College of the Redwoods
CURRICULUM PROPOSAL
1. Course ID and Number: POLSC-3
2. Course Title: Modern World Problems
3. Check one of the following:
New Course (If the course constitutes a new learning experience for CR students, the course is new)
Updated/revised course
If curriculum has been offered under a different discipline and/or name, identify the former course:
Should another course be inactivated? No
Title of course to be inactivated:
Yes
Inactivation date:
4. If this is an update/revision of an existing course, provide explanation of and justification for changes to this
course. Be sure to explain the reasons for any changes to class size, unit value, and prerequisites/corequisites.
This course has not been updated since 1988. Therefore the course outline needs to be revised
to incorporate new forms, student learning outcomes, up-to-date text options and more
accurately reflect current pedagogy in the field.
The class cap has also been lowered from 40 to 35. This has been done for three specific
reasons: 1) Student’s knowledge of world cultures, world geography, and international
governmental organizations is typically inferior to their understanding of US Government. Since
students come in with a greater knowledge deficit, greater instructor time and effort must be
devoted to student misunderstandings and confusions. In a larger classroom an instructor
could lose track of those students who are struggling to understand new and foreign
information. 2) In this course students are expected to engage in dialog and debate on sensitive
political and cultural issues. In such a situation an instructor must be able to maintain an
environment where all learners feel supported and safe. If the instructor is unable to sufficiently
monitor heated classroom discussions students may feel less safe and more inhibited during
discussions. 3) Lowering the class cap keeps the course consistent with cap in POLSC 1:
Political Controversies. POLSC 1 is a similar political science course and requires a similar
amount of writing, discussion, and debate.
5. List the faculty with which you consulted in the development and/or revision of this course outline:
Faculty Member Name(s) and Discipline(s): Tobias Green POLSC/HIST; Gary Sokolow AJ/POLSC;
Tom Owen HIST/POLSC; Guy Aronoff POLSC/HIST; Jennifer Gardner POLSC/HIST; Joe Brookshire
POLSC; Blase Bonpane POLSC; Eli Naffah POLSC
6. If any of the features listed below have been modified in the new proposal, indicate the “old” (current) information
and proposed changes. If a feature is not changing, leave both the “old” and “new” fields blank.
FEATURES
OLD
NEW
An introductory analysis of the
workings of the international
political system with emphasis
on the sources and ramifications
of contemporary international
problems.
An introductory analysis of international
political systems emphasizing the
causes and ramifications of
contemporary international issues such
as war, proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction, ethnic and religious conflict,
peace keeping, terrorism, political and
economic globalization, and
environmental conflict.
Course Title
Catalog Description
(Please include complete
text of old and new catalog
descriptions.)
Curriculum Proposal: 01/23/09 (rev.)
Academic Senate Approved: pending
Page 1 of 8
Grading Standard
Select
Select
40
35
Total Units
Lecture Units
Lab Units
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Recommended Preparation
Maximum Class Size
Repeatability—
Maximum Enrollments
Other
Curriculum Proposal: 01/23/09 (rev.)
Academic Senate Approved: pending
Page 2 of 8
College of the Redwoods
COURSE OUTLINE
1. DATE: 9/29/10
2. DIVISION: Arts, Languages, and Social Sciences
3. COURSE ID AND NUMBER: POLSC-3
4. COURSE TITLE (appears in catalog and schedule of classes): Modern World Problems
5. SHORT TITLE (appears on student transcripts; limited to 30 characters, including spaces): Modern World Problems
6. LOCAL ID (TOPS): 2207.00 (Taxonomy of Program codes
http://www.cccco.edu/Portals/4/AA/CP%20&%20CA3/TopTax6_rev_07.doc)
7. NATIONAL ID (CIP): 415001 (Classification of Instructional Program codes can be found in Appendix B of the TOPS code book
http://www.cccco.edu/Portals/4/AA/CP%20&%20CA3/TopTax6_rev_07.doc)
8. Discipline(s): Select from CCC System Office Minimum Qualifications for Faculty
http://www.cccco.edu/SystemOffice/Divisions/AcademicAffairs/MinimumQualifications/MQsforFacultyandAdministrators/tabid/753/Default.aspx
Course may fit more than one discipline; identify all that apply: Political Science
9. FIRST TERM NEW OR REVISED COURSE MAY BE OFFERED: Spring 2011
10. TOTAL UNITS: 3
TOTAL HOURS: 54
[Lecture Units: 3 Lab Units:
]
[Lecture Hours: 54
Lab Hours:
(1 unit lecture=18 hours; 1 unit lab=54 hours)
]
11. MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 35
12. WILL THIS COURSE HAVE AN INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FEE? No
Yes
Fee: $
(If “yes,” attach a completed “Instructional Materials Fee Request Form”—form available in Public Folders>Curriculum>Forms)
GRADING STANDARD
Letter Grade Only
Pass/No Pass Only
Is this course a repeatable lab course: No
Yes
Grade-Pass/No Pass Option
If yes, how many total enrollments?
