This is the Class Home Page/Syllabus.

Read This Entire Web Page (and all links).

This class moves very fast - do not fall behind or you will fail!

This is an advanced (200 level) course.

If you do not read and write at the college level, you will not be successful in this course.

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GET YOUR BOOK (or e-book) NOW and start reading:  

Text: Essentials of International Relations," Mingst, et al., (7th OR 6th OR 5th eds.), WW Norton Publisher (or any recent edition). You may purchase the new text from the LACC bookstore - get the 5th or 6th ed for much cheaper online!!!.

No Late Work will be accepted in this class. All late work will earn 0 points. No exceptions. You CANNOT TEXT Work! You CANNOT email work! All work is posted on eTudes.

Not everyone succeeds in online classes.  But those who stick with it often earn an A!

GET ON eTudes NOW!

How to get on eTudes: Go to the LACC web page, on the left, click on "classes/areas of study" - From there - look to the right - in the light blue area - see where it says "eTudes portal"? WELL - first click on "eTudes help" and take the tutorial and learn how to use eTudes. If you can't get on eTudes, maybe you shouldn't take an online class???

I do not use the eTudes calender. We use the Class Schedule (Below). You MUST adapt to the Schedule. It will not change for you.

Please DO NOT leave me messages on eTudes. I do not use eTudes messenger, text me at (323) 920-5308. During office hours I'll get right back to you, any other time of the week (Mon. - Thurs.), I'll try to get back to you within 24 hours. I do not work on the weekends.

Visiting Prof. Meyer in his office during office hours earns you extra credit points (25 max.).

Students will (outcome)

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The BEST way is to text me at

(323) 920 5308 - TEXT ONLY Please.

Please DO NOT leave me messages on eTudes. I do not use eTudes private messenger. DO NOT send work through private messenger.

On Campus Office Hours:

Mon. & Wed.: 12 - 1:45 pm

Wed., 5:30- 6:45pm

*Virtual Office Hours: T & Th 2-5pm

Or send me an email (meyerjn@lacitycollege.edu),

Or call and leave a message at (323) 953-4000 x2562

(Non emergency calls only - I check it through our email system)

Please remember, I DO NOT use eTudes private messenger and you CAN NOT send work to me that way.

TEXT ONLY - (323) 920 5308

*Text Only:(Google voice, PLEASE DO NOT leave a message, I will NOT pick up nor listen to voice messages on this number. (Don't know how, sorry, not gonna learn.)

During Virtual office hours, I will return your text as soon as I can, instantly if possible. The rest of the time I will get back to you within 24 hours (not Friday - Sunday).

Please! No Drunk Texting

(No drunk texting ever!)

Stop by and visit sometime

FH 219 - LACC ext. 2562

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You need to educate yourself on the background needed for this class.

Here are some pages of helpful links: On the Cold War and on the UN, WTO, IMF/World Bank etc.

Here is a link about how to construct an argument.

You can do work early but you cannot do it late!!!!!

PART ONE : Introduction and Terms

- 1 - (2/6 - 2/12) No Reading -

By the end of Week 1, Complete all the steps on the "Week 1 checklist" (including posting your "Student Statement" (with name and section number) on eTudes in the Assignments section).

- 2 - (2/13 - 2/19) Ch. 1 - Introduction to International Relations in the 21st Century. Theories of IR. .

By end of Week 2 : Course Project Declaration Due on eTudes.

- (The First Class Discussion on eTudes starts - DO NOT START A NEW TOPIC - just respond to my post). There will be three (3) three-week class discussions. You MUST participate in them all!

- 3 - (2/20 - 2/26) Ch. 2 - Before and After the Cold War. "In Your Own Words" Quiz 1 (ch 1 - 2) DUE.

- (First Class Discussion: week two).

- 4 - (2/27 - 3/5) Ch. 3 - Realism verses the rest.

- 5 - (3/6 - 3/12) - Essay Exam #1 Due on eTudes by the end of Week 5. .

- (First Class Discussion: week three).

PART TWO : Levels of Analysis:

- 6 - (3/13 - 3/19) Chs. 4 - 21st Century Global, the international arena -

- (First Class Discussion: FINAL week on eTudes). & "In Your Own Words" Quiz 2 (Ch 3 - 4) DUE.

