Introduction to Area Studies - JTB112

• Title: Introduction to Area Studies
• Czech title: Úvod do teritoriálních studií
• Guaranteed by: Department of North American Studies (23-KAS)
• Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences
• Actual: from 2023
• Semester: summer
• E-Credits: 6
• Examination process: summer s.:combined
• Hours per week, examination: summer s.:2/0, Ex [HT]
• Capacity: 6 / unknown (12)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment; priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan
• Guarantor: Mgr. Zachary Colin Lavengood
• Teacher(s): PhDr. Mgr. Kryštof Přemysl Kozák, Ph.D.
• Class: Courses for incoming students
• In complex pre-requisite: JTB114, JTB115, JTB116, JTB117, JTB118, JTB119, JTB120, JTB121, JTB132, JTB133

Annotation

Last update: PhDr. Mgr. Kryštof Přemysl Kozák, Ph.D. (13.02.2024)

The course Introduction to Area studies will focus on key concepts and key texts relevant for area studies as a specific academic discipline. Basic methodological approaches and discussions will be covered as well. Examples of practical research questions related to specific aspects of area studies will be provided throughout the course.

Aim of the course

Last update: PhDr. Mgr. Kryštof Přemysl Kozák, Ph.D. (13.02.2024)

The goal of the course is for the students to comprehend basic approaches in Area Studies as an academic discipline, including relevant theories and methodologies.

Course completion requirements

Last update: Bc. Sára Lochmanová (05.02.2024)

According to the Dean's provision, the teacher evaluates the student's performance in the percentages assigned to grades A to F (https://fsv.cuni.cz/opatreni-dekanky-c-20/2019):

• 91% and more   => A
• 81-90%             => B
• 71-80%             => C
• 61-70%             => D
• 51-60%             => E
• 0-50%               => F

More in SMĚRNICE S_SO_002: Organizace zkouškových termínů, kontrol studia a užívání klasifikace A–F na FSV UK.

Literature

Last update: PhDr. Mgr. Kryštof Přemysl Kozák, Ph.D. (13.02.2024)

The literature is provided for each class in the syllabus. Also check files in the SIS for additional readings.

Teaching methods

Last update: PhDr. Mgr. Kryštof Přemysl Kozák, Ph.D. (13.02.2024)

The course is offered as a presence-only, as in-class discussion of the key texts and problems is essential for the desired educational outcomes.

Requirements to the exam

Last update: PhDr. Mgr. Kryštof Přemysl Kozák, Ph.D. (13.02.2024)

Grading

Active participation is a necessary component for successfully completing the class. (10% of final grade)

Each student shall have one 15 minute presentation on a topic related to area studies (20% of final grade) Topic must be approved by the instructor.

Each student shall write a paper based on the presentation (30% of final grade, minimum 14 400 characters including spaces)

Each student shall write a final exam (40% of final grade). The exam shall cover the mandatory readings, lectures, and class discussions. 

 

Submission of research paper & Final Exam:

Final exam due date: TBA

Final paper due through Turnitin: June 10th, 2024

Research paper guidelines

 

1. The topic should be related to your presentation or the topic of the class when you had your presentation. If you want to write about other topic relevant for Area studies, contact the instructor.

2. Minimum length is 14 400 characters including spaces (not including footnotes and bibliography).

3. The paper should present a well-developed thesis, supported by evidence from primary and secondary sources.

4. It should also demonstrate an understanding of the scholarship on the topic—that is, the paper itself must incorporate in the text and notes an adequate discussion of the scholarly works on the subject.

5. For footnotes and references, follow this easy-to-use guide based on Chicago Manual of Style, https://stuter.fsv.cuni.cz/index.php/stuter/about/submissions#authorGuidelines

6. Be sure to incorporate research from scholarly journals and books, not just accidental Google searches.

7. Helpful general guidelines for writing research papers are for example at: https://www.scribbr.com/category/research-paper/

    

   What you need to do in order to succeed:

 

• think critically about a topic and the sources necessary to study and limit that topic

• combine information and ideas into a focused, organized, supported argument

• write a grammatical, stylistic, mechanically correct essay

• document and list sources accurately and usefully

 

 

 

The grading shall be as follows:

• 91% and more   =>         A
• 81-90%             =>            B
• 71-80%             =>            C
• 61-70%             =>            D
• 51-60%             =>            E
• 0-50%                =>           F

For instance, an overall result of 50.5% corresponds to the grade E (after rounding up to the full percentage).

1. Basic interpretation of A-F grading scale:

• A – excellent (outstanding performance with only minor mistakes)
• B – very good (above average performance with some mistakes)
• C – good (overall good performance with a number of notable mistakes)
• D – satisfactory (acceptable performance with significant mistakes)
• E – sufficient (performance fulfils only minimum criteria)
• F – insufficient/failed (more effort needs to be made).

Syllabus

Last update: PhDr. Mgr. Kryštof Přemysl Kozák, Ph.D. (26.04.2024)

Week 1: Introduction

Course requirements, course program, Area Studies as a concept

 

Week 2: Area Studies as a Discipline

David Szanton: The Politics of Knowledge. Area Studies and the Disciplines. University of California, 2002.

Week 3: What is an Area? 

The Rebirth of Area Studies: Challenges for History, Politics and International Relations in the 21st Century Chapter 3

 

Week 4: Introduction to the World-system

World-systems analysis - Immanuel Wallerstein (2013)

The Modern World-System as a Capitalist World Economy - Immanuel Wallerstein 2004 (Chapter 2)

Week 5: Periphery, Semi-periphery, and Core in the Modern World-system

Rise And Demise: Comparing World Systems - Christopher Chase-dunn, Thomas D Hall 79-98 (1997)

 

Week 6: Regions and Area Studies

https://europe.unc.edu/toolkits/chapter-1/ Chapters 1, 2, 5 (they're not long, don't worry)

The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations - Chapter 23 (365-382)

 

Week 7: Area studies and nationalism

Colin Flint and Peter J. Taylor: Political Geography, World-Economy, Nation-State and Locality Seventh edition, Routledge, 2018, Chapter 5.

 

Week 8: Current issues through Area Studies: War and Conflict 

The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations Chapter 14 (225-239)

https://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-war-afghanistan

 

Week 9: 22.4.2024

Current issues through Area Studies: Poverty & Development 

The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations Chapter 26 (419-433)

The Slum - Al Jazzera Pick at least one episode to watch https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTzzdepVrNsOATf9u44nfIXH

 

29.4.2024 - NO CLASS, focus on your presentations and papers

6.5. 2024 Week 10

Current issues through Area Studies: Rising China 

China and the Return of Great Power Strategic Competition? - Bruce Jones - 2020

 

13.5.2024 Week 11

Current Issues through Area Studies: Climate Change and Migration 

 The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations - Chapter 24

Report on the Impact of Climate Change on Migration - 2021 (Sections I & II)

 

Week 12: 20. 5. 2024 Presentations 

Entry requirements

Last update: PhDr. Mgr. Kryštof Přemysl Kozák, Ph.D. (13.02.2024)

There are no prerequisites for this course, fluency in spoken and written English is expected.

Registration requirements

Last update: PhDr. Mgr. Kryštof Přemysl Kozák, Ph.D. (13.02.2024)

There are no prerequisites for the course, fluency in written as well spoken English is expected.