IAFS 1000: Global Issues and International Affairs

Summer A 2007: The Fate of the State

Class Meetings: MTWRF 1245-1450, CHEM 145

http://sobek.colorado.edu/~jupille/200702/IAFS1000/

 

Professor: Joseph Jupille                                                                        jupille@colorado.edu

Office: Ketchum 103                                                                             TEL (303) 492-5445

Office Hours: TR 1500-1600 & by app’t                                               FAX (303) 492-0978

 

Essay and Exam Guidelines

 

This handout is intended to spell out the parameters for each of the written exercises that you will undertake during the course.  There are four such exercises: a brief essay, two midterms and a final examination.

 

  1. Essay

 

For part I of the course, you will write an essay that accomplishes two things.  First, it will offer a coherent definition and characterization of the modern “Westphalian” state.  What do we mean when we say “state” in international affairs?  What is the nature of states? Second, it will set forth your “baseline expectation” about the “fate of the state” in the contemporary world, based on that definition and characterization.  Do you expect the state to endure, change or disappear? Why? This will necessarily be somewhat speculative.  The purpose of the essay is for you and me to have a baseline “point of departure” for the course, in order better to assess the extent to which and the ways in which your prior beliefs do or do not change over the course of the semester.

 

Here are the nuts and bolts for the essay.  Failure to respect these requirements will result in point deductions of 1/3 grade for every occurrence, unless otherwise noted.

·         The essay constitutes 15% of your final grade.

·         Essays must have a title page (not included in your page total) which provides a descriptive title (something other than “essay”) and your name.  Your name should not appear anywhere else in the paper.

·         Essays must have an introduction and a conclusion, in addition to well-delineated sections addressing themselves to the two core requirements of the paper.

·         Do not even think about plagiarizing.  I will look for and prosecute any violations of the CU honor code.

·         Essays must be double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, with normal margins, paginated, and spell-checked.  I will deduct points for typographical and grammatical errors in the amount of the average number of errors per page.  For example, a paper averaging three such errors per page will have three points deducted.

·         Essays must not exceed 5 pages in length, not including references and title page.  I will stop reading after 5 pages.

·         Do not bind the papers other than with a staple at the top-left corner.

·         Essays are due at the start of class on Friday, June 8th.  I will deduct 2/3 grade for essays turned in between 12:46 and 5 p.m. on the 8th, and then 1/3 grade per day after that.

 

2, 3.  Midterms

 

Here are the nuts and bolts for the midterms.  Failure to respect the guidelines will result in point deductions.

·         Each midterm exam constitutes 20% of your course grade.

·         Bring a bluebook and a blue or black pen.  If you need to write in pencil, ask me in advance.

·         Do not write anything on or in your bluebook before class starts.

·         Midterm exams may comprise multiple choice, identification questions, and/or essay questions.

·         Midterm #1, dealing with part II of the course, will be held on Monday, June 18th.

·         Midterm #2, dealing  with part III of the course, will be held on Wednesday, June 27th.

 

4.      Final Examination

 

Here are the nuts and bolts for the final examination.  Failure to respect the guidelines will result in point deductions.

·         The final examination constitutes 30% of your course grade.

·         Bring a bluebook and a blue or black pen.  If you need to write in pencil, ask me in advance.

·         Do not write anything on or in your bluebook before class starts.

·         The final exam may comprise multiple choice, identification questions, and/or essay questions.

·         The final examination will be administered on Friday, July 6th.