Course Syllabus

PLS 495-004

Study Abroad:Political Tour of Ireland and France

Department of Public and International Affairs

University of North CarolinaWilmington

Spring Semester, 2008

Instructor: Dan Masters

Office: Leutze Hall 271

Office Phone: 910.962.7583

Webpage:

Email:

Course Description: The political systems of Europe are varied in their design and function. Some are classical Parliamentary Systems, Federal Parliamentary Systems, Presidential Systems, or the more unique but increasingly popular Semi-presidential Systems. In this course we will explore two European political systems in depth: Ireland and France. In the segment on Irish politics we will address two issues. First, the powersharing agreement that has brought an end to 30 years of political conflict in Northern Ireland. Second, we will explore the parliamentary system of the IrishRepublic including political culture, parliament, government, and the policy process. The segment on France explores the nature of its semi-presidential system, including parliament, the presidency, ministries, and political parties. In order to advance your learning and understanding of the two political systems, we will supplement traditional classroom lectures with life experiences that include a political tour of Belfast and Stormont Castle (the seat of the Northern Irish Government), a political tour of Dublin to include Leinster House, Dublin Castle, and the Four Courts. The political tours end in Paris with visits to the National Assembly, the Senate, and the Presidential palace (Palis d’Elysees), along with a French Revolution tour, a tour of the Louvre, and the VersaillesPalace. This class will truly provide an experience on European politics.

Course Outcomes:

By the end of this course you will be able to…

  1. Analyze and explain the differences between a parliamentary form of government and a Semi-presidential system.
  2. Understand the history and evolution of the conflict in Northern Ireland and the peace process.
  3. Evaluate the policy process for different European countries.
  4. Analyze the political culture of Northern European countries.

Required Text(s) and Materials:

  • Safran, W. (2003). The French Polity, 6th ed. New York: Pearson Longman Publishers.
  • Coakley, J. & Gallagher, M. (2005). Politics in the Republic of Ireland. London: Routledge.
  • A bound journal, like a composition book to use as your travel journal.
  • **A valid passport and any travel visas you may require**

Course Requirements:

Essay Quizzes: During the semester students will complete two scheduled, in-class essay quizzes. Each consists of short answer/essay questions. Each quiz will assess the level of substantive knowledge a student has acquired on both political systems under examination (Ireland and France). Each essay quiz is worth 50 points, and all essay quizzes combined are worth 100 points, or 25% of the course grade

Travel Journal: During the field trip portion of this course, all students must keep a daily travel journal. Each entry should be about 375-500 words (1.5-2 pages). Each entry must apply concepts learned from the class room portion of the class to experiences on the political tours in Ireland and France. Compare the structure and function of each system to the operation of the American political system, and compare each country to the other. The journal should also serve as a source for generating ideas and gathering information used in your final paper project. All entries should begin on May 12 and end on May 19 for a total of 8 entries. Each entry is worth 15 points. A final entry must be made after you return to the U.S. that evaluates the entire experience and synthesizes all information from both the lecture and the trip. This entry should be about 1000-1250 words (4-5 pages). This final entry is worth 80 points. All together the Travel Journal is worth 200 points or 50% of the course grade. This travel journal is due on Friday, May 30. You may mail the travel journal to the instructor if you wish. The address is:

Department of Public and International Affairs, 601 S. College Rd, Wilmington, NC28403-5607

Analytical Paper: During the semester students will complete one analytical paper on Irish, French, or a comparison of Irish-French Politics. The specific topic you chose must be approved by the instructor. All papers must be contemporary. As such, you are not allowed to conduct an historical analysis of the Northern Ireland conflict, the 1916 Easter Rising, the French Revolution, etc. Instead the paper must be driven by a research question or thesis statement. The goal within the paper is to address or answer that question based on any available evidence you can find. The question should be broad. Do not tie the question to a specific case study. The case study is your evidence used to explain how states reorganize to address threats of terrorism.

The paper length is 12-15 pages, double spaced, 1” margins, and a 12 point font (Arial or Times new Roman only). The paper should be fully cited using APA (American Psychological Association) format.

