POLI 491 GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE - ISFIT SPRING 2013

POLI 491
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE - ISFIT
SPRING 2013
Instructor Information
Dr. Richard Aidoo
Penny Hall 345
Coastal Carolina University
Office Hours
& Contact Information
M/W/F: 9:00am-11:00am
M/W: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
& By Appointment
[email protected]
Course Information
M/W/F: 1:00 pm -1:50 pm
EHFA 252
Coastal Carolina University
COURSE OVERVIEW
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
COURSE
OBJECTIVES
STUDENT
LEARNING
OUTCOMES
This is a special topics course on different global issues that will be featured at the International
Student Festival in Trondheim (ISFIT) 2013, Norway. The issues include natural resources;
human dignity; food; technology, power etc. This will allow students to research, discuss, and
write about these issues. The course is divided into 3 main parts: pre-ISFIT, ISFIT, post-ISFIT.
Note: The course has a travel component, which is travelling to Norway to take part in ISFIT
2013.
The main objectives of the course are as follows:
o This course will give students the opportunity to research and present major global
issues.
o The course also promotes critical understanding(s) of major global issues from a
broad perspective.
o The course will provide the opportunity to engage and discuss these issues with
fellow students from different geographic regions.
At semester’s end, students should be able to:
o Identify and define key ideas that pertain to the particular issue that has
been assigned to them by ISFIT 2013.
o Identify and explore the differences that exist among different geographic
regions with regards to their assigned issue.
o Recognize and discuss the overall impact of ISFIT to the understanding of
their assigned issue as well as their studies.
Letter grades are assigned according to the following grading scale:
Table 2: Grading Scale
GRADING
SCALE
CLASS
Percentage Range
90-100
85-89.99
80-84.99
75-79.99
70-74.99
65-69.99
60-64.99
0-59.99
Letter Grade
A
B+
B
C+
C
D+
D
F
Students are expected to attend all class sessions. Each missed class session will be counted
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ATTENDANCE
READINGS
COURSE
STRUCTURE
as an “unexcused” absence. Coastal Carolina University policy stipulates that “An instructor
is permitted to impose a penalty, including assigning the grade of F, for unexcused absences
in excess of 25% of the regularly scheduled class meetings.” Attendance will be taken, and
absences in excess of 25% of our class meetings will result in a failing grade, no matter what
your actual performance in the course happens to be.
As attendance will be well monitored, students will be officially excused from class only
under extenuating circumstances, including medical or family emergencies. In such an
event, the instructor reserves the right to withhold granting an official excuse until an official,
written documentation has been submitted, clearly stating the reason(s) for class absence. In
the case of medical emergency, this will be noted on official health center/hospital stationery
by the doctor/physician under whose care you were. Copies of prescriptions or any other
documents WILL NOT be accepted as validation for class absence. In the case of a family
emergency, you ought to present an official documentation such an obituary, copy of the
memorial program, etc. Email notifications WILL NOT be acceptable! Any of these
documents needs to be handed in no later than by the next class session for which you will
again be in attendance.
Whether any absence is excused or unexcused, students will be responsible for any and all
material covered in class. Barring extreme extenuating circumstances, class absence will also
not absolve a student from his/her responsibility to meet submission deadlines. Nor will it
serve as an excuse for pleading ignorance regarding new assignments, clarification of
guidelines, deadlines, expectations, etc. that may be announced in class and also posted.
Readings will be assigned by professor based on a students ISFIT workshop topic as
well as general readings to develop basic global awareness.
The course will consist of lectures, reading and discussion assignments, writing and
presenting papers and most significantly participating in ISFIT 2013 in Trondheim, Norway.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
The percentage allocated to the various tasks and responsibilities that students are required to
meet in this course are listed below:
Table 1: Percentage Breakdown by Task/Responsibility
Task/Responsibility
Reading Review/Presentation (10% each)
Attending and Participation in Workshops at
Trondheim, Norway
Journals/ Blogging
Final Papers/Final Exam
PERCENTAGE
WEIGHTS
CLASS/WORKSHOP
ATMOSPHERE
ACADEMIC
MISCONDUCT
Percentage
20%
30%
10%
40%
Students are expected to display courteous and professional behavior in class/workshop.
Any activities that disrupt or otherwise negatively affect the learning environment will
not be tolerated. Students are strongly advised (and expected) to familiarize themselves
with the relevant section in the Student Handbook.
Additionally, the use and operation of any portable electronic devices, including cell
phones, MP3 players, I-Pods, I-Pads will not be tolerated. As a professional courtesy to
fellow classmates and ISFIT participants, students are expected to either power off your
electronic devices prior to the start of the lecture, or put them into “silent” mode.
