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PSFA 350: International Studies
Fall 2013
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Professor:
Mei Zhong (Ph.D.)
Office Hours: Tues. 12:30-4:00; Wed. 10:00-3:00; Thurs. 12:30-2:00, and by appointments.
Office:
PSFA 231
Phone:
(619)594-4633
Email:
mzhong@mail.sdsu.edu
______________________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:
Awareness of international surroundings and creation of global citizens in PSFA and related
disciplines. Concepts of culture and self-awareness, dimensions of culture, theoretical
perspectives, behavioral patterns, and applications. (SDSU General Catalog & Announcement of
Courses, 2010-2011).
This interdisciplinary course is the first of six courses (four core and two electives) required for
the PSFA minor in International Studies. It is designed to familiarize students with concepts
relating to international ideologies and social transformations. This is accomplished through a
research project that involves fieldwork, analysis and reflection on a topic, issue, or problem
both here in the United States and at a destination abroad and which blends over the six course
sequence of the minor.
In order to accomplish its objectives, this first course will involve reading, writing, classroom
activities/discussion, guest speakers, case studies, and videos designed to prepare you for your
study abroad and the capstone course (PSFA550).
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, students will:
1. Synthesize the concepts related to globalization and localization.
2. Select clusters of disciplines related to a specified international problem or issue.
3. Explicate the major relationships between global forces and cultural identity.
4. Determine how international studies can be addressed from disciplinary and
multidisciplinary perspectives.
5. Design a research project to be carried out in your destination country.
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REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (2008). The craft of research (3rd ed). Chicago,
IL: University of Chicago Press.
ASSIGNMENTS:
While we don’t have any exams in this class, we have three written assignments: a) a cultural
analysis paper on a film; b) a team pilot study which is a small scale of study separate from your
minor’s project but with the same research process; and c) a research proposal for your minor’s
cross-cultural study project, including a literature review and research design for data collection.
Please see detailed instructions on these assignments (pp. 6-8). Written assignments must be
double-spaced, typed, and comply with the current American Psychological Association
Publication Manual. Specifically, you should use 1-inch margins on all sides, font #12, Times
New Roman style, and appropriate APA styles for the cover page, citations in the text, and
references.
GRADING
Cultural analysis paper
Pilot study paper
Pilot study presentation
Research proposal
Attendance and participation
Total:
Grading scale
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
D
F
_____/20%
_____/20%
_____/5%
_____/40%
_____/15%
_____/100%
Percentage (%)
93 and above
90-92.9
87-89.9
83-86.9
80-82.9
77-79.9
70-76.9
60-69.9
59.9 and below
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students who need accommodation of their disabilities should contact me privately, within the
first two weeks of the semester, to discuss specific accommodations for which they have
received authorization. If you have a disability, but have not contacted Student Disability
Services at 619-594-6473 (Calpulli Center, Suite 3101), please do so before making an
appointment to see me.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is simply the use of others’ words and/or ideas without clearly acknowledging their
source. As students, you are learning about other people’s ideas in your course texts, your
instructors’ lectures, in-class discussions, and when doing your own work. When you incorporate
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those words and ideas into your own work, it is of the utmost importance that you give credit
where it is due. Plagiarism, intentional or unintentional, is considered academic dishonesty and
all instances will be reported to SDSU’s Office of Judicial Procedures. To avoid plagiarism, you
must give the original author credit whenever you use another person’s ideas, opinions,
drawings, or theories as well as any facts or any other pieces of information that are not common
knowledge. Additionally quotations of another person’s actual spoken or written words; or a
close paraphrasing of another person’s spoken or written words must also be referenced.
Accurately citing all sources and putting direct quotations – of even a few key words – in
quotation marks are required. For further information on plagiarism and the policies regarding
academic dishonesty go to the Course Catalog section on Standards for Student Conduct
(41310). This and other information regarding student conduct can also be accessed at
http://coursecat.sdsu.edu/catalog/UP.pdf
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READINGS AND MATERIALS
Part I: Concepts and theories of culture and cultural values
Gudykunst, W. B., & Kim, Y. Y. (2003). Communicating with strangers (pp. 357-390).
Boston, MA: McGrow Hill.
Hall, E. T. (1976). Beyond culture (pp. 74-101). New York: Anchor Press.
Hofstede, G. (1983). Dimensions of national cultures in fifty countries and three regions. In J. B.
Deregowski, S. Dziurawiec, & R. C. Annis (Eds.), Expectations in cross-cultural
psychology (pp. 335-355). Lisse, Netherlands: Swets and Zeitlinger.
Martin, J., & Nakayama, T. (2010). Intercultural communication in contexts (5th ed.) (Chapter 2:
History of the study of intercultural communication, pp. 44-82). Boston, MA: McGraw
Hill.
