SYLLABUS
Course Title:
Number:
Schedule:
Term:
Credits:
The Social Environment
ISS 1120 REF#864562
TR 8:25am-9:40am, Rm 3218
Fall 2015 (2015-1)
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Instructor Information
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Name/title: Paul Tisevich, Associate Professor, Senior
Department: Social Sciences
Office location: 3506-5
Office Hours: M, W, F: 9am-10am; Other times by arrangement
Telephone: 305-237-3094
Email: ptisevic@mdc.edu
Course Description
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Catalog Description: This is an interdisciplinary course that emphasizes the
cultural, economic, political, and global dimensions of societies. Its main objective is
to promote knowledge of contemporary and historical forces, institutions, and people
that shape our social environment, and to engage students in a life-long process of
inquiry and enlightened decision-making.
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Prerequisites: None
Course Competencies
Upon completing ISS1120, students should be able to:
Competency 1: THE STUDENT WILL DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ORIGIN
OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, ITS CONNECTION WITH THE SOCIAL SCIENCES,
AND THE IMPACT OF CULTURE IN DEVELOPING THE UNIQUE
CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND SOCIETIES BY:
1. analyzing the emergence of the scientific method and the influence of philosophy and
religion in the development of science.
2. differentiating between the natural and social sciences and the humanities.
3. identifying the various disciplines labeled as social sciences and their common
characteristics and unique objectives.
4. defining the terms culture and society and finding the connection between them.
5. describing the elements and complexity of culture.
6. differentiating between culture and subculture.
7. applying the concepts of universalism, ethnocentrism and cultural relativity in different
contexts.
Competency 2: THE STUDENT WILL DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE BASIC
ECONOMIC CONCEPTS, THE HISTORICAL IMPACT ON ECONOMIC THEORIES,
AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SYSTEMS, ESPECIALLY
THE AMERICAN SYSTEM, BY:
1. defining scarcity, economic system, production, distribution, and consumption.
2. contrasting the major characteristics of the traditional market, and command economic
systems.
3. discussing the concept of money and its role in the economy.
4. describing major economic ideas and theories and their origins and supporters.
5. analyzing the historical events that marked their evolution.
6. recalling the most important economic indicators and their functions.
7. discussing the problems of economic inequalities and poverty in the world and in the United
States and their possible solutions, as well as the ecological consequences of economic growth.
8. comparing and contrasting these contemporary economic systems: capitalism, democratic
socialism, and communism, as practiced in
countries such as the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the former Soviet Union,
China, and others.
Competency 3: THE STUDENTS WILL DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF
FUNDAMENTAL POLITICAL CONCEPTS, THE MOST IMPORTANT TYPES OF
POLITICAL SYSTEMS, ESPECIALLY THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND ITS
FUNCTIONING, AND THE ROLE OF POLITICAL ORIENTATIONS AND IDEOLOGIES
BY:
1. defining government, nation, state, nation-state, and politics.
2. classifying and contrasting, different types of governments.
3. identifying and contrasting the most important political ideologies, their origins and
supporters.
4. differentiating various political orientations.
5. recalling the origin and evolution of the American political system.
6. describing the unique characteristics of the Constitution and the most important functions of
the three branches of government.
7. discussing the American political process and the role played by pressure groups and
political parties at every level of government.
8. describing the processes to elect or choose the highest political leaders in the United States.
9. analyzing the struggle of women, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and
other groups to obtain their political rights.
10. comparing and contrasting other major political systems such as those of Great Britain, the
former Soviet Union, and China with that of the United States.
Competency 4: THE STUDENT WILL DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLOBAL
DIMENSION OF SOCIETIES AND THEIR RELATIONS AND INTERACTIONS BY:
1. discussing the role of geography in global relations.
2. identifying on a map the location of the states of the world.
3. identifying fundamental concepts in international relations such as nation-state, sovereignty,
balance of power, balance of terror, diplomacy, international law, collective security,
international organization, and foreign policy.
4. identifying the forces that contribute to peaceful versus violent relations between nations.
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5. analyzing the complexity of international economic relations, especially trade, and the role
played by governments, currencies, tariffs, multinational corporations, and other organizations.
