Instructor: Christina Alexander
Email: WebCT course email
Phone: 541-888-7255
Since the age of globalization in the 20th 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 OrderTEXT: 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 10th.
#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 17th.
#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 17th.
#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 DEADLINESEach 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 2/19-2/25 Discussion comments posted by Sunday night
Week Two: Chapter Two: Flatteners #1-#3 2/26-3/4 Respond to a student’s comments in Week One by Wednesday night
Week Two Discussion comments posted by Sunday night
Week Three: Chapter Two: Flatteners #4-#6 3/5-3/11 Respond to a student’s comments in Week Two by Wednesday night
Week Three Discussion comments posted by Sunday night
Week Four: Chapter Two: Flatteners #7-#10 3/12-3/18 Respond to a student’s comments in Week Three by Wednesday night
Week Four Discussion comments posted by Sunday night
Week Five: Chapter Three: The Triple Convergence 3/19-3/25 Respond to a student’s comments in Week Four by Wednesday night
Week Five Discussion comments posted by Sunday night
Week Six: Chapter Four: The Great Sorting Out 3/26-4/1 Respond to a student’s comments in Week Five by Wednesday night
Week Six Discussion comments posted by Sunday night
Week Seven: Chapters Five and Six: Free Trade & The Untouchables 4/2-4/8 Respond to a student’s comments in Week Six by Wednesday night
Week Seven Discussion comments posted by Sunday night
Week Eight: Chapters Seven & Eight: The Quiet Crisis & This Is Not a Test 4/9-4/15 Respond to a student’s comments in Week Seven by Wednesday night
Week Eight Discussion comments posted by Sunday night
Week Nine: Chapter Nine: The Virgin of Guadalupe 4/16-4/22 Respond to a student’s comments in Week Eight by Wednesday night
Week Nine Discussion comments posted by Sunday night
Week Ten: Chapter Ten: How Companies Cope 4/23-4/29 Respond to a student’s comments in Week Nine by Wednesday night
Week Ten Discussion comments posted by Sunday night
Week Eleven: Chapter Eleven: The Unflat World 4/30-5/6 Respond to a student’s comments in Week Ten by Wednesday night
Week Eleven Discussion comments posted by Sunday night
Week Twelve: Chapter Twelve: The Dell Theory of Conflict Prevention 5/7-5/13 Respond to a student’s comments in Week Eleven by Wednesday night
Week Twelve Discussion comments posted by Sunday night
Week Thirteen: Chapter Thirteen: 11/9 Versus 9/11 5/14-5/20 Respond to a student’s comments in Week Twelve by Wednesday night
Week Thirteen Discussion comments posted by Sunday night