POLS 1040 - World Politics

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab 0
Course Description: This course introduces students to major theoretical approaches and case studies in international relations and comparative politics. Course topics include regime type, development, globalization, theories of war and peace, international law, human rights, and global citizenship. Theory will be balanced with analysis of historical and contemporary cases.
MnTC Goals
Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences MnTC5a. Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition. MnTC5b. Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures. MnTC5c. Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories. Goal 8: Global Perspective MnTC8a. Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions. MnTC8c. Analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, and political differences that affect their solution. MnTC8d. Understand the role of a world citizen and the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future.

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950 with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940 with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950 with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090 with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051 with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052 with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: POLS 1020

Major Content

Nation-State system
State characteristics
Political-Economy (trade, economic development)
War and peace (conflict and conflict resolution)
Regional similarities, divisions, patterns and North-South, East-West divisions
International Law and Human Rights
International organizations and non-state actors
Global citizenship

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Compare and contrast global political institutions, employing a variety of International Relations theories and the comparative method.

2. Evaluate global political processes, employing a variety of International Relations theories and the comparative method.

3. Compare and contrast global political cultures, employing a variety of International Relations theories and the comparative method.

4. Compare and contrast perspectives on international relations / world politics.

5. Evaluate the roles and responsibilities of global citizens.

6. Articulate their own values and opinions about global issues.
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC): Goals and Competencies Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences MnTC
Competency Goals (MnTC Goals 1-6)
05. 01. Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.

05. 02. Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.

05. 03. Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
Theme Goals (MnTC Goals 7-10)
08. 01. Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.

08. 03. Analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, and political differences that affect their solution.

08. 04. Understand the role of a world citizen and the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future.

Courses and Registration