IDS 090 - FALL 2005

IDS 090 - Fall 2005 Global Issues Forum

Instructor: Christina Alexander

Email: WebCT course email

Phone: 541-888-7255

Since the age of globalization in the 20^th century we have been able to view the world across national boundaries. From the speed of electronic communications and the coverage of global news to the proliferation of "ethnic" restaurants, globalization is situated directly in our everyday lives and affects our perceptions of world events.

The subject of global issues encompasses many areas of discussion and exploration. Although we cannot address them all, we will attempt to investigate a broad array of questions and issues, from the environment to rights of indigenous peoples; from the globalization of capitalism to the increasingly powerful resistance movements to the dominance of the industrialized nations.

Most people (especially Americans) are unaware of the effects of globalization on their own and others' lives (unless one has been "downsized" as companies move offshore to take advantage of cheap labor). However, people living in Least Industrialized nations are very aware of the consequences, both positive and negative of globalization. In this course, your awareness will be raised through reading and discussion, as we explore issues such as:

The World Trade Organization
The European Union
The internet
The Greenhouse Effect (Global Warming/"Climate Change")
Conflicts in the Middle East (and elsewhere)
The exportation of jobs
Labor and environmental issues
The globalization of capitalism
The New World Order

TEXT: Friedman, Thomas L. The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century.

*Note: During some weeks additional readings may be posted to the site.

OBJECTIVES:

After completing this course you should be able to:

Make considered judgements about the benefits and deficits of globalization based on critical thinking.
Have the ability to substantiate your opinions based factual information.
Differentiate between the multiple interpretations of globalization
Develop a greater understanding of the problems of North/South and the Most Industrialized and Least Industrialized nations.
Define and describe the impact of the globalization of capitalism
Realize that our everyday use of resources may have had impacts in other parts of the world.

GRADING:

This is a Pass/No Pass course, and the minimum requirement to pass is completion and posting of all the assignments described below. So, even though more detailed grades will not be recorded, your best time and effort in each of the assignments, with corresponding feedback from me and your peers, will greatly enhance your enrichment from this course. You might review the Grade Book as we progress through the term to make sure that I have recorded everything you have completed and posted. It may take up to a week for me to record all the assignments.

A successful interactive online course such as this requires a two-way commitment between the instructor and students to discipline, diligence, and timeliness. Pay close attention to the tentative schedule deadlines so you know what's expected and when. Missing a deadline is not only difficult to make up, but also a hardship on others who are depending on your contribution.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Early Assignments

#1! Your profile: I would like to get to know more about you. From the course home page click on discussions, then Brief Profile (subject = Your Info). Then click on the magnifying lens icon to view the message. This can be done any time, but no later than Saturday, September 10^th.
#2! Look through a representative sample of your clothing and possessions and note the countries in which they were made. You may do this anytime, but be aware that the information will be used in the first forum discussion on Sunday, September 18^th.
#3! Go to www.bestfootforward.com/footprintlife.htm and take the ecological footprint calculator test. You may do this anytime, but be aware that the information will be used in the first forum discussion on Sunday, September 18^th

#4! You may want to begin reading as soon as possible - the first chapter which is assigned for Week One is fairly long, and contains a lot of information that will introduce you to some of the issues we will be studying in this forum.

Ongoing Assignments:

Weekly chapter readings from the text as assigned and responses and opinions from you on the discussion questions that I will post. Within that response (a couple of paragraphs is fine), I'm interested not only in your thoughts, but also in substantiation, i.e. why do you believe what you do?

All replies are due Sunday night (anytime) each week).

These should all be posted on the Discussions page for the class to see (click "reply" (not compose) to the Discussion Question of the week.
Within three days after each forum discussion (Wednesday night anytime) read all the posted opinions on the Discussion page and choose at least one to reply to: include the following in your reply:

The name of the person you are responding to
Summarize their opinion (one or two sentences)
Your reply and why (i.e. don't just write "I agree")

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE AND DEADLINES

Each week I will pose (and post) a discussion question based on your readings as follows:

*Note: Some weeks there may be an additional reading which will be posted in the Assignment section for that week. I will notify you of the reading in an announcement on the opening page of the class when this occurs.

Week One: Chapter One: While I was Sleeping

9/12-9/18 Post opinion by Sunday night (anytime)