International Studies 245

Texts:

Readings are assigned for each unit of the syllabus. There is no textbook for the course, and most of the readings will be available in PDF format from the course Moodle site at http://moodle.macalester.edu. The Moodle enrollment key is "rights". Many of the PDF files are lengthy; look closely to see if you are required to read all pages before you print them off. The schedule on Moodle is the authoritative reading list for the course, and students should go to the site for all assignments. Attached to this syllabus is a paper copy of the reading list.

Assignments:

1. Though lectures will be part of many classes, this is not primarily a lecture course. The human rights issues we are exploring are the topic of serious debate, and this course seeks to prompt you to critically engage with these issues in the classroom. There are many readings in the syllabus, and each will be assigned to a student to present to the class. Presenters will have five minutes to introduce the class to the basic issues involved in the text, and the opinions or resolutions that come from them. Presentations will be evaluated on the basis of being concise and to the point. Participation is worth 20% of the grade.

All students are responsible for doing all the readings. Class discussion of the readings will proceed once the introductory presentation has been made. Students are encouraged to volunteer their remarks, but I will also be calling on students who have not volunteered.

2. There will be three short (two-page) thought papers assigned throughout the semester. The purpose of a thought paper is to state a thesis and support it with evidence and rhetorical vigor. You should be prepared to take a position, even if you feel ambivalent about the given issue. The thought papers will be worth 30% of the grade.

3. Midterm. Filming Genocide: Make a critical comparison of Shooting Dogs and Hotel Rwanda. Papers should be emailed to me by noon on October 25. The paper should be seven pages long, double-spaced, with 12-point font and 1" margins, and is worth 20% of the grade.

4. There will be a 12-to-14-page research paper on an emerging human rights issue of your choice (in consultation with me). Email the research paper to me by 4PM Monday, December 12. It is worth 30% of the grade. Unless you get an extension before the due date, late papers will be docked one point (of 30) per day.

   Note: Plagiarized work will not be accepted. If you are using someone else's ideas, words, or research, you MUST cite them properly.

   You may have one unexcused absence over the course of the semester. After this, each absence will result in a deduction of 1% from your overall grade.

   Overview of grade components:

   • Three thought papers: 30%

   • Midterm: 20%

   • Research paper: 30% (paper due Monday, December 12).

   • Class participation: 20%

   Research Resources:

   There is a wealth of human rights information on the web. Here are a few starting points for your research:

   Human Rights Watch: http://www.hrw.org/

   Amnesty International: http://www.amnesty.org/

   University of Minnesota Human Rights Library: http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/