POL 296 - Special Topics in Global Politics

FDR: SS2
Credits: 3 in fall and winter, 4 in spring
Prerequisites vary by topic. A seminar in political science for students at the introductory or intermediate level. Topic, hour, and instructor are announced prior to registration. May be repeated for degree credit with permission and if the topics are different.

Topics for Spring 2012:

POL 296: Special Topics in Global Politics: Diplomacy in Practice: Security Issues in the South Caucasus (4). This course presents an overview of the history and political-economic development of the three countries of the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) and examines the 20-year period of independence of the three states since the fall of the Soviet Union, principally their successes and failures in resolving ethno-territorial and separatist conflicts, pursuing political and economic reform, and managing relations with neighboring powers, mainly Russia. It also concentrates on the South Caucasus as a region of strategic interest to the United States due to Caspian energy and pipelines, its location near Russia, Iran, Turkey, Iraq and Afghanistan, its key role as a supply line to NATO troops fighting in Afghanistan, and its proximity to Russia’s volatile North Caucasus region. (SS2). Yalowitz. Spring 2012

POL 296: Special Topics in Global Politics: Political Islam (4). This course explores the impact of political Islam in the changing political landscape of Central Asian republics after the break-up of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. (SS2) Zarakol. Spring 2012

Topics for Winter 2012:

POL 296-01: Negotiation Analysis. (3). No prerequisites. Open to majors and non-majors. Meets the global politics field requirement or elective credit in the major. Recommended for students interested in diplomacy, labor-management relations, conflict-resolution, law, public policy or social science graduate study. We derive negotiation outcomes from elementary fair division analysis which emphasizes distributive justice norms, settlement rules, bargaining power, negotiating strategies, contested goods and two or more disputants (litigants). Cases cover comparative and international politics. (SS2) McCaughrin.

POL 296-02: Energy and Global Politics (3). Open to all classes. No prerequisites, but POL 105 would be helpful. This course focuses specifically on hydrocarbons - oil and natural gas - and global politics. The course examines strategic, diplomatic, political, economic, commercial, and technical dimensions of hydrocarbons. We examine the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa and also focus on China, Russia, and the European Union. While our attention is directed to present day developments in the current international situation, historical context is also addressed. (SS2) Kiracofe.

Topic for Fall 2011:

POL 296A: Strategic Studies (3). No prerequisites. Open to non-majors and majors of all classes. Meets the global politics field requirement or elective credit in the politics major and FDR SS2. Recommended for students interested in diplomacy, geopolitics, military science, national / international security policy, political science graduate study. This course explains political (strategic) outcomes at the international level, from total war to stable peace. Special attention to Eurasia (Afghanistan, China, India, Russia), Mideast (Egypt, Iran, Israel, Libya) and Latin America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela). Student assignments include simulated US Homeland Security Department task force reports; see www.dhs.gov/index.shtm.  Syllabus and other information: mccaughrinc@wlu.edu C. McCaughrin.

POL 296B: Islam and Politics (3). Prerequisite: Politics 105. This course provides a broad and thorough introduction to the contemporary global “Islamic Resurgence.” We shall respect cultural diversity. Themes treated include: religion, politics, and society; Islamic revival and reform; nationalism; the modern state; contemporary politics; and terrorism. Particular attention is given to political Islam and to its radical and extremist manifestations past and present. The world view, strategy and tactics of selected contemporary terrorist organizations are investigated, and the implications of sectarian issues such as the Sunni-Shia split are considered. (SS2) Kiracofe.