ICT in International Relations Syllabus

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COURSE CODE: XX
Course Name: ICT in International Relations
Credit:
6
Instructor Information:
Instructor: María Florenzano, MPhil
Email: mariaf@miuc.es
Office Hours: Mondays 12:00-14:00h or by appointment
Meetings: Mon/Wed/Fri ⏐14.50-16.00
Classroom: Work

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FAX (+34) 952 860 101
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ADDRESS Avenida Don Jaime de Mora y Aragón s/n
Finca El Pinillo 29601, Marbella | Málaga | Spain
WEB SITE www.miuc.org
Course Information:
With more than 7 billion cell phone subscriptions in the world, and 42% of the world´s population
online (ITU), we have reached an unprecedented level of global interconnectivity. These numbers
are growing rapidly, bringing dramatic socio-cultural, economic, and political changes in societies
around the world. The voices of young, technology-empowered societies are influencing the
international community, transforming modern politics. A good example of this is social media and
the eruption of the Arab Spring, or the on-going Egyptian Revolution and their use of hashtags
(#18DaysInEgypt) and digital storytelling platforms.
However, the impact of this revolution in information technology is reaching far beyond the
demonstrations in Tehran and the Tahir Square. Technology is enabling a dramatic transformation
in peace building, and students will have to research and stay informed of all these examples of
new modes of conflict but also of cooperation.
This course will study the new challenges that IR is facing from a theoretical point of view, but also
from a practical and empirical approach, with the research and use of different web tools and
cases. We will also discuss the impact of modern ICT on diplomacy, and we will analyse the virtual
diplomatic network, studying how world leaders connect on Twitter for example
(#DigitalDiplomacy).
New Technologies in International Relations is a core course for all International Relations students.
Students are expected to develop a critical thinking to the issues explored during each lesson and
will be asked to actively participate during classroom discussions and analysis.
If you anticipate issues related to the format or requirements of this course, feel free to approach
me. I would like us to discuss ways to ensure your full participation in the course.
If formal, disability-related support is necessary, it is very important that your register with the
Office of Disability Services at MIUC so that I am notified of your eligibility for suitable support. We
can them plan how to best accommodate your needs,

3. TEL (+34) 952 860 000
FAX (+34) 952 860 101
E-MAIL info@miuc.org
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ADDRESS Avenida Don Jaime de Mora y Aragón s/n
Finca El Pinillo 29601, Marbella | Málaga | Spain
WEB SITE www.miuc.org
Textbook/Course Materials:
There is no text book for this course. All required readings and related resources will be available
through Blackboard or in MIUC’s library.
Recommended readings
Youngs, Gillian. Digital World: Connectivity, Creativity and Rights. Routledge, 2013
Choucri, Nazli. Cyberpolitics in International Relations. Cambridge, MA: MIT, 2012
McCaughey, Martha. Cyberactivism on the Participatory Web. New York: Routledge, 2014
Giacomello, Giampiero. Security in Cyberspace: Targeting Nations, Infrastructures, Individuals. New
York: Bloomsbury, 2014
Course 2.0. Learning tools
§ Presentations:
Most of the classroom slides will be presented with the Interactive Whiteboard Software
ActivInspire. You should download a free copy of the software here (personal edition), this free
license will allow you to see and manipulate all the course presentations. Class slides will also be
available every week on BlackBoard LMS system on a pdf format.
§ Twitter:
We will have a forum opened on twitter under the hashtag #IRmiuc. If you still have not joined
Twitter, this is the moment, as you will need it for the correct fulfillment of the course. Here are
some interestingTwitter accounts that will get you started:
Foreign Policy Tweeters
§ LinkedIn:
To a lesser extent, but as a part of building a good personal and virtual learning environment
(PLE/VLE), we will have a look at our LinkedIn professional profiles and follow some of the IR
groups in this social network tool.
The networking possibilities that both Twitter and LinkedIn offer as well as the access to quality,
brand new information and relevant opinions mean regular use of these tools is an essential
requirement of the course.

