POLS/ECON 411: INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY Instructor: Ahrar Ahmad Phone: BHSU 642-6000, residence 722-5243 Office: Jonas

124 Office Hours: MWF 1111:50, Th 3:15-4:15 (and by appointment or discovery) e-mail: Ahrar.Ahmad@bhsu.edu Semester: Fall 2012 Credit Hours: 3 Pre-requisites: 6 hours of political science and/or economics (or permission of instructor) Catalog description: This course will focus on the dynamic interplay of the structures and processes that link economics and politics at the global level. Topics covered will include, but will not be limited to, such issues foreign aid, international trade, multinational corporations, international debt, regional economic arrangements, international institutions, the global environment, North-South and East-West relations, etc. Particular attention will be played to US interests and options in the world. OBJECTIVES - to facilitate your understanding of international economic relations so that you may be able to identify and analyze various actors, forces and outcomes at the global level - to explore the linkages between domestic and international politics as they relate to economic issues from within a historical perspective - to illustrate the economic dimensions of various contemporary issues that we face in the world today (e.g., conflict, environment, refugees, immigration, the working of the UN, etc) - to encourage you to think about our relationship with other countries and international bodies in the context of our political and economic responsibilities, constraints, opportunities and interests TEXT Spero, Joan and Jeffrey Hart. The Politics of International Economic Relations (Boston: Wadsworth/Cengage, latest ed) Other readings will be suggested in class GRADING 1. Three exams - 50 points each 2. Research paper - 50 points (7 for abstract, 43 for paper) 4. Participation Total = 150 points = 50 points = 10 = 210 points

Letter grades will be based on the following scale: 90% or 189 points 80% or 168 points 70% or 147 points 60% or 126 points =A =B =C =D

* Exams will cover materials from the text, handouts and suggested readings, as well as class lectures. They will be "essay-type". Generally, the answers are expected to be fairly specific. * Precise dates for the exams will be announced at least a week before they are held. But tentatively, you can expect the first exam in early October (October 9 or 11), the second exam in early November (Nov 8 or 13), and the third during the Final Exam week (Dec 10-14). * Topics for your paper will be the subject of negotiations early in the semester. I AM expecting a research paper. Please think about, and start working on, your project early. You will have to submit a one-page typed outline of your project and a bibliography with at least 10 appropriate and available sources, to me on October 30. This abstract/outline will be worth 7 points. You are expected to make brief presentations regarding your project in class. The research paper is due November 29. * The participation grade will depend on your willingness in bringing up and analyzing relevant contemporary issues, the presentation regarding your paper, and your ability to be engaged in and critique the presentations of others. * All work MUST be done according to schedule. We may make slight adjustments on a collective basis, but not on an individual basis. Late papers will be penalized (3 points for each day the abstract or the paper is late). FREEDOM IN LEARNING: Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. Students who believe that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should contact the chair of the department in which the course is being taught to initiate a review of the evaluation. - In this course you are expected to perform to the utmost of your abilities in an honest and sincere manner. Academic misconduct will be dealt with severely per BOR regulations. Let me point out that using material (either as facts, opinions, or language) from somebody else without specific acknowledgement/attribution in any scholarly paper or presentation amounts to plagiarism. If you are drawing material from other sources (as it is expected in research projects) YOU MUST CITE YOUR SOURCE. Otherwise it is plagiarism.

- ADA STATEMENT: Reasonable accommodations, as arranged through the Disabilities Services Coordinator will be provided for students with documented disabilities. Contact the BHSU Disabilities Services Coordinator Mike McNeil, at 605-642-6099 or via e-mail at mike.mcneil@bhsu.edu for more information. Additional information can also be found at: http://www.bhsu.edu/StudentLife/Learning/DisabilityServices/tabid/162/Default.aspx Finally, I am making a firm commitment that I will treat every member in this class as an adult, and respect your intelligence and dignity. I hope everyone else behaves in a manner consistent with that expectation, and extends to others, and to me, the same favor.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO A FUN AND REWARDING SEMESTER WITH YOU GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU.