keywords (April 28)

1948 Independence
1956 Suez Canal Crisis
1967 6-Days war
1973 Yom Kippur War
1982 Lebanon War
1988-94 Intifada (I)
1989 Gulf War
2001 Intifada (II)

Nasser
Revolt against the oppressor
Asymmetric
Invade Kuwait
Grass-root support
Hamas
Charity group
Fundamentalist
Right-wing
Zero-sum
Settlement
Negotiated solution
Imposed solution
Rabin & Arafat
Assassinated
Betray
Make too much concession
For good
Irony of geography
Secular
Security forces, apparatus
Transit, transfer
Plain cloth
Tolerate
Swine flu (influenza)
Avian flu
Mutants
Pandemic,
Panic
Vulnerable
Recycle
Threshold
Contain the outbreak
Peak
Quarantined
Bumper sticker
Sri Lanka


Intifada
PLO
Hammas
Left-wing, right wing, Netanyahu
Swine flu

keywords (April 21)

The World is Flat
Thomas Friedman
Main theme
Globalization
Borderless
Boundary
Goods
Tariffs, customs
Erased
Blurred
Visa-free
Valid visa
Hurdles
Free Trade Agreement
Astronaut
Cosmonaut
Taikonaut
Artificial, man-made
Arrangement
FTA
Rudimentary
Deepen or widen
Initial stage of economic integration
1) Preferential Trade Agreement, PTA
2) Free Trade Agreement, FTA
3) Customs union
4) Common market
5) Economic and Monetary union
Euro
Competitiveness
Certify the diploma
Eligibility
Bachelor, Master, Doctoral degree
Civil service
A variety of reasons
Impose barriers
Science park
Free Trade, Fair Trade
Low wage
Political calculation
Blackmail
Dependent on China
Gambling business
Referendum
Signing,
Ratification
Ratify
Consent, approval
Pros & cons
Monroe Doctrine
Turf,
Sphere of influence, interest
Ally with the USSR
Target at
Follow suit
Chavez
Recall the ambassador back to
Deteriorate
Reach out
Bilateral relationship
Add
Self-centered
Road signs
New approach
Trinidad & Tobago
Troubled relationship
Bad shape
Animosity
Embargo
Wire the money to
Lift the embargo, impose the embargo
Lift the martial law
Thorny issue
Side with
Take side with
Donor
Business community
Academic community
Media
Proverbs
Sayings
Wisdoms of the ancestors’
Overnight
Antisemitism
Judeophobia
Xenophobia
Diplomatic ties
Controversial
Celebrity
Taboo
Headlines
Watchful
Bird’s nest
Conspiracy theory
Chaotic
Disciplined, controlled
Name calling
Deaflympics
Olympics
Paralympics
Spotlight
Richard Gere
Sting
Rainforest
Talks
Two-handed policy
Heavy-handed, soft-handed
Track record

keywords (April 14)

Objectives
Divert the attention
Rocket
Satellite, warhead
Orbit
Confirm, disconfirm
Test any ballistic missile
Distract
Diversionary theory
Make noises, make troubles
Condemn
Impose sanction
Rock the boat
Drag into
Brinkmanship
Escalate the crisis
Rally around the flag
Patriotism
Interest at stake
Contain the crisis
Aso
Boost his popularity
Bullying
Debris
Expand and extend the sanction
Expire
Take the lead
Interests in jeopardy or served
Visible
ASEAN + 3
Take to the streets
Step down
Thai society
In exile
White collar
Ousted
Monarchy
Last resort
Implicit or explicit
Issue a decree
State of emergency
Martial law/ curfew
Backfire
Diplomatic fiasco
ECFA, Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement
CECA, Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
CEPA, Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (Agreement)
Free Trade Agreement
NAFTA
Lower the trade barriers
Tariffs
Beef
Competitiveness
Free vs. fair trade
Labor-intensive industry
Conference venue
Gross Domestic Product
= Export +
Domestic Spending +
Government spending +
Investment – Imports
Gross National Product
Indicators
IHD
Green GDP
Unemployment rate, jobless rate
Four tigers
Equality, inequality
Sustainable development
“Say It Like Obama”
Best-seller
Dreams from My Father, Audacity of Hope
Grammy Award
Big mouth
Tycoon
Empathy, sympathy
Big departure from the previous policies
Make concessions
Hitman

