IRLS491 - Special Topics in International Relations

After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

CO-1 Explain how the success and failure of the Chinese Revolution depended upon the mass mobilization of peasants and the combination of traditional and modern strategies.

CO-2 Examine the case of Iran in 1979 and the recent Arab Spring to identify relevant theories and concepts that are applicable to these events.

CO-3 Analyze the relationship of a revolutionary movement to the state, and to civil society.

CO-4 Distinguish the theoretical differences between Alexis de Tocqueville, Karl Marx and Max Weber.

CO-5 Evaluate competing analyses of modernization in the field of political science and sociology.

Forum discussions – 25 percent

Each week, a discussion question is provided and posts should reflect an assimilation of the readings. Students are required to provide a substantive initial post by Thursday at 11:55 pm ET and respond to 2 or more classmates by Sunday 11:55 pm ET. Forum posts are graded on timeliness, relevance, knowledge of the weekly readings, and the quality of original ideas.

Midterm assignment - 25 percent

A 5 page comparative analysis of the Russian and Chinese Revolutions.

Progress assignment - 15 percent

A 3 page paper on the Mexican Revolution.

Final assignment – 35 percent

An 8 page paper. Please see assignment folder for details.

• Required Course Textbook
  • The required text for this course is:
  • No required textbook.
• External websites and other assigned reading found in the Lessons area of the classroom.
• Weekly Lesson Notes and videos or audio files are found in the Lessons area of the classroom.