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Amber A. Díaz
Department of Political Science
Duke University
326 Perkins Library
Box 90204
Durham, NC 27708-0204

 

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*New course*:

Ethics in Global Politics
Duke University, Spring 2011
Synopsis here

Samples of Teaching Materials

Sample international relations lecture

Sample syllabus for a course on political satire

Reading Guide for POS191C, Arizona State University, Spring 2004

Thinking About Political Satire

1. Who is the intended audience?
2. At whom is the satire aimed?
3. What is the author's perspective?
   What problem does s/he address?
   Does s/he offer a solution?
4. Why does the author use satire instead of a more "serious," straightforward style?
5. Does the author hope to elicit change or merely raise awareness? Why?
6. How does the medium (print, cartoon, multimedia, etc.) enhance or convey the author's message?

Sample News Quiz for PS93D, Sections 03 and 07, Duke University, Fall 2006

Answer 5 out of the 6 short-answer questions below. Clearly cross out the question you choose not to answer. You have 5 minutes.

1. According to a Senate Intelligence Committee report issued Friday, what was the CIA's verdict last fall regarding a connection between Saddam Hussein and al-Zarqawi prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq?
2. The mandate allowing African Union peacekeepers to be in Darfur runs out on September 30 and it appears that they will not be replaced by U.N. peacekeepers. Why is this so?
3. Amnesty International just issued a report accusing Hezbollah of committing war crimes during the conflict in Lebanon. What was the reason given for this assessment?
4. What entity reported progress after two rounds of talks with Iran in Vienna on the issue of finding a way to forestall sanctions?
5. A proposed piece of legislation is being hotly disputed among the three major groups in Iraq's governing coalition and it is feared that the government will be weakened if an agreement cannot be reached. What is this proposal?
6. Name the three major ethnic groups in Iraq.

Sample Reading Quiz for PS 93D, Sections 03 and 07, Duke University, Fall 2006

In a few sentences, explain the logic of the Security Dilemma and apply it to key events leading up to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War. You have 5 minutes.

Sample Discussion Questions for PS93D, Sections 03 and 07, Duke University, Fall 2006

Lessons of WWI and the build-up to WWII?

If states were unintentionally dragged into WWI by chainganging - too-tight alliances - did WWII come as the result of the opposite mistake - alliances and agreements not taken seriously?

The question of "appeasement" - Hughes on Chamberlain

Is Hughes right in his interpretation of Chamberlain's actions? While hindsight is closer to 20/20 than in any real situation, should Chamberlain and those around him have been better learners?

Role of the United States

Did they make the same mistake in the 1930s as Britain did pre-WWI? (i.e. did their determined stance of neutrality allow everything to run amok in Europe, much as Britain's lack of clear signals in 1914 encouraged Germany to make the first move?)

The question of deterrence

What do you think about the various economic actions taken by the different countries, both before and during the war, both positive and negative? (Use of sanctions/embargo; cash-and-carry; lend-lease; giving of loans; etc.) How effective were they? Could other types of action have been more effective or more efficient? (These are all attempts at compellance.)

The failure of international law? (League of Nations)

What would this mean for the new United Nations post-WWII? What does it take (at least theoretically) to make international law and institutions work? Is there any real way to accomplish this task?

Sample Midterm Exam Essay Question for PS 93D, Duke University, Fall 2006

One of the outcomes of World War I was a widespread turn to international law and international organizations as a mechanism to prevent future wars, as seen in the League of Nations, the Washington Naval Conference, the Locarno Pact, and the Kellogg-Briand Pact. However, the outbreak of World War II is viewed by some scholars as evidence that international law and organizations are ineffective in general for preventing war. Develop an argument for or against this position, drawing on theories presented in the reading and lectures. If you think that international law and institutions are effective, discuss what you would have changed in the interwar period so that international law and institutions might have prevented World War II.