- 7 - (3/20 - 3/26) Ch. 5 - "The State acts in its own best interest" -.

Course Project "Working References" Due

- (Second Class Discussion starts on eTudes).

- 8 - (3/27 - 4/2) - Ch. 6 - Does the individual matter in IR? - "In Your Own Words Quiz 3 (Ch 5 - 6) DUE .

- (Second Class Discussion: week two).

* SPRING BREAK - 4/3 - 4/9

- 9 (4/10 - 4/16) Essay Exam #2 Due

- (Second Class Discussion week three).

PART THREE : IGOs, NGOs, Law and War.

- 10 - (4/17 - 4/23) - Ch. 7 - IGOs, NGOs, and International Law.

Course Project "Thesis" Due on eTudes by the end of Week10.

(Second Class Discussion ends).

- 11 - (4/24 - 4/30) - Ch. 8 - What is War? What is Peace? What is Human?

(Third Class Discussion Starts on eTudes).

- 12 - (5/1 - 5/7) Essay Exam #3 Due on eTudes by the end of Week 12.

- (Third Class Discussion: week two).

PART THREE : Global Political Economy

- 13 - (5/8 - 5/14) - Ch. 9 - "IPE and MNCs" "In Your Own Word" Quiz 4 (Ch 7 - 9) DUE

- (Third Class Discussion: week three).

- 14 - (5/15 - 5/21) - Ch 10 - Human Rights

Course Project Due

- (Third Class Discussion ends).

- 15 - (5/22 - 5/28) - Ch. 11 - Transnational, Regional, or Global? "In Your Own Word" Quiz 5 (Ch 10 - 11) DUE

FINAL EXAM: (due 6/4/17) You will Post your answers on eTudes in the exam section.

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Grading, Quizzes & Assignments Explained:

No Late work will be accepted.

No Late work will be graded. You will earn 0 points for all late work.

ALL WORK is posted on eTudes in the Assignment section. (and the quizzes)

Once You Post Something on eTudes, You CANNOT Change It.

So Be Smart! Proof Read BEFORE Posting on eTudes.

Grading by points:

This class is transferable to UC and CSU system and is a college level class. We have no time for your drama, games, disruptions, nor for that matter, anything that distracts from the class. You are expected be an adult.

Please do not involve me (nor the class) in the drama that is your life!

NO EXCUSES! Here is a list of real excuses sent to me from my online students. SPARE ME YOUR LAME EXCUSES!

For my grading rubric on the Course Project, and the rest of the assignments, click here .

Approximate Points-to-Letter Grade scale:

Why not check out the Pre-test/Post test - It is just for you, no grade, but you will see how much you will learn. Try it, its fun - click here.

By the end Week 1: DO ALL THE STUFF ON THE CHECKLIST First ...

Do everything on the Student Statement then post the "Student Statement," with your full name and section number in the correct spaces on eTudes in the Assignment section.

...If you cannot do all you need to do by Week 1, than maybe you should drop the class...

The Student Statement is at the bottom of this web page. Read this entire web page and then post the student statement as directed on eTudes.

Class Discussions:

Posting work on the Class Bulletin Board (on eTudes ) serves several functions. First, it is an attempt to build a sense of "group" even if it is only "virtual." Second, it allows students to see if any other students are working on similar policy areas. You are encouraged to "make friends" and to work together whenever possible. Of course, every student has to do her or his own work. Third, posting work creates an open environment where we can help each other by sharing ideas. Fourth, it takes advantage being online in a way a traditional class could not.

You will need to be able to access eTudes. If you cannot get on eTudes by the end of week one you will be dropped from the class. 

You earn participation points by giving your opinion and contributing to "Class Discussions."  There will be four separate Class Discussions which will last three weeks each.  You should post your thoughts on the question as well comment on what others have said.  Of course, common rules of civility apply.  You are expected to make a posting for each and every one of the class discussions.  All postings must be accompanied by your name and email address.  No anonymous postings. No personal attacks or anything you wouldn't say face to face.  Just say what you think and why.

