COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 526
THE DELTA IN GLOBAL CONTEXT
COURSE SYLLABUS
FALL 2003
|
Download in pdf format |
| Readings | Assignments | Grading | Policies and Expectations | Course Outline | Other Resources |
Meeting Time: Mondays, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Place: Kethley Hall 207
Course
Instructors:
| Name: | Dr. Alan Barton | Dr. John Green |
| Office: | 201A Kethley Hall | 201B Kethley Hall |
| Telephone: | (662) 846-4097 | (662) 846-4069 |
| E-mail: | abarton@deltastate.edu | jgreen@deltastate.edu |
| Office Hours: | Mon. 2:00
– 3:00 p.m. Tue. 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Wed. 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Thu. 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Fri. 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. |
Mon. 9:00 a.m.
– 12:00 noon Tue. 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Wed. 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. |
If you cannot make one of these times, please contact the professor to set
up an appointment.
Philip McMichael. 2000. Development and Social Change: A Global Perspective. Second Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.
Thomas L. Friedman. 2000. The Lexus and the Olive Tree. Newly Updated and Expanded Edition. New York: Anchor Books.
Joseph E. Stiglitz. 2002. Globalization and Its Discontents. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
David C. Korten. 2001. When Corporations Rule the World. Second Edition. Bloomfield, CT: Kumarian Press.
Articles as assigned.
Books are available at the University
Bookstore. Students should purchase these books, or otherwise make
arrangements to access the course readings.
Course Overview:
This course is about globalization. We will study mainstream and critical perspectives on the process of globalization, and relate global trends to conditions in the Mississippi Delta. We will construct an understanding of globalization by studying it in a historical context, by considering important actors in the process such as international financial institutions, governments, and resistance movements, and by searching out and discussing the ramifications of globalization on our everyday lives. We will address critical questions, such as: what is being globalized? Who is benefiting from globalization and who is bearing the costs? And what are some alternatives to globalization in its present form?
Course material is presented in the four assigned books, various articles, videos, and newspaper accounts. We will use these to compare differing perspectives on globalization and its effects, and to relate global trends to lives in the Mississippi Delta.
Course Organization and Approach:
This course uses a participatory, learner-centered, adult education approach.
An adult education approach recognizes that students are responsible for their
own learning. The professors can only provide opportunities to learn, but
cannot force students to learn. Students are expected to work hard in this
course, meaning that for every hour of class time, students are expected to
spend at least three hours outside of class preparing by doing readings,
assignments, studying for quizzes and exams, and thinking about the course
material.
Students are expected to take responsibility for the success of the course, that is, students should take an active interest not just in the course material, but in the course itself, making it a success for all participants. Factors such as interest, motivation, creativity, and initiative are important elements in evaluating a student’s performance and assigning a grade.
Course material is presented in several formats. A theoretical framework for understanding globalization is presented in the four books we will read. Practical applications of this theory are presented in class discussions and videos, as well as in student-led exercises and writing assignments.
Each class meeting will include either a “Critical Thinking Exercise,” a “Review of the News,” or a “Delta Connection” segment. Critical thinking exercises are designed to help you develop and utilize critical thinking skills, by identifying how “hidden” messages in everyday media and advertising promote the values of global society. During “Review of the News” sessions, students will bring in and discuss news articles pertaining to globalization. In the “Delta Connection” sessions, we will relate global processes to events and changes occurring here in the Mississippi Delta.
All students must complete all of the following assignments:
(1) Reading, Attendance and Participation in Class Discussions
• You are expected to do all of the assigned readings and attend all class sessions.
• You are expected to engage in classroom discussions, reflecting on the topic and readings.
• In class discussions, the quality of contributions is more important than the quantity of contributions.
• Participation in class
discussions is not graded based on whether it is “right” or “wrong;” rather,
students are expected to engage the material critically, and demonstrate an
understanding and ability to apply the course material in productive ways.
• Please come to class prepared to discuss the week’s readings.
• Click here for tips
on taking effective notes.
• Click here for tips
on getting the most out of class sessions.
• Click here for more
tips on getting the most out of class sessions.
(2) Quizzes
• You must take both quizzes
• Quizzes consist of short answer questions (multiple choice, true-false, fill-in-the-blank, matching terms, etc.)
• Quizzes cover all of the course material including readings, lectures, films, and discussions
• The first quiz covers
material presented since the beginning of the course; the second quiz covers
material presented since the previous quiz
• Click here for
suggestions on studying for quizzes.
(3) Weekly Reflective Essays
• You will prepare
and submit ten two-page papers on assigned topics, due at the beginning of
each class session from Week 4 to Week 15. You can skip any two weeks.
• The purpose of the essays is to encourage you to think critically about the
reading prior to class discussions.
• The papers should be typed, 10 or 12 point font, 1 inch margins, double spaced.
• For out-of-class assignments, students are expected to do their own work – click here for the policy on plagiarism and cheating; this policy will be enforced with no exceptions.
•
Click here for tips on writing papers for this course.
• Click here for the Weekly
Reflective Essay topics.
(4) “Review of the News” Discussions
• You will lead a 25-30 minute discussion on a current topic, pertaining to processes of globalization.
• Your topic will be based on a current newspaper or magazine article that you select. The article should be long enough to carry some substance, but short enough that it is not an undue burden to read it.
• You will distribute your article to the other class members one week before you are scheduled to lead the discussion.
• You will facilitate a discussion on your article, encouraging participation by all members of the class. The responsibility of the discussion leader in this exercise is to get other students talking about the topic, mediate the contributions of other students to keep the discussion focused, and guide the discussion to ensure that the social and policy issues are covered.
• Click here for guidelines on leading a discussion.
• Click here for a schedule of "Review of the News" discussion leaders.
(5) Final Exam
• You MUST take the final exam.
•
The final exam is comprehensive, and consists of short answer and essay
questions.
• Click here for tips
on taking essay tests.
(6) Discretionary
• The professors will evaluate your performance based on factors such as the motivation, interest, and improvement you demonstrate over the course of the semester.
(7) Teaching on Research Discussions (For Graduate Students ONLY)
• You will select two additional readings, drawn from research articles in social science journals.
• You will develop and lead a section on each reading, using lecture, discussion, class activities, or other teaching methods.
• Click here for the list of "Teaching on Research" articles.
• Click here for a schedule of "Teaching on Research" discussion leaders.
There are a total of 100 points available for the semester. Students that accumulate 90 or more points will get an “A,” students with 80 to 89 points will get a “B,” students with 70 to 79 points will get a “C,” students with 60 to 69 points will get a “D,” and students with less than 60 points will get an “F.” Note that you start with zero and earn points; you do not start with 100 and lose points.
The total number of points possible on each assignment are listed on this chart:
|
Assignment |
Graduate Students |
Undergraduate Students |
|
Reading, Attendance, Participation |
10 |
10 |
|
Quizzes |
20 |
20 |
|
Weekly Reflective Essays |
30 |
30 |
|
“Review of the News” Discussions |
10 |
15 |
|
Final Exam |
15 |
20 |
|
Discretionary |
5 |
5 |
|
Teaching on Research |
10 |
N/A |
|
Total |
100 |
100 |
Students that comply with all course requirements and submit all of the assignments on time and satisfactorily can expect a “C” grade in this course. To receive a higher grade, students must go beyond the minimum requirements, demonstrating a superior grasp of course material and an ability to apply the material in productive ways, an interest in the course material and in learning, and an achievement-based orientation.