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INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL POLITICS

POLI 101 Fall 2021

Tuesday & Thursday 11:40 AM - 12:30 PM

08/19/2021 - 12/13/2021
USC Columbia Campus | WMBB Nursing | Room 231

Instructor:
Dr. KATHERINE BARBIERI
Email: katherine.barbieri@sc.edu
Office Location:
Office Hours:

Teaching Assistants:
KUAN-WU CHEN for Sections: 001, 002 & 003
Email: kuanwu@email.sc.edu
Office Location: Gambrell 305
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

EMILY HARMON for Sections: 004, 005 & 006

Email: echarmon@email.sc.edu
Office Location: Gambrell 305
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 9:20 AM – 11:20 AM

SPENCER BAILY for Sections: 007, 008 & 009

Email: baily@email.sc.edu
Office Location: Gambrell 303
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 3:00PM – 5PM

Academic Bulletin Description

POLI 101: INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL POLITICS (3 credit hours)

Introduction to theories about Global Politics. Issues and controversies central to Global Politics.
Satisfies GSS in the Carolina Core: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding - Social
Sciences/Cultural Identities.

Full Course Description

This course introduces students to global politics. Global politics draws on multiple disciplines to
understand the local, national, international, transnational, and global actors, institutions, and processes.
We will approach a range of topics in global politics from the perspective of Political Scientists, drawing
on relevant concepts, theories, and research.

Learning Outcomes
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Upon successful completion of Political Science 101, students will be able to:
1. Compare different approaches to studying global politics.
2. Identify the main actors, institutions, historical events, and processes relevant to global politics.
3. Identify different facets of globalization, including economic, political, and cultural
globalization.
4. Describe and explain a variety of global political issues using the principles and methodologies
of social science.
5. Examine theories of conflict and cooperation, war and peace, and power and influence.
6. Contrast normative and positive theories on the role of ethics, the role of the state, intervention,
human rights, and foreign aid.
7. Participate in debates about critical global problems and possible solutions.

Course Materials

All course materials will be available through Blackboard, our course management system. We will rely
upon Open Access Resources (free electronic resources) and holdings or subscriptions available through
Thomas Cooper Library. The course relies heavily on resources developed by the Council on Foreign
Relations (CFR) as part of their academic outreach programs.
Students are required to remain up to date with international news events and will relate concepts
learned in class to contemporary events. You are required to keep up to date on international news
events and rely upon objective sources of information. Please consider signing up for the Economist
Magazine’s free newsletter. You may do this if you sign up for a free account and access “newsletter”
on their site. You may also access the Economist directly through the Gale Database at Thomas Cooper
Library.

Health, Safety, and Course Format

The health crisis and university policies to prevent the spread of COVID and the delta variant are fluid.
Please check the university’s COVID webpage regularly (https://sc.edu/safety/coronavirus/)
and educate yourself about COVID and the Delta variant.

Give the size of the class, social distancing will be difficult. For this reason, we are seeking options that
will permit social distancing in the classroom. Until the health crisis passes, students may attend class in
person or via Blackboard Collaborate. Students who attend class sessions through Blackboard
collaborate must attend as if they were in the classroom. That means be seated at a desk, dressed,
present, and able to participate in discussions.

We will follow the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) guidelines and university policies to reduce the
risk of disease transmission and protect vulnerable members of the community. Students should:
· Wear face coverings when indoors and in crowded public spaces. Your mask must always cover
your nose and mouth.1
· Maintain six feet when indoors and masked.
· Stay home when sick or exposed to the virus.

1 Students that supply documentation of medical reason for not wearing a mask must communicate with
the faculty member in advance of attending class to make appropriate arrangements.
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· Wash hands regularly with soap and water.

· Disinfect surfaces and objects regularly.
· Understand that federal and state law protects the privacy of health information. Faculty cannot
share medical information about a student or students with others and cannot not inquire about
the vaccination status of students Contact tracers will contact individuals that may be at risk of
exposure.