Is this course to be offered as part of the Honors Program? No
Yes
If yes, explain how honors sections of the course are different from standard sections.
The honors section requires an additional writing assignment that shows in depth analysis and
synthesis of course concepts, an additional reading assignment, and regular meetings with the
instructor to discuss course concepts.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION -- The catalog description should clearly describe for students the scope of the course, its level, and what
kinds of student goals the course is designed to fulfill. The catalog description should begin with a sentence fragment.
An introductory analysis of international political systems emphasizing the causes and
ramifications of contemporary international issues such as war, proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction, ethnic and religious conflict, peace keeping, terrorism, political and economic
globalization, and environmental conflict.
Special notes or advisories (e.g. field trips required, prior admission to special program required, etc.):
PREREQUISITE COURSE(S)
No
Yes
Course(s):
Rationale for Prerequisite:
Describe representative skills without which the student would be highly unlikely to succeed .
Curriculum Proposal: 01/23/09 (rev.)
Academic Senate Approved: pending
Page 3 of 8
COREQUISITE COURSE(S)
No
Yes
Rationale for Corequisite:
Course(s):
RECOMMENDED PREPARATION
No
Yes
Course(s): ENGL 150
Rationale for Recommended Preparation: The level of reading and writing skills for this course requires the
ability to think critically and provide analysis. Students completing ENGL 150 should have the
needed skills to succeed.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES –This section answers the question “what will students be able to do as a result of
taking this course?” State some of the objectives in terms of specific, measurable student actions (e.g. discuss, identify,
describe, analyze, construct, compare, compose, display, report, select, etc.). For a more complete list of outcome verbs please
see Public Folders>Curriculum>Help Folder>SLO Language Chart. Each outcome should be numbered.
1. Describe the major theories of international relations and apply them to contemporary issues in
international politics.
2. Analyze the role of major international political and economic institutions in international
political problems.
3. Outline the causes and processes of modern international issues such as war, proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction, ethnic conflict and peace keeping, terrorism, globalization and
international trade and finance, and environmental conflict.
4. Craft projections and arguments about future international problems and resolutions based on
the work of various scholars.
5. Locate major countries on a map and describe the problems they face and the causes of those
problems.
COURSE CONTENT–This section describes what the course is “about”—i.e. what it covers and what knowledge students will acquire
Concepts: What terms and ideas will students need to understand and be conversant with as they demonstrate course
outcomes? Each concept should be numbered.
1. Realism, idealism, liberalism, and neo-liberalism, conservatism and neo-conservatism.
2. Globalization.
3. Regime, state, nation, government.
4. NGOs.
5. Nationalism.
6. National sovereignty.
7. Imperialism.
8. Fundamentalism.
9. Ethnicity and national identity.
10. Terrorism.
Issues: What primary tensions or problems inherent in the subject matter of the course will students engage? Each issue
should be numbered.
1. Needs of developing versus developed world.
2. Interdependence versus isolationism.
3. Nationalism versus collective action and global governance.
4. Ethnic and religious conflicts.
5. Environmental degradation and resource scarcity.
6. War and global security.
Themes: What motifs, if any, are threaded throughout the course? Each theme should be numbered.
1. Global anarchy and the global commons.
2. Role of non-state actors in global policy.
3. Role of nation states and international organizations.
4. Economic and political globalization.
5. Ethnic and national identities.
Curriculum Proposal: 01/23/09 (rev.)
Academic Senate Approved: pending
Page 4 of 8
Skills: What abilities must students have in order to demonstrate course outcomes? (E.g. write clearly, use a scientific
calculator, read college-level texts, create a field notebook, safely use power tools, etc). Each skill should be numbered.