Key words (March 24)

qik.com
stream the video
special agency
Secretariat
Veto power
Big five
Security Council
General Assembly
Continents
Balance of different interests
Diplomat
Resolution
Binding, non-binding resolution
Forceful
Pass a resolution to impose an embargo against some country.
Political statement
Urge
Club of the big countries
Make their voices heard
-terrorism , counter-terrorism
Catastrophe
Doomsday
Armageddon
Address the issue
Combat the issue
International Court of Justice
International Criminal Court
Specialized Agencies, functional organizations
Notify
Debris
IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)
Watchdog
Control Yuan
Executive Yuan, Legislative Yuan, Examination Yuan, Judicial Yuan,
Control Yuan
Civil servants, civil service
Bar exam,
Day-to-day
Global efforts
Cut into half
Literacy rate, illiterate
Gender inequality, disparity
Inter-related
Food shortage
Drinking water
Public health
Mortality rate
Reverse the trend
Sustainable environment
LOHAS, Lifestyle of Healthy and Sustainability
Aid, foreign aid.
Cooperation and development
Donor, recipient countries
Partners
Scratch my back.
Marshall Plan
War-torn economy
Molotov plan
Landlocked countries
Natural gas pipeline
Vulnerable and sensitive
Geography matters
At odds with each other
Hyper inflation
Coup d’etat
Step down
Successor
DJ
Sequel
Documentary
Is approaching
0.7% GDP
Money diplomacy, checkbook diplomacy
Customs
Organic food
Seize upon the opportunity
Bio-fuel, agro-fuel
Dual-fuel cars
Rebound
Rescue package
Furious
Death threats
The Most Wanted
Bounty
Fat cats
Peace-loving
Thorny issue
Zero-sum
Right –wing
Hawkish, heavy-handed
Vicious cycle
Hamas
Pessimistic about prospect of peace
Rhetoric, words
Deeds speak louder than words.
Good, friendly gesture
Barak Hussein Obama
Reconcile the differences
Come to terms with each other
Interests at stake
Engagement vs. containment (encirclement) strategy
Congagement

Key words (March 17)

Toxic waste
Effective governance
Policing force
Failed states
Rooms for terrorists or pirates

Warlords
Malacca
Cast
Harbor
Cargo containers
Militia groups]
Rebel groups
Ransom
Oil tanker
Demonstration effects
Geostrategic position, location
Patrol
Failed states
Will be dragged into troubles
A very good case in point.
On behalf of
Troubled countries.
Aging society
Migrant workers
Host countries, home countries
Skin head
Xenophobia
Absolute poverty
Poverty line
Drug-trafficking
Taliban
Opium
Fat cats
Parachute , golden
Tax payers’ money
Small and medium- size companies
Hijacked
Bail out
Held accountable
DRAM
Depreciation
Sunset industry
Pros and cons
Take advantage of the government’s rescue plan
Exploit
Resolve, wisdom, , sense of humor
Bump into strangers
Break the tie
Biography , autobiography
Presidential palace.
Head of the state
Motives
Peace-keeping
Multinational
Haiti
Diplomatic
National image
High sea
Symbolic gesture
G-20
Convene
Collective efforts
Priorities
Pre-summit meeting
Issues?
Prioritize
In arranging
Working level
Paving the way
APEC, A Perfect Excuse to Chat
Binding
Zero-sum situation
We can all be better off.
Resolve the differences
On the same boat
Photo opportunities
Finalize
ASEAN,
Decision by unanimity, consensus
IMF, International Monetary Fund. Weighted voting
More say
General Assembly
Big Five
Veto power
Reform of the UN.
Blackmail
Binding resolution
Time-consuming
Inclusive
Skim thru
MDG

Keywords (March 10)