Contribute to the discussions, positively, politely.

All you do, really, is what you would do in class.  Say what you think and why you think it.  In a paragraph or two give your opinion and the reasons for it.  When commenting on others' thoughts, don't just say "I agree," say why you agree. 

You can access the discussions, when they are open and active on eTudes . Remember to include your name and email address on everything you say, or you won't get credit.  No anonymous postings, please.

The class discussions are graded at the end of the year in their totality. You can earn up to 30 points by simply posting your opinion and responded to some one else's opinion (at least once each discussion). Do less and earn less.

Here are the topics:

Discussion One: What should Pres. Trump's main foreign policy focus NOW?

Discussion Two: What can the US do to promote peace in the Middle East?

Discussion Three: Can globalization be stopped? Should it be?

The 4 Essay Exams (the last one is the FINAL EXAM)

The potential questions for each will be posted on the eTudes Announcements at least three weeks before they are due. We will not use title page nor abstract, but you will use APA citations and an APA references for each essay exam. The body of your paper should be 2000 words (MINIMUM) with at least 8 - 12 scholarly sources and citations at a minimum).

Your sources must be college level, authentic, reliable sources of information, not Blogs, not Wikipedia (childish), but sources that are academic and acceptable at the college level.

Again, you will have to do research outside the textbook and lectures for each Essay Exam. That is the whole point, learn and use APA, get to be a better writer. (Didn't I just say that?)

The Final CANNOT be taken early. It will be open for Final's week. No work will be accepted after the final closes. The Final CANNOT be taken late...

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Related Course and LACC info:

Students are responsible to live up to, and adhere to, all rules and regulations listed in the Student Handbook, the College Catalog, the College Schedule of Classes, and the various regulations, requirements and rules of the College and the District.

Students with disabilities or who need any assistance or reasonable accommodation should contact the instructor. Such students are encouraged to contact the Office of Disabled Student Services

Note Well:   Plagiarism is the serious ethical and legal violation of presenting other people's words or ideas as your own. Plagiarism or any other form of cheating can result in a failing grade for the paper, a failing grade for the course, and a formal report to the dean of students. See the student conduct code in the Catalog and Schedule of Classes.  

Students are encouraged to form and work in study groups. However each student must do her or his own work. Students who copy, cheat, plagiarize or in other fashion violate the spirit or letter (or both) of the rules of the College or the District (or both) may be excluded from this class, at a minimum.

Please do not ask for an incomplete. I will not grant it.

Any questions - please email me: meyerjn@lacitycollege.edu

Online classes are not for everyone!

Not everyone succeeds in online classes.  

Ask your self - do you have SELF Discipline?   Can you motivate YOURSELF to finish tasks? Do you work well alone at the computer ?  Can you read and write at the college level? If so, I bet you will love this course and do well in it (if you read the book and web pages and do the assignments ON TIME, of course). 

If not, maybe you should DROP THIS CLASS NOW!

Take the student self assessment - click here - print it out and take it seriously. Do not share your answers with me. Put them to work in your life!!!!! Do this each semester and see how you have grown!

Here's a few things to remember:

No Late Work will be accepted in this class. All late work will earn 0 points. No exceptions. You CANNOT TEXT Work! You CANNOT drop work in my mail box. It must be posted on eTudes before it closes!

All work is posted on eTudes in assignments or exams and quizzes are taken on publisher's web site.

Also:

1. This class is VERY FAST - DO NOT FALL BEHIND - All work received LATE will NOT be graded. You will earn 0 points.

2. This is not an "instant class." It takes me a few days or a week to get through to all the grading and emails.

3. You are expected to do the reading (from the text) and then click on the appropriate lecture page from eTudes. You can read ahead a little, but don't fall behind!

4. This is the same class as any on campus class - it is not "easier" or "less work." Most students tell me it ends up being more work and even harder than an on campus class because you have to have self motivation and self discipline and the ability to work mostly alone.

5. All work for the course is due no later than midnight (11:59 pm) Sunday 6/5/2016. All work received after that will not be graded.