Martin, J., & Nakayama, T. (2010). Intercultural communication in contexts (5th ed.) (Chapter 3:
Culture, communication, context, and power, pp. 83-119). Boston, MA: McGraw Hill.
*Martin & Nakayama chapters available on google.com
http://ymerleksi.wikispaces.com/file/view/Intercultural+Communication+in+Contexts.pdf
Part II: Sample research studies on culture and cross-cultural issues
Videos of sample cross-cultural research. UDL links with captions:
Introduction:
http://online2.sdccd.edu/scholars/mzhong/mei_intro/mei_intro.html
Interview 1 – Dr. Lei Guan:
http://online2.sdccd.edu/scholars/mzhong/interview_1/interview_1.html
Interview 2 – Prof Peter Cirino:
http://online2.sdccd.edu/scholars/mzhong/interview_2/interview_2_captioned.html
Interview 3 – Prof. Kate Edgerton-Tarpley:
http://online2.sdccd.edu/scholars/mzhong/interview_3/interview_3_captioned.html
Interview 4 – Dr. Vinod Sasidharan:
http://online2.sdccd.edu/scholars/mzhong/interview_4/interview_4_captioned.html
Interview 5&6 – Dr. Patricia Geist Martin and Dr. Norma Ojeda
http://online2.sdccd.edu/faculty/mzhong/jan_19_interview_2/jan_19_interview_2.html
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Part III: Research methods
Textbook: The craft of research
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Tentative Course Schedule
Week
1
Date
Aug. 27
Lecture topics/Assignments
Introduction – about the minor, about the course (syllabus), about each other
Announcements, etc.
2
Sept. 3
3
Sept. 10
Guest: Dave Rudel – Issues about study abroad (ISC)
* Assignment: Cultural (film) analysis
Cultural values and practices/ Mooij chapter 3 Value and culture
Cultural values and practices /Mooij chapter 4 Cultural dimensions
* Reminder#1: Start thinking about cross-cultural research topic
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Sept. 17
5
Sept. 24
6
Oct. 1
* Assignment discussion: Research proposal / In-class consultation
Writing the research paper/ APA style
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Oct. 8
8
Oct. 15
* Presentation/discussion of pilot study results
*Pilot study paper due
* Reminder#2: A tentative topic for research proposal due next week
* Presentation/discussion of pilot study results
* Topic due for research proposal
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Oct. 22
10
Oct. 29
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Nov. 5
12
Nov.12
13
14
15
16
Nov. 19
Nov. 26
Dec. 3
Dec. 10
17
Dec. 17
4-6:00
Choosing a topic for cross-cultural research
*Cultural film analysis paper due
* Assignment: Pilot study; pilot study teams formed with preliminary topics
Guest: Dr. Stuart Henry – Research topics and methods
Writing the research paper/ APA style
Discussion about research proposal assignment; in-class consultation on
topics for study abroad project
* Sign up for individual consultation time slots
* Reminder#3: Draft proposal literature due in 2 weeks
Guest: Dr. Noah A., PSFA 550 professor
Student panel: Cross-cultural research project
Work on topic proposal/literature
Guest: Ms. Amy McDaniel, Office of Research Ethics, SDSU
Individual consultation / Work on research proposal
* Draft topic proposal due with literature and research question(s)
Individual consultation / Work on research proposal
Thanksgiving week! Individual consultation available via email
* Cross-cultural research proposal due
Guest: STA travel
Study abroad: Issues and strategies/cross-cultural adaptation
Final exam day: Focus group discussion
* This schedule is subject to change. Please check the blackboard site regularly for any changes.
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ASSIGNMENTS
Assignment #1: Cultural analysis paper
After covering the first part of the course on cultural concepts, theories, and value dimensions,
you are to watch a designated film in which a cross-cultural background is apparent. You will
identify elements of culture, ideas and values, and try to make sense of the story by applying the
theories we’ve discussed in class. This is a way to test your understanding of the course material.
The paper should be 4-5 pages in length. You’re required to include additional relevant
publications (2-3) in your discussion and cite and reference them. Two main parts are expected
in the paper:
1. A brief summary of the story line, setting the background for your analysis; and
2. An analysis by themes/concepts through discussion of examples/scenes in the movie.
*please underline any main concepts you apply from the course ideas to show your
understanding. Be sure to apply the concepts correctly.
