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GT37M Contemporary Issues in International Relations

Welcome to the GT37M homepage!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION (but feel free to browse what is already up)

This web site is for you, the GT37M students. A class web site can be a creative way of getting students excited about a subject, keeping them up to date on assignments, and providing them with valuable online resources.
 
On this site you will find the course outline with links to online readings, lecture notes, plenty of links so students can explore a wealth of ideas on the web, past exams, and a little bit about me.

I have used websites like this in the past and they appear to have been well received by my students. I hope you will find it useful and fun, and I welcome any feedback and suggestions you might have.

Course description AY 2004-5

How do we understand the world around us? This course will apply relevant theories, concepts and tools to four of the most pressing issues in international relations today: terrorism, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, China’s rise to world power, and the international politics of the environment. We will first explore their contemporary global contexts, and then we will attempt to locate and understand each of these issues insofar as they relate to the Caribbean. An exploration of these different issues aims to clarify and consolidate the link between the theory and practice of international relations, and to demonstrate the breadth of international politics in today’s world. Each issue will be treated as a module. Each module comprises a general overview, definition of terms, historical bases, and relevant theoretical framework. We will then explore the mainstream trends and issues vis-à-vis the topic, and finally how the issue relates to the Caribbean.

Semester II AY 2004-5 January-April 2005 Lecturer: Dr. D. Thorburn Class time and place: Friday 9-11, SR16

This course focuses on developing and improving writing and analytical skills. As such, students’ grades will be evaluated on the basis of three short writing exercises, in addition to the standard tutorial attendance and participation, and the final exam. There is a writing assignment associated with each of the four topics we are covering in class. You must choose three of the four and do an associated assignment. You must do at least one book review and one policy paper. Whichever topic you do not choose for your paper you will be required to cover on your final exam, so that by the end of the course you will have written something on each of the four topics. Tutorial attendance 10% Weekly China book review or policy position paper (5-7 pages) 10% Due Tuesday 15 February Film review of The Terrorist or book review of Harbor (5-7 pages) 10% Due Tuesday 8 March Environment book review or policy position paper (5-7 pages) 10% Due Tuesday 19 April AIDS book review or policy position paper (5-7 pages) 10% Due Monday 9 May Final examination 60% Date to be posted by Exams

Please get in touch with any questions or comments on my site.

University of the West Indies, Mona