Communication & Assistance

You should feel free to ask questions during class session. The TAs will monitor questions in the online
session to be sure they see raised hands and texted questions; in case the instructor misses them. Please
be sure your microphone and video cameras are working so you can participate in class discussions. The
TAs will facilitate movement into groups online.
If you have questions outside of class, your first point of contact is your assigned teaching assistant. We
encourage you to visit office hours. Do not hesitate to seek assistance for anything that helps in you in
your academic journey. Please be respectful of everyone’s time and make sure you review your syllabus
and the announcements before sending questions. Make sure that your messages are professional in
nature and that you include the course number and section in your subject line. All email must come
from the university account.
Please take advantage of the many services offered at USC to help you achieve your goals (see below).
The Student Success Center has peer tutors for POLI 101. We are fortunate to have Ilias Chahir, an
undergraduate student, completing an independent study focused on evaluating the course material and
assisting peers in learning the material. You can contact him by email (ICHAHIR@email.sc.edu).
If you have not done so already, make sure you are familiar with Blackboard. If you have problems with
Blackboard or other technology, please contact the DoIT helpdesk.
· A large percentage of the course depends upon your engagement with other students. We
encourage you to go beyond what is required for assignments and find partners to study with
you.
· Please use Blackboard to post messages or email other students. You may select specific groups
when sending email.
· Please be civil and learn about alternative viewpoints. Treat your peers with respect. Use
evidence, rather than uninformed opinion, to support your argument. Pay careful attention to
developing your writing and research skills.
· Operate according to the class schedule. The due dates mean your readings should be completed
by that date.
· Be reasonable with your demands on teaching team’s time. You may not hear back from the
team for at least twenty-four hours. Our normal time for us to respond to email is 24 hours for
weekdays and 48 hours for weekends. If you have not heard from us within the regular
turnaround time, you are welcome to email again (it can happen that I miss an email).

Technology Requirements
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We will be using Blackboard throughout the course, so you should familiarize yourself with the course
during the first week. You will be able to access readings through Blackboard or through the Thomas
Cooper Library.
If your computer does not have Microsoft Word, the Office 365 ProPlus package is available to you free
of charge and allows you to install Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access
on up to five PCs or Macs and other mobile devices including tablets. Office 365 ProPlus also includes
unlimited cloud storage on OneDrive. To download Office 365 ProPlus, log into your student
(University) email through a web browser, choose Settings (top right corner), and select software. If you
have further questions or need help with the software, please contact the Service Desk at:
https://www.sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/university_technology_services/support/serv
icedesk.php.

Course Assignments and Grading

Participation & Quizzes

The course requires active participation in the learning process, both during and outside class meetings.
Students are required to attend class in person or online, to arrive on time, to complete assignments on
time, to follow international news events, and to be prepared to discuss course material and
contemporary events in class. Please come to class with notes, readings, and insights from the readings. I
will give pop- quizzes to assess your understanding of material and to stimulate discussion.
We will also have participatory learning activities, such as simulations, that may involve group work. At
times, you will work within a small group to complete an assigned task. You are required to be present
for the full class and complete the assignment as described to receive credit for it. Students attending
online will be able to participate. Students who miss a quiz due to late arrival, early departure, or
absence from the room will receive a failing grade.
You will receive a zero for any quiz or group assignment that you miss. Grading will vary by
assignment, with many assignments being graded as pass/fail. Your participation grade will be based on
the average of your graded quiz assignment scores, minus the lowest two grades.

News Analysis
Before class each Thursday, you must submit a 1-2 single spaced paragraph that explains a news story
from the week that relates to the topic covered. Please focus on the explanation of how the story
exemplifies the topics covered that week. You must include a complete and accurate citation using APA
style and submit the assignment before 11:40 AM each Thursday. It will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
We will not accept late assignments, but you may miss two required submissions. You may not submit
your assignment late, unless you have an excused absence. You may miss two required submissions of
news stories. They are not required the week of your midterm.

Policy Memo
You must write a brief policy memo or produce a policy poster on a topic of your choice in global
politics. You may work alone or in groups. Students who work in groups will be asked to evaluate
each members contribution. The memo should be one poster or 1-2 single spaced pages, not your
bibliography. Please strive for brevity and precision in communicating policy recommendations. The
memo should:
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· Identify an important global challenge or problem.