6. describing the role of worldwide and regional international organizations in global affairs
using as examples the origin and scope of the United Nations and other similar organizations.
Learning Outcomes
ISS 1120 will foster the following learning outcomes as formulated by the college to
facilitate the acquisition of fundamental knowledge and skills and the development of
attitudes that foster effective citizenship and life-long learning. Outcomes 5 and 6 are
emphasized.
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3.
4.
5.
Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical
perspectives.
6. Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social
responsibilities.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.
8. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
9. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
10. Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the
environment
Textbook
The Social Environment: A Primer on World Civics (13th edition), by German Munoz et al.
The Social Environment: A Primer on World Civics Workbook (13th edition), by Magdalena
Rivera-Lamarre
*Both of these are bound together as one book.
Other Resources: Online Readings and exercises, as assigned.
GRADING: All work must be completed and turned in by the due date. No work will be
accepted past the due date unless approved by the instructor. Make-up work and exams are not
automatic and they are up to the professor’s discretion. (Note: There will be absolutely no
make ups of in-class assignments). There will be a midterm and a final exam, one
presentation, a map test, and a film critique. The key to success is to stay on schedule with the
work, particularly the assigned readings, and do not get behind, as you may never catch up.
Assignments
total points
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Presentation
Film Critique
Map Test
Attendance and Participation
(will include in-class quizzes and other assignments)
60
100
80
60
50
TOTAL
500
150
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(Note: Extra credit assignment(s) MAY be made available during the Semester.)
A = 450-500 of 500 total points
B = 400-449 of 500 total points
C = 350-399 of 500 total points
D = 300-349 of 500 total points
F = 0-299 of 500 total points
The Midterm Exam is multiple-choice; the Final, multiple choice and a short essay
Detailed instructions will be provided for the Film Critiques
Group presentation: Each group will be assigned a topic of importance to Current Events.
Detailed instructions for the presentations will be provided. The presentations will be made
toward the end of the semester.
In-class pop quizzes, exercises, and reflections are sometimes open-book, so be sure to bring
the book to class. They may also be cooperative in concept.
Always bring writing paper, a pen, and the textbook to class!
Course Schedule (note: 11/26 is a Holiday!)
Week 1 (8/25, 8/27):
Course Introduction; Group Meeting Day
Week 2 (9/1, 9/3):
Chapter 1: Core principles: Thinking Critically, Multiculturally
and Globally
Chapter 2: The Human Struggle for Knowledge, Understanding and
Wisdom
Weekly reading: Chapter 1
Week 3 (9/8, 9/10):
Chapter 2 continued; In-class film: Guns, Germs and Steel:
Episode One, Out of Eden.
Weekly reading: Chapter 2
Week 4 (9/15, 9/17): Chapter 3: Tribes, Empires, States and Nation; Geography
Weekly Reading: Chapter 3
Week 5 (9/22, 9/24):
Chapter 4: Conceptualizations of Family: Race, Ethnicity and
Immigration
Weekly reading: Chapter 4
Week 6 (9/29, 10/1): Chapter 5: The Economy
Chapter 6: The American Political Economy
Weekly reading: Chapters 5 & 6
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Week 7 (10/6, 10/8): Chapter 7: Systems of Governing
Weekly reading: Chapter 7
Week 8 (10/13, 10/15): Chapter 7 continued
Group meeting day; progress reports
Weekly reading: Chapter 7
Week 9 (10/20, 10/22): Review for Midterm
MIDTERM EXAM
Weekly reading: Study
Week 10 (10/27, 10/29): Chapter 8: The American Political System
Chapter 9: The American Political Process
Weekly reading: Chapters 8 & 9
Week 11 (11/3, 11/5):
Chapter 10: Global Prosperity and Poverty
Chapter 11: The Global Economy
Weekly reading: Chapters 10 & 11
Week 12 (11/10, 11/12): Chapter 12: War and Peace
Weekly reading: Chapter 12
Week 13 (11/17, 11/19): Chapter 12 continued
Chapter 13: Current Events; Film Critiques Due
Weekly reading: Chapter 13
Week 14 (11/24): Chapter 13 continued; Group Presentations
Weekly reading: Chapter 13
Week 15 (12/1, 12/3): Group Presentations
Weekly reading: STUDY!
