Political Science 409 International Organizations

Political Science 4609 International Organizations

Dr. NohaBakr

Spring 2017

Class hours: 10:05-11:25 Mon Thurs

Class: WALEED CP58

Office Hours: Mon/Thurs 9-10 or by email appointment

Office Location: 2027

Means of Contact:

Course Description

This seminar examines the structure and evolution of international organizations, both inter-governmental, and nongovernmental, with an emphasize on the United Nations system, its specialized agencies, and recent issues of global governance.

Course Objectives:

The aim of this course is to provide an intellectual challenge to academically able students by engaging with stimulating mostly up to date material in the International Organizations field. The material addresses a number of key concepts as well as normative issues.The course provides an analytical insight into the relationship between theory and practice; it provides a basis for further study or for careers in diplomacy, international academia, and media.

Course Policies Requirements

I. Free and Critical Thinking

Students are required to read the course readings before each session and be ready to critically engage in class discussion. Students are also encouraged to follow local, national and international political events. In addition, it is crucial that students understand that this class is meant to cultivate and encourage free and critical thinking, and students should not be shy or apprehensive to share their views and opinions with their peers.

II. Participation

Students are expected to participate in class discussion based on proior reading of the material assigned in the syllabus. Participation requires attendance. Continued absences reflect lack of participation.

III. Assignments

Assignments must be submitted on the dates assigned. Late submissions will incur a decrease of 1 percentage per day. After 5 days, late assignments will NOT be accepted. Students must submit their assignments at the beginning of the class, as those assignments submitted at the end of the class, will be considered as being 1 day late.

IV. Academic Integrity Policy

The AmericanUniversity in Cairo adopts a policy of zero-tolerance for cheating, plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Students who fail to meet the highest standards of academic integrity will be severely penalized. You must attribute all ideas, arguments and quotations that you have taken from other sources.

V. Mobile Phones

Since mobile phones are distracting to the learning experience the use of mobile phones (including SMS) during class is strictly prohibited. Please be sure that your phone is switched off before coming to class.

Grading System

Students will be graded on their attendance, participation, written assignments, and performance on examinations.

Class Participation: Students are required to read the course readings before each session and be ready to critically engage in class discussions. Students are also encouraged to follow international events relevant to this course.

Examinations: Students will have a midterm examination which will cover all of the readings and discussion covered until midterm. The final examination will be cumulative but will focus on material covered after the midterm

Research Essays: Students are required to write a double-spaced, 15 pages research essay. Topics should be selected and focused on theoretical and practical studies of international organizations. Students may wish to focus on a specific case study, or undertake a comparative analysis of a specific issue area. The essays must be submitted during the last day of classes.

Assessment

Research Essay 35%

Participation and Attendance15%

Mid-Term Examination25%

Final Examination25%

Total100%

University Grading Scale:

A = 93% and above B+ = 87 - 89.5% C+ = 77 – 79.5%

A- = 90 – 92.5%B = 83 – 86.5% C = 73 – 76.5%

B- = 80 – 82.5% C- = 70 – 72.5% D+= 67 – 69.5%

D= 60 – 66.5%

F= below 60%

Required Text Books and Readings

Books

-Weiss Thomas, Forsythe David, United Nations and Changing World Politics, Boulder: West view Press, 2007.

-Weiss Thomas, LeonGardenker, NGOs, the UN and Global Governance, London: Lynne Reiner, 1996.

-Ziring Lawrence, Riggs Robert, the United Nations International Organizations and World Politics, 4th(Ed) Thomson Wadsworth, 2005.

Articles

1-NohaBakr, NATO in Post Cold War Era: Shift of Strategies, Zagreb: NATO Advanced Research Workshop on "The Role of Independent Scientists in Assessing the Threat of WMD". Nov 2008

2-Fassabender Bardo, Uncertain Steps into a Post Cold War: The Role and Functioning of the Security Council after a Decade of Measures Against Iraq, European Journal of International Law, Volume 13 No1, 2002.

3-Rabinder Singh, Alison Macdonald, Legality of the Use of Force Against Iraq, Public Interest Lawyers on Behalf of Peace Rights, September 2002.

4- Smith Anne-Marie, Advance in Understanding International Peace Keeping, United States Institute of Peace, 2005.

5-The United Nations and Counter –terrorism after 11September, British Society of Criminology, Jan2005.

NohaBakr, UN GLOBAL COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY challenges & Opportunities, Egyptian Journal of International law, 2016.

6-Weiss Thomas, Overcoming the Security Council Impasse, dialogue of Globalization, No14/jan2005

7-Weiss Thomas, the Sunset of Humanitarian Intervention? The Responsibility to protect in a Uni polar Era, security dialogue, Vol35, No2, June2004

Web Sites

Course Syllabus

• Activities:
  -Students Presentations representing UN 6 main bodies

• Smith Anne Marie, Advances in Understanding International Peace

• United Nations Operations: Principles & Guide Lines

• Marco Pinfari, Nothing but Failure? The Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, as
• Mediators in Middle Eastern Conflicts, International Relations Department

*Background Non-governmental Organizations on Development Issues Anup Shah

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