COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

A Course Title POL 304: International Organizations

& Number

B Pre/Co-
requisite(s) POL 202
C Number of
3-0-3
credits
D Faculty Name Johannes A.A.M. van Gorp
E Term/ Year Fall 2016
F Sections
CRN Course Days Time Location
10470 POL 304 UTR 13:00 13:50 Physics 217
G Instructor
Information
Instructor Office Telephone Email
J.A.A.M. van Gorp P223 Extension 2380 jvangorp@aus.edu
Office Hours:
Sun. and Tuesday 14:00-16:00, or by appointment on Wednesday.
H Course Introduces the structure and function of international organizations and their role in
Description from economic, political, military, cultural or humanitarian relations among nation-states.
Catalog Considers selected organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, OPEC, and the
WTO.
I Course Learning Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
Outcomes
1. Analyze how societies and institutions behave and influence one another and
how political and economic conditions affect individuals.
2. Analyze human behavior in the context of international organizations.
3. Assess the function, range and impact of international organizations and how
diverse theoretical perspectives perceive their actions.
4. Research and present findings about key functions or actions of international
organizations.
5. Identify key ideas about international organizations and establish a logical
hierarchy of relevant information in an oral presentation.
J Textbook and Required:
other
1. Margaret Karns, Karen Mingst, and Kendall Stiles (2015). International
Instructional
Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance, 3rd Edition.
Material and
Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Resources
2. Linda Fasulo (2015). An Insiders Guide to the UN, 3rd Edition. New Haven,
CT: Yale University Press.
3. Select readings that can be found on the course website.

K Teaching and This class relies on multiple teaching and learning methodologies. These include
Learning lectures, discussions, group presentations and the undertaking of original research.
Methodologies
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L Grading Scale, Grading Scale

Grading
Distribution, and 94 100 4.0 A 77 79 2.3 C+
Due Dates 90 93 3.7 A- 73 76 2.0 C
87 89 3.3 B+ 70 72 1.7 C-
83 86 3.0 B 60 69 1.0 D
80 82 2.7 B- Less Than 60 0 F

Grading Distribution

Assessment Weight Due Date

Attendance and Discussion 10%
Quizzes 10%
Group Discussion Leader 15% See schedule
Paper 20% Tue. Nov. 29
Midterm 22.5% Tue. Oct. 25, Thu. Oct. 27
Final 22.5% TBA
Total 100%
M Explanation of 1. Attendance and discussion = Students are expected to arrive on time and attend
Assessments class in its entirety, and to actively participate in class discussions. Students
must always come to class prepared to offer comments and to ask questions, as
well as to answer questions that will be asked of them. Participation is not
simply a matter of speaking up. It also means demonstrating your
comprehension of the reading, asking relevant questions, respecting others
opinions, thinking intelligently about the material, and being present.
Accordingly, half of this grade will be decided by how actively you participate,
while the other half will be based on attendance.

2. Quizzes = Beginning in week 2 a quiz will be given once a week based on that
weeks readings. Some will be pop quizzes, some will be announced. These
quizzes are there to ensure that you have an incentive to stay on top of your
readings. They are also there so that the instructor can be sure that you
comprehend these readings. If you miss a quiz for any reason whatsoever, there
will not be a makeup quiz. However, your two lowest quiz grades will be
dropped.

3. Group Discussion Leader You will be asked to lead discussion as part of a

group at some point during the semester. Groups will be graded on the
following criteria:
1. Providing a 1 page summary for each of that weeks readings. Each
summary should clearly state what the thesis was of each chapter/article
and provide a summary of the information contained within it. These
outlines should be distributed to the class 24 hours before the class meets
on the day you present.
2. All group members showing command of that weeks readings during the
discussion.
3. Having questions prepared based on the readings that week and current
events related to that weeks topic that will lead to a stimulating in-class
discussion. You should not just be summarizing the reading!
 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

4. Research Paper - Students are expected to write a 3,000 word research paper in
this course. Besides course readings, the papers should draw from at least eight
other academic sources and include a properly formatted bibliography (you
may also consult The Economist, or other news sources, but these will not
count towards your eight sources). Papers should have an introduction, a clear
thesis statement, a conclusion and be properly cited. Please see the course
website for an explanation on how you will be graded on each of these criteria.
Essays must be submitted electronically using the safe assign feature on iLearn.

Prompts: Answer one of the following:

1. Is the United Nations an effective international organization? Why (not)?
2. What role do international organizations play in global politics? Is their
role trivial, do these organizations fulfill an important purpose, or do
governments use these organizations to pursue their own private goals? Be
sure to reference at least three international organizations extensively in
your essay.
3. How are the foreign policy goals of the most powerful members of the
European Union pursued (or not) by being members of the EU?
4. NATO does more harm than it does good. Why (not)?
5. Some have argued that the Bretton Woods institutions have outlived their
usefulness and need to be reformed. Do you agree? Why (not)?

