INTA 2040

Fall 2006

Science, Technology & International Affairs

TR 3:05 – 4:25pm

D.M. Smith 105

Dr. Michael L. Best


Phone: 404 975 0771

TA: Hassan Chaudhri

Office Hours: Tuesday 2.00-3.00pm or by appointment. Location TBA.

This is a dynamic syllabus; it is subject to change. Please consult the web for the latest version.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

Price, M. E. (2004). Media and Sovereignty: The Global Information Revolution and Its Challenge to State Power. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.

Siochrú, S. Ó., Girard, B., & Mahan, A. (2002). Global Media Governance: A Beginner's Guide. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.

Grübler, A. (2003). Technology and Global Change. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Note that (at least two of) these texts are written at a very high level. Do not despair. We will take our time reading them and spend time in class reviewing the material.

OVERVIEW

This class will examine the reciprocal relationship of science and technology, on the one hand, and relations within and between various actors, on the other. In other words, we will study how science and technology has influenced and determined international affairs and, similarly, how international affairs have influenced and determined science and technology.

We will examine not just the affairs of states but non-state actors as well, such as multinationals and civil society. Indeed, one question we will consider is to what degree technology has diminished the role of the state in international affairs.

While we will take a broad view of technology we will also use a few example areas to focus our study. In particular, we will look at energy technologies and modern information and communication technologies and the media.

COURSE REQUIRMENTS

One policy brief (20%). Each student will produce a short policy brief advocating some position on a topic related to the course so far.

One media report (20%). Each student will pick and critique a new media source.

Two midterm exams (15% each). These two exams will be a mix of machine-scorable questions and/or short answer questions and will probe the student’s understanding of class themes, readings, and lectures.

Final exam (30%). This exam will be a mix of machine-scorable questions and/or short answer questions and will probe the student’s understanding of class themes, readings, and lectures.

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NOTE ON LATE SUBMISSIONS

Incompletes will not be given for this course. All submissions lose half a grade for each day (or fraction) late. Missed in-class exams will be marked as zero. Approved absences and late submissions, or required incompletes, will be given appropriate accommodations.

STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC HONESTY

Students in this class are expected to abide by the Georgia Tech Honor Code and avoid any instances of academic misconduct. In particular, plagiarism of any sort, in any writing, will not be tolerated. A useful web resource is: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html. All students should become familiar with this website and strictly adhere to these proscriptions.
Plagiarizing is defined by Webster’s as “to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own: use (another's production) without crediting the source.”
If caught plagiarizing, you will be dealt with according to the GT Academic Honor Code.
For any questions involving these or any other Academic Honor Code issues, please consult me or www.honor.gatech.edu.


SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AND READINGS

Aug 22 Course introduction

Aug 24

Aug 29

Aug 31

Sep 5

Sep 7

Sep 12

Sep 14

Sep 19

Sep 21 Midterm I

Sep 26

Sep 28 CLASS CANCELED
Progress reports submitted

Oct 3

Oct 5

Oct 10

Oct 12

Oct 17 HOLIDAY

Oct 19

Oct 24

Oct 26

Oct 31

Nov 2

Nov 7 CLASS CANCELED

Nov 9

Nov 14

Nov 16

Nov 21 CLASS CANCELED

Nov 23 HOLIDAY

Nov 28

Nov 30

Dec 5

Dec 6 Course wrap-up

Dec 11, 11.30 – 2.30am FINAL EXAM