University of Victoria Department of Geography

University of Victoria Department of Geography World Political Geography GEOG 386, A01 Fall 2013 Instructor: Dr. CindyAnn Rose-Redwood Office: David Turpin Building, Room B206 Phone: 250-853-3274 Fax: 250-721-6216 Email: [email protected] Class Location: Cornett Building, Room B129 Class Times: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 11:30am-12:20pm Office Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 10:30am-11:20am

Course Description Political geography is concerned with examining the spatial dimensions of power, especially in relation to state competition for control and dominance over territories, resources and populations. Since the mid-20th century, the world political map has undergone considerable transformations. We have witnessed events of major geopolitical significance, such as the process of decolonization and the formal breakup of European empires, the rise of Cold War geopolitics and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union, the growing importance of China as a global economic power, the emergence of the European Union, and the US-led “War on Terrorism.” This course provides an introduction to global geopolitics by situating contemporary geopolitical events within a broad historical context while also exploring key geographical concepts that help us better understand current geopolitical conflicts. As we explore such geopolitical dynamics, we will be able to see how the spaces of political power shape our everyday lives.

Course Objective The purpose of the course is to introduce students to various historical and contemporary geopolitical issues that have led to transformations in the world political map. Throughout the semester, we will examine a series of regional case studies in order to gain a better understanding of the study of geopolitics. The primary goal in this course is to guide students in becoming more critically aware of how and why their own geopolitical imaginations are constructed through world political discourse.

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Required Course Text and Readings  

Flint, Colin. (2012). Introduction to Geopolitics. 2nd Edition. Routledge. Noueihed, Lin and Alex Warren. (2012). The Battle for the Arab Spring: Revolution, Counter-revolution and the Making of a New Era. Yale University Press.

Assignments and Grading Scheme Your final grade will be based on the following calculation: Attendance Midterm Exam Final Exam Critical Review Term Paper

10% 20% 35% 35%

Grading Scale: A+

A

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

D

F

90-100%

85-89%

80-84%

77-79%

73-76%

70-72%

65-69%

60-64%

50-59%

49% or Less

Undergraduate Grading** Passing Grade A+ A A B+ B B C+ C D COM

Description Exceptional, outstanding and excellent performance. Normally achieved by a minority of students. These grades indicate a student who is selfinitiating, exceeds expectation and has an insightful grasp of the subject matter. Very good, good and solid performance. Normally achieved by the largest number of students. These grades indicate a good grasp of the subject matter or excellent grasp in one area balanced with satisfactory grasp in the other area. Satisfactory, or minimally satisfactory. These grades indicate a satisfactory performance and knowledge of the subject matter. Marginal Performance. A student receiving this grade demonstrated a superficial grasp of the subject matter. Complete (pass). Used only for 0-unit courses and those credit courses designated by the Senate. Such courses are identified in the course listings.

**As per stated in the 2013-2014 Calendar

Details About Assignments: I. Attendance (10%): Attendance will be taken during each class session. It is your responsibility to ensure that you find the attendance sheet circulated during each class meeting and make sure you sign it. Prompt attendance is a professional responsibility and courtesy (see Academic Regulations in the UVic calendar).

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I. Midterm Exam (20%) and Final Exam (35%) There will be two exams over the course of the semester (see schedule below for dates). The exams will be a combination of multiple choice and short-answer essay questions, and they will cover material from the lectures, readings, and films. The midterm exam will only include material covered from the beginning to the middle of the semester. However, there will also be a cumulative final exam at the end of the semester. For the final exam, you will be responsible for all material covered in the course from the beginning of the semester to the end. The final exam date/time/location will be announced during the semester. All lectures will be posted by midnight the night before each class meeting on the UVic Moodle website (http://moodle.uvic.ca).

II. Critical Analysis Term Paper (35%) You are required to write a critical analysis term paper for this course on the following required text: Noueihed, Lin and Alex Warren. (2012). The Battle for the Arab Spring: Revolution, Counter-revolution and the Making of a New Era. During Week 7, 8 and 9 we will discuss the arguments and content of the text in class (see schedule below for class discussion dates). You should follow these instructions as you write your paper:  This paper should be a total of 10 pages doubled-spaced, 12 pt font size, 2.54 cm margins with proper in-text citations. You should also include a separate reference page for external sources cited in the paper (APA style is required).  This paper is not a summary of the text. Your term paper is a critical analysis of the content of the book. You should discuss the main claims or arguments of the text. Discuss specific agreements or disagreements with the content of what you read and why. You should use any external resources you feel are necessary to support your statements in the paper. In your paper, you must also link ideas and concepts discussed during lectures and from the assigned reading in the course this semester to your discussion of the text. You should draw upon a fair balance of lectures, the course reading and external sources as you write the paper. Please do not use Wikipedia as a source (points will be deducted for this citation, as it is not a scholarly reference).  Students may choose to write this critical analysis term paper as a group of two students or individually, but you MUST consult the instructor if you decide to write it with another classmate. Be aware that if you choose to write the paper with a partner, you will both receive the same grade for this portion of your final grade.  The term paper will be due in-class on November 15th. No late papers will be accepted after this date.  Your essay will be evaluated based upon the following rubric: a. Quality of content in terms of strong critiques and linkages to lectures, the course reading and external sources b. Structure and organization of paper c. Grammar and spelling d. Proper in-text citations and references

