Politics of Africa, Asia, and Latin America Department of Politics and Government Fall 2011 / POL 140 Professor:

Andrew Matthews Office: Schroeder 424 Email: asmatth@ilstu.edu Class: T/R 3:35-4:50; Schroeder 130 Office Hours: T/R 10:00-11:30 and W by appointment Course Objectives and Goals: The aim of this course is to increase your understanding of government in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Specifically, this course will promote student knowledge regarding globalism, international organizations, the struggle for independence and political transitions, and the role/reputation of America in these areas. Other important objectives include developing skills that will enhance the students career after college graduation. In particular, this course will strive to promote critical thinking regarding complex problems. Required Text: Green, December and Laura Luehrmann. Comparative politics of the third world: Linking concepts and cases, Lynne Rienner Publishers, Boulder, CO: 2007. Course Work and Grading: Examinations: We will have three exams, each worth 100 points of your total grade. The exams will consist of multiple choice/true-false/matching questions. Exams will occur about every five weeks throughout the semester, with changes to dates in the syllabus only providing more time to the student. The third exam will be held during finals week at our allotted time and date. The final will be our third exam and is non-cumulative. Generally, makeup exams will only be given for extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the student, for example, serious illness or crisis in the immediate family. Paper: Students will write a 2-3 page paper providing analysis of a current political event in Africa, Asia, or Latin America. More details will be provided during the semester, but the general assignment will require the student to utilize critical thinking to evaluate the background and history behind current political situations. For example: What has led to the current situation in Egypt and what path has the resistance taken? Or why has the American government spoken publicly in support of some revolutionary movements and

not others? The paper will account for 50 points of your final grade. Papers will be due during the week following Thanksgiving Break. In order to prepare for the paper, students should begin watching and/or reading current international news coverage. Other Assignments as Necessary: I reserve the right to add assignments based upon the reading if it becomes apparent that students are coming to class unprepared. As I prefer lectures to involve interaction, questions and answers, and deeper discussion, I hope these assignments arent necessary. Do the reading before class and we will all have a much better time in lectureand our learning experience will be better. FINAL GRADE: Your semester grade will be based upon your performance on exams (300 points), paper (50 points), and any additional assignments as previously described. The grading scale is as follows: o o o o o A90-100% B80-89.9% C70-79.9% D60-69.9% F<60%

I will not round up your gradeyou earn what you earn over the coming weeks. However, I always reserve the right to offer extra credit at my discretion. Please bear in mind: there is a negative correlation between the number of requests for extra credit which I receive and the points offered over the course of the semester. Translation: dont ask for it unless you dont want me to offer it. Attendance and Class Participation: Your regular attendance is strongly suggested for your success in this class. Although no roll will be taken, you will gain knowledge and understanding from being present at each session. Furthermore, regular attendance, even when you dont feel like being present, is a habit that must be developed for your success in the workplace after graduation. Good things happen to those who show up to work each day and contribute in a meaningful way on work assignments and projects. These are habits and skills you should develop now while in school. As a side note, I have been known to provide excellent incentive to students who are present during class. Mechanics of Lectures and Reading Assignments: You will be expected to read the assignments in our textbook. Class lectures may not necessarily repeat information contained in the textbook, although you are responsible for information contained in assigned chapters. Class lectures may contain additional information not found in the textbook, and any lecture may include information referenced from outside sources or the internet. Any information presented in the text

AND lectures may be tested upon during examinations. Big picture: success in my courses is often contingent upon your attendance every Tuesday and Thursdayyou should be here if you want to do well in this course. Tentative Schedule and Assignments From Textbook: **All scheduled items are subject to change as the semester progresses. I will always give you MORE time if we move an exam or assignment. Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 August 23 August 25 August 30 September 1 September 6 September 8 September 13 September 15 September 20 September 22 September 27 September 29 October 4 October 6 October 11 October 13 October 18 October 20 October 25 October 27 November 1 November 3 November 8 November 10 November 15 November 17 Intro Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5/Catch up Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9/Catch up/Review EXAM 1 Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 14/15 Chapter 15 Chapter 16/Catch up/Review EXAM 2 Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20

THANKSGIVING BREAK Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 November 29 December 1 December 6 December 8 December 12-16 Chapter 20/21 Current Events PAPER DUE

Current Events Current Events/Review FINAL EXAM

A Note on Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, looking and copying from other students exams or in-class assignments. Plagiarism will also not be tolerated. Plagiarism is defined as repeating anothers sentences as your own or presenting someone elses line of thinking in the development of a thesis as though it were your own. Serious offenses of cheating or plagiarism will result in failure of the course as well as possible university disciplinary action. Parting Thoughts: With a class this size, students must refrain from talking or causing other distractions. If you are warned, but continue to cause disruptions in class, you will be requested to leave for the session. We will have a relaxed atmosphere for class sessions so long as we remain professional and focused on learning. Learning involves asking questions. I look forward to reasonable questions during lecture and do not consider them to be a distraction, so long as we are not diverted too far from our topic or the lecture schedule. Students with questions that are not satisfied in class should contact me after class or during office hours for further clarification. Any students having difficulty with the material should consult me or our graduate assistant. We are here to help you. Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation should contact the Disability Concerns Office, 350 Fell Hall.