General Overview:
This course is designed to help students understand the diplomatic process as well as the nature of many international decisions of the past & present. We will also examine international problems, controversies, and conflicts, while exploring United States involvement in these issues.  The course will consist of case studies that will entail extensive discussion, debate, and research.  Participation in oral discussions will be pertinent to the success of this class and therefore required in daily open forums.   Maintaining updated knowledge of current events will help contribute to these discussions.  This class is to be treated as a current events class as well as a course on diplomacy.  In order for you to keep up with the ever changing world, it will be imperative for you to watch world news, read newspapers or news magazines, or stay up to date through use of the internet!

Issues to be addressed:

Foreign Policy & Diplomacy: How countries deal with each other

Cold War to War on Terror: Realigning World Powers

Terrorism and National Security: US War on Terror

Human Rights & Social Justice: when to help and when not to?

International Trade: Is all trade fair trade?

Arab Israeli Conflict: Will there ever be a solution?

Iran & North Korea: Are they next?

** Keep in mind the dynamic nature of international relations; these are in no specific order and are subject to change at any time!

Grading Policy:
All assignments for this course will be allotted a point value.  At the end of the marking period the total number of points the student has earned will be divided by the total number of possible earned points.  This value is then turned into a percentage.  Any assignment not turned in on the day it is due will only be accepted one day late and for half credit.  It is your responsibility to contact the teacher for any work missed due to an excused absence.  You will have as many days as you were absent to turn in any work that you missed due to that absence.  Failure to turn in missed work on time will result in a 0.  Remember there is a participation grade for this course; therefore, it is vital that you speak up in class as much as possible to ensure full participation points!