Global Issues - Study Abroad
PS103 - Spring 2004

Course Description

This course is designed to familiarize the student with a range of issues currently of great concern or interest in the international political system. These issues include terrorism, national security, the information revolution, globalization, development, trade, foreign aid, the international political economy, scientific innovation, and international human rights. Students will gain a basic understanding of the international political system and develop perspective on the place of the United States within that system.

The Study Abroad Component

Since the topic of globalization has come to the fore in international relations, the student's understanding of this rapid and pervasive trend will be tremendously enhanced by seeing these issues first hand. The study abroad component will be a 10 day trip to four major European capitals: London, Brussels, Amsterdam and Paris. The student's understanding of global issues will be enhanced greatly be experiencing, among other things:

• The Globalization of American Culture - observation of things American while in Europe.
• The Globalization of Corporations - observation of things European that seem American.
• The utility of Foreign language skills vs. the almost ubiquitous use and reliance upon English.
• The monetary issues facing global travelers through currency exchange rates. (The Pound, the Euro, the Dollar)
• Political institutions in other national and international settings (UK parliament, NATO, The World Court, The Europarliament).
• Global environmental problems - sea level rise and its implications for the low countries.

The student's understanding will be enhanced by observation of these issues in the different socio-political context of another nation.

Course Requirements

The course requirements are relatively modest:
 

1. Midterm (25%)
2. Final (25%)
3. Geography Quiz (10%)
4. Topical Issue (Current Events) Quiz (10%)
5. Study Abroad Experience paper (20%)
6. Class discussion (10%)

All students in the class must go on the study abroad trip. Students may go on the trip without enrolling in the class, and may elect to earn the 1hour of extended learning credit. Extended learning courses cost only $33 per credit hour.
 

Course Outline - Tentative

 

Week 1: Jan 14	Introduction: The Course Perspective
Week 2: Jan 21	An Overview of the Issues
Week 3: Jan 28	The Information Age and its Global Context
Week 4: Feb 4	The Globalization of Culture
Week 5: Feb 11	A Global Political Economy
Week 6: Feb 18	Aid and Trade
Week 7: Feb 25	Population Growth
Week 8:  Mar 3	Resources and Politics
Week 9:  Mar 10	Genetics and Man
Week 10: Mar 17	Study Abroad Trip!
Week 11: Mar 24	Conflict and Security
Week 12: Mar 31	Terrorism
Week 13: Apr 7	Nuclear Arms and Proliferation/Weapons of Mass Destruction
Week 14: Apr 14	Human Rights
Week 15: Apr 21	The Global Environment
Week 16:Apr 28	Wrap up the issues
Final Exam - May

 
 
Study Abroad Trip Draft Itinerary

Day 1, Thursday March 11

• Leave Morgantown, Overnight Flight to London, Heathrow

Day 2, Friday March 12

• Arrive London
• Check into hotel
• Sightseeing, walking tour, free time

Day 3, Saturday March 13

• Tour Parliament
• Open/optional excursion

Day 4, Sunday March 14

• Visit British Museum
• Open/optional excursion

Day 5, Monday March 15

• Depart London AM via train
• Take Chunnel to Brussels
• Check into hotel
• Sightseeing, walking tour, free time

Day 6, Tuesday March 16

• Tour Europarliament
• Tour NATO Headquarters

Day 7, Wednesday March 17

• Depart Brussels via Bus
• Visit World Court at The Hague
• Visit ?
• Arrive in Amsterdam
• Check into hotel

Day 8, Thursday March 18

• Depart Amsterdam via Train
• Take the TGV to Paris
• Check into hotel
• Visit Louvre

Day 9, Friday March 19

• Visit Versailles
• Sightseeing, walking tour, free time

Day 10, Saturday March 20

• Depart Paris via Plane AM
• Arrive in Morgantown in PM

Tentative Cost Information:

Current Estimate is $2100. Final cost will be provided soon.

Deposit of 25% due in November.

Balance due by January 16th.