Office: tba
Phone:
707 664-2901
Email: tomashaw@verizon.net
Office Hours: tba
707 664-2901Students practice the techniques of critical reading and thinking, expository writing, and oral expression. They develop and apply these skills through an introductory study of a broad range of globally relevant issues. For Global Studies majors, and those interested in the major, the course represents a sweeping overview of the problems and topics that typically are of concern to students of global studies. The course is a lower division requirement for students majoring in Global Studies and satisfies GE category A1 (Written and Oral Analysis). Prerequisites: completion of GE categories A2 and A3. The class is made up, therefore, of two groups: Global Studies majors and students from other majors seeking to fulfill the Area A1 General Education requirement. To meet the needs of both groups, the course focuses on the development of skills in oral presentation and writing intended to prepare all students for successful upper division study in any field. To meet the special needs of the Global Studies majors, the vehicle for developing these general skills is material related to international affairs and intercultural understanding. An interest in these subjects will enhance the value of the course to all participants, but no previous study of the subjects is required.
1. To practice and improve effective listening, writing, speaking, and critical
thinking;
2. To present an oral message clearly and effectively using relevant and adequate
supporting evidence;
3. To express and advocate ideas clearly and effectively both orally and in
writing;
4. To enhance one's skills in reading, understanding, and discussing texts;
5. To support oral and written arguments with relevant and adequate evidence;
6. To learn to distinguish information that is empirical, from information that
is subjective and interpretive
7. To enhance one's ability to effectively use print and web sources.
Learning is an active process in which we all participate. This means that it is important to engage with the ideas presented in class and whenever possible, to relate them to our own lives and the lives of others in our society. The materials will provide us ample opportunity to reflect on the pervasive influences of global issues, and to adopt a broad perspective, critical thinking skills, and prudent judgment in recommending solutions. In this class, you will actively practice your listening, speaking, and writing skills.
There are some responsibilities that we must all agree to accept. The first is to attend class regularly. Beyond that, you must also be prepared for class in order to actively engage-for the benefit of your own education, as well as your classmates, whose time and energy you share. You must read all of the assigned material and bring the texts with you to class. A quick reading of the assigned material will do little to prepare you. The nature of the material invites critical reflection on ideas and a willingness to share insights and perspectives on potentially controversial topics.
It is of utmost importance that we all be willing to be open to and considerate of the thoughts and comments of others. There will be as many perspectives as there are students. No experience or viewpoint is inherently more valuable than any other. And while you may disagree with the views expressed by others, we must all agree to respect each individual's right to have and share their ideas and opinions. Listening to others' perspectives should help create greater understanding of the diversity of human experience around the globe.
The following required texts can be purchased from the SSU Bookstore. It is important that you purchase the editions listed below so we can literally be on the same page. Additional readings may be posted on e-Reserves during the semester.
o ANNUAL EDITIONS : Global Issues 09/10, Twenty-fifth Edition
Robert M. Jackson, CALIF STATE U-CHICO; ISBN: 9780078127700
o TAKING SIDES : Clashing Views on Controversial Global Issues, Fifth Edition
James E. Harf, UNIV OF TAMPA; Mark Owen Lombardi, COLLEGE OF SANTA FE; ISBN:
9780073515342
10% for attendance: You are allowed 3 unexcused absences. The 4th absence will
result in minus 3%; the 5th minus 3%; 6 or more and you will not receive credit
for the course.
35% for your Taking Sides assignment. 17.5% for the oral part; 17.5% for written.
35% for your Panel contribution. 17.5% for the oral part; 17.5% for written.
10% for class participation (tardiness will lower your grade for participation)
10% for either: a) performance as moderator in Taking Sides, including questions
submitted in writing; or, b) a 2 page response paper concerning a global issue
of your choice.
Each class meeting is enriched by the diversity of experience and the individual interests that students bring to the classroom. Exploring common and differing personal responses to the ideas and feelings raised by the class readings can broaden our base of knowledge and break down resistance to new ideas. Contributions to class discussion, active listening and attendance in class are expected. Coming late to class for unexcused reasons will also affect your grade. A positive contribution is one that is relevant to the course materials and class discussion. It is expected that students will be respectful toward each other's opinions, and will listen and learn from each other. Students are expected to come to class having completed the readings for that day. The amount of reading each week will vary. There are some weeks that require a substantial amount of reading and others less, so plan your time accordingly.
In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for students with disabling conditions,
please discuss any accommodation you may need for this class with me prior to
the end of the second-class meeting. You must self-identify with Disabled Student
Services (Salazar 1049) in order to be eligible to receive services or reasonable
accommodation for any classes at SSU.