Treasures in the West
Near East, Mid-East and Far East
Han Chinese
Seoul
Come to terms with each other.
Government in exile
Now?
Greater
Autonomous region
Minority
Chinghai-Tibet Railroad
Annexation by Han Chinese
Settlement
Colonialization
Human rights and religious freedom
Political appeal
No sovereignty, no territory, no resources
India
Buffer
Territorial disputes
Put aside
Non-violence
Immortal
Charismatic
Divide and defeat
United front
Typical
Whose side is time on?
Confront China
Moral support
Inner-land
Encircle
Modernization is not Westernization
Clashes of civilizations
Impose
Tense
Resume the talks, resumption of talks
NATO expansion
Concerns
One of the most important bilateral relationships
Trans-Atlantic alliance
United States of Europe
Integration
Political loyalty
Euro
United with Diversity
Official languages
Access to education
Endangered species
Structural, institutional bias
Feminism
Theorize the world
History (his story)
Interconnected
Put all eggs in one basket
Diversity
Hedging Pirate

Keywords (March 3)

Korea Peninsula
Space program
Orbit
Satellite
1957
Sputnik
Capability
Launching
WMD
Persuasion
Economic aid (assistance)
In exchange for giving nuclear programs
Military option
Drill , military exercise
Worst-case scenario
Risks
Fallout
Dirty bombs
Last resort
Nuclear club
Non-proliferation Treaty
Voluntarily
Nuclear Arms race
Legitimacy
Monopoly
Permanent members of the UN security council
First strike vs. second strike capability
Nuclear balance, balance of terror
Think twice
Strategic Triad (ICBM, Bombers, SLBMs)
Stars war (strategic defense initiative)
Shield
TMD (Theater Missile Defense)
NMD,
Doomsday, catastrophe
Stone war fourth world war
Conventional weapons
Rationality of irrationality
War-prone
Prejudice
Perception is reality
Fanatical
Put yourself in other people’s shoes
Relics of the history, legacy
Reclaim the ownership of those
Great Leap Forward
Make steel
Rising Chinese nationalism
Olympic torch relay
Boycott Carrefour
Controversial
Resilient
Launching pad
Deploy missiles
Vocal
Axis of evil
Axis of justice
OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)
Scapegoat , blame
Military ally
Virtual ally
Arms sales, arms procurement
Tip of , balance is tilted towards China’s side.
Military to military talks
Mil-to-mil
Engage in military talks
Miscalculation, misunderstanding
Transparency
CBMs (Confidence Building Measures)
Security dilemma
Publish defense reports (white paper)
Confidential, secret
Avoid unwanted conflicts, wars
PLO, Palestine Liberation Organization
Hamas
Commute
Unbearable
Co-exist
Coalition government
Radical
Flash points, time bomb

Syllabus 授課大綱

Course Title: Current World Affairs
(BPO36401--2009)
Department of Political Science, Soochow University,
Lecturers: Professors Chih-cheng Lo and Chi-chung Wu
Time: Tuesdays, 15:30-18:20

Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to help students develop a deeper and better understanding of current world events and international affairs in general. The class will cover the historical, economic, social and political issues in different areas of the world, especially as they relate to the development of Taiwan’s foreign policy. Students are required to follow events in assigned issue-areas or geographical areas every week. They should be prepared to present their observations and findings in class. Usually, each weekly event should be studied and presented with a brief historical review followed by an analysis of causes and impacts of the event. By doing this, we are hoping to provide an opportunity for discussion-based learning. Knowledge of world history and geography is surely helpful in this class and participation in class discussions will be vital to being successful in the class. The objectives of this class will be for students to recognize the changing patterns of the world we live in, to improve their English reading, writing and speaking skills, and to analyze the relationship between Taiwan and the world.

Course Requirements:
1)、Each week, the class may start by watching an English TV news program from CNN/BBC/PTS etc. A short class discussion will then follow.
2)、Each student will be asked to create and manage his/her own blog, whose theme focuses on world events. In the blog, each student should post at least one piece of news events every week and make comments on it. During the class, each student shall then be asked to give a 5-minute oral presentation on that particular international event. The event should be no more than a week old, and should be related in some way to the global issues we have been discussing, or will be discussing. Right after each presentation, we shall have an open discussion based on the topic presented.
3)、At the end of this semester, every student should write an in-depth final report on a world event. The report should be written in English and should be more than 3000 words.
4)、Attendance is very important for you to follow the development of weekly events. So, showing up in class is mandatory.
5)、Actively participate in classroom discussion and debate is the key to succeed in this class. To facilitate productive discussion, students should prepare themselves with questions and answers. More importantly, be involved.