You will be evaluated on:
Evaluation
Score / 10
Good overall organization of paper
Good summary of storyline
Provided background information about the film
Adequate examples identified to demonstrate understanding;
Good analysis of cultural meanings with correct application of course ideas
Underlined main/significant points from course materials
Meaningful discussion about cross-cultural implications and a good
summary/conclusion of the project
Well written paper with correct spelling and subheadings
Sufficient and correct references
Correct APA style throughout paper and reference page
Total
/100
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Assignment #2: Pilot study
This is a short version of the study you’ll be conducting when you are abroad. You will be doing
this in a team of two. The SDSU International Student Center hosts Coffee Hours every Friday at
noon. Many international students will attend these events. You are to participate in some of
these events and identify 3-5 students from a target country. Conduct interviews with each of
them on a specific chosen topic. Then try interview 3-5 participants from the U.S. population and
draw comparisons with the two sets of data you obtain. Use cultural analysis for the study and
present your findings in the form of a summary paper and a short presentation in class. The
summary paper is 5-6 pages, mostly focusing on the comparative results; and the presentation
(about 5-6 minutes per team) could focus more on the process of research and questions/issues
that arise during the research process. This is an opportunity for you to run through the research
process on a small scale and prepare you for your actual research abroad.
Although this is a short version of a study, the final summary paper needs to contain all elements
of a research paper.
You will be graded by:
Evaluation of summary
Score / 10
Good overall organization of paper
Clear introduction with rationale for study
Well written literature review, with correct format
Well phrased research question(s)
Clear description of method for data collection
Well-presented results and findings with clear structure
Good and thoughtful analysis, logical arguments of themes and points
Meaningful discussion about cross-cultural implications/course concepts
and a good summary/conclusion of the project
Well written paper with correct spelling and subheadings
Correct APA style throughout paper and reference page
Sufficient and correct references
Submitted on time and met assignment requirements
Total
/100
Evaluation of presentation
Clear introduction of topic and members;
effective, interesting opening
Good background, rationale for study, history, (from lit review), etc.
Clear description of data collection and analysis methods
Substantial information about results and findings, analysis, and thoughtful
discussion about method and implication for study abroad project
Score / 10
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Supportive and cohesive group interactions;
Good interactive style with audience (Q-A, etc.)
Good use of stage, visual effects, powerpoint, etc.
Good use of and well managed time (
)
Total
/50
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Assignment #3: Cross-cultural Research Proposal
The cross-cultural research proposal paper is the first step of your research project in order to
complete the minor. You need to identify a research interest and do a full literature review in
support of the topic. A literature review is a synthesized summary of previous research related to
your topic. This will give the foundation for your research question and determine your interview
questions. You are to consult at least 10 external academic sources which in some way relate to
and support your topic area.
This paper, about 10-12 pages of text, needs to include:
1. An introduction of the research topic with a rationale for the study (why/how did
you select the topic), while providing some background information about the
country/society/region, including history, political system, societal structure,
cultural characteristics of the country as compared to the U.S. etc., but only topics
relevant to your study. This portion should be kept minimal (approximately one
page) as you want to leave the main part of your literature to focus on the actual
topic.
2. Literature on the specific topic you’re researching –what has been done related to
the issue you’re proposing? What is the significance of the topic? What methods
are used and what are the main findings by previous scholars?
3. Then, a well-phrased research question or questions.
*This is the first part of proposal topic/literature that’s due before the final
project. It should be about 5-6 pages.
4. Once the question is formed, you’ll be presenting a method of data collection to
help you answer the question(s). This is the method section of the paper. It is the
actual plan for your data collection for your chosen research topic. The plan
should be well thought-out and contain all necessary details about collecting data
on the international site. Specifically,
a. Identify a selected research method for this particular study, by which
you’ll collect information that provides answers to your research
question(s). Discuss why this is most suitable for your study.
b. Propose specific steps of your data collection process, e.g., for interviews,
how many subjects you wish to contact, how many interviews you will
conduct, how many times you want to meet them, for how long, what kind
of settings in which the interviews will take place, etc. Give a description
of the anticipated subjects you will target.
c. What measures will you take to ensure anonymity and risk-free from
taking part in this study?
d. Describe the type of results you wish to find and the process/method of
data analysis. What theoretical frames/theories will you be applying?
What steps will you take to do so?
*Remember: your interview questions and specific timetables should not be
presented as a list or chart in the text, but rather, attached separately to the end
of the paper.
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5. The paper will conclude with method of data analysis for once you have them,
and anticipated outcome of the project.
6. Your complete reference page following the correct APA style. You may cite
online sources you’ve consulted and used in your text beyond the required 10
academic sources. Reference sources such as dictionaries and encyclopedias are
not actual sources and don’t need to be included in the reference list.
7. Attach your list of structured interview questions, a survey, logs for field work,
coding sheets for observations, or any other instruments you plan to use for data
collection.