4. TEL (+34) 952 860 000
FAX (+34) 952 860 101
E-MAIL info@miuc.org
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ADDRESS Avenida Don Jaime de Mora y Aragón s/n
Finca El Pinillo 29601, Marbella | Málaga | Spain
WEB SITE www.miuc.org
§ Digital curation:
Each student will have to preserve and maintain a good collection of digital resources, looking for
different assets about IR&IT, and having to select, filter and classifying them with the appropriate
curation tool. In our course, we will use Scoop.
We will use digital curation to improve the quality of the information and data released within the
IR&IT topic, keeping the information accessible to all our students and being able to differentiate
the necessities and interests of each individual.
§ Other tools:
Classflow, Flipgrid, VoiceThread…
2) Course Policies:
In the event that a class meeting is unexpectedly cancelled, students will be expected to continue
with readings or other assignments as originally scheduled. Any assignments due or class activities
(e.g., a quiz, exam or presentation) planned for such a cancelled class are due at the next class
meeting unless other instructions are communicated. The make-up class for the one missed will be
announced at least with a week notice and will as far as possible be happening on the following
Friday.
Grading/Evaluation:
Grade Scale: Grade Components:
A 93%-100%
A- 90%-92% 25 % Mid-Term
B+ 87%-89% 25 % Written Paper & Oral Presentation
B 83%-86% 25 % Final
B- 80%-82% 25 % Participation
C+ 70%-74%
C 65%-69%
C- 60%-64%
D 55%-59%
F 0%-54%

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ADDRESS Avenida Don Jaime de Mora y Aragón s/n
Finca El Pinillo 29601, Marbella | Málaga | Spain
WEB SITE www.miuc.org
Late assignments will be graded 5% down for each delayed day (24 hours).
Assignments/Exams/Papers/Projects:
Students will be evaluated in the following areas:
Exams: XX
Paper/Coursework: XX
Presentation/Project: XX
Participation/Attendance Policy:
The MIUC Student Handbook states the following:
Once a student is registered for a course, attendance at every meeting of every class is expected,
including those held in the first week of the semester. A maximum of two unjustified absences is
permitted. Each additional absence will cause the final course grade to be lowered by one-third of
a letter grade, i.e., from A to A-; A- to B+; B+ to B, etc.
Excessive absences in a course will have a negative effect on the final grade. When a student is
absent, the quality of his or her work in a course will deteriorate since material missed in class
sessions can rarely be made up satisfactorily, even though the student remains responsible for that
work.
Please note that even when a student has a justified reason for missing class, such as illness, the
negative academic impact on learning will be the same as if the absence were for spurious reasons.
Academic Integrity Policy:
Student work may be checked by plagiarism detection software. Cheating on examinations,
plagiarism and/or improper acknowledgment of sources in essays or research papers, and the use
of a single essay or paper in more than one course without the permission of the instructor
constitute unacceptable academic conduct.
Academic dishonesty will be reported to the MIUC Academic Standing Committee. Reports will be
addressed through the Student Discipline System. An undergraduate student who has been found
to have violated this policy is subject to an automatic grade of “F” in the course and to suspension,
enforced withdrawal or dismissal from the University, or appropriate lesser penalties if warranted
by the circumstances.
Classroom policies:

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ADDRESS Avenida Don Jaime de Mora y Aragón s/n
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WEB SITE www.miuc.org
• Respect for all religions, ideologies, ethnic groups and gender is most expected. Be open,
respectful and engaged.
• You are required to attend each class session prepared to participate and think critically during
lecture and discussion sessions. I will value creativity and criticism.
• The MIUC Campus requires regular attendance. Following the reading assigned for each session
will be required. Two unjustified absences will be allowed. Further unjustified absences will
lower the grade 1 point for each subsequent absence. Justified absences require relevant
documentation. Attendance is a must. 10 % of your final grade will be given on your
participation in class. Keep these numbers in mind.
• All required assignments are to be submitted on time. Essays that are handed in late will be
marked down.
• Anyone who has problems to attend class or deliver work on time should speak to the instructor
beforehand. We all have problems, but talk to me!
• Punctuality is needed. Tardiness is at best a rude disruption to your fellow classmates who are
punctual.
Course Goals & Learning Objectives:
Upon successful
completion of this
course, students
will
know/understand
Upon successful completion of this
course, students will be able to
How the student will
be
assessed on these
learning outcomes
−Modern ICT
−Understand the dynamics of new
technologies
−Identify new communication tools and its
mechanisms
−Think critically about the role of new
information and communication
technology in our lives and the lives of
people internationally.
−Demonstrate a good use
of different web 2.0
tools
−Demonstrated
knowledge of the
readings in class
discussion
−New challenges that
International
Relations are facing
−Identify and explain new technology
concepts
−Familiarize students with differences in
new communication technology on a
global level
−Demonstrate knowledge of the processes
and mechanisms of new media
−Active, appropriate and
positive class
participation
- Global network
society
−Describe the impact of global
communication
−Identify institutions and practices that
−Demonstrated
knowledge of the
readings in class

