"The Century’s Decline" by Wislawa Szymborska [1996 Nobel Prize for Literature] Our twentieth century was going to improve on the others. It will never prove it now, now that its years are numbered, its gait is shaky, its breath is short. Too many things have happened that weren’t supposed to happen, and what was supposed to come about has not. Happiness and spring, among other things, were supposed to be getting closer. Fear was expected to leave the mountains and the valleys. Truth was supposed to hit home before a lie. A couple of problems weren’t going to come up anymore: hunger, for example, and war, and so forth. There was going to be respect for helpless people’s helplessness, trust, that kind of stuff.   Anyone who planned to enjoy the world is now faced with a hopeless task. Stupidity isn’t funny. Wisdom isn’t gay. Hope isn’t that young girl anymore, et cetera, alas. God was finally going to believe in a man both good and strong, but good and strong are still two different men.   "How should we live?" someone asked me in a letter. I had meant to ask him the same question.   Again, and as ever, as may be seen above, the most pressing questions are naV ve ones. IDST 2205 Global Issues: Transitioning towards the Twenty-First Century Wednesday 2:00-3:50 Except March 3 12:00-6:30 First Hour Classroom: A&S 2-72 Instructors: Second Hour Office Telephone/ Office Hours Classroom Email Dr. Dwight Call A&S 2-40 222 Lanier 445-0875 M-F 8-5 dwither@mail.gcsu.edu Dr. Hedwig Fraunhofer A&S 2-39 A&S 3-26 445-0962 MWF 11-12; W 1-2, 4-5 hedwigf@yahoo.com Dr. Eustace Palmer A&S 2-43 A&S 3-06 445-5557 MWF 10-11; TR8:30-9:30 epalmer@mail.gcsu.edu The web site for this class may be found at http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~hfraunho/FrameSet1.html The class will explore the state of the world at the beginning of the twenty-first century from the perspective of various disciplines, and will focus on four major areas: (A) DEVELOPMENT (B) GENDER ISSUES & FAMILY ISSUES (C) CONFLICT & DIVERSITY (D) HEALTH & THE ENVIRONMENT Assigned Texts: Jackson, Robert M. Global Issues 98/99. Dushkin/McGraw Hill (Guilford, CT: 1998). Dangarembga, Tsitsi. Nervous Conditions. Seal Press (Seattle: 1988). Sherman, Martin. Bent. Avon Books (New York: 1979). [RESERVE] National Public Radio and current magazines and/or newspapers Readings available on reserve Regular postings at Web Crossing discussion groups and documents Course Description: The course will include experiential exercises, panel discussions, guest lectures and a field excursion. Students will be assigned to discussion sections of twenty students. Each discussion section will be led by one of the course instructors, readings will be discussed in large class or small-group discussion each week, and additional discussion will be conducted on-line within discussion sections via Web Crossing. Multiple choice tests will be administered during the concluding session of each of the four areas listed above and will include all readings for the sessions within that area: Sessions 4, 7, 11 and 14. These tests will serve as the course’s Midterm Exam. For each of these tests, students will need to bring both blue scantron answer test sheet B (form #19641) and a #2 pencil. Students in each discussion section will be divided into groups of four for a country exploration project, each student being assigned a country to research. Students will explore each week’s issues from the perspective of their assigned countries. During the discussion sections for Sessions 4, 7, 11 and 14, students will meet in their groups of four to share that completed course area’s issues from the perspectives of their assigned countries. Each student will come prepared with a one-page typed summary of the assigned country’s issues and will submit that summary to the discussion group professor at the end of the session. After hearing about the issues confronting the four countries, the group will discuss similarities and differences, which they will list and then present to the total discussion group. Each student will submit a 7-10 page paper on her/his country at Session 15. The paper will give pertinent country description summarized in one page (historical and current status), and then proceed to discuss one specific issue in each of the four course areas from that country’s point of view. A final one-page conclusion should outline prospects for the future. The instructors look for substance, creativity and critical thinking in classroom discussion of country issues and in the final paper presentation. Footnotes and bibliography should be included as appropriate. Students are encouraged to interview international students, faculty or members of the community from their assigned countries. The country project and its paper will serve as the course’s Final Exam. As the semester progresses, some of the weekly discussion topics listed below are subject to change. Students will be notified in writing of any substantive changes in requirements. Introduction to Library Internet Research: The following sessions have been scheduled in the conference room on the second floor of the library. Each student is required to attend one session, at which attendance will be taken. Tuesday, January 19, 10am (Dr. Fraunhofer) Wednesday, January 20, 5pm (Dr. Palmer) Thursday, January 21, 9am (Dr. Call)   Grade Distribution: 20% Attendance / Class and On-Line Participation 40% 4 Multiple Choice Tests 40% Country Project Evaluation Notes: Weekly attendance, participation and punctuality are required. Late papers will be graded down 10% for each day late. Dates of finals are not negotiable. Grade Breakdown: 100-90: A 89-80: B 79-70: C 69-60: D 59- : F Session 1 (1/13): Introduction Syllabus, large and small groups   Session 2 (1/20): Ecotonos Simulation game Assigned readings: "State of the World Report." New Internationalist Jan.