INTRO. INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
    (INTS 201-500)
Texas A&M University
Fall Semester 2004

 black crucifix


INSTRUCTOR   
Dr. Erik Prout   
Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Geography

Office Hours: Tuesdays 1400-1700 & Fridays 1200-1400
OH held in INTS department office (Reed-McDonald 230)

Office: Library Annex 3.116A   
Phone # 979-458-3379  


COURSE
Geography 201-500
Lecture format with class discussion for three credits
Class meets in  ZACH 105B M/W/F 1020-1110


EVALUATIONS/CRITICAL DATES:
Atlas Exercise 9/24
Midterm Exam 10/15
Development Exercise 11/15
Term Paper 11/29
Final Exam 12/14


SYLLABUS COPY

 Statement:
            International Studies is a unique interdisciplinary degree that requires its own introductory course. The purpose of this course is to provide a framework for your successful completion of the International Studies curriculum. The intellectual framework will be constructed around globalization; therefore many other topics such as culture, environment, free trade, and geopolitics can be discussed. By understanding globalization the idea, you can link your individual, foreign experience and research to bigger ideas. The practical framework is to introduce and explain the curriculum including the requirements as well as the opportunities and responsibilities you have as a major. One aspect of the curriculum is to explore and appreciate all the different disciplines.
            The successful outcome of this course, which is my goal, is to (1) increase your understanding of globalization as well as develop a dialogue of world events, (2) facilitate your interest and knowledge of other cultures, regions, and environments of the world, (3) properly introduce students to international studies and more specifically our interdisciplinary curriculum, (4) further develop student skills in academic research and writing—with the goal of formulating long-term research foci that utilize foreign languages/experiences, (5) expose students to materials that will help them begin preparations for their required international experience.
   
Requirements:
            PREREQUISITE: A formal prerequisite for this course is major classification; it is open only to International Studies majors. All students registered for this course should be officially listed as INTS majors.
            ATTENDANCE: Attendance is a key factor in academic performance and becomes a crucial component to your success during the semester. Instead of hoping for the best, attendance is required for this course. Unexcused absences will count against you, and all absences will be taken into consideration when determining participation. Take special note of the days listed as evaluation dates because of the difficulty of rescheduling and the necessity of providing documentation. Miss class at your own peril, and if you should, contact your fellow students for notes. Most test-related materials will be mentioned in class. The readings are equally important to lecture, so it is imperative that you keep up with the reading schedule. Reading preparation becomes even more apparent during discussion.

Readings & Resources:
The majority of readings will come from the following books, so please acquire them as soon as possible. Additional readings will be available on reserve (or e-reserve). You will need to have regular access to NEO, WebCT, and the WWW, therefore you must have internet access.
Introducing Global Issues, 2nd Edition. Michael T. Snarr and D. Neil Snarr, eds. Rienner Publishers, 2002. ISBN# 1-58826-011-9
Annual Editions: Global Issues (2004/2005), 20th Edition. Robert M. Jackson, editor. McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, 2004. ISBN# 0-07-286151-7
Student Atlas of World Geography, 3rd Edition. John L. Allen. McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, 2003. ISBN# 0-07-282823-4
Access to Reserve and Electronic Reserve (e-reserve) in Evans Library 2nd floor
           On-campus terminal may be necessary for downloading copyrighted material
Access to the Internet: (NEO for communication) and (WebCT for evaluation results)
***Enroll with TurnItIn.com for electronic submission of writings***
         Class name: Global2004 (1166992) and enrollment password: prout201
Access to writing tools (MLA citation methods, dictionary, etc.)
         University Writing Center
 
Evaluation / Grading:
         I use a 1000 point scheme for grading. *see grade table below*
Every evaluation or activity has a set value of points, and the final grade is determined from the total number of points accumulated. The points will come from these main categories: research, examinations, writing/exercises, and participation (attendance & contribution).
         The examinations include a single midterm worth 100 points and a final exam worth 150 points. The examinations will consist of multiple choice, fill-in the blank, short answer, and map locations.
         Another 300 points consists of a thorough research project, which includes a high-quality research paper of 12-15 pages of writing (not including figures, tables, maps, etc,). The details and specifications will be discussed during class, but papers must be on an approved topic. The research papers will be both electronically submitted through TurnItIn and hard copied.
         The remaining 450 points derive from an assortment of different learning activities: journal writing, reading discussions, atlas exercises, and small group projects.
         The final grade is based on the total points and ranking of your points, not the percentage of points.  I set the point thresholds only after evaluating the whole class and the point distribution.
 