The paper is due at the beginning of class the day it is due. Late papers will
lose 1/3 of their grade for each day they are late. Thus, an A paper will now
become an A- paper if it is handed in the next day, or after class on the day it is
due. An A paper handed in two days late becomes a B+ paper, etc.

Plagiarism: Papers will be examined for plagiarism. When you use other
peoples words or ideas without giving them credit it is plagiarism. This
includes using direct quotes without citation marks, copying directly from the
web, an academic article, or a book without a citation. It can also be the
borrowing a central idea from an author or a classmate without acknowledging
them. It is a serious offense and will result in disciplinary action against you. If
you are ever in doubt, please ask me before turning in your written work. For
more information, please see below.

5. Exams = Exams consist of short answer questions and an essay. The midterm
will cover the material discussed in class up to that point. The final will cover
the material from the midterm onward. Both are closed book. Exams will test
your understanding of the readings, as well as your ability to critically
synthesize the academic material covered in class.

N
Students MUST read the Student Academic Integrity Code outlined in the AUS
Academic
Catalog and agree to abide by the standards for academic conduct, students
Integrity Policy
rights and responsibilities and procedures for handling allegations of academic
dishonesty (see pg. 17-19 in the 2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog).

M Course Policies Attendance Attendance and active participation are important for the
successful completion of this course. Students are expected to come to class on
 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

time, and attend the whole class and ALL lectures. Students are responsible for
lecture material and assigned readings, even for days when they have missed
class. As per University regulations, six or more absences automatically lead to
withdrawal.
Mobile Phones Please turn them off and put them away before walking into
class. If I see one on you, I will ask you to leave the classroom for that day.
You will be counted as absent for that day. Contact me beforehand if you need
to leave your cell phone on during class for emergency reasons. During exams
you should not have a mobile phone on you. If you are caught with one, I will
automatically take your exam away from you. You will also fail that exam.
Laptops/Tablets Despite studies showing that the use of laptops in class can
be very distracting not just to those who use them, but also to those around
them (see: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-
sheet/wp/2013/08/20/how-distracting-are-laptops-in-class/), the use of laptops
to take notes in class is allowed. This does not mean that you can use your
laptop to check your e-mail, Facebook page, or any other websites during
lecture. Using a chat program is also not allowed. If I catch you using any other
program other than the one you use to take notes, you will lose your laptop
privileges for the remainder of the semester. If you do decide to make use of a
laptop, please sit in the back for the classroom.
Class Notes Students are responsible for their own class notes. Students
absent from class should obtain notes from their fellow students. The
instructors notes are not available.
Make up Quizzes and Exams The scheduled exam dates are firm. In case of
an emergency situation (e.g. illness, death in the family), inform the instructor
at least twenty-four hours in advance of the scheduled exam. A missed exam
lacking appropriate documentation will count as zero points in the final grade.
Note Taking Most of the lectures will be delivered through PowerPoint.
However, I will not be providing slides to you. This is not because I am a mean
person, but rather because it has been shown that one comprehends the material
better through note taking (Im happy to provide links to relevant studies for
you). It is your responsibility to take thorough/comprehensive notes. If you do
miss a lecture, it is up to you to meet up with one of your classmates and get
notes from them.
Technology and Papers Last minute computer or typing crises (corrupted
USB keys, crashing hard-drives, jammed printers, etc.) are not considered as
acceptable emergencies.

SCHEDULE
Readings are to be completed before the class for which they are assigned. Readings are listed below under the
title of each lecture.

Date Readings/Assignments Due

Sun. Aug. 28 Introduction

Administrative matters, explanation of assignments. No readings.

Week 1 What is Global Governance?

Aug 30 - Sep. 1 - Karnst, Mingst and Stiles, Chapter 1, p. 1-41
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Week 2 A Short History of the Rise of IOs

- Karnst, Mingst and Stiles, Chapter 3, p. 75-108
- Mazower, Mark (2012). Governing the World: The History of an Idea. New York, NY:
The Penguin Press, p. xi-xviii, 3-12 (on course website)

Week 3 Eid Al Adha Holiday

Sep. 11-15

Week 4 Theorizing IOs

Sep. 18-20 - Karnst, Mingst and Stiles, Chapter 2, p. 43-72
- Mearsheimer, John J. (1995). The False Promise of International Institutions,
International Security 19(3), Winter, 5-49 (on course website)
- Keohane, Robert and Lisa Martin (1995). The Promise of Institutionalist Theory,
International Security 20(1), Summer, 39-51 (on course website)

Sep. 22 GROUP 1 PRESENTATION

Week 5 The United Nations, History and Structure

Sep. 25-29 - Karnst, Mingst and Stiles, Chapter 4, p. 109-148
- Fasulo, Chapters 2-3, 6-7, p. 16-39, 55-94

Sun. Oct. 2 Al Hijra Holiday

Week 6 The United Nations and International Security

Oct. 4-6 - Karnst, Mingst and Stiles, Chapter 7, p.317-353
- Fasulo, Chapters 9, 11, p. 111-133, 153-170
- Elden, Stuart (2006). Contingent Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity and the Sanctity of
Borders, SAIS Review 26(1), Winter-Spring, 11-24 (on course website)
- Bellamy, Alex J. (2008). The Responsibility to Protect and the Problem of Military
Intervention, International Affairs 84(4), July, 615-639 (on course website)