7. Always include your Full Name & section number in all emails and your name on all texts (ur name on all txts).

LACC Addendum Mandatory Information

FALL 2016

Course: POL SCI 007
Title: Contemporary World Affairs
Course Description:An introduction to international relations theory with an examination of national, international, transnational, and subnational
actors and their institutions, interactions and processes as they relate to global issues.
Units/Transferability: Transferrable to UC and CSU

Prerequisites/Co-requisites/Advisories: None
Course Student Learning Outcomes: The core competencies: #1 Information Competency: Critical Thinking and Creative Thinking and #2 Written and oral.
Communications. 1. Investigate and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the current theoretical paradigm in IR - "Realism". 2.
Determine the impact and importance of global international organizations (such as the UN, WTO, etc.) on global
peace and developments issues. 3. Judge the value of national military power in the 21st century. 4. Critically compare
Realism to its various detractors to determine which best works as both a theoretical and practical model of global
politics in the 21st century. 5. Make predictions about global and regional political changes and their effect on the
international system in the next five years.

Grading Scale or Criteria
A - Excellent
B - Good
C - Satisfactory
D - Less than satisfactory
F - Failing
P - Pass; at least equivalent to a “C” grade or better
NP - Not Pass; equal to “D” or “F” grade;

Drop Date and Repeats:

Attendance Policy:

Students who are registered and miss the first class meeting may lose their right to a place in the class. Whenever
students are absent more hours than the number of hours the class meets per week, the instructor may exclude them
from class. If the instructor determines that there are no mitigating circumstances that may justify the absences, the
instructor may exclude a student from the class. Students are responsible for officially dropping a class that they stop
attending.

Financial Aid

If you need help paying for books and other college expenses, call the Financial Aid Office at (323) 953-4000 ext.2010,
http://www.lacitycollege.edu/stusvcs/finaid/.

Accommodations

Students with a verified disability who may need authorized accommodation(s) for this class are encouraged to notify
the instructor and the Office of Special Services (323-953-4000, ext.2270) as soon as possible, and at least two weeks
before any exam or quiz. All information will remain confidential.

Student Code of Conduct:

Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, the following actions: cheating on an exam, plagiarism,
working together on an assignment, paper or project when the instructor has specifically stated students should not do
so, submitting the same term paper to more than one instructor, or allowing another individual to assume one’s identity
for the purpose of enhancing one’s grade (see LACCD Board Rule 9803.28). Penalties may include a grade of zero or
"F" on an exam or paper, or even suspension from the College.

I put a great deal of time and effort into my web pages. I think they answer all your questions about how the class works....

IF YOU READ THEM! ----- SO READ ALL THE LINKS!

When you read each week's lecture pages, you will find many links.  When they appear in italics (like this type).  That's a link to an OUTSIDE web page that I think you may find of interest or it may help further elaborate upon or enhance your understanding of a concept or word.  If it says: "click here" or "click here to see..." that is a link to my own web pages.  They generally have my "Political Science, POWER & You" logo on them as well.  You should READ ALL MY WEB SITES.  The links to outside sources are for your enrichment and are optional.   Also, some links are to many of the activities we do in class, most are group activities. You don't have to do any of the activities (some of them really can't be done by yourself, but you can pretend you are in a group, I guess).

Many students drop the class, but those who stick it out often discover how easy and fun online classes are - just do the work each week - don't fall behind - it's hard to catch up.

It's never too early to start thinking about Your Course Project. It is as Fun as you want to make it. The MORE YOU PUT INTO IT - THE MORE FUN IT WILL BE! 

Students with disabilities or who need any assistance or reasonable accommodation should contact the instructor.   Such students are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Services. You need to be your own advocate.

Students are encouraged to form and work in study groups. However, each student must do her or his own work.   Students who copy, cheat, plagiarize or in other fashion violate the spirit or letter (or both) of the rules of the College or the District (or both) may be excluded from this class, at a minimum.

I will not grant an incomplete - so please do not ask!

Remember: eTudes, email and the internet are NOT PERFECT (me neither, you?). If you think I have made an error or an omission, email me ASAP!

Prof. Joe Meyer, email: meyerjn@lacitycollege.edu

Please always put your section number and name on all emails and texts!