Online Discussion for Spring Break

I didn't find anything interesting from the Economist that I wanted to share on the blog, so I'm sharing this article about the latest threats emanating from the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea. From CNN:

A day after the isolated regime in Pyongyang had threatened a possible "preemptive nuclear attack" -- something analysts say they think it is unlikely and currently unable to do -- its official news agency reeled off a number of agreements with South Korea that it said would no longer apply.

One of those agreements is the ceasefire that has kept the Korean War on pause since 1953 (the two states are still technically at war).

Comedienne Margaret Cho plays Kim Jong Il on NBC's 30 Rock

Clearly, Kim Jong Un is writing checks he can't cash--North Korea is far weaker than South Korea, not to mention China and the United States--but that doesn't mean he can't do a whole lot of damage.

Does that mean that Kim is being irrational? What cognitive shortcuts and psychological crutches might be leading Kim to make these threats? Might there be a benefit to such irrationality? Read the article and comment for participation points.

Midterm Course Evaluations

Today, I handed out progress reports assessing your performance in this course to date. Now, I would like you to assess my progress.

Please head to the link below and fill out the midterm course evaluation. Most of the questions are required, excepting the final free response question. It should take you five minutes, at most.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3P6G7TJ

I am looking to get 75% saturation on this survey, and I won't stop bugging you until I get it.

Unlike end-of-course evaluations, these will actually help me make this class better, rather than the next one I teach. Thus, if you think you can benefit from some changes (or strongly believe things should stay the same), here is your chance to let me know--anonymously.

Current Events Reading: 3/01

Please read and come prepared to discuss the articles in the latest edition of the Economist.

Note: Friday's class will be a bit different than previous current event discussions. It will be closer to our usual lecture-cum-discussion style, and it will incorporate the readings you were assigned on Wednesday.

Be prepared to discuss how the following stories relate to the challenges to sovereignty and the "wars of globalization" discussed in the previous class' readings:

• Syria
• The Death of a Country
• The Country Formerly Known as Syria
• China and Corporate Espionage
• China's Cyber-hacking: Getting Ugly
• Cybercrime: Smoking Gun
• Who Needs Cyber-spying?
• Narcotics Decriminalization
• Illegal Drugs: The Great Experiment
• Towards a Ceasefire
• Harm Reduction: Shoots up and Leaves
• Europe's Financial Transactions Tax: Bin It
• Jamaica: Lenten Diet
• Canada's Inuit: Polar Bear Politics
• Malaysia Invaded: The Sultan's Sabah Swing
• Jordan's Election: Calming Down
• Bulgarian Politics: Power Protests
• Charlemagne: Johnnie Don't Walk Out
• Bankers' Pay: Cap and Flayed

UAE Helping Joplin Rebuild, Transform

UAE President
Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Photo credit: Wikipedia

According to a recent article in the Washington Post, Joplin, MO is recovering from the devastation of the May 2011 tornado with help from an unlikely source--the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE is spending millions to help the Joplin School District "think big," funding such initiatives as replacing the books (lost in the twister) with MacBooks. While Joplin received millions from the US government for disaster recovery, this is nevertheless an example of a shift in foreign aid disbursement.

From WaPo:

Motivated by the same principal reasons that the U.S. government distributes foreign assistance — to help those less fortunate and to influence perceptions among the recipients — the handouts mark a small but remarkable shift in global economic power.

How does what's happening in Joplin reflect a shift in global power, and what types of power are involved? Is it a good thing that Joplin is taking money from the UAE to recover?

Read the article and share your (reasoned) thoughts in the comments for participation credit.

Current Events Reading: 2/15

Please read and come prepared to discuss the following articles in the latest edition of the Economist:

• The World This Week: Politics (p. 8)
• Change in North Korea (p. 11)
• North Korea: Rumblings from Below (pp. 24-6)
• The Sequester and Defence: Thinking the Unthinkable (pp. 30-1)
• The Census: Some Other Race (pp. 31-2)
• Hillary Clinton Bows Out: A Legacy at Foggy Bottom (p. 33)
• The IMF and Argentina: Motion of Censure (pp. 38-40)
• China and Japan: Locked On (p. 41)
• South-East Asia and China: All Change at ASEAN (p. 42)
• Banyan: A Decent Interval (p. 44)
• War and Peace in Mali: The Battle Moves to the Mountains (pp. 48-9)
• EU and Migration: The Next Wave? (p. 54)
• Charlemagne: Europe à l’Hollandaise (p. 56)

As you read, take note of who the state actors are, what other types of actors they're interacting with, and what role sovereignty plays in the story.

Current Events Reading: 2/08

Please read and come prepared to discuss the following articles in the latest edition of the Economist:

• The World This Week | Politics (p. 6)
• Immigration Reform: Let Them Stay, Let Them In (p. 10)
• Chaos in Egypt: Tahrir Squandered (pp. 10-1)
• Egypt: To the Barricades, again (pp. 17-9)
• Lexington: John Kerry, Reporting for One Last Duty (p. 26)
• Latin American Integration: Past and Future (p. 29)
• Fighting in Myanmar and Its Ripples in China
• Talking Peace, Waging War (pp. 30-1)
• The Kachin Dilemma (p. 31)
• China and North Korea: On the Naughty Step (p. 34)
• Iran's Nuclear Diplomacy and Its Presidential Poll
• Where's the Deal? (pp. 36-7)
• Make no Mistake (p. 37)
• Syria's Refugees: Drowning in the Flood (pp. 37-8)
• Israel's Rising Star: Man of Peace? (p. 38)
• Mali and France: Where are the Jihadists? (pp. 38-9)
• Turkey's Army: Erdogan and his Generals (pp. 40-1)
• Serbia and Kosovo: Inching Closer (pp. 41-2)
• Charlemagne: Transatlantic Trading (p. 44)
• How to be British: Patriotism Recycled (p. 46)
• Obituary: Joseph Glemp (p. 86)

For this week, search for examples of the review sheet terms in each article. Be prepared to come to class and share these examples with members of your group.

First Closed-book Assessment

Your first Closed-book Assessment takes place in class on Monday, February 11. As the title states, this is a closed-book exam. Please be sure to supply your own pen and blue book.

If you did not pick up a copy of the review sheet in class (or have since misplaced it) you may download a copy.

In addition, I am holding a review session in 222 Buckman Hall this Wednesday, February 6, from 4-5 PM. If you cannot make it but would like to discuss the review terms or the test itself, you should stop by my office hours on Wed or make an appointment.

You may also ask me questions about the review terms via email, but keep in mind that I will be out of town from Thursday night through Sunday night, and may not be the quickest to respond. Your current events discussion on Friday will also center around the review sheet.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me during class, stop by my office or send me an email.