INTL 6000: International Relations: Theory and Practice

Course Description

Various contemporary theories of international relations are examined. The relationship of theory to the practice of international relations is also considered. The course represents an overview for students who are completing an area of concentration in international relations.

Course Objectives

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

The student will create and design a substantive research paper that will demonstrate their knowledge of international relations theory and apply that theory to a case study or international issue.
The student will articulate in writing a clear and precise thesis statement and develop a literature review.
The student will also construct an argument, with some attention to methodology, that recognizes opposing arguments and well as marshalling primary and secondary evidence in support of their own.

Prerequisites

INTL 6000 is the capstone course for the Master of Arts degree in International Relations and may only be taken when all other requirements for the degree have been met or during the final term when requirements are being met.

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.

Each student will be required to post his or her assignments each week. In addition, each student will offer advice and critique the assignments of their colleagues. The postings will constitute an intellectual exchange designed to expand and refine knowledge by considering alternative viewpoints.

Each student will write a research paper consisting of an introduction with a clear and precise thesis statement, a literature review, the argument and a complete bibliography. Students will be required to use complete citation. The instructor will provide specific details. Each student will also develop a resume/curriculum vita.

Policy Statements

You are required to submit all assignments in a timely manner via Blackboard Vista Assignments area. Assignments should also be posted onto Discussions area. Blackboard Vista will stamp your submission date/time automatically. Please contact your instructor right away and submit your assignments to your instructor personal email account as suggested if you are encountering Blackboard Vista technical difficulties. Student assignments must be submitted and posted by 17:00 (5pm) Central Time (CT) on Mondays. Student comments on other students' work must be posted by 17:00 (5pm) CT on Wednesdays.

Copying material from other sources, students, periodicals, books, etc.--without proper acknowledgment is cheating. Any form of cheating will result in an F for the course and possible further disciplinary action. Specifically, plagiarism occurs when a writer intentionally or unintentionally uses someone else's words or ideas and presents them as their own. If you have any questions as to what constitutes plagiarism, please contact me.

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

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