#visibilethinking

Essential Question How can we use intellectual constructs and analytical tools to make sense of (and predict?) complex social phenomena? 

Learning Objectives Students will become familiar with leading theories and schools of thought in world politics, with the explicit focus on understanding (a) the different ways each seeks to explain the world and (b) each theory’s underlying methodological, epistemological, and ontological assumptions. 

Bibliography Bruce Bueno de Mesquita predicts Iran's future [Video]. (2009, April). Drezner, Daniel W. Theories of International Politics and Zombies. Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 2011. Print. Kegley, C. W., & Raymond, G. A. (2012). Analyzing World Politics. In The global future: A brief introduction to world politics (pp. 3-21). Boston, MA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. Snyder, J. (2004). One World, Rival Theories. Foreign Policy, 145, 52-63. Soomopublishing (Director). (2011, June 10). Theory in Action: Constructivism [Video]. Soomopublishing (Director). (2011, May 11). Theory in Action: Liberalism [Video]. Soomopublishing (Director). (2011, May 04). Theory in Action: Realism [Video]. 

Thinking Visibly Circle of Viewpoints, "One World, Rival Theories"

Using Circle of Viewpoints, assign each group a theory that is not their preferred one. Groups should then use the following script to present their ideas in a 5-minute presentation. Brainstorm a list of different perspectives and then use this script skeleton to explore each one: 

"I am thinking of ... the topic... From the point of view of ... the viewpoint you've chosen."

"I think ... describe the topic from your viewpoint. Be an actor - take on the character of your viewpoint."

"A question I have from this viewpoint is ... ask a question from this viewpoint."

Wrap up: What new ideas do you have about the topic that you didn't have before? What new questions do you have?

Demonstrations may be recorded on video for publication.

  See, Think,Wonder Complete a See-Think-Wonder chart for each of the following video clips: 

Shaun of the Dead-Fight Scene (Queen, "Don't Stop Me Know)

Night of the Living Dead-Basement Scene (Dramatized)

Circle of Viewpoints, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita predicts Iran's future [Video]. (2009, April). Behavioral Science Cannot Advance the Study of World Politics 1. Make a claim about the topic --> Claim: An explanation or interpretation of some aspect of the topic. 2. Identify support for your claim--> Support: Things you see, feel, and know that support your claim.  3. Ask a question related to your claim--> Question: What's left hanging? What isn't explained? What new reasons does your claim raise?

Assessments

(5 marks) Students will produce a Take Away for Snyder, J. (2004). One World, Rival Theories. Foreign Policy, 145, 52-63. This should (a) be shared with your colleagues via our tumblelog and (b) be the basis for discussion. 

(5 marks) Students will produce a Take Away for your assigned chapter; this should (a) be shared with your colleagues via our tumblelog and (b) be the basis for discussion. Discussion Schedule: Please comment on this post as to which chapter where you would like to lead the discussion. Chapter list: Introduction...to the Undead; The Zombie Literature; Defining a Zombie; Distracting Debates About Flesh-Eating Ghouls; The Realpolitik of the Living Dead; Regulating the Undead in a Liberal World Order; Neconservatism and the Axis of Evil Dead; The Social Construction of Zombies; Domestic Politics: Are All Zombie Politics Local?; Bureaucratic Politics: The "Pulling & Hauling" of Zombies; We're Only Human: Psychological Responses to the Undead; Conclusion...or So You Think