Information regarding APA is found at:

MLA is not an acceptable substitute. Students may use any regular library resources and e-journals for gathering information. Publicly maintained websites by governments are acceptable sources of information. However, beyond official government websites, web resources are not acceptable for this paperwithout express permission from the instructor. Proper citation of the paper is necessary to prevent charges of plagiarism, which can result in a student failing this assignment and/or resulting in expulsion. Plagiarism is a serious offense and students must take this seriously. Also, recycling papers from other courses, or using papers off the internet is not acceptable. The final paper is due at the beginning of class on Friday June 6. Students may submit the paper via email if they choose. The analytical paper accounts for 100 points or 25% of the total course grade.

Course Evaluation: The sum of all course requirements is 400 possible points for each student during the semester: The grading scale does include the +/- so pay attention to the grading scale listed.

Scale:

A=372-400pts. / A-=360-371pts
B+=348-359pts. / B=336-347 pts. / B-=320-335pts.
C+=308-319pts. / C=292-307pts. / C-=280-291pts.
D+=268-279pts. / D=252-267pts. / D-=240-251pts.
F=239 or lower.

You can track your points through the semester as exams and assignments are handed back. If at any time you wish to come by and compare your tracking with the instructors records feel free to do so. I encourage students to diligently keep track of their records, including absences. Mistakes do happen when recording final grades and if one is made against you, be sure to address it quickly. Protecting your Grade Point Average is your responsibility.

Schedule of Costs:The following costs apply to this course beyond thecosts of tuition, books, and passports.

Entire program: $2470.00 for 10 students, all taxes included.

Breakdown of Costs:

Airfare: $1090.00

Hotel Accommodations:$ 900.00

Ground Transportation: $ 200.00

Evening Meals:$ 130.00

Sites and Activities:$ 150.00

A $250.00 non-refundable deposit is due by October 30, 2007.

A $1500.00 payment is due on January 25, 2008.

The remainder amount of $720.00 is due by March 7, 2008.

Refunds are available on all amounts (except the initial $250.00 deposit), until March 20, 2008. After March 20 there are no refunds.

  • Costs include all breakfasts and 4 dinners. Students should plan to bring an additional $200 for lunches, and additional meals not covered under the program fees listed above.
  • Any additional money you bring for souvenirs or other personal purchases is at your discretion.
  • If you decide to use a credit card be sure to find out all information regarding fees for using the card overseas. If you plan to use a credit or debit card overseas, be sure to notify you bank (credit card) that you will be out of the country, and you will use the card.

Course Outline: The course is broken up into the following sections and topics related to each section. Reading Assignments for each section are listed here as well. Be sure to keep up with reading assignments. You will find studying for quizzes much easier if you have completed all reading assignments. Trying to go back and read when preparing the study guide wastes your time and diminishes quality study time.

Section 1: The Politics of Ireland

DateTopicReading Assignment:

Jan. 18Foundations of the 5th RepublicSafran, Chapters 1 & 3

Feb. 1Political Parties and Interest GroupsSafran, Chpt. 4 (Intro, pp. 116-137)

Chpt. 5 (pp. 147, 159-171)

Feb. 8The French GovernmentSafran, Chapts. 6-8

Feb. 8 Essay Quiz 1

Section 2:The Politics of France

DateTopicReading Assignment:

Feb. 22The Foundations of IrelandCoakley & Gallagher, Chapts. 1-3

Feb. 29Irish GovernmentCoakley & Gallagher, Chapts. 4-5, 8,

11-13

Mar. 14Northern IrelandCoakley & Gallagher, Chapter 15

March 28 Essay Quiz 2

Section 3: Political Tours of Ireland and France

DateTopic

Apr. 11Preparation for the trip (Checking all Paperwork, Meeting with OIP Rep.)

Apr. 25Preparation for the trip (packing, behavior, travel journals, questions)

Travel Itinerary:

May 12: Day 1

Meet at Leutze Hall Parking Lot. Carpool to Raleigh.