<grade table>
Evaluation: Possible points Mean score Your score
 Participation 100   68  
 Exercises 100   88  
 Midterm exam 100   89  
 Writings (J) 250   209  
 Research Paper 300   246  
 Final exam 150   138  
Total Points = 1000   851    =
 
 
Instructor, University, & Classroom Policies: I have high expectations of my students and in return I commit myself to reasonable expectations; here are a few key points.
    See my "honor" website
 
• Conducive learning environment is foremost: late arrivals and early departures should be extreme situations; disruptive behavior of any sort is wrong. Food & drink are okay, but smells, crunches, and wrappers are not (pack your trash out of the room including newspapers). You must minimize the distractions especially unnecessary noise because it interferes with others ability to hear me. Discretely let me know if the screen is out of focus or if my voice is too low. I will try to project my voice and I will pester those who waste our class time. Cell phones and audio devices must be turned off before entering the lecture hall.
 
• Academic Integrity Statement:
   I will not tolerate any form of dishonesty (personal and academic). The Aggie Honor Code is:
"An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do."
  Please refer to the Aggie Honor Code and Honor Council Rules and Procedures on the web at  http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor .
   Simply put, do not do it! On evaluation days, bring ID card and only what is necessary. Instead of devising ways to cheat or plagiarize, devote that time to studying. If you have questions concerning integrity, honesty, and plagiarism, ask someone.
 
• Questions: YES, ask questions. Be inquisitive. The best questions start with why, where, or who. If you are curious or unsure, probably others in class are thinking the same thing. I will respond. Please communicate with me; I realize this is a very large lecture section so if you are hesitant to ask questions in front of everyone, at least ask after class or during office hours.
 
• Communication/Office Hours: I try to return phone calls and emails in a timely manner and I do my best to keep office hours. When emailing me, please write out your name and exact course inside the message as well as filling in the subject line. Remember, serious communication should be in person.
 
• FERPA/grade disclosure: All personal information concerning your performance/grade in this course is covered by federal privacy legislation. No grades or status questions will be addressed over the telephone or by email.
 
• ADA Statement:  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities.  Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities.  If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at Cain Hall, room B118. The phone number is 845-1637.
 
• Copyrights: All course material is copyrighted. Taping and reproducing of course material for other than personal use will be regarded as copyright infringement and referred to the University lawyers for action. Before tape recoding, ask me first. Professional note-takers must be enrolled in this course (university policy) and receive my permission prior to any commercial transaction involving course notes (state law).



Schedule: Lectures, Readings, Writings, and Evaluations
 

Conceptual Schedule:
 
Mondays: Lecture
 
Wednesdays: Guest Speakers & whatever
 
Fridays: Student led discussion


Week 1                                 
 
M 8/30            Howdy / Allegra; Syllabus (handout)
 
W 9/1              Introducing International Studies / Introductions
 
F 9/3               Introducing IS / Pre-Globalization
 
Readings:                 
            IGI Intro (pp 1-8)
 
Writing 1: Where in the World are you?
         Who are you?
        Where are you going?
        What is your World?
        Why do your Plans include INTS?
 
   
Week 2         
 
M 9/6              Globalization lecture
   
W 9/8              Globalization lecture
   
Readings:                 
            AE Unit 1 (Articles 1-4)
 
F 9/10             Discussion 1: Overview of Globalization (& issues)
            AE Unit 1 and  IGI Chapter 1
            
Writing 2: Is the world shrinking?
    Argue the basic position you hold closest to your own opinion:
            The sky is falling (Chicken Little)
            Mostly Problematic
            Good and Bad balance out
            Mostly Beneficial
            Everything is Great (Alles Gute)


Week 3
 
M 9/13            Global Culture
 
W 9/15            Guest: Dr. Moeller (I. Director)
 
