International Organizations

POL 3513 Fall Term 2013 Thursday, 8:30-9:45 am

Week 1: Class introduction & organization

Dr. Matthias Hofferberth matthias.hofferberth@utsa.edu

8/29/2013

The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249

Session plan 1. Class introduction & organization 2. First introduction to the study of international organizations 3. Syllabus introduction 4. Conclusion

8/29/2013

The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249

1. Class introduction & organization Class introduction / methods of instruction: undergraduate hybrid class, meeting once a week attendance in class is mandatory b/c of cumulative learning class mostly in lecture mode, but also interactive elements teaching philosophy: from instructor-focused teaching to student-focused learning:
lectures not designed to provide finite answers but rather to raise new questions and initiate critical thinking on your side class (as well as the wiki) depends on contributions of everybody

above everything: mutual respect & common effort to learn

8/29/2013 The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 3

1. Class introduction & organization The hybrid nature of this class alternating delivery format: face-to-face class session every Thursday & online session from Thursday to Tuesday, 6 pm important: a hybrid class does not mean that you only do half the work! hybrid element in this class: wiki on international organizations

individual entries on international organizations relevant meta sites for our class subject (i.e. theories & concepts of IR)

Hybrid teaching concept: face-to-face class sessions will lay foundation for independent student research in the wiki
8/29/2013 The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 4

1. Class introduction & organization Conditions of participating what I ask of you: active participation in class & during the online sessions it is essential that you read the assigned texts & prepare class use further literature to engage with topics individually respect each other & act accordingly work as a team! Benefits of participating what you get in return: comprehensive introduction to an important topic a well-organized & structured class a supporting instructor + thee TAs who care & who are available experience hybrid learning & new forms of teaching

8/29/2013

The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249

1. Class introduction & organization what I really do not want

8/29/2013

The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249

1. Class introduction & organization

Mandatory course readings & further readings: each session has assigned mandatory readings some are from the textbooks, others are available online at Blackboard please prepare readings thoroughly, each and every week! each session has assigned further readings preparing those will greatly benefit your class performance further readings can be found in the JPL course reserve Textbooks used in this class: Archer, Clive 2001 (3): International Organizations, London: Routledge Karns, Margaret P./Mingst, Karen A. 2010: International Organizations. The Politics & Processes of Global Governance. London: Lynne Rienner.
8/29/2013 The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 7

1. Class introduction & organization Ways to communicate:

E-mail for short matters & quick inquiries Blackboard Learn forum Regular office hours for longer discussions TAs virtual office hours & emails in the syllabus

Classroom civility & academic integrity:

8/29/2013

Laptops, cell phones & other devices must be in silent mode Be on time & do not leave before the class ends Do not eat in class & do not disturb other students Wiki entries as well as other assignments will be checked by antiplagiarism software & all cases of plagiarism will be reported
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 8

1. Class introduction & organization Assignments & grades Regular and active class participation (up to 200 points)
100 % attendance and active participation in class is expected if you miss more than two classes, I will deduct points ticket-to-class online quizzes / quizzes in class

A mid-term essay due on Monday, 10/14/13 (up to 300 points)

questions will be posed in Blackboard Learn on 10/10/13 develop arguments and answer ONE question in a balanced way essay (2.000-2.500 words) to be submitted by e-mail in time

8/29/2013

The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249

1. Class introduction & organization Individual wiki entries in the first class part (up to 100 points)
focus on IR theories & concepts , expecting every student to contribute articles should draw on additional literature & provide a good overview students are advised to talk to me as well as the TAs if they need help

Expert group study in the wiki, finished by the end of term (up to 400 points)

8/29/2013

2-4 students working as experts on a single organization expert groups expected to finish their sections as we move along in class TAs will give feedback on each section, potentially asking for revision by the end of the term, expert groups are expected to present their IO students are advised to talk to me as well as the TAs if they need help
The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 10