Departfrom Raleigh (RDU) Airport @ 1:30 pm to Philadelphia, leave Philadelphia @ 6:15 for Paris. Arrive in Paris @ 7:55 am on May 13th

  • May 13 (Day 2): Overnight Paris at the Hotel Germain in the Latin Quarter
  • French Revolution Walking Tour
  • May 14 (Day 3): Overnight Paris: Political Tour of Paris
  • Parliament (Chamber of Deputies)
  • Palais du Luxembourg (Senate)
  • Evening boat trip on the Seine.
  • May 15 (Day 4): Overnight Paris: Louvre and Personal Time
  • Morning visit to the Louvre
  • Afternoon personal time to tour Paris
  • May 16 (Day 5): Leave Paris to Dublin, and take coach from Dublin to Belfast.
  • Excursions along the way:
  • Hill of Tara: Seat of the High King of Ireland.
  • Monasterboice and the BoyneValley, where William of Orange defeated King James II (1601) indicating the religious and political divides of Northern Ireland
  • May 17 (Day 6): Overnight in Belfast: Political Tour of Belfast
  • Guided Tour of West Belfast including the Shankhill Road and Fall Road
  • Lunch with ex-IRA prisoner and British Army Officer
  • Afternoon tour of StormontCastle (seat of powersharing government in NI)
  • May 18 (Day 7): Travel to Dublin
  • Excursions along the way:
  • Maze Prison (Site of 1980s hunger strikes)
  • Millifont Abbey
  • Trim Castle a Norman Stronghold
  • May 19 (Day 8): Overnight in Dublin Blooms Hotel City-Centre
  • Possible Activities include:
  • Walking tour of Dublin, Could include DublinCastle, Temple Bar, TrinityCollege and Book of Kells, GPO, Custom House Key, OldParliamentBuilding
  • Leinster House: The former residence of the Duke of Leinster and now home to the Irish parliament, the Dail.
  • May 20 (Day 9): Overnight Dublin
  • Possible Activities Include:
  • Four Courts Tour, visit the seat of Ireland’s Court system with the potential of observing a trial. (Maybe)
  • DublinCastle
  • Kilmainham Gaol: The famous prison where the leaders of Ireland’s 1916 rebellion were executed.

May 21 (Day 10): Depart for Raleigh from DublinAirport @ 2:55 pm. Arrive in Philadelphia at 5:10 pm and in Raleigh @ 9:52 pm.

Travel Journals Due: Friday May 30

Analytical Paper Due: Friday June 6

Miscellaneous:

Make-up quizzes and exams: The pace of the course is always in flux. Class discussions and time needed to address study guides and the paper assignment will inevitably take time during the course. As such, quiz and exam dates are announced in class (with the exception of the final exam). If a student misses class it is his or her responsibility to get all information from class on the day missed. This includes notes and announcements regarding quizzes and exams. If a student misses class and subsequently misses a quiz or exam due to the absence, this does not constitute an excuse for a make up quiz or exam, or late paper. Make-up quizzes and exams are allowed for excused absences only. An excused absence is one where the student informs the instructor prior to class that he or she will not be in class on a particular day, or a university excused absence. It is always in your interest, as a student, to inform the instructor before class that you will not be in class on a particular day.

Students with Disabilities: The instructor does recognize and will work with students with various disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing accommodations of any type in order to participate in this class, please notify Disability Services (Westside Hall, 962-7555), provide the necessary documentation of the disability and arrange for the appropriate authorized accommodations. Once these accommodations are approved, any and all accommodations will be implemented as needed during the duration of this course.

General Rules of Classroom Conduct:

As time and technology march on there comes the need for new rules for classroom conduct. Though I personally do not like laying down such rules, they are necessary to ensure a peaceful learning environment for you and your fellow students. So please observe these rules.

Tardiness and Absences: Students must attend all classes scheduled during the semester. The only allowable absences are: a) University excused; b) university holidays; c) pre-approved absences where the student has contacted and informed the instructor of a need to miss class. Students should make any and all efforts (within reason) to be in class at the beginning of the class session everyday. Tardiness is generally disruptive to the flow of the course and is discourteous to your fellow students. If tardiness cannot be avoided, please enter the class quietly and try not to draw attention to yourself. Exercise judgment as well. If you are significantly late to a class, please do not enter. Speak with the instructor afterwards

Cell Phones, Pagers, other communication devices: Please turn off all communications devices before entering the class room. Only emergency personnel and individuals with outside emergency situations are allowed to keep communications devices on during class, and the device should be set to vibrate in order to avoid any unnecessary disruption during class. Since communications devices can become a vehicle for cheating during exams, any and all devices must be turned off during exams and quizzes, unless the above mentioned conditions apply. If an unapproved communication device is on during an exam, the instructor will confiscate it until the end of the exam.