Week 16 (12/8, 12/10): Group Presentations
Final Exam review
Weekly reading: STUDY!
Students will take the final exam on Tuesday, December 15, 9:50am – 11:20am
Course Policies
All students are required to keep up with reading assignments as listed and are responsible for
the content of lectures, film, handouts, assigned websites, emails or other material presented or
discussed in class. Textbook assignments must be read before class lectures/ discussions.
Also, be sure that the College has your current/correct email address, as I will be sending you
information by that method. It is essential that you check your college email regularly!!!
Attendance is mandatory and essential to satisfactorily completing the course. If you miss more
than 4 classes (which may include arriving late and leaving early for any reason) you may be
withdrawn from the class or possibly receive a grade of “F”. Students should notify the
instructor of any planned absences; this still does not relieve you of the obligation to attend
class.
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You are expected to arrive punctually at the designated time of class. Pop Quizzes will be
usually (but not always) be given out at the start time of class, and will generally be collected
after 15 to 20 minutes. So, if you arrive 10 or more minutes late for class, you will get no
points for the pop quiz. That is why pop quiz makeups are not allowed; they, along with other
in-class exercises, are ways of checking your attendance and commitment to the class.
Withdrawal from a course is not encouraged and should be considered as a last alternative.
You are responsible for filling out the withdrawal card and turning it in to the Registration
Office before the deadline. If you stop attending class and do not withdraw, you will receive a
grade of “F”.
Please note that cell phone use in class is prohibited, except on occasion when your
Professor directs you to use them. Please turn them off and put them away before
class begins. Using cell phones – including texting and/or leaving to make or take calls
– will be penalized by class participation grade reductions and may make you ineligible
for extra credit.
Students who bring in laptops or tablets to take notes must ONLY be used for purposes of this
class – no doing emails, chatting, surfing, etc. Doing so will result in the same penalties
mentioned in the above paragraph.
This class demands your complete attention and as in all Miami Dade College classes,
courteous college behavior is expected at all times. Please have consideration for your fellow
classmates and Professor and refrain from doing things that would disturb the learning
environment of the class. Students are encouraged to meet with instructor regarding any
concerns they may have in relation to the class. Please do not hesitate to discuss any issues or
questions that may arise, in person or through e-mail.
Students who are not registered for the course may neither attend class nor have access to
course materials. Registered students who were dropped from the course must see the
professor in order to obtain an Override Form.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic Dishonesty (cheating) will earn students a grade of “0” on the particular test or
assignment in which cheating took place. The following is a description of Academic
Dishonesty as presented in the Miami Dade College Student Rights and Responsibilities
Handbook (see pg. 12):
“Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
• cheating on an examination; • receiving help from others in work to be submitted, if
contrary to the stated rules of the course; • plagiarizing; that is, the taking and claiming as
one’s own the ideas, writings, or work of another, without citing the sources; • submitting
work from another course unless permitted by the instructor; • stealing examinations or
course materials; • falsifying records; • assisting anyone to do any of the above. . . . .”
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Available Support Services
Access Disability Services:
Students with documented disabilities should contact ACCESS Disability Services in advance
for information and for obtaining assistance. No retroactive accommodations can be provided.
The ACCESS department is located in Room 1180 They may be reached at (305) 237-3072.
Hours of operation: M-R 7:30am-6:00pm; F 7:30am-4:30pm.
College Writing Center: If you need assistance with papers or other writing assignments, the
writing center can assist in tutoring or general questions regarding written work. They are
located in Building 2000, room 22301-3. They can be reached at (305)-237-3466. Hours of
operation: M-R 9:00am-7:00pm & F 9:00am-1:00pm
Course Syllabus
Students will receive a copy of this syllabus in a digital format via e-mail. Students
should print out a copy of the course syllabus and create a back-up digital copy. Students
should consult the syllabus often (at least weekly) in order to remain up to date on all
readings and assignments. Should a student lose his/her copy of the syllabus, it is his/her
responsibility to contact the professor immediately to receive another copy.
The Professor reserves the right to make changes as he may deem necessary
to class assignments. This syllabus is tentative & may be subject to change.
August 20, 2015
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