1. Class introduction & organization individual assignments will be graded and pts. summed up overall performance will be graded on the following scale:
points
above 975 930-975 885-929 840-884 795-839 750-794 A+ A AB+ B B-

grade

points
705-749 660-704 600-659 500-600 Below 500 C+ C CD F

grade

8/29/2013

The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249

11

1. Class introduction & organization Wiki, wiki entries & student support writing in a wiki is very different than writing other assignments:
wikis draw on evolving knowledge wikis are collaborative products wikis include short, focused & concise entries wikis include facts rather than opinions

Class uses Wiki Spaces: http://intorg.wikispaces.com/IO+wiki

you will receive an email invitation after class today please create a user account using your UTSA abc123 help for working in Wiki Spaces provided in Blackboard Learn

Support provided by faculty & TAs: we are here to help you!

8/29/2013 The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 12

Any questions, comments or concerns so far?

8/29/2013 The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 13

2. Introduction to the study of international organizations International organizations as important actors in world politics International relations not limited to (bilateral) state interaction Diplomacy & multilateralism institutionalized in organizations: much of every day decision-making on a global scale within IOs Great variety / broad spectrum of international organizations to analyze & assess IOs, we need to structure them first Partner task: discuss what these organizations share and where they differ. Come up with a way to structure / organize / cluster them. Time: 5 minutes
8/29/2013 The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 14

3. Syllabus introduction Learning objectives:

learn about international organizations & their history and structure develop & discuss tools to analyze and assess international organizations apply theoretical knowledge in independent yet guided research projects experience hybrid learning and develop & improve computer, communication and organization skills as well as research, argumentation and writing skills

Syllabus structured into three parts:

IR theories of international organizations Analytical dimensions of international organizations Expert group presentations & class conclusion

8/29/2013

The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249

15

3. Syllabus introduction Part I: IR theories of international organizations

Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Thursday, 09-05-13 Thursday, 09-12-13 Thursday, 09-19-13 Thursday, 09-26-13 Thursday, 10-03-13 Thursday, 10-10-13 Defining international organizations IR theories I: (Neo-)Realism and IOs IR theories II: (Neo-)Institutionalism and IOs IR theories III: (Neo-)Liberalism and IOs IR theories IV: Social Constructivism and IOs IR theory roundtable on international organizations

8/29/2013

The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249

16

3. Syllabus introduction Part II: Analytical dimensions of international organizations

Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Thursday, 10-17-13 Thursday, 10-24-13 Thursday, 10-31-13 Thursday, 11-07-13 Thursday, 11-14-13 History of international organizations Institutional structures of international organizations Task fields & activities of international organizations Roles & rationale of international organizations Images & impact of international organizations

8/29/2013

The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249

17

3. Syllabus introduction Part III: Expert group presentations & class conclusion
Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Final Session Thursday, 11-21-13 Thursday, 11-28-13 Thursday, 12-05-13 Friday, 12-13-13 Expert group presentations I No class Thanksgiving Holiday Expert group presentations II Class conclusion & evaluation

8/29/2013

The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249

18

4. Conclusion International organizations in world politics

International organizations as important players in world politics Great spectrum of different organizations: from regional to global; from intergouvernmental to supranational; from negligible to relevant Class intended to provide analytical tools to structure & assess IOs (class sessions) as well as develop factual knowledge on individual IOs (online session)

Next session: Defining international organizations Mandatory readings:

Karns, Margaret P./Mingst, Karen A. 2010 (2): International Organizations. The Politics and Processes of Global Governance. London: Lynne Rienner, 3-34.
8/29/2013 The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 19

4. Conclusion Please prepare the next session as outlined on the info handout:
Log onto Blackboard Learn, download the syllabus and read it carefully Make yourself familiar with the class requirements and the assignments Talk to other students in class or the forum to see if somebody is interested in forming an expert group. Discuss which organization you want to work on. Create a user account in Wiki Spaces using your UTSA abc123 Take the syllabus quiz in Blackboard Learn and introduce yourself in the forum. Obtain copies of the textbooks & download the other readings from Blackboard Please keep your personal name sign and bring it to class. Finally, prepare the mandatory readings for next week, so that we can start discussion immediately.

8/29/2013

The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249

20

Thanks for class participation & see you next week!

8/29/2013

The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249

21