UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT

GOVT 2048: International & Regional Organizations

TUTORIAL SHEET Semester One 2022/2023

TUTORIAL GUIDELINES

▪ Students must register for and attend tutorials for the duration of the semester. In
addition to registration via SAS, students must also register for tutorials via
OURVLE. Announcements will be made in lectures, and notices posted via
OURVLE, when registration for these sessions becomes open.
▪ In order to maximize marks, students must attend AND participate in tutorials (see
note on attendance below).
▪ During the first seven weeks of tutorials, there will be discussions, debates and
individual presentations. The last three sessions will be reserved for group
presentations. Each student will make one individual presentation. Individual
presentations are to be for a maximum of 15 minutes*
▪ Those presenting will be asked to also e-mail their presentations to their tutor
and to their colleagues in the tutorial group.
▪ All presentations must make reference to the literature in the course reading list.
Alternative references may be provided, however, marks are allocated based on
summation/critique of the literature included in the course outline.
▪ Students are encouraged to be prepared for the presentations. The format of the
presentation is left to the discretion of the student. However, the presenter should
not read directly from a sheet of paper or electronic devise, for the duration of their
presentation.
▪ The use of cell phones during tutorials is prohibited. Students must exit the class
if they are receiving/making calls and texts.
▪ It is the student’s responsibility to note and remember the respective dates of their
presentation and seminar leadership. Failure to make a presentation without a valid
excuse will result in a grade of zero. Where possible, all excuses must be provided
at least two days before the session. Medical excuses must be substantiated by a
letter from the UWI Medical Centre.

TUTORIAL GRADES
Tutorial participation is worth a total of 15%
▪ 5% Group presentation
▪ 10% Individual presentation

Mid Semester (Take Home) Exam is worth a total of 25%

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TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

Question 1:

Trace the history of International Organizations and its evolution.

Points Key areas

• Critical historical periods • Concert of Europe

• Congress of Vienna
• World War I
• World War II
• Cold War
• Iraq War (2003)

• Current international affairs • Ukraine Crisis

• Palestine/Israel conflict
• BREXIT

Question 2:

Use any TWO theories to assess the relevance of ANY International Organization of your
choice.
Possible Key Points
• Discuss the main components of the theories
• Discuss the theories views of IROs
• Apply the theoretical frameworks to your analysis of the IRO
• Use current examples to substantiate your arguments

Question 3:

Compare and contrast Realism and Liberalism perspectives of International

Organizations

Possible Key Points

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 • Highlight key differences and similarities
• Main arguments in relation to IROs
• Which theory best explains IROs (Both or anyone) and why?

Question 4:

Discuss the United Nations relevance in our contemporary society

Possible Key Points

• Briefly outline the UN’s history

• Discuss the principal organs in a concise manner

• Provide some examples of UN’s most controversial and successful operations

• Assess the UN within the context of some contemporary international issues

Question 5:

Write a short statement to address to the United Nations General Assembly (3 pages
max.), outlining your proposed reforms for the institution.

Possible Key Points

• Highlight the some of the issues/problems with the UN
• Briefly highlight some of the reforms already proposed
• Finally, discuss your reforms

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 • Use examples to support your rationale for the proposed reforms

Question 6:

Discuss the importance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Possible Key Points

• A concise history of the IMF
• The structure of the IMF
• The main objectives
• Discuss the IMF within the context of developing states and sovereignty
• Use ANY theory of IRO to further assess the IMF

Question 7:

Evaluate the WTO and its relevance in our contemporary society

Possible Key Points

• A brief historical background
• The structure of the institution
• WTO’s main objective(s)
• How it managed international trade during the global pandemic
• Examples of some WTO controversial rulings

Question 8:

Discuss the European Union or OAS within the context of regionalism

Possible Key Points

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 • Briefly discuss the features of the organisation (EU or OAS)
• Assess the organisation within the context of contemporary issues (EU:
BREXIT; OAS: Biden admin refusal to invite Cuba, Nicaragua, and
Venezuela to OAS Summit of the Americas 2022)
• How the organization (EU or OAS) handled the global pandemic

Question 9:

Discuss the relevance of INGOs (International Non-Governmental Organizations)

Possible Key Points

• Key features of INGOs
• How they differ from IGOs
• Use a INGO and provide examples of both controversial/scandalous and
positive engagements, such as relief efforts and so on.
• How effective were/are they in handling contemporary issues (Ukraine
war, oil prices, hunger, civil war/conflicts, poverty, COVID-19, etc.)

Question 10:

Assess CARICOM and the OECS within the context of regionalism

Possible Key Points

• Brief history of both organizations
• The structure of both organizations
• A comparative analysis of both organizations, specifically focusing on
regional integration: freedom of movement and so on.

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Question 11:

Discuss the main characteristics of multilateralism and how important is it in

solving some of the world’s most pressing issues today.

Possible Key Points

• A concise background
• Briefly explain the main tenets of multilateralism
• Give two examples of multilateralism
• Use examples to demonstrate how multilateralism have aided in solving
contemporary issues, such as war and conflicts, the global pandemic and
so on.

Group Presentation:

Persons will be placed in groups and given an international organization to discuss.

Further details will be discussed during the tutorial session.

International Organizations: International Labour Organization; International Atomic

Energy Agency; Food and Agriculture Organization; Red Cross and Amnesty

International.

Possible Key Points

• Background on institution

• Discuss role of the institution within the context of IRO

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 • Use theories of IRO to provide a theoretical understanding/analysis of the

institution

• Give examples of both controversial and positive engagements

Any remaining time in this session can be used for reviewing questions or

separate review sessions can be scheduled.

Semester One 2022/2023

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 Rubric for seminar leadership and tutorial participation
MARKS

5 4-3 2-1 0-0.5

Participation Always contributes to the Attends class regularly and Rarely contributes to the Never contributes to the
discussion by raising sometimes contributes to discussion. discussion.
thoughtful questions, the discussion in the
analyzing relevant issues, aforementioned ways.
building on others’ ideas,
synthesizing across
readings and discussions,
expanding the class’
perspective, and
appropriately challenging
assumptions and
perspectives

Seminar Takes full responsibility Takes some responsibility Acts as a guard rather Does not play an active
Leadership for maintaining the flow for maintaining flow and than a facilitator: role in maintaining the
and quality of the quality of discussion, and constrains or biases the flow of discussion or
discussion. Helps to encouraging others to content and flow of the undermines the efforts
redirect or refocus participate but is not fully discussion. of others who are trying
discussion when it effective. to facilitate discussion.
becomes sidetracked or
unproductive. Makes
efforts to engage reluctant
participants. Provides
constructive feedback and
support to others.

Presentation Arguments or positions
are reasonable and
supported with evidence
from the readings.
Student has provided
analysis of complex ideas
that help deepen the
inquiry and further the
conversation.
*Adapted from Eberly Centre for Teaching Excellence, Carnegie Melon University
Arguments or positions are
reasonable and mostly
supported by evidence
from the readings. In
general, the comments and
ideas contribute to
understanding of the
material and concepts.
Arguments are more Arguments are
often based on opinion or frequently so illogical
unclear views than on or without
reasoned arguments or substantiation that
positions based on the others are unable to
readings. Comments or critique or even follow
questions suggest a them.
difficulty in following
complex lines of
argument or student’s
arguments are convoluted
and difficult to follow.