Penalties for academic dishonesty and/or plagiarism will be enforced to the fullest extent in
accordance with University regulations. Students found in violation of the provisions in
Section III.A. of the Student Handbook WILL be dealt with appropriately. Students are
strongly advised to refer to the Student Handbook, as the instructor reserves the right to
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draw on the full range of rules and regulations stipulated therein, above and beyond the
syllabus policy statement concerning Academic Misconduct. Pleading ignorance on nonawareness of any and all criteria covered under Academic Misconduct will not, under any
circumstances, constitute grounds for a valid excuse, if found in violation of these said
criteria. If a student is still unsure, following consultation of the Student Code of Conduct,
what constitutes academic dishonesty and/or plagiarism, he/she is strongly advised to seek
clarification from the instructor.
DEADLINES
&
GUIDELINES
Late submissions will not be considered, except for the very limited circumstances of
medical or family emergency, in which case the instructor reserves the right to grant an
extension based on an evaluation of the reasonableness of the circumstances that prevented
meeting specific deadlines and provision of official documentation (e.g. physician note or
letter signed by parents/guardians). The penalties for late submission are as follows:
 Automatic 5-10% deduction from the final grade of the assignment (the instructor
will specify the exact percentage deduction one week prior to the submission
deadline)
 5% deduction for each late-day.
It is your responsibility to manage your time effectively, factoring in enough time for
unexpected events/developments that may otherwise prevent meeting of deadlines. In other
words, do not wait until the last minute to work on your assignments. Not only does it create
a bad precedent, but it will seriously affect the quality of your work. All assignments in this
course will be due at the beginning of class on the due date. Assignments are to be submitted
as a printed, paginated and stapled hard copy.
READINGS
&
READING
NOTES
SPECIAL
NEEDS
Students are expected to complete all the assigned readings prior to the lectures (see “Lecture
Outline and Reading Assignments” below for further details). You are also advised to keep a
portfolio of notes on the various reading assignments, for the retention span of reading and
highlighting usually only goes so far as the actual highlighting. Regular note-taking will not
only aid you in effectively and efficiently internalizing important information but will also
prove extremely useful and time-effective in reviewing material prior to an exam.
Coastal Carolina University, in accordance with the Americans with Disability Act 1990
(ADA) and Federal Rehabilitation Act 1973 Section 504 offers a wide range of support
services for students with visual, hearing, learning or other disabilities. For further
information, please contact the Office of Disability Services in the Indigo House (349-6561).
Please note that students are NOT required to explain to the instructor directly their particular
disabilities. The relevant university offices will inform the instructor of such cases. However,
the student will still have to notify the instructor if and/or when he/she will want to rely on
special assistance for exams, etc.
LECTURE OUTLINE & READING ASSIGNMENTS
IMPORTANT
NOTE
JAN. 14
All the readings designated and re-designated by the professor over the course of the semester
must be done.
The instructor reserves the right to change, add and/or drop readings or discussion themes, or
otherwise change the structure and/or sequence of the lecture outline given below. In such a
case, the change will be duly announced in class and posted.
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
Brief discussion of the course structure, goals, requirements, and assignments
PRE-ISFIT PHASE
JAN. 18
SKYPE CONVERSATION WITH KAJA SKARBO, PRESIDENT OF ISFIT 2013
Note: Students are advised to note down their questions for Kaja Skarbo
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JAN. 21
JAN. 23-28
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY – NO CLASS
U.S’ POSITION ON YOUR WORKSHOP ISSUE
Note: Materials and links will be provided to aid with research
JAN. 30
PRESENTATION OF U.S’ POSITION AND YOUR THOUGHTS ON WORKSHOP
ISSUE
Note: Materials and links will be provided to aid with research
FEB. 4
PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION
Note: Information on travel arrangements and departure would be discussed.
FEB. 6
DEPARTURE
ISFIT PHASE
FEB 7-15
PARTICIPATION IN ISFIT 2013, TRONDHEIM, NORWAY
Note: Students will follow ISFIT program and most importantly attend all designated
workshops
POST-ISFIT PHASE
FEB. 25
DEADLINE FOR JOURNALS
MAR. 25
DEADLINE FOR FIRST DRAFT OF FINAL PAPER
APR. 10
DEADLINE FOR SECOND DRAFT OF FINAL PAPER
APR. 24
DEADLINE FOR FINAL PAPER, DUE BY 5PM
MAY. 3
1:30 PM
FINAL EXAM
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