RAMAPO COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY
First-Year Seminar
Global Issues
Course Information: Global Issues
Prerequisites and/or Co-requisites: First-time, first-year student status
INTD 101-5
Fall 2015
Class Meeting Time: MWR, 11:30-12:40
Classroom: A 220
College Web address: http://www.ramapo.edu
College Closing/Special Announcements: (201) 236-2902
Instructor Information
Instructor: Dr. Hassan M. Nejad, Prof. of Political Science and International
Studies
Office: A-207
Office Hours: MWR, 10-11 AM or by appointment
Email: hnejad@ramapo.edu
Mailbox Location: B-213
School Office Location: B-213
Peer facilitators: Miyah Meadows
Common Course Description:
Designed for first-time, full-time, first-year students, First-Year Seminar
(FYS) provides a comprehensive introduction to college-level learning.
Seminar courses are developed around an academic theme or topic that is
based on one of Ramapo College’s academic pillars. First-Year students will
have the opportunity to select a seminar that best suits their interests while
learning about Ramapo’s academic foundation. The First-Year Seminar
course helps students in their transition from high school to college life both
in and out of the classroom. The common learning outcomes of FYS are:
critical and creative thinking, college-level writing, oral communication,
information literacy, and technological competency. FYS classes are small
to emphasize open discussion and experiential learning within the context of
the theme of the seminar course. Peer facilitators play an essential role in
each FYS class ensuring that first-year students have guidance from a more
experienced student. FYS is also the home of the Ramapo Summer Reading
Program; all first-year students read the same book and discuss and write
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about it in their seminars. FYS encourages new students to participate in a
community of learners, to strengthen their critical thinking skills, and to
communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Course Description:
This seminar is designed to introduce students to some of the major
challenges facing a rapidly changing international system.
Understanding these challenges, their complexities, diversities, and
debates is an essential part of being an educated and informed citizen.
In studying these challenges students have an opportunity to improve
their skills in critical and analytical thinking, reading, writing, research,
and problem solving and, as a result, become productive members of
their community, nations, and the world.
This seminar is based on one of the important pillars of Ramapo College’s
mission, that of international and cross-cultural education, and draws on
conceptual and theoretical perspectives from history, economics, political
science, and international relations.
The pedagogy includes lectures, discussions, and students’ presentations.
The basic concepts and theoretical approaches to the study of international
relations, the world order since the end of the Cold War, and major players
in the international system will be studied. The professor will provide an
overview for each of the contemporary challenges to supplement the
assigned readings. Summer readings, library research, and academic
advising are incorporated into this seminar.
Course Goals and Learning Objectives:
By the end of the term, students should:
1. Understand the principal approaches to the study of global issues
2. Have a thorough knowledge of the scope and consequences of the selected
problems and challenges facing the international community
3. Understand measures taken and the policy options available to meet these
challenges
4-Understand the causes and consequences of some of the major current and
potential conflicts in the world
5-Understand the impact of the problems covered in this seminar on their
own lives and the communities in which they live
6-Think, read, speak and write critically and analytically about global issues
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as well as other subjects
Student Will
Demonstrate:
Knowledge of
course content &
information literacy
Think, write and
read critically and
analytically
Research
Papers
X
X
Proficiency in oral
communication
Impact of the
problems/challenges
studied on their own
lives
Class
Discussions
& Reports
X
Exams and Final
Reflection Papers
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Peer Facilitators: Miyah Meadows and Colleen Kelly
The peer facilitators for this seminar are Miyah Meadows and Colleen
Kelly. Miyah is a sophomore majoring in Accounting. Colleen is a senior
with a Psychology major and a Women and Gender Studies minor. As peer
facilitators, Miyah and Colleen will attend class, facilitate weekly
discussions, and help you with hurdles related to your academic endeavors
in your first semester at Ramapo.
