Course Syllabus

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Instructor: Dr. Michelle Morais de Sa e Silva    

 

 

 

Wick Cary Assistant Professor of International and Area Studies

College of International Studies

Phone: (405) 325-9821

Email: michelle.morais@ou.edu

 

 

 

 

Course Description 

This course will give participants the opportunity to critically reflect on the reasons why sovereign states have collectively decided to create International Organizations (IOs) and to abide by the norms and rules enacted by them. The course will help participants explore the various roles that International Organizations have played as relevant actors in international relations. The course will also provide a survey of some of the main IOs in existence, their mandates, as well as their current political and institutional challenges. Finally, this course will lead students to reflect on the current challenges to global governance and to the enduring value of international organizations.

Course Materials

This course will be based on journal articles and book chapters that will be required readings for each session according to the schedule below. Those reading materials will be made available online.

Also, recorded classes will be complemented with videos from external sources that in some aspect exemplify the discussion for the week. Watching all videos is core to gaining a full understanding of the theoretical discussions at hand.

Grades

Breakdown

Course grades will be determined based on the following assignments:

Assignment	Weight
Seven article posts	56%
Final Exam	44%
TOTAL	100%

Grading Scale

Traditional cutoffs (i.e., 90%, 80%, 70%, and 60%) will be used. 

Course Components

Newspaper and Magazine Articles

For every module, students will be expected to look for newspaper or magazine articles (past or current) that address topics related to the module’s readings. The post is to be structured into three parts: (i) link to the article; (ii) one paragraph summarizing the readings for the module; (iii) your analysis of how the article exemplifies the readings or how it could be addressed from the perspective of that reading. This activity will correspond to 56% of the course grade and students will be expected to have all 7 article posts. Posts will be assessed on the basis of their relevance and the use of concepts contained in the readings. Module posts are due on Wednesdays and Saturdays by 11:59 pm.

Final Exam

Reading and learning will be also assessed by means of a written exam with open questions. It is expected that students will be able to mobilize the readings, video lectures, and discussions to answer the exam. The exam will correspond to 44% of the course grade and students will be expected to upload their exam file to Canvas by no later than July 2^nd.

Online Meeting

At the beginning of the semester, the class will meet online for introductions and in order to address any questions that the students might have. Participation in this one online meeting is required. The meeting has been scheduled for June 8^th at 6 pm.

Course Policies

Diversity and Classroom Etiquette

Diverse experiences and perspectives will make our discussions interesting, and everyone is encouraged to share their point of view. Remember, however, that you must always be considerate of your fellow students. Your instructor is committed to making the OU community a safe and welcoming place for people of all backgrounds and identities. I will not tolerate interruptions or disrespectful behavior of any kind. Should you notice any disrespectful or discriminatory behavior, please report it immediately to the instructor.

Academic Integrity

Please review http://integrity.ou.edu, especially the “Students Guide to Academic Integrity” (http://integrity.ou.edu/students_guide.html) and “9 Things You Should Know about Plagiarism” (http://integrity.ou.edu/files/nine_things_you_should_know.pdf).   You are responsible for learning the conventions of proper attribution and citation of sources. Plagiarism, cheating, and academic dishonesty of any kind are a violation of University policy. 

In the age of constant media consumption, online paper mills, and copy-paste digital content, students can find it challenging to maintain their ethical bearings.  But

please remember that a single act of academic dishonesty can have dire, irreversible consequences for your career.  There is no statute of limitations on plagiarism, even in cases discovered years after graduation. If you ever have a question about academic integrity, do not hesitate to consult the instructor.

Writing Center

Most universities have a writing center, a place for students, faculty, and staff to meet and talk about writing. The Writing Center here at OU is a resource I encourage you to use. Part of good writing is seeking feedback from many different readers. The writing consultants at the Writing Center are able to talk with you about your writing—at any stage in the process and for any course you are taking. You can make an appointment (online or by phone, 405-325-2936), or you can drop in whenever they are open. For more information, see http://www.ou.edu/writingcenter.html.

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UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND STUDENT SUPPORT

Catalog

Please familiarize yourself with the student catalog: http://catalog.ou.edu/courses/courses.htm

Online Library

Students can use the University of Oklahoma library by visiting: http://libraries.ou.edu/

Academic Misconduct

In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook. 

It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity, available at http://integrity.ou.edu/students_guide.html 

This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.

Plagiarism 

Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism. 

Go to http://integrity.ou.edu/students_guide.html to learn more about the rules for avoiding plagiarism. Watch this video and then test your skills in avoiding plagiarism by taking this plagiarism tutorial and quiz. 

Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities

The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.

Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.

If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or visit the Disability Resource Center and other disability services at OU at: http://drc.ou.edu/

Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Please see www.ou.edu/content/eoo/faqs/pregnancy-faqs.html for commonly asked questions.  

Title IX Resources  

For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24.7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident. 

Religious Holidays

It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.

Copyright Policy

It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.

Registration and Withdrawal

If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of Admissions and Records or online at http://www.ou.edu/admissions/home/academic_calendar.html

Student Grievances

In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.