All assignments should be completed prior to class unless otherwise noted.
W 8/26 Introduction to course and syllabus
M 8/31 Critical Thinking Skills & Choose Taking Sides
W 9/2 Choose world region for panelsGlobal Issues 21st Cent
M 9/7 Labor Day - no class
W 9/9 Read Global Issues: Unit 1 overview & Articles 2, 3, 4Population and Food Production
M 9/14 Report on current events
W 9/16 Read Global Issues: Unit 2 overview & Articles 6, 8, 9Global Environment and Natural Resources Utilization
M 9/21 Report on current events
W 9/23 Read Global Issues: Unit 3 overview & Articles 11, 12, 13Political Economy
M 9/28 Report on current events
W 9/30 Read Global Issues: Unit 4 overview & Articles 15, 16, 17Political Economy
M 10/5 Report on current events
W 10/7 Read Global Issues: Unit 4 - Articles 21 24M 10/12 Taking Sides
W 10/14 Taking SidesM 10/19 Taking Sides
W 10/21 Taking SidesConflict
M 10/26 Report on current events (or Taking Sides if needed)
W 10/28 Read Global Issues: Unit 5 overview & Articles 27, 29Conflict
M 11/2 Report on current events & panel preparation
W 11/4 Read Global Issues: Unit 5 Articles 31, 32, 33Cooperation
M 11/9 Report on current events & panel preparation
W 11/11 Veteran's Day -- no class
M 11/16 Furlough day off (tentative)
W 11/18 Read Global Issues: Unit 6 overview & Articles 35, 36
Values and Vision
M 11/23 Furlough day off (tentative)
W 11/25 Thanksgiving HolidayM 11/30 Regional Panels
W 12/2 Regional PanelsM 12/7 Regional Panels
W 12/9 Regional Panels
All oral presentations must be given on the date scheduled. Written assignments must be typewritten or word-processed (double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman typeface with one-inch margins), and are due in class except as noted.
A fair measure of time for this course is that for each hour spent in class you will be spending two hours in class preparation and/or assignments, equivalent to approximately six hours per week.
1. Taking Sides assignment. Two weeks will be set aside for debate-style discussions. Each debate will involve a pair of students who take opposing sides on an issue, plus one moderator who presents questions to the pair. Students in the class will also have a chance to present questions. Each member of the pair will do their best to respond to questions and to argue their position from sound premises. It would be in your best interest to begin preparing for these debates right away, and not to wait until the week before your debate is scheduled. A good way to prepare will be to review the principles of good argumentation. What are logical premises? Are sources of information credible? A 4-5 page position paper is due on the day your debate is scheduled. You may gather information, both facts and opinions, from sources other than those assigned, but you must have, as a minimum, a good grasp of the information in the text. References in the text should be cited properly, and a bibliography must be included at the end of each position paper. Other students in the class are expected to read the Issues debated that day in class, and to come prepared to submit relevant questions.
2. Panel Discussion assignment: The last couple of weeks of class will be devoted to Panel presentations and discussions. On each day we will have two (or more) panels, with approximately 3 students per panel. The panels will have a unifying theme, although each student will describe and analyze a separate sub-theme in a 10 minute presentation. A timekeeper will hold everyone to their time limit. After everyone on a panel has presented, there will be a period of approximately 15 minutes for questions/answers in which the whole class will participate. Panel participants must submit a 4-5 page paper, with citations and bibliography, on the day of their presentation.
It is the policy of Sonoma State University to be pro-active in dealing with issues of cheating and plagiarism. Faculty are encouraged to discuss with students academic ethics and the formulation of one's own intellectual material. It is also the policy of Sonoma State University to impose sanctions on students who cheat or plagiarize. Students are expected to be honest in meeting the requirements of courses in which they are enrolled. Cheating or plagiarism is dishonest, undermines the necessary trust upon which relations between students and faculty are based, and is unacceptable conduct. Students who engage in cheating or plagiarism will be subject to academic sanctions, including a lowered or failing grade in a course; and the possibility of an additional administrative sanction, including probation, suspension, or expulsion.
Citations: Proper citation of the sources (books, journal articles or Internet
sites) you use to prepare your final oral presentation or written assignments
is a requirement in academic work. In addition to demonstrating your skills
as a scholar, correctly specifying your sources reflects the depth of your investigation
into your topic. Academic honesty also requires that you properly credit the
authors and sources you have used in formulating your ideas. There is a site
on the SSU Library web page that demonstrates the elements and format that should
be included in an academic citation. You will find it at: http://library.sonoma.edu/research/citation.html.