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ADDRESS Avenida Don Jaime de Mora y Aragón s/n
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WEB SITE www.miuc.org
structure the form and content of global
communications
discussion
−Changing nature of
international
relations
−Describe the challenges that come up in a
society that is becoming more and more
powerfully interconnected
−Demonstrated
knowledge of the
readings in class
discussion
−How to
think/approach
international
relations’ issues
from a critical and
independent
approach/way
−Apply a set of tools for thinking critically
about the role of new communication
−Technology in our lives and the lives of
people internationally
−Critical understanding about the
complexity involves in any international
−Have the ability to critically assess and
improve own papers.
−Final project
−Final Paper (10 pp.)
Course Schedule:
The schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the
event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better student
learning.
Week General Topic of Lesson Readings or other Assignments Due
Week 1 Introduction to the course. Syllabus
and rules of the game. Our online
identities and digital prints.
Week 2 From analogue to digital. Internet
history timeline. Dipity project.
The Participatory web in the context of
academic research, Mendes Da Costa, PhD
Thesis.
Week 3 The participatory website. Twitter,
Facebook and Cyberactivism. The
political power of Social Media.
Expect us: online communities and
political mobilization / Jessica L. Beyer
Gladwell, M. Twitter, Facebook, and social
activism. The New Yorker, 2010.
Week 4 Internet Open source tools for self-
organising democracy.
Cyberactivism on the Participatory Web /
Edited by Martha McCaughey
Week 5 Social conflicts and the role of
technology. Technology for
violence and conflict prevention.
#Tech4Peace
Democracy bytes : new media, new
politics and generational change / Judith
Bessant
Week 6 Technology and territory:
Crowdsourcing and (local) conflict
Peacetechlab.org

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ADDRESS Avenida Don Jaime de Mora y Aragón s/n
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prevention.
Helena Puig Conference on
Technology Projects for Peace.
Work on Group Projects
Week 7 Narratives and social movements.
New literacies. The role of Collective
Storytelling in social and political
movements
HBO Neda’s story; #18DaysinEgypt;
#OccupyHK Prezi´s and blogs
presentations.
Week 8 Work on project presentations Digital Technology Project
Week 9 Group Project Presentations
Week 10 Internet governance. Security and
ICT in the Information Age.
Censorship, Cablegate and
Wikileaks.
“The role of the state in securing the
Information Age. Challenges and
prospects”, in Power and Security in the
Information Age. Cavelty, Maner…
“Regulation, censorship and rights” in
Global Politics. A new Introduction. Edkins
and Zehfuss, Routledge 2014
IR Circuit blog; Weekly Wire: The Global
Forum; Stability Journal;
Week 11 Cyberwar/ Cyberterrorism Thomas M. Chen Cyberterrorism
Understanding, Assessment, and
Response . Springer 2014.
The Economist issue on Cyberwar.
Week 12 Attributing Cyber Attacks Thomas Rida & Ben Buchanana, 2014,
Journal of Strategic Studies
Week 13 Real-Time Diplomacy. Virtual
Diplomatic Network. How world
leaders connect on Twitter.
Cyberpolitics in International Relations /
Nazli Choucri
Real-Time Diplomacy, Chapter 4. Seib, P.
McMillan 2012.
Week 14 eDiplomacy. Sweden and Canada’s
Digital Diplomacy initiatives.
#DigitalDiplomacy and
“Twiplomacy”
Twiplomacy Study. International Relations
on Twitter. 2012
*This schedule and its belonging session are subject to change without prior notice means.
Make-Up Exams

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ADDRESS Avenida Don Jaime de Mora y Aragón s/n
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WEB SITE www.miuc.org
Make-up exams will be given only in the event of a medical emergency! Proper medical
documentation must be provided. Students are allowed to request (ahead of time!) a change of
exam date if they have more than 2 midterms/finals on the same day or if exams are scheduled
simultaneously.