We will be using eTudes for this semester - learn it - use it - get on it! NOW! You will view the class announcements, class discussions, lectures, quizzes and midterm on eTudes and (send me your answers by email). You will send assignments by email. There are no prerequisites for this class. However, you should be able to read and write at the college level. Text: World Politics in the 21st Century, by Duncan et al. any late edition. Why not buy it used, online? We are only using ONE text book in this class. If you purchased the other text from the LACC bookstore, you can return it now for full refund. Course Objectives: Students will develop an understanding of and be able to discuss the following concepts: power, war, peace, international relations, nations, states, international organizations, economic development, human rights, political economy. Students will be able to write college level essays on all these topics. Students will be expected to analyze their own political beliefs and others'. Course Learning Outcome:
(The week starts on Monday morning and runs through midnight Sunday (11:59pm). The week ends midnight Sunday. Do Not Wait 'till the last minute and then use some lame excuse...click here for some actual excuses I have been given by online students, and why your assignments and tests are dangerous for your grandparents. Late work will be substantially graded down. When the week ends - if you haven't turned in the work due that week - its late! Turn it in asap - some points are better than none. GRADING:
*For all Course Projects - simply email it to me in a "word" document. You can mail it to me at City College or drop it off in my mail box in administration. Or you may also drop off the course project in my office or in my box in Fh 219 I. It is your responsibility to get it to me on the week it is due - before the end of the week (the week ends on Sunday midnight). Do not use lame excuses - just get it to me! You MUST use APA citation format for the Course Project and the working bibliography: click here for a great page on APA . It is up to you to make sure your course project follows APA citaion format - it is easy to learn so learn it! For a rubric on HOW I GRADE assignments - click here Approximate Points-to-Letter Grade scale:
On Week 1 (YOU must complete everything on the Week One Checklist by the end of week 1 or YOU will be dropped at the start of week three.) Click here for the Week One Checklist. After you have done all on the checklist, email me a copy of the "student statement" with your name in the appropriate places. I will then send you an email confirming that you are in the course. Until you receive that email you may not be in the course. "Week One Sign in" and the other Four, "three-week Class Discussions" (on eTudes): You MUST make a posting on the "week one sign in" class discussion, say something about yourself, is this your first poli sci class? Your first online class? And make sure you check that your e-mail address is the one you use every week, because i will send out weekly emails! Posting work on the Class Discussions (on eTudes ) serves several functions. First, it is an attempt to build a sense of "group" even if it is only "virtual." Second, it allows students to see if any other students are working on similar policy areas. You are encouraged to "make friends" and to work together whenever possible. Of course, every student has to do her or his own work. Third, posting work creates an open environment where we can help each other by sharing ideas. Fourth, it takes advantage being online in a way a traditional class could not. CLASS DISCUSSIONS: Contribute to the discussion. All you do, really, is what you would do in class. Say what you think and why you think it. In a paragraph or two give your opinion and the reasons for it. When commenting on others' thoughts, don't just say "I agree," say why you agree. You can access the discussions, when they are open and active on eTudes . Remember to include your name and email address on everything you say, or you won't get credit. No anonymous postings, please. The class discussions are graded at the end of the year in their totality. You can earn up to 50 points by simply posting your opinion and responded to some one else's opinion (at least once each discussion). Do what is required and earn 50 points. Do less and earn less. The class discussions can be accessed on eTudes when they are open and active! Here are the topics: Discussion One: What is the biggest foreign policy challenge to the new Obama administration? And what should he do about it? Discussion Two: How should the US handle Iraq? Be specific. Discussion Three: Can there be peace in the Middle East? How? Discussion Four: What is the biggest threat to the US today? DUE on Week 5, Your Course Project Declaration: Your Course Project Declaration, sent to me via email, simply informs me of the international organization you have chosen for your Course Project. In just one paragraph, name the international organization and briefly describe it. You may wish to begin preparing your "working bibliography" and your Critical Thinking Project as they should both be tied to your Course Project. DUE on Week 6, AND Week11 OUR TWO MID-TERM Chapter Essay Exams. These are essay questions taken from the test bank provided to me by the publisher. They cover material in the text and my "lectures." A few weeks before they are due, I will post potential essays questions for each essay exam. For the Exam, I will pick one (1) for each exam. I will post the exam questions on eTudes and you will simply answer them in an email - no attachments - just a simple email. I will read it, grade it and send it back. meyerjn@lacitycollege.edu - DO NOT ATTCH the answers. Just follow the directions and send the answers via email without attachments. Click here to see potential essay questions Due on Week 8: Your Course Project Working Bibliography. Simply send, NOT IN AN attachment, just in simple email format, a "working bibliography" for your course project paper. You should have at least eight (8) sources by now - credible web sites, journal articles, etc. Use must use APA citation format. This is only the start of your bibliography. Include your final bibliography with the course project as APA calls for. Due on Week 9: Your Critical Thinking Project First find a peer reviewed academic journal article you want to analize. You should use an article about your international orgainzation if at all possible. there are many credible social science jouranls to choose from, try to help your course project effort. The web page explains the eight answers you must provide about the op-ed piece. Just fill in the blanks, with bullet points or brief clauses, do not copy the question - DO NOT ATTACH anything to the email - JUST SEND IT IN NORMAL EMAIL! Click here for more information on Critical Thinking and your assignment. DUE on Week11 - Second Midterm Exam. Due on Week 14: The Course Project You will email me your course project in word or a program I can read. You may attach the document to an email . Or you may mail the project to me or drop it off in my office (FH219i) or mail box in the mailroom of the administration building. The Course Project: You will choose one of the many international organizations in our world (the UN (any part of it), the World Bank, IMF, NATO, WTO, World Court, OAS, OAU, EU, etc...) and in a 8 - 12 page paper (typed, double spaced) answer the following questions: 1) What was the original mission of the organization? 2) How has its mission changed? 3) Does it fulfill its mission? 4) How can the organization be improved? For a brief video about your Course Project Paper - click here! Final Exam will be via email like the two midterm exams. - all work is due BEFORE midnite June 2, 2012. I will ask two or four essay questions from all those I did not choose in the two midterm chapter essay exams. The Final CAN NOT be emailed late. After June 2, 2012 - no work will be accepted. Your Choice! No lame excuses! Students are responsible to live up to, and adhere to, all rules and regulations listed in the Student Handbook, the College Catalog, the College Schedule of Classes, and the various regulations, requirements and rules of the College and the District. Students with disabilities or who need any assistance or reasonable accommodation should contact the instructor. Such students are encouraged to contact the Office of Disabled Student Services Note Well: Plagiarism is the serious ethical and legal violation of presenting other people's words or ideas as your own. Plagiarism or any other form of cheating can result in a failing grade for the paper, a failing grade for the course, and a formal report to the dean of students. See the student conduct code in the Catalog and Schedule of Classes. Students are encouraged to form and work in study groups. However each student must do her or his own work. Students who copy, cheat, plagiarize or in other fashion violate the spirit or letter (or both) of the rules of the College or the District (or both) may be excluded from this class, at a minimum. Please do not ask for an incomplete. I will not grant it. Any questions - please email me: meyerjn@lacitycollege.edu |