First Year Academic Advising:
Each First-Year Seminar course is assigned a professional Academic
Advisor from the Center for Academic Success who serves as your
Academic Advisor during your first year. This advisor will attend your FirstYear Seminar class for a group advisement session to review general
academic advising policies and procedures. They will also be available to
answer any general questions regarding college policies/practices. Students
are encouraged to schedule individual appointments with their Student
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Success Advisor for assistance with course selection and the development of
a personal academic plan. If you have any questions regarding Academic
Advisement please call Center for Student Success at (201) 684-7441 or via
email at: success@ramapo.edu
General Education Program:
This course fulfills the First-Year Seminar category of the general education
curriculum at Ramapo College. Common to all First-Year Seminar (FYS)
courses, you will develop critical thinking skills that are basic to college
level study, regardless of your area of interest. You will be reading, writing,
and participating in thoughtful group discussions with the aim of developing
the skills of a scholar. You will learn to support your arguments using a
foundation of knowledge and facts rather than simply using personal
opinions and experiences.
This course falls within the “International Issues” category of College’s
General Education Program
Writing Intensive (WI)
Writing will be integrated into the life of this course. You will receive
comments from me on your writing but you must regularly work with a
writing tutor in the Center for Reading and Writing (CRW), Room: L-211,
x7557, crw@ramapo.edu, for consultation, instruction, advice, and support
on your drafts in order to improve your writing skills.
Required Textbook:
CQ, Global Issues: Selections From CQ Researcher. Sage, 2014 Edition.
ISBN: 978-1-4833-6453-7
Note: Additional required readings will be assigned on a weekly basis
on course website, on Luminus
Highly Recommended readings:
-Hacker, Diana, & Sommers, N. (2012). Rules for Writers (7th ed.).
Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's. ISBN-13: 978-0-312-64795-7
-Klay, P. (2015). Redeployment. New York: Penguin Books. ISBN: 9780143126829.
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Course Requirements and Policies:
A-Requirements:
1-Class Preparation, Participation, and Attendance
In-class learning through lectures, presentations, comments, discussions,
documentaries, and dialogue cannot be fully repeated or acquired
independently. Therefore, you must plan to attend class regularly, read
the assigned readings as scheduled, reflect on these readings, and make
thoughtful contribution to class discussions.
Unexcused absence and/or lateness to class can place your grade at risk.
While three excusable absences are permitted, you will lose two points
for each additional absence regardless of the reason. Missing more than
10 minutes of a class meeting--consecutive or intermittent--is the same
as missing the entire class meeting.
Except for class presentations no laptop or any other type of computer
or smart phone is allowed in this class. Phones should be turned off
before coming to class, as ringing & vibrating phones and
texting/twittering are extremely distracting. You will be asked to leave
the class and will be marked absent if you use your phone.
Also, please do not disrupt class by arriving late, leaving early, eating or
drinking in class, chewing gum, talking to one another, interrupting the
professor, classmates or presenters, or engaging in other inappropriate
behavior. If you do, you will be asked to leave and will be marked
absent.
College policy states that students must notify faculty within the first three
weeks of the Semester if they anticipate missing any classes due to religious
observance.
2-Two Exams (2x25 = 50). There will be a total of two exams. Each
exam will have 25 points. If you miss them, you lose the points. There
will be no makeups. Dates: Oct. 19 and Dec. 10. There will also be 3-4
unannounced tests/quizzes with 2 points each.
3-One Class Presentation (1x10=10). Each student makes one class
presentation on an assigned or approved topic related to course content.
Presentation dates will be assigned in the second week of the term. If
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you miss the date of your presentation you will lose the points. Topic
must be pre-approved by at least one week. Presentations that are based
solely on Internet sources will not be accepted.
4-Three Writing Assignments/Papers (2 research papers x15=30 and 1
final reflection paper x10=10). Due Dates: Oct. 5, Nov. 12, and Dec. 20
Writing assignments consist of three papers, two of which are research
papers of 4-5 pages each and the final reflection paper on
documentaries 3-4 pages. These papers must be submitted on or before
their due dates. The first two are to be submitted in both hard copy and
electronically, while the third, by electronic submission only. No
extension will be granted. If late, you will lose the points. Electronic
submission must be in Word format. Research papers based solely on
Internet sources will not be accepted.
For the third paper you will view two assigned documentaries during
the final exam week in lieu of a final exam.
In evaluating your written work, I shall look for correct punctuation, spelling,
grammar, how clearly you develop and explain the subject and purpose of
your essay, organization, brevity, fluency and consistency.
As for documenting the sources of information used in your writings, you
may use any of the following communication styles as long as you are
consistent and stay with the same style: MLA, APA, and Chicago Manuel.