1. Write critically, logically, and analytically.
2. Analyze personal values, biases, and characteristics.
3. Read college-level texts critically.
4. Discuss complex issues.
5. Compile academic sources.
REPRESENTATIVE LEARNING ACTIVITIES –This section provides examples of things students may do to engage the
course content (e.g., listening to lectures, participating in discussions and/or group activities, attending a field trip). These
activities should relate directly to the Course Learning Outcomes. Each activity should be numbered.
1. Listening to lectures.
2. Participating in whole class discussions.
3. Composing in-class and out-of-class essays and papers.
4. Reading critically.
5. Responding verbally and in writing to questions.
6. Participating in role plays and/or debates.
7. Working productively in small groups in and out of class.
8. Leading others in learning activities.
ASSESSMENT TASKS –This section describes assessments instructors may use to allow students opportunities to provide
evidence of achieving the Course Learning Outcomes. Each assessment should be numbered.
Representative assessment tasks (These are examples of assessments instructors could use):
1. In-class or out-of-class essay assignments.
2. Examination questions.
3. Group and individual research projects.
4. Reading response journal.
5. In-class debates.
Required assessments for all sections (These are assessments that are required of all instructors of all sections at all
campuses/sites. Not all courses will have required assessments. Do not list here assessments that are listed as representative assessments
above.): There will be at least one essay examination plus an additional graded writing assignment.
EXAMPLES OF APPROPRIATE TEXTS OR OTHER READINGS –This section lists example texts, not required texts.
Author, Title, and Date Fields are required
Author Jeffry
Date 2010
Author CQ
Frieden, David Lake & Kenneth Schultz
Press
Author Robert
Title
Title
World Politics: Interest, Interactions, Institutions
Global Issues: Selections from CQ Researcher
Date
2009
Art & Robert Jervis
Title
International Politics: Enduring Concepts & Contemporary Issues
kelleher & Laura Klein
Title
Global Perspectives: A Handbook for Understanding Global Issues
Date
2011
Author Ann
Date
2009
Other Appropriate Readings: Instructors may also put together their own packets of readings drawn from
articles and chapters from books. Instructors may want to include readings from magazines,
peridocials, and newspapers.
COURSE TYPES
1. Is the course part of a Chancellor’s Office approved CR Associate Degree?
No
Yes
If yes, specify all program codes that apply. (Codes can be found in Outlook/Public Folders/All Public Folders/ Curriculum/Degree
and Certificate Programs/choose appropriate catalog year):
Required course for degree(s)
Restricted elective for degree (s) BEHAV.LA.A.AA
Curriculum Proposal: 01/23/09 (rev.)
Academic Senate Approved: pending
Page 5 of 8
Restricted electives are courses specifically listed (i.e. by name and number) as optional courses from which students
may choose to complete a specific number of units required for an approved degree.
2.
Is the course part of a Chancellor’s Office approved CR Certificate of Achievement?
No
Yes
If yes, specify all program codes that apply. (Codes can be found in Outlook/Public Folders/All Public Folders/ Curriculum/Degree
and Certificate Programs/choose appropriate catalog year):
Required course for certificate(s)
Restricted elective for certificate(s)
Restricted electives are courses specifically listed (i.e. by name and number) as optional courses from which students may
choose to complete a specific number of units required for an approved certificate.
3.
Is the course Stand Alone?
No
Yes
(If “No” is checked for BOTH #1 & #2 above, the course is stand alone)
4.
Basic Skills: NBS Not Basic Skills
5.
Work Experience: NWE Not Coop Work Experience
6.
CTE Funded Course (applies to vocational and tech-prep courses only):
7.
Purpose: A Liberal Arts Sciences
8.
Accounting Method: W Weekly Census
9.
Disability Status: N Not a Special Class
yes
no
CURRENT TRANSFERABILITY STATUS
This course is currently transferable to
Neither CSU nor UC
CSU as general elective credit
CSU as a specific course equivalent (see below)
If the course transfers as a specific course equivalent, give course number(s)/ title(s) of one or more currently-active,
equivalent lower division courses from CSU.
1. Course POLS 225: Elements of International Relations, Campus CSU Northridge
Campus Cal Poly SLO
2. Course POLS 225,
UC as general elective credit
UC as specific course equivalent
If the course transfers as a specific course equivalent, give course number(s)/ title(s) of one or more currently-active,
equivalent lower division courses from UC.
