PPOG 506 Introduction to Geopolitics and International Diplomacy

Introduction to Geopolitics and International Diplomacy will provide a Judeo-Christian perspective on international affairs; American foreign policy; international governments, groups, organizations and coalitions; sovereignty issues; the influence of Christianity and competing worldviews on the changing global arena; and the role of America in the world.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

The nuances and varieties of international politics require a broad overview introduction before finer points can be analyzed accurately. This course will provide such an overview along with key principles that can guide the student in the finer points of geopolitics.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview. 

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. For each thread, the student will post one thread of at least 400 words. The thread must demonstrate course-related knowledge. Following this, the student must post 2 replies of at least 200 words. For each thread, the student must support his/her assertions with at least 3 scholarly sources. Each reply must incorporate at least 3 scholarly sources in current APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the course textbooks, the Bible, resources from the Jerry Falwell Library, and other scholarly sources or articles from reputable news outlets. All discussions must use the APA citation style.

Book Review Assignment

The student will write a 5–7-page (not include the title page and bibliography) review on the course textbook, Samuel Huntington’s The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order. The paper must include the following sections: introduction, summary, analysis (praise and criticism), personal response, and conclusion. The paper must use 5 – 6 quotes from the Huntington course textbook to support the paper’s claims and present at least 7 geopolitically relevant points in the analysis. A minimum of five (5) scholarly, external sources is required. The student will also include biblical support in the review. The student must refer to the rubric and instructions found in Canvas for complete assignment requirements. The Book Review must be written following the current APA format.

The student will research the current leader from the state that he/she discussed in the Discussion: NATO Simulations earlier in the course. Then, the student will write a concise paper on leader’s psychological profile. The student will have to identify strengths and weakness of the leader, his/her ability to compromise, the US’ s interest in the chosen leader’s country and politics, and other such elements. This assignment should be between 3-5 pages (not including title page and bibliography) A minimum of three (3) external scholarly sources must be cited within the paper. Acceptable sources include scholarly articles, news articles, and books from scholarly sources. For complete instructions on the assignment, the relevant grading rubric and assignment instructions should be consulted. The assignment must be written following the current APA format. 

Policy Briefing Memo Assignment

For this assignment, the student will write a paper that is a summary and analysis of facts pertaining to an issue and a suggested course of action for resolving the issue. The student will select his/her topic from the Friedman course textbook. The paper will consist of a statement of the topic/issue the briefing paper is discussing and background, analysis, and cautionary notes information on the topic. The intent of this memo is to inform another individual who may have solicited assistance to study and make recommendations on a particular matter. For example, a legislative aide may provide a briefing paper to a congressman or senator for a committee meeting.

As the term suggests, briefing papers are short and succinct. Usually written in outline format, a briefing paper must be no more than 4 pages. The student’s briefing paper must provide a summary of an issue; explain a situation that needs correcting; include the modern context; identify any political, cultural, social, and/or financial implications;  indicate options or courses of action that should be considered (including details about the advantages and disadvantages of each); and note actions currently taken or recommended to address the issue. The paper must include 5 – 6 references drawn from the Friedman textbook and at least 7 geopolitically relevant points. The Policy Briefing Memo must follow current APA format.

SWOT Analysis Assignment

In order to complete this assignment, the student will conduct a SWOT analysis by examining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the same state identified in the Discussion: NATO Simulations. The student will use this analysis as an analytical technique to support strategic decisions. In this assignment, the student will target the specific situations found within a particular country. This assignment will require that the student addresses all of the following 7 specific areas: SWOT; locale; economic situation; cultural and social situation; legal and geopolitical issues; governmental atmosphere; action plan. The assignment must be 5-7 pages. Acceptable sources include scholarly articles published within the last five years. The paper must adhere to current APA formatting.

Situation Analysis Paper Assignment

For this assignment, the student will read the book To End a War by Richard Holbrooke. From this book, the student will pick a situation Holbrooke had to face. The student will then write a three (3) page analysis with clear and concise points on what happened and what he/she would have done the same or differently had he/she been in Holbrooke’s place. In the analysis, the following must be included: what happened and why, followed by what the student would have done and why. If the student would not have done anything differently, logical arguments must be included to explain why Holbrooke’s strategy was the best answer to that situation. The paper must be written in current APA format. At least 3 sources must be used in the paper. Acceptable sources include the Holbrooke book and other scholarly sources. For details on the assignment, the relevant rubric and assignment instructions must be consulted.