment or project.

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

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