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Class Schedule Day

Date

Wednesday Sept 4th Friday

Sept 6th

Topic Week 1

Reading Assignment

Introduction History of Geopolitics I

Review syllabus and course requirements Read Chapter 1 (Flint)

Wednesday Sept 11th Friday Sept 13th

Week 2 History of Geopolitics II The World Geopolitical Map I The World Geopolitical Map II

Read Chapter 1 (Flint) *No Assigned Reading *No Assigned Reading

Tuesday Sept 17th Wednesday Sept 18th Friday Sept 20th

Week 3 Cold War Geopolitics I Cold War Geopolitics II Cycles of World Leadership I

*No Assigned Reading *No Assigned Reading Read Chapter 7 (Flint)

Week 4 Cycles of World Leadership II

Read Chapter 7 (Flint)

Geopolitical Codes

Read Chapter 2 (Flint)

Popular Culture and Foreign Policy

Read Chapter 3 (Flint)

Tuesday

Sept 10th

Tuesday Sept 24th Wednesday Sept 25th Friday

Sept 27th

Week 5 Tuesday Oct 1st Wednesday Oct 2nd Friday Oct 4th

Nationalism & Ethnic Cleansing I Read Chapter 4 (Flint) Nationalism & Ethnic Cleansing II Read Chapter 4 (Flint) Supranationalism & International Law I *No Assigned Reading

Tuesday Oct 8th Wednesday Oct 9th

Week 6 Supranationalism & International Law II *No Assigned Reading Film: In Whose Interest? *No Assigned Reading

Friday

Oct 11th

Tuesday

Oct 15th

Wednesday Oct 16th Friday Oct 18th

MIDTERM EXAM Week 7 CLASS DISCUSSION PART I: THE BATTLE FOR THE ARAB SPRING Boundaries of Conflict I Boundaries of Conflict II

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*No Assigned Reading

Noueihed and Warren (Chapters 1-4) Read Chapter 5 (Flint) Read Chapter 5 (Flint)

Week 8 Tuesday Oct 22nd CLASS DISCUSSION PART II: THE BATTLE FOR THE ARAB SPRING Wednesday Oct 23rd Clash of Civilizations? I Friday Oct 25th Clash of Civilizations? II

Noueihed and Warren (Chapters 5-8) *No Assigned Reading *No Assigned Reading

Wednesday Oct 30th Friday Nov 1st

Week 9 CLASS DISCUSSION PART III: THE BATTLE FOR THE ARAB SPRING Neocolonialism I Neocolonialism II

Noueihed and Warren (Chapters 9-12) *No Assigned Reading *No Assigned Reading

Tuesday Nov 5th Wednesday Nov 6th Friday Nov 8th

Week 10 Film: Blood Coltan War on Terrorism I War on Terrorism II

Tuesday

Oct 29th

Tuesday Nov 12th Wednesday Nov 13th Friday Nov 15th

Week 11 Reading Break Reading Break Film: Mumbai Massacre CRITICAL REVIEW DUE DATE

*No Assigned Reading Read Chapter 6 (Flint) Read Chapter 6 (Flint)

*No Class *No Class *No Assigned Reading

Tuesday Nov 19th Wednesday Nov 20th Friday Nov 22nd

Week 12 Messiness of Geopolitics Geopolitics of the Arctic

Read Chapter 9 (Flint) *No Assigned Reading

Contemporary Geopolitical Issues I

*No Assigned Reading

Tuesday Nov 26th Wednesday Nov 27th Friday Nov 29th

Week 13 Contemporary Geopolitical Issues II Film: The Fog of War Part I Film: The Fog of War Part II

*No Assigned Reading *No Assigned Reading *No Assigned Reading

Week 14 Tuesday Dec 3rd REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAM *No Assigned Reading Wednesday Dec 4th TBA *No Assigned Reading Note: I reserve the right to make reasonable changes to the syllabus over the course of the semester. The University of Victoria is committed to promoting, providing and protecting a positive and safe learning and working environment for all its members.

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