1. Course POL SCI 20: World Politics, Campus UCLA
International Relations, Campus UC Irvine
2. Course POL SCI 41A: Introduction to
PROPOSED CSU TRANSFERABILITY (If course is currently CSU transferable, go to the next section):
None
General Elective Credit
Specific Course Equivalent (see below)
If specific course equivalent credit is proposed, give course number(s)/ title(s) of one or more currently-active,
equivalent lower division courses from CSU.
1. Course
, Campus
2. Course
, Campus
PROPOSED UC TRANSFERABILITY (If course is currently UC transferable, go to the next section):
None
Curriculum Proposal: 01/23/09 (rev.)
Academic Senate Approved: pending
Page 6 of 8
General Elective Credit OR Specific Course Equivalent (see below)
If “General Elective Credit OR Specific Course Equivalent” box above is checked, give course number(s)/ title(s) of one
or more currently-active, equivalent lower division courses from UC.
1. Course
, Campus
2. Course
, Campus
CURRENTLY APPROVED GENERAL EDUCATION
CR
CSU
IGETC
CR GE Category: Area B: Social Science
CSU GE Category:
IGETC Category:
PROPOSED CR GENERAL EDUCATION
Rationale for CR General Education approval (including category designation):
Natural Science
Social Science
Humanities
Language and Rationality
Writing
Oral Communications
Analytical Thinking
PROPOSED CSU GENERAL EDUCATION BREADTH (CSU GE)
A. Communications and Critical Thinking
A1 – Oral Communication
A2 – Written Communication
A3 – Critical Thinking
C. Arts, Literature, Philosophy, and Foreign Language
C1 – Arts (Art, Dance, Music, Theater)
C2 – Humanities (Literature, Philosophy, Foreign
Language)
E. Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
E1 – Lifelong Understanding
E2 – Self-Development
B. Science and Math
B1 – Physical Science
B2 – Life Science
B3 – Laboratory Activity
B4 – Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
D. Social, Political, and Economic Institutions
D0 – Sociology and Criminology
D1 – Anthropology and Archeology
D2 – Economics
D3 – Ethnic Studies
D5 – Geography
D6 – History
D7 – Interdisciplinary Social or Behavioral Science
D8 – Political Science, Government and Legal Institutions
D9 – Psychology
Rationale for inclusion in this General Education category: Same as above
Modern World Problems focuses on contemporary conflicts in International Relations.
International Relations (IR) is one of the core areas of study in Political Science and an
introductory course in IR is typically required for a degree in Political Science. IR focuses on
issues of international governance and international legal and transnational institutions. Modern
World Problems is directly transferable to some CSU and UC schools as fulfilling part of the
requirements for a BA in Political Science.
Curriculum Proposal: 01/23/09 (rev.)
Academic Senate Approved: pending
Page 7 of 8
Proposed Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
1A – English Composition
1B – Critical Thinking-English Composition
1C – Oral Communication (CSU requirement only)
2A – Math
3A – Arts
3B – Humanities
4A – Anthropology and Archaeology
4B – Economics
4E – Geography
4F – History
4G – Interdisciplinary, Social & Behavioral Sciences
4H – Political Science, Government & Legal Institutions
4I – Psychology
4J – Sociology & Criminology
5A – Physical Science
5B – Biological Science
6A – Languages Other Than English
Rationale for inclusion in this General Education category:
Same as above
Modern World Problems focuses on contemporary conflicts in International Relations.
International Relations (IR) is one of the core areas of study in Political Science and an
introductory course in IR is typically required for a degree in Political Science. IR focuses on
issues of international governance and international legal and transnational institutions. Modern
World Problems is directly transferable to some CSU and UC schools as fulfilling part of the
requirements for a BA in Political Science.
Submitted by:
Ryan Emenaker
Tel. Ext.
Division Chair/Director: Rachel Anderson
4306
Date: 9/29/10
Review Date: 10/6/10
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE USE ONLY
Approved by Curriculum Committee: No
Academic Senate Approval Date: 11.19.10
Curriculum Proposal: 01/23/09 (rev.)
Academic Senate Approved: pending
Yes
Date: 11.12.10
Board of Trustees Approval Date: 12.7.10
Page 8 of 8