F 9/17             Discussion 2: Barber's coming together / falling apart
 
Readings:                 
           Mandatory (everyone)   Benjamin R. Barber's  Jihad vs McWorld  (E-reserve)
           Select second reading:
                    Barber (J-STOR) "Three Scenarios for the Future of Technology and Strong Democracy," http://www.jstor.org/view/00323195/di015134/01p0325k/0?searchID=cce44035.10950146330&frame=noframe&dpi=3&userID=a55bdf73@tamu.edu/01cce44035005014371ac&currentResult=00323195%2bdi015134%2b01p0325k%2b1%2c1B04%2b19981200%2b9988%2b80018799&config=jstor&sortOrder=SCORE&viewContent=citation
                    Anthony D. Smith's "Towards a Global Culture" (E-reserve)
 
Writing 3: Barber analysis
     "React" to B. Barber’s article “Jihad verses McWorld”
            prepare for discussion #2 (coming together / falling apart)
            take into account the second article.

 
Week 4
 
•           Term Paper proposal (Sept. 20)
M 9/20            Political (violence and WMD)
 
W 9/22            Guest: STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
 
F 9/24             Discussion 3: Conflict and Cooperation

•           Atlas Exercise (Sept. 24)  50 points

Readings:                             
            AE Units 5/6
 
Writing 4: Summarize and React to either Unit 5 (Conflict) or Unit 6 (Cooperation).
 

 
Week 5         
 
M 9/27            Political
 
W 9/29            Guest: Dr. C. Brannstrom
 
F 10/1             Discussion 4: Political Issues
 
Readings:                 
            IGI Part One
                (Chapters 2-5)
 
Writing 5: Analyze one of the assigned readings.
 
 
Week 6         
 
M 10/4            Economic
 
W 10/6
 
F 10/8             Discussion 5: Economic difficulties
 
Readings:                 
            AE Unit 4
 
Writing 6: Economic difficulties in other places
 

 
Week 7         
 
M 10/11          Economic
 
W 10/13         & review
 
Readings:                 
            IGI Part Two
 
F 10/15
•           MIDTERM EXAM (Oct. 15)                                    100 points
 
 
Week 8         
 
M 10/18          Development
 
W 10/20          Guest: Writing Center
 
F 10/22           Cannibal Tours
 
Readings:                 
            AE Unit 2
 
Writing 7: Cannibal Tours
 
 
Week 9
 
M 10/25          Discussion 6:  Development
 
W 10/27          Guest: Careers
 
F 10/29           Discussion 7: Development Issues
 
Readings:                 
            IGI Part Three
 
Writing 8: Analyze one of the assigned readings.


 
Week 10
 
M 11/1            NO CLASS -- NAFSA
 
W 11/3            Environment
 
F 11/5             Discussion 8: Environment/nature
 
Readings:                 
            AE Unit 3 and Diamond chapter
 
Writing 9: Diamond & globalization of nature
 
 
Week 11
 
M 11/8            Environment  
 
W 11/10         Discussion 9: Environmental Issues
 
F 11/12           NO CLASS -- SWAAG
 
Readings:                 
            IGI Part Four
 
Writing 10: Analyze one of the assigned readings.
 
 
Week 12                   
 
M 11/15          Future / Exercise Two

  •           Second Exercise (Nov. 15)  50 points

W 11/17         Future
 
R 18th                         Bonfire Dedication  
 
Readings:                 
            AE Unit 7
 
F 11/19           Discussion 10: Future / Globalization
 

 
 
Week 13
 
M 11/22          Paper Details / Research Presentations?
 
W 11/24         Special OH’s
 
R 11/25 & F 11/26    Thanksgiving—no class!
 
 
 
Week 14
 
M 11/29          Research Presentations

•           RESEARCH PAPER (Nov. 29)                            300 points
 
W 12/1            Research Presentations
 
F 12/3             Research Presentations
 
 
 
Weeks 15 & 16
 
       Dead Week—redefined days & Finals Exam schedule
 
 
M 12/6 [last class]     Research Presentations? / Class Conclusion
 
            (extra office hours?)
 
 
•           FINAL EXAM – Tuesday, Dec. 14th at 8:00-10:00       150 points