Sat. Oct. 8 GROUP 2 PRESENTATION

Week 7 Development: The UN and the World Bank

Oct. 9-11 - Karnst, Mingst and Stiles, Chapter 9, p.425-465
- Fasulo, Chapters 14, p. 188-207
- Fleck, Robert and Christopher Kilby (2006). How Do Political Changes Influence US
Bilateral Aid Allocations? Evidence from Panel Data, Review of Development Economics
10(2), May, 210-223 (on course website)

Sun. Oct. 13 GROUP 3 PRESENTATION

Week 8 The United Nations: The Possibility of Reform?

Oct. 16-18 - Karnst, Mingst and Stiles, Chapter 4, p. 148-159
- Fasulo, Chapters 4, 18-19, p. 40-45, 236-253
- Weiss, Jessica (2008). The 2005 Anti-Japanese Protests in China and UN Security
Council Reform, Manuscript. (on course website)

Thu. Oct. 20 GROUP 4 PRESENTATION

 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Week 9 Exam Week

Oct. 23 Review Session
Oct. 25 Exam Part I, Short Answers
Oct. 27 Exam Part II, Essay

Week 10 Defending Europe: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Oct. 30-Nov.1 - Karnst, Mingst and Stiles, Chapter 5, p. 169-175
- Wallander, Celeste A. (2000). Institutional Assets and Adaptability: NATO After the
Cold War, International Organization 54(3), Autumn, 705-735 (on course website)
- Reiter, Dan (2001). Why NATO Enlargement Does Not Spread Democracy,
International Security 25(4), Spring, 41-67 (on course website)

Thu. Nov. 3 GROUP 5 PRESENTATION

Week 11 The Future of NATO

Nov. 6-8 - Goldgeier, James M. (2010). The Future of NATO. Washington, DC: Council on Foreign
Relations, p. 3-23 (on course website)
- Mearsheimer, John J. (2014). Why the Ukraine Crisis is the Wests Fault. Foreign
Affairs, September/October (on course website)
- King, Charles (2008). NATOs First Line of Defense? It Shouldnt Be Here, The
Washington Post, November 30 (on course website)
- Talbott, Strobe (1995). Why NATO Should Grow, The New York Review of Books,
August 10 (find at: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/1995/08/10/why-nato-should-grow/)

Thu. Nov. 10 GROUP 6 PRESENTATION

Week 12 Managing the Global Economic System: Bretton Woods Institutions and the IMF
Sat. Nov. 12 -13 - Karnst, Mingst and Stiles, Chapter 8, p. 379-396, 420-421
- Stone, Randall W. (2008). The Scope of IMF Conditionality, International
Organization 62, Fall, 589-620 [skim 601-615] (on course website)
- Brainard, Lael (2002). Capitalism Unhinged: The IMF and the Lessons of the Last
Financial Crisis, Foreign Affairs 81(1), January-February, 192-198 (on course website)

Nov. 15 GROUP 7 PRESENTATION

Thu. Nov. 17 Class Cancelled Professor Gone Work on your papers!

Week 13 Managing the Global Economic System: the World Trade Organization
Nov. 20-24 - Karnst, Mingst and Stiles, Chapter 8, p. 396-408, 421-422
- World Trade Organization (2015). Understanding the WTO. Geneva, Switzerland: WTO
Publications, p. 9-61 (on course website)
- Iida, Keisuke (2004). Is WTO Dispute Settlement Effective? Global Governance 10(2),
207-225 (on course website)

Week 14 The Most Supranational of Regional Organization of Them All: The European Union
Nov. 27-29 - Staab, Andreas (2011). European Union Explained: Institutions, Actors, Global Impact.
Indiana University Press, p. 3-80 (electronic copy available at AUS library)

PAPERS DUE ON TUESDAY OF THIS WEEK

Thu. Dec. 1 Martyrs Day and UAE National Day
 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Week 15 The EU in a Time of Crisis

Dec. 4-8 - Lewis, Michael (2010). Beware of Greeks Bearing Bonds, Vanity Fair, October (find
at: http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2010/10/greeks-bearing-bonds-201010?printable=true)
- Lewis, Michael (2011). When Irish Eyes are Crying, Vanity Fair, March (find at:
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2011/03/michael-lewis-iceland-200904)
- Lewis, Michael (2011). Its the Economy, Dummkopf! Vanity Fair, September (find at:
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2011/09/europe-201109)

Sun. Dec. 11 Al Muwlid Al Nabawi Holiday

Week 16 Visions of the Future

Tue. Dec. 13 - Slaughter, Anne-Marie (2003). Everyday Global Governance, Daedalus 132(1),
Winter, 83-90 (on course website)
- Brooks, Stephen G. and William C. Wohlforth (2009). Reshaping the World Order,
Foreign Affairs, March/April. (on course website)

Final Exam