Instructor Insights

Instructor Insights pages are part of the OCW Educator initiative, which seeks to enhance the value of OCW for educators.

Course Overview

This page focuses on the course 17.445/17.446 International Relations Theory in the Cyber Age as it was taught by Professor Nazli Choucri in Fall 2015.

This course examined cyber dynamics and processes in international relations from different theoretical perspectives. It considered alternative theoretical and empirical frameworks consistent with characteristic features of cyberspace and emergent transformations at all levels of international interaction. Theories examined included realism and neorealism, institutionalism and liberalism, constructivism, and systems theory and lateral pressure. The course also highlighted relevant features and proposed customized international relations theory for the cyber age.

Students taking the graduate version were expected to pursue the subject in greater depth through reading and individual research.

Course Outcomes

Course Goals for Students

  • Understand structures and processes shaping international relations
  • Explore theories of international relations
  • Gain an introduction to strategic issues in international relations in the cyber age
 

Instructor Insights

Too much lecture without opportunities for students to engage in discussions about the various topics does not support active seminar participation.

— Nazli Choucri

Below, Professor Nazli Choucri describes how she teaches 17.445/17.446 International Relations Theory in the Cyber Age.

Facilitating Active Seminar Participation

One requirement of 17.445/17.446 International Relations Theory in the Cyber Age is that students actively participate in seminars. To facilitate productive and engaging classroom discussions, I ask questions. When students offer responses, I follow up see if there are objections from others or if clarification is needed. Asking students to share their views is key — and I would recommend that other educators leading seminars try to do this.

I've learned that too much lecture without opportunities for students to engage in discussions about the various topics does not support active seminar participation.

I've also asked students not to use laptops in class. Not using laptops seems to help students focus on our conversations.

 

Curriculum Information

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course for undergrads. Graduate students need the permission of the instructor.

Requirements Satisfied

Offered

Every fall semester

Student Information

Less than 10 students took this course when it was offered in Fall 2015.

Breakdown by Year

Mostly juniors

Breakdown by Major

Variety of majors

 

Assessment

Grade Breakdown

The students' grades were based on the following activities:

The color used on the preceding chart which represents the percentage of the total grade contributed by class attendance and participation. 20% Class attendance and participation
The color used on the preceding chart which represents the percentage of the total grade contributed by midterm (take home). 25% Midterm (take home)
The color used on the preceding chart which represents the percentage of locating web based resources for class database. 20% Locating web based resources for class database
The color used on the preceding chart which represents the percentage of the total grade contributed by final (take home) or a research paper. 35% Final (take home) or a research paper

Instructor Insights on Assessment

In assessing students’ writing, Professor Choucri focuses first on content and coherence and then on grammar.

 

How Student Time Was Spent

During an average week, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:

Seminar

2 hours per week
  • Met once per week for 2 hours per session; 13 sessions total; mandatory attendance.
  • All students were expected to complete the readings and participate in class discussions.
 

Out of Class

10 hours per week
  • Readings in preparation for class sessions
  • One midterm essay
  • One final essay
 

Semester Breakdown

WEEK M T W Th F
1 No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
2 Seminar session scheduled No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
3 Seminar session scheduled No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
4 Seminar session scheduled No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
5 Seminar session scheduled No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
6 No classes throughout MIT. Seminar session scheduled No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
7 Seminar session scheduled No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
8 Seminar session scheduled No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled, but midterm essay due on this date.
9 Seminar session scheduled No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
10 Seminar session scheduled No session scheduled. No classes throughout MIT. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
11 Seminar session scheduled No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
12 Seminar session scheduled No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT.
13 Seminar session scheduled No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
14 Seminar session scheduled and final essay due No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No classes throughout MIT.
15 No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT.
Displays the color and pattern used on the preceding table to indicate dates when classes are not held at MIT. No classes throughout MIT
Displays the color used on the preceding table to indicate dates when seminar sessions are held. Seminar session
Displays the color used on the preceding table to indicate dates when no class session is scheduled. No class session scheduled
Displays the symbol used on the preceding table to indicate dates when essays are due. Essay due date