Instructor: Dr. Daniel W. Skubik, PhD JD
Office: J266 /
Voice: 951.343.4288 / Fax: 951.343.4520
Web: http://www.calbaptist.edu/dskubik
E-Mail: dskubik@calbaptist.edu
Diplomatic
History of the
HIS 443 / POL 443
Tuesdays/Thursdays,
Fall Semester 2007
This course in Diplomatic
History explores the philosophical, social historical,
and legal aspects of the diplomatic relations of the
A combined socratic-seminar
format will be followed, allowing students to gain confidence in their
knowledge of diplomacy in the American historical context. Thus, by the end of this course,
students should be able to:
1) Gain a basic understanding of, and knowledge of the various contours within, the history of American diplomacy
2) Question “history” in order to understand how and why history emanates from subjective positions in terms of the shape stories are told, presented, or remembered
3) Articulate the origins of the nation’s foreign policy along with its strengths and weaknesses, whether institutionally, socially, politically, and culturally
4) Explore how we construct our knowledge of the world from the perspective of governmental mandates, institutional agendum and international interactions
5) Test and strengthen our Christian worldview by employing diplomatic history as a tool for understanding self and society within our modern-day world
Required Texts
Walter LaFeber, The American Age: US Foreign Policy at Home and
Abroad, 1750 to the Present 2nd ed (WW Norton, 1994, 0393964744
paperback)
The text is readily available, new &
used, from web shops such as Amazon.com, or Barnes & Noble,
as well as from the CBU Bookstore.
Other books, handouts and
websites also may be referenced throughout the term, contents of which all
students will be responsible.
Readings & Assignments Schedule
|
Week #1 |
Introduction to course, requirements and
expectations |
|
Week #2 |
Read and Discuss – Ch.1 & 2: 1492-1814 |
|
Week #3 |
Read and Discuss – |
|
Week #4 |
Read and Discuss – |
|
Week #5 |
Read and Discuss – |
|
Week #6 |
Read and Discuss – |
|
Week #7 |
Read and Discuss – |
|
Week #8 |
MidTerm
Examination Week |
|
Week #9 |
Read and Discuss – |
|
Week #10 |
Read and Discuss – |
|
Week #11 |
Read and Discuss – |
|
Week #12 |
Read and Discuss – Ch. 18: 1969-1976,
Nixon-Kissinger |
|
Week #13 |
Read and Discuss – |
|
Week #14 |
Discuss – Update: 1994-Present |
|
Week #15 |
Final
Examination, |
Assessment & Grading Scale
|
Essay = 25% |
90 - 100 = A range (90-94 = A-) |
|
Quizzes = 20% (4 @ 5% each) |
80 - 89 = B range (80-83 = B-
/ 87-89 = B+) |
|
MidTerm = 20% |
70 - 79 = C range (70-73 = C-
/ 77-79 = C+) |
|
Final Exam = 35% |
60 - 69 = D range (60-63 = D-
/ 67-69 = D+) |
|
|
0 - 59 = F |
Essay
An individual essay is due through Blackboard
no later than the beginning of class, December 4th. The essay should
address key issues and personalities involved in or surrounding a selected
diplomatic case of the student’s choice—with the instructor’s prior input and
consent. The essay should run ~2000-2500 words (~8-10 pages in standard
format). N.B. You must sign up for a diplomatic case with
the instructor no later than October 30th before you complete this
assignment; no more than two (2) students will be permitted to analyze any
single case. You can submit your essay before the due date for extra
credit: no later than beginning of class on November 20th earns 5%
extra credit. Late submissions will not be accepted for grading.
Quizzes
There will be 5 quizzes given during the
term, though only your best 4 quizzes will count towards your final grade for
the course. Students will form small, stable study groups of 2-3 students each
by the beginning of the third week of classes, for the duration of the term.
Quizzes will be taken by each group as a group, with the quiz mark shared by
those present and taking the quiz at any particular time. The quizzes are
objective in nature (true/false, multiple choice, fill-in the blank, matching,
etc), concerning readings and discussions most recently covered in the previous
class session. Make-ups for missed quizzes ordinarily will not be arranged.
MidTerm
& Final Examinations
A MidTerm and Final
examination will be given per the syllabus schedule. The exams are not
comprehensive, but will cover all the materials and discussions assigned from
Sep 6 – Oct 18 for the MidTerm, and Oct 30 – Dec 6
for the Final. Unlike the quizzes, the exams will be taken individually, not in
groups.
Specific guidance as to each exam’s length
and specific requirements will be proffered before the test dates. Format
generally will emphasize short answer and essay questions, requiring
application of cases, concepts and principles in relation to the topics covered
in class.
Each exam is closed book/open notes. This
means you are permitted to bring to the exam one standard-sized page (8½” x
11”) of notes you have personally prepared, front and back, without regard to
print-size or margins. Other materials, such as website printings or
professionally prepared texts or notes, are not permitted. Make-up for
examinations ordinarily will not be arranged.
Extra Credit Work
Extra credit options can be made
available, either to replace a missed quiz or to replace a low-scoring quiz.
One opportunity is to attend the Comparative
Constitutions panel on Monday, Sep 17th, beginning at
CBU Statement on Academic Dishonesty
Faculty in the College of
Arts & Sciences (CAS) have been asked to include the following statement in all our syllabi. Do
speak with your instructor if at any time you have questions or concerns about
this statement and its meaning for or application in your classes.
Academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism,
copying, and other forms) will be reported to the Dean of Students. Judicial
sanctions for offense [sic] are handled on a case-by-case basis depending on
the seriousness of the violation, prior violations and other factors. Judicial
sanctions may include, but are not limited to, loss of a letter grade or
failure in the course in which the offense occurred, suspension, and/or
dismissal from the University. A detailed discussion of academic dishonesty is
located in the Student Handbook.
Source: 2006-2007 Undergraduate Catalog, at
p.80
Caveat
This syllabus schedule is composed in good
faith, with a schedule of readings and assignments that will guide us
throughout the term. Still, the instructor reserves the right to make
adjustments to this schedule as deemed necessary for the overall enterprise of
the course. Any changes will be communicated as far in advance as feasible, and
you are responsible for knowing if and when any changes have been made.