Attention:
All written work-except the tests must be typed/word processed, double
spaced, and have page numbers
-Save/keep all of your work. Never turn in your only copy
-Spell check and proof read your work before submitting them to me
B-Policies:
1-Grading Policy:
Research papers, 2x15:
Exams, 2x25:
Class presentation, 1x10:
Final Reflection Paper, 1x10:
30 points
50 points
10 points
10 points
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Grading Scale:
A=94-100
B+=90-93
B=87-89
C+=81-83
C =77-80
D+=69-72
D=64-68
B-=84-86
C-=73-76
F=0-63
2-Electronic Forms of Communication:
In accordance with College policy, I will use your Ramapo College email
address (@ramapo.edu) to communicate with you about all course-related
matters. You ay use my College email for questions and assignments related
to this seminar.
Course syllabus, supplemental readings, and announcements will be posted
on Luminus or sent to you be e-mail
3-Students with Disabilities:
If you need course adaptation or accommodations because of a disability that
has been documented with the Office of Specialized Services, please make
an appointment with me.
4-Academic Integrity:
Students are expected to read and understand Ramapo College’s academic
integrity policy, which can be found online in the College Catalog. All
members of the Ramapo College community are expected to be honest and
forthright in their academic endeavors. Students who violate this policy will
be required to meet with the faculty member and/or will be referred to the
Office of the Provost.
More details on Ramapo College’s academic integrity policy can be found
here:
http://www.ramapo.edu/catalog-2015-2016/academic-policies/
5-Syllabus and Readings Change Policy
This syllabus is simply a guide and may change by adding and requiring new
reading assignments.
Important Due Dates to Remember:
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-Opening Convocation: TBA
-Library workshop:
TBA
-Academic Advising: TBA
-First Research Paper: Oct. 5
-First Exam: Oct. 19
-Second Research Paper: Nov. 12
-Second Exam: Dec. 10
-Reflection Paper on Documentaries in Liu of the final: No later than
Dec. 20th. Submit electronically as a Word document
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Date
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Topic and Reading Assignment
September 1: Opening Convocation: Phil Klay,
author of Redeployment
Discussion of summer readings
Review of course requirements and Global Issues,
Chapter 1, “ Chemical and Biological Weapons”
Global Issues, Chapter 2, “Israeli-Palestinian
Conflict”
Class presentations
Global Issues, Chapter 3, “Iraq War: 10 years
Later”, and
Global Issues, Chapter 4, “Border Security”
Class presentations
Week 5
Global Issues, Chapter 5, “Improving
Cybersecurity”
Library Research Workshop
Week 6
Class presentations
Global Issues, Chapter 6, “Unrest in the Arab
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World”
Academic Advising
Week 7
Week 8
Class presentations
Thursday: Global Issues, Chapter 7, “U.S. Trade
Policy”
First Exam. Oct. 15 (over Chs. 1 thru 7, lectures,
and presentations)
Global Issues, Chapter, 8. “Millennium
Development Goals”, and
Global Issues, Chapter, 9. “Booming Africa”
Class presentations
Week 9
Global Issues, Chapter, 10. “Euro Crisis”, and
Global Issues, Chapter, 11. “China in Latin
America”
Week 11
Class presentations
Global Issues, Chapter, 12. “State Capitalism”, and
Global Issues, Chapter ” 13, “ Free Speech at Risk”
Week 12
Week 13
Class presentations
Thanksgiving recess (Wednesday, November 26
to Saturday, November 29)
Global Issues, Chapter, 14. “Islamic Sectarianism”,
and
Global Issues, Ch. 15 “Future of the Arctic,”
Week 14
Class presentations
Global Issues, Chapter, 15, “ Climate Change”
Second Exam. Dec. 10 (over Chs. 8 thru 16,
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lectures, and presentations)
Week 15
Class presentations
View Documentaries and Write the Final
Reflection Paper
Important Dates:
First Day of Classes: September 2nd
Last day for Schedule Adjustments (on the Web): September 9th
Last day to withdraw from courses with “W” grade: November 13th
Thanksgiving Recess: Nov 25th – 29th
Reading Day (no classes): December 15th
Final Exam Week: December 16th – 22nd
Common Finals: December 19th
Last day to request “I” grades: December 22nd
Final Exam Snow Make-Up Day: December 23rd
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