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Russian and International Studies
TextsReadings 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. 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. Assignments1) Though lectures will be part of many classes, this is not primarily a lecture course. The 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. Each student is responsible for all the primary readings, and is advised to come to class with notes for the discussion. Individual students will be responsible for each background reading, which others are not expected to read. 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 two 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 20% of the grade. 3) There will be a seven-page midterm paper, on a topic to be discussed in class. In this paper, as opposed to the short thought papers, ambivalence on an issue is entirely appropriate. Use specific examples to illustrate the themes you identify and to back up your arguments. The paper should be double-spaced, with 12-point font and 1" margins. It is worth 25% of the grade. 4) The final assignment will be a ten to twelve-page research paper on an issue of your choice concerning themes touched on in the course. You should email me a paper proposal, including a brief description of the issue you plan to explore and a brief bibliography of at least four potential sources. The paper is due on December 7. The final paper is worth 35% of the grade. Unless you get an extension before the due date, late papers will be docked one point per day. Extensions are only given for unforeseeable (not unforeseen) circumstances. 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 2 unexcused absences over the course of the semester. After this, each absence will result in a deduction of 2% from your overall grade. Overview of grade components:
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