· Explain the significance of the problem.
· Explain past and current efforts to solve the problem.
· Identify potential alternatives.
· Explain the policy you think will solve the problem.

The instructor and TAs will not read drafts of memos but will engage in discussions about them. You
should go beyond the assigned readings to complete your project. You must include a bibliography.
Groups will submit one product and bibliography.

Exams
You will have a midterm exam on October 21 st and a final exam on December 9th. The exams will
consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. They will be closed book and no notes will
be permitted. The exam questions will cover your required readings, videos, lecture material, and
relevant current events. You should begin preparing for exams on the first day of classes.
The Registrar’s Office determines the dates and times for final exams. Make up exams will only be
granted if you have a university approved excuse for missing an exam.

Grading Scale

Please check your scores in Blackboard for individual assignments and report errors within one week.
Ignore aggregate scores generated by the Blackboard system. The final grades will be based on the
following formula:

Assignment Weights Percent of Final Grade

Participation & Quizzes 15%
News Reports 15%
Policy Poster or Video 20%
Midterm Exam 20%
Final Exam 30%
Total 100%

Final Grading Scale

A = 90+ and above; B+ = 86-89.9; B = 80-85.9; C+ = 76-79.9.
C = 70-75.9; D+ = 66-69.9; D = 60-65.9; F = below 60.

Cooling Off Period & Grade Appeals

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We maintain a 24-hour cooling off period that students must observe after receiving graded exams or
assignments. During this time, you should not contact the TA or instructor with questions about your
graded exam. Use that time to review your work and the course material. It is in your interest to
approach the exam as a learning experience and to approach the teaching team when you are having
difficulty with the material.
If you have evidence of an error in grading, you must submit an appeal in writing to your teaching
assistant. You may appeal to the instructor after the TA has completed the review. You must do that in
writing and supply the earlier appeal and copies of your exchanges with your TA. Regrading by the TA
and/or instructor may result in a higher, lower, or the same score.

Recommendations for Academic Success

1. Avoid procrastination
2. Share professional experiences online
3. Engage in discussions
4. Have good written communication skills
5. Use proactive communication
6. Be self-motivated and self-disciplined
7. Have a commitment to learning
8. Have critical thinking and decision-making skills
9. Believe quality learning can take place in an online environment
10. Have good time management skills

Support Services

Disability Services
The Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC; http://www.sa.sc.edu/sds/) empowers students to
manage challenges and limitations imposed by disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to
contact me to discuss the logistics of any accommodations needed to fulfill course requirements (within
the first week of the semester). To receive reasonable accommodations from me, you must be registered
with the Student Disability Resource Center (1705 College Street, Close-Hipp, Suite 102, Columbia, SC
29208, (803) 777-6142). Any student with a documented disability should contact the SDRC to decide
for appropriate accommodations.

Student Success Center

The Student Success Center (SSC) offers several programs to assist you in better understanding your
course material and to aid you on your path to success. SSC services are offered to all USC
undergraduates at no additional cost. You are invited to call the Student Success Hotline at (803) 777-
1000, visit the SSC website (www.sc.edu/success), or stop by the SSC in the Thomas Cooper Library on
the Mezzanine Level to check schedules and make appointments.

Writing Center
The University Writing Center is an important resource for you during your time at USC. Please make
use of their services. (http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/write/university-writing-center)

University Library Resources

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University Libraries (sc.edu/libraries) has access to books, articles, subject-specific resources, citation
help, and more. We will review many sources you will need for class, but please familiarizes yourself
with their resources.

Blackboard & Technology

If you have problems with your computer, technology, IT-related questions, support, including
Blackboard, please contact the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) Service Desk at (803) 777-
1800, chat online with a Service Desk technician, or submit an online request through the Self-Service
Portal. The Service Desk is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Eastern Daylight Time).
Counseling Services
The University offers counseling and crisis services as well as outreach services, self-help, and
frequently asked questions.
(sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/student_health_services/medical-services/counseling-and-
psychiatry/index.php)

Course Policies and Procedures

Attendance Policy
Please consult the university attendance policy online. Students who have an excused absence must
provide documentation to have the absence counted as excused. Students who have been diagnosed
with COVID-19 or have been exposed and require quarantining should complete the COVID-19 Student
Report Form. The Student Ombudsman will verify documentation of a positive COVID-19 test or need
to quarantine.

