inta2040-fall2007
INTA 2040
Fall 2007
Science, Technology & International Affairs
TR 1.30-3.00pm
Howey (Physics) L1
Dr. Michael L. Best
TA: Geoff Swanstrom
Office Hours: Tuesday 3.00-4.00pm or by appointment. Location TBA.
TA Office Hours: Tuesday 12.30-1.30pm, Einstein’s Café in Student Center Commons
This is a dynamic syllabus; it is subject to change.
Please consult the web for the latest version and listen for updates during
class meetings. We will be using
t-square and I encourage us all to make use of this new campus environment:
http://t-square.gatech.edu.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
Breznitz,
D. (2007). Innovation and the State.
Latham, R. (Ed.). (2003). Bombs and Bandwidth: The Emerging Relationship Between Information
Technology and Security.
Goldsmith,
J., & Wu, T. (2006). Who Controls the Internet?
Victor,
D. G. (2004). Climate Change: Debating
Villiers,
M. d. (2000). Water: The Fate of our Most Precious Resource.
OVERVIEW
This class will examine the reciprocal relationship of science and technology, on the one hand, and relations within and between various states and non-state actors, on the other. In other words, we will study how science and technology has influenced and determined international affairs and, similarly, how international affairs have influenced and determined science and technology.
We will examine not just the affairs of states but non-state actors as well, such as multinationals and civil society. Indeed, one question we will consider is to what degree technology has changed, diminished, or enhanced the role of the state in international affairs.
This term we will focus exclusively on contemporary issues – great challenges and opportunities of our time. In doing so we will leverage contemporary media to compliment our readings including webcasts, blogs, and the like.
While we will take a broad view of technology we will also use a few example areas to focus our study. In particular, we will look at the environment and water resources, modern information and communication technologies, and systems of innovation.
COURSE REQUIRMENTS
One in-class presentation (15%). Students will chose amongst a set of available in-class presentations or debates and will present in small groups.
Two midterm exams (20% each). These two exams will consist of short answer questions and will probe the student’s understanding of class themes, readings, and lectures.
Final exam (25%). This exam will be a mix of short and/or long answer questions and will probe the student’s understanding of class themes, readings, and lectures.
.
NOTE ON LATE SUBMISSIONS
Incompletes will not be given for this course. All submissions lose half a grade for each day (or fraction) late. Missed in-class exams will be marked as zero. Approved absences and late submissions, or required incompletes, will be given appropriate accommodations.
STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC HONESTY
Students in this class are expected to abide by the Georgia
Tech Honor Code and avoid any instances of academic misconduct. In particular,
plagiarism of any sort, in any writing, will not be tolerated. A useful web
resource is: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html. All students
should become familiar with this website and strictly adhere to these
proscriptions.
Plagiarizing is defined by Webster’s as “to steal and pass off (the
ideas or words of another) as one's own: use (another's production) without
crediting the source.”
If caught plagiarizing, you will be dealt with according to the GT Academic
Honor Code.
For any questions involving these or any other Academic Honor Code issues,
please consult me or www.honor.gatech.edu.
AN OPEN INTELECTUAL ENVIRONMENT
I value an open, curious, and engaged classroom and hope
that you do too. Opinions are welcome during class discussion but when you are
expressing an opinion please flag your comments as such; I will do the same.
There is something else sitting outside of opinion qua opinion, let’s
call them “facts”. Facts are bits of information, fluid to be sure,
that are supported by a broad body of disinterested peer-evaluated inquiry.
Your written assignments should capitalize on facts and you should opine only
as needed or desired.
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AND
Aug 21 Course introduction
Aug 23 The Internet Revolution
Goldsmith
& Wu, 1-46
Aug 28 Government Strikes Back
Goldsmith
& Wu, 48-125
Aug 30 Global Governance of Communication
Technologies
Sep 4 Vices & Virtues – in class debate
Goldsmith
& Wu, 129-184
Sep 6 Cyber-war and National Security
Latham,
Ch 1-3
Sep 11 Surveillance and Security
Latham,
Ch 4-6
Sep 13 Digital War-making
Latham,
Ch 7-9
Sep 18 Civil Violence and Information Technologies
Latham, Ch 10-13
Sep 20 Midterm
I
Sep 25 US Digital Surveillance – in class debate
Sep 27 Climate Change
` Victor, 1-75
Progress reports submitted
Oct 2 An Inconvenient Truth
Oct 4 Adaptation and Innovation vs Reinvigorating
Kyoto vs Making a Market – in
class debate
Victor, 76-157
Oct 9 HOLIDAY
Oct 11 Where, What and How Much Water
Oct 16 Remaking Water
Oct 18 Water Politics I: The
Oct 23 Water Politics II:
Oct 25 CLASS CANCELED
Oct 30 Water Politics III:
Nov 1 Midterm II
Nov 6 CLASS CANCELED
Nov 8 Innovation & the State
Nov 13
Nov 15
Nov 20
Nov 22 HOLIDAY
Nov 27 Poverty and Technology
Nov 29 The Political Economies of Health
Dec 4 Information technologies and international
development
Dec 6 Course wrap-up
Dec 12, 11.30 – 2.30am FINAL EXAM