8. A proposed timetable which provides the expected process of your data collection
abroad. Think about what you need to do, steps you’ll take, and estimate
approximate timeframe you’ll need to carry out each step in the duration of your
planned stay. Don’t forget to incorporate into the timetable your actual courses
and activities during the study abroad.
9. Finally, any documents (e.g. specific charts, photos, etc.), to the end of the paper
as appendixes. These are not required unless you feel that they are necessary in
order to enhance/support/strengthen your project.
Below is a general research paper format:
I.
Introduction
A. Introduction of the topic/issue/problem for the study – you need to select a very
specific, well defined topic of your interest.
B. Significance of the topic – provide a rationale for your study by stating the
significance of the topic/issue.
C. A preview of the content of the paper.
II. Literature review
A. Background information the country/society/region – what do you know about the
country in terms of an overview? This should only include topics/areas related to
the topic.
B. Cultural characteristics of the country as compared to the U.S.
C. Literature on the specific topic you’re researching – what has been done related to
the issue you’re proposing?
D. Main findings by previous scholars.
III. RQ: Phrase a general research question about your focus in this study. You may also have
sub-questions regarding the layers of information you wish to find through this study.
IV. Research method
A. Your method would be mainly interviews, with possible participant observation
strategies.
B. Describe specific steps of your data collection process. Give a description of the
participants in your study from both cultures.
C. Give all anticipated steps you’ll take in order to obtain your information.
V. Conclusion
A. Discuss anticipated findings, the type of information you expect to get.
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B. and how you will be analyzing the information to answer your RQs.
C. Any anticipated difficulties and how you plan on coping with them.
D. Any implications of your study and a concluding statement.
As the main portion of the course grade (40%), your research proposal is graded on:
Evaluation
Score / 10
A good draft of topic proposal: well-thought-out topic, well-written, correct
style; submitted on time
Literature review includes clear format, adequate academic sources, wellsynthesized ideas
Final paper:
Clear introduction of topic with rationale for study
Substantial literature review on research topic
Well synthesized ideas in literature; not listing summaries
Well phrased research question(s), Plus well thought-out attached list of
interview questions (or other instruments)
Clear description of method for data collection, with details that support a
feasible study
Meaningful discussion about cross-cultural implications/course concepts
and a brief summary/conclusion of the project proposal
Good overall organization of paper with correct subheadings,
In both versions
Well written paper, in terms of logic, flow, and proofreading
Evidence of improvement from draft
Sufficient and correct references (10+ official)
Correct APA style throughout paper and cover page/reference page
Total
/100
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Sample structure for your final report of the research project:
I. Introduction
A. Introduction of the topic/issue/problem for the study – you need to select a topic
of your interest and be willing to explore while you’re abroad as well as in the
U.S.
B. Significance of the topic for study – provide a rationale for your study by stating
the significance of the topic/issue. Why is it significant to others, to the
community, to the discipline? What triggered your interest in studying it?
II. Literature review
A. Background information the country/society/region, including history, political
system, societal structure, etc. (topics that are relevant to your study).
B. Cultural characteristics of the country as compared to the U.S.
C. Literature on the specific topic you’re researching – what has been done related to
the issue you’re proposing?
D. Methods used and main findings by previous scholars.
E. RQ: Phrase a general research question about your focus in this study. You may
also have sub-questions regarding the layers of information you wish to find
through this study.
III. Research method
A. Identify a selected research method for this particular study. Discuss why this is
most suitable for your study.
B. Propose specific steps of your data collection process, e.g., for interviews, how
many subjects you wish to contact, how many interviews you will conduct, how
many times you want to meet them, for how long, what kind of settings in which
the interviews will take place, etc. Give a description of the anticipated subjects
you will target.
C. What measures will you take to ensure anonymity and risk-free from taking part
in this study?
IV. Research results/findings and discussion
A. Report on major patterns and trends of your findings. Main finding #1. . .
1. Findings from abroad
2. Findings from the U.S.
3. Cross over patterns based on similarities or differences. . .
B. Discuss what the findings mean.
1. Pattern 1. . .
2. Pattern 2. . .
3. . . .
V. Conclusion
1. Summary of your main findings
2. Implications of your findings.
3. Concluding remarks/statements.
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First Day Survey – PSFA 350
Enrolled_____
Crasher _____
Name _______________________________________RedID_____________________
Phone______________________ Email ______________________________________
Major __________________________________________________________________
___Intl. Studies minor
___Interested in IS minor
___Not interested in IS minor
Reason for taking this class:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
First Day Survey – PSFA 350
Enrolled_____
Crasher _____
Name _______________________________________RedID_____________________
Phone______________________ Email ______________________________________
Major __________________________________________________________________
___Intl. Studies minor
___Interested in IS minor
___Not interested in IS minor
Reason for taking this class:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________