Grading Criteria:
Attendance 10%
Current Event Presentation 30%
Discussion/Participation 30%
Final Paper 30%


Recommended Reading/Sources for Current International Events:
l Yahoo! News. (http://news.yahoo.com/)
l Google News (http://news.google.com/)
l International Herald Tribune (http://www.iht.com/)
l New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/)
l BBC News online (http://news.bbc.co.uk/)
l MSNBC News (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/)
l Taipei Times (http://www.taipeitimes.com/)
l CNN (http://edition.cnn.com/)
l Far Eastern Economic Review, Economist, Newsweek, and Time only offer restricted access without a subscription) So, you may read the print copy in the library.
l Other sources: Infoplease (http://www.infoplease.com/) is a very useful website which provides encyclopedia, almanacs, atlas, etc.


Good Luck & Enjoy It!!
If you can survive, you shall thrive!

Keywords (Feb. 24)

Press conference
G-20
G-7
G-7 countries
Coordinate their policies
Dialogues
Dialogue process
Long peace
World war
Proxy wars
Viet communist
All-out war
Cuban missile crisis

Hot lines
Kremlin
White House
Presidential office, palace
Advocate
Aso
Approval rating
Single digit
Terrible shape
Honeymoon period
Elected politician
Deliver his first State of the Union address
Senate
Stimulus package of bills stimulate the economy
Positive cycle
Vicious cycle
Domino effects
Recession
Contraction of the economy
Incumbent president
Make appeal
Depression
Recovery


Who? Whom? When? Where? What? How? Why? With what effects?
Sworn in
Go nuclear
Neighboring countries
Pre-emptive, preventive strike
Security dilemma
Arms race
Deter NK from attacking Japan
Destabilize, stabilize
Proliferation
Blackmail
WMD, Weapons of Massive Destruction
Acquire
Imperative, urgent
Six-party talks
Launching missiles
Aspiration
Give-and-take
In exchange for
Scratch my back
Food shortage,
Give in, give up
Reciprocate eye-for-an-eye tit for tat
Gesture
Stuck
Make concession, make a deal
On its side
Reduction, easing of tension
On the top of the agenda
Internal affairs
Mind your own business
Military-to-military relations
China’s rise
Dominant, hegemon
Decades
Aircraft carriers
Strategic and economic dialogue, monologue
Bilateral
Issue-areas
Financial meltdown
Clean energy
Bio-fuel
Agro-fuel
Solar power
Alternative
Invest
Critical role
Pump the gas
MRT
Tube, underground, Metro,
Per barrel
Reach out to
Head of the delegation
Making and implementing
executing policies
Foreign policy team
Sinologist, China experts, China hands
Sino-U.S. relations
Academia Sinica
Ivy League
Elite university
Editor in chief
Harvard Law Review
Defects
He cheated on his wife and got away with it.
Eloquent


Deputy secretary of state
Random
Quote of the week.
Source of your quote
Life is hard. After all, it kills you.
Shoot it.
Islam, Muslim
Vivid
Add fuel to the fire
Provocative , provoke
Poke into your eyes
Jobless people
Leave without pay
Laid off, lay off
We are all socialists now.
Role of the state
Leftist government
We shall hang together, or we shall be hanged separately.
Deficit
Revenues
Pledges
Inherit
The debt, in debt
Consumption voucher
Dig a hole
Common, joint policy position
Group 77
Summit meeting heads of states

Announcement by Prof. Lo

Students,
Welcome to the blog for the 2009 class of Current World Affairs.
All the students' blogs will be linked from here. Also, all the keywords discussed in the class very be posted here. Comments and questions are also welcome here. So, come visit.
Good luck and have fun.

Lo & Wu