If you have military or other university documentation that permits you to miss class (e.g., formal
organizations), please send a copy of the documents to your teaching assistant. If you do not have formal
documentation from a military or university group, you must get approval from the Student Ombudsman
to have your absence approved.

Important Notes
Students are responsible for all material covered in class. For unexcused absences, please request notes
from another student. You will find most documents posted to our Blackboard site. Please do not ask the
instructor or TA for course material for classes unexcused absences. Please try to get to know your
classmates, so you will be able to rely upon them for notes and study sessions.

Students attending via Blackboard will be able to complete these online. Students must submit their quiz
at the precise time instructed to do so in order to receive a passing grade. Students who miss the quiz
due to late arrival, early departure, or absence from the room when attending online will receive a failing
grade. You may drop your two lowest quiz grades.

Late Work/Make-up Policy

All readings, quizzes, and exams are due by the deadline, as posted on the course schedule. Please plan
accordingly and complete these assignments in advance of their deadlines to ensure any unanticipated
circumstances do not result in a missed assignment. You must have documentation to request an absence
be excused.

Incomplete Grades
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Incomplete grades for the course will only be granted in accordance with university policy.

Academic Integrity

The first tenet of the Carolinian Creed is, "I will practice personal and academic integrity." You are
expected to practice the highest possible standards of academic integrity. Any deviation from this
expectation will result in a minimum academic penalty of your failing the assignment and will result in
additional disciplinary measures. This includes improper citation of sources, using another student's
work, and any other form of academic misrepresentation. Below are some websites for you to visit to
learn more about university policies:
· Carolinian Creed (http://www.sa.sc.edu/creed)
· Academic Responsibility (http://www.sc.edu/policies/staf625.pdf)
· Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (https://www.sa.sc.edu/academicintegrity/)
· Information Security Policy and Standards
(https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/division_of_information_technology/securi
ty/policy/universitypolicy/)

Class Conduct & Netiquette

We are all expected to behave in a professional manner at your own is a minimum requirement.
Courtesy and kindness are the norm for those who participate in my class. Class discussion is a way for
you to share your ideas and to learn with your colleagues. We do this as colleagues in learning, and
discussion are meant to be a safe and respectful environment for us to conduct these discussions. Some
Netiquette Rules:
· Treat others with respect. There should be no personal attacks. You can debate a point, but do
not make it personal. Debates should center on credible evidence and reasoning.
· Learn to understand the reasoning behind an alternative position. Consider the evidence and
argument.
· Avoid using all CAPITAL LETTERS in emails or discussion board postings. It is considered
"shouting" to some.
· Be professional when sending emails. Make sure you use the appropriate title when writing to
faculty and teaching assistants. Faculty with Ph.D.’s uses the title Professor and Dr. Teaching
assistants will tell you what they prefer to be called.
· When sending an email, please include a detailed subject line. Additionally, make sure you
reference the course number in the message and sign the mail with your name.
· Use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Text messaging language is not
acceptable.
· Use good taste when communicating. Refrain from using profanity.
· Re-Read, think, and edit your message before you click "Send/Submit/Post."

Please remember when posting to be respectful and courteous to your colleagues and limit your posts to
discussions of the course and assignments.

Diversity and Inclusion

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The University and its Faculty are committed to a campus environment that is inclusive, safe, and
respectful for all persons, and one that fully embraces the Carolinian Creed. To that end, all course
activities will be conducted in an atmosphere of friendly participation and interaction among colleagues,
recognizing and appreciating the unique experiences, background, and point of view each student brings.
Please apply the highest academic standards to this course and to treat others with dignity and respect.

Student Expectations of the Instructor

I am here to facilitate learning, answer questions appropriately, be fair and objective in grading, provide
timely and useful feedback on assignments and treat you respectfully.

Weekly Schedule

We will post required components from each CFR Module and supplemental readings. The approximate
timeframe is listed below, but I reserve the right to alter the schedule if it benefits the student.