DA3882_Sample_Lecture.pptx

The Use of Force in the International System

SO 3882: 1

Outline Course Goals Substance “Skills” “ You know, like nun-chuck skills, bow-hunting skills, computer hacking skills... Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills!” – Napoleon Dynamite

Expectations Papers Online questions/comments Class discussion

General advice

Goals: Substance

The basic question being – why do calculating actors ever resort to force?

Go over syllabus… There will be no answers. Just more questions.

…and (hopefully) more refined tools and approaches to think about such complex questions.

Goals: Skills

READING

How to CONSUME readings You will be assigned a ton of reading material throughout the DA program.

NO ONE can “read” it all.

You will have to become literature vampires (suck out the essence of a piece in a short period of time) We will work on this! (see “reading sheet” handout and “reading sheet” ppt on Sakai)

Skills (cont.)

WRITING

How to write purposefully and clearly.

The first part is about forming an argument.

The second part is about presenting it effectively.

This takes thought and practice.

Skills (cont.)

ORGANIZING

How to maximize the “manipulables”.

You are as smart and as motivated as you ever will be (fixed).

What, then, can you work on maximizing?

Physical space/atmosphere to work Schedule to work Tools (pro-cite, post-its, notebooks,…) Groups? Lone wolf?

Expectations

PREPARING FOR CLASS

Readings Have readings done and “prepared” Prepare in two respects Basics: summary of work Insights: what struck you about the work?

Don’t want to “cold call” – but I will!

Discussion/comments on SAKAI Need to participate before each class Ask your own questions or respond to others Defend your position – but don’t be an bully THREAD MANAGER: Begin and manage the thread on your reading(s) Start thread at least 24 hrs ahead of class time There is a tip-sheet for managers on SAKAI

Expectations (cont.)

PAPER WRITING

We will work on this more thoroughly in preparation for your first paper.

Goal 1: Show you know the material Goal 2: Formulate an argument Goal 3: Communicate that argument clearly

DRY FACTS----(ARGUMENT)----‘OPINION’

Expectations (cont.)

GRADES

Based on written assignments (60%) and class participation (40%) Cumulative grade distribution will be a flattening “S” curve… Should be easy to get decent grade…hard to get an awesome grade

Advice Use your professors Thinking about the thesis:

Kick around ideas… …but don’t paint yourself into a corner (yet) Think about thesis advisors Reverse engineer your time here at NPS Pace yourself!

Next class…