-Feb. 1997: 4-9. [RESERVE]   DEVELOPMENT   (1) Economic The continuum of the contemporary "Isms" (Socialism versus Capitalism); the growth and implications of international trade blocs (The European Union, the North American Free Trade Area, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations); the environmental costs of material development; what do we mean by economic sustainability? (2) Technological Is technology a force for development or a result of development? The transition from "industrial age" to the "information age"; the world of human "work" in the future. (3) Socio-Cultural The role of cultural forces in shaping development processes; the social consequences of modern development; can we have economic development worldwide with continuing population growth? (4) Political Does development mean the adoption of one political model? Session 3 (1/27): Economic Development Assigned Readings: Kennedy, Paul. "Preparing for the 21st Century: Winners and Losers." Global Issues 1998/99: 10-26. Chowdhury, Neel, and Anthony Paul. "Where Asia Goes from Here." Global Issues 1998/99: 150-155. Session 4 (2/3): Political, Cultural and Technological Development *Multiple Choice Test *One-page Country Paper and Discussion Video: "Avon in the Amazon" by Michael Moore Huntington, Samuel P. "The Many Faces of the Future." Global Issues 1998/99: pp. 27-31.   (B) GENDER ISSUES & FAMILY ISSUES (1) Economic and political The economic and class position of women (also as influenced by family structures); women's positions in the workplace, in politics, in business & industry, etc. (2) Social The social position of women in geographically and culturally divergent societies; family structures, marriage customs, laws of inheritance; the position of women in various religions; violence against women and children 3) Historical analysis of the family Session 5 (2/10): The Economic and Social Position of Women in the World Handcrafted puzzle of women at work in Africa: Discussion. Panel Discussion of International Students on women’s and men’s roles in different countries, in different religious traditions and cultures Assigned Readings: Jacquette, Jane S. "From Tokenism to Critical Mass." Global Issues 1998/99: 235-242. Van Der Gaag, Nikki. "Women: Still Something to Shout about." Global Issues 1996/97: 260. [RESERVE] Session 6 (2/17):Violence Against Women Assigned Readings: Andersen, John Ward, and Molly Moore. "The Burden of Womanhood." Global Issues 1998-99: 170-173. Nelson, Toni. "Violence Against Women." Global Issues 1997/98: 200. [RESERVE] Dyer, Clare. "Parents Keep Right to Smack Children despite Euro Ruling." Guardian Weekly October 10, 1998, p. 10. Session 7 (2/24): Family and Children's Issues, and the Question of Multiculturalism: Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism *Multiple Choice Test *One-page Country Paper and Discussion Introduction to interview and observation techniques for trip to International Farmers Market Bellamy, Carol. "Child Labor: Rights, Risks, and Realities." Global Issues 1998/99: 166-169. Okin, Susan Moller. "Is Multiculturalism Bad for Women?" http://www-polisci.mit.edu/bostonreview/BR22.5   Session 8 (3/3): Field Trip 12:00-6:30pm Dekalb International Farmers Market. Students will be assigned specific observation and interview tasks. All four major foci of the course can be addressed: Development (food production, import), Women and the Family (who’s buying, who’s preparing, food focus on the family), Conflict & Diversity (who’s in the market, what types of people, why are they in the US), Health & Food Issues (diet). (C) CONFLICT & DIVERSITY (1) Political sources of conflict Diverse forms of democracy: Africa, China, Cuba, Europe & North America; terrorism; possession of nuclear weapons (2) Religious sources of conflict Islam versus Christianity; fundamentalism; Hindu versus Moslem (3) Social sources of conflict Racial differences; ethnic differences; differences in sexual orientation (4) Economic sources of conflict North versus South; rich versus poor Session 9 (3/10): Political and Economic sources of conflict; Migration Presentation by instructors. Assigned readings: Klare, Michael T. "Redefining Security: The New Global Schisms." Global Issues 1998/99: 32-37. Wacquant, Loic. "From Welfare State to Prison State: Imprisoning the American Poor." Le Monde Diplomatique September 1998. [RESERVE] Session 10 (3/17): Conflicts caused by racial differences and differences in sexual orientation; diversity Panel Discussion by Students from Thrive Assigned readings: Sherman, Martin. Bent: A Play. [RESERVE] "The Right That Dares Not Speak Its Name: Homosexuality." New Internationalist Jan.-Feb. 1998: 22-23. [RESERVE] "More Clues to Homophobia." Health Nov.-Dec. 1996. [RESERVE] Wolfe, Alan. "The Homosexual Exception." The New York Times Magazine: February 8, 1998, pp. 46-47. [RESERVE] Music: Fred Small. "Everything Possible." (Will be played at the start of the session)   Session 11 (3/24): Religious and Ethnic sources of conflict *Multiple Choice Test *One-page Country Paper and Discussion BBC Audio Lecture: "Islam and the West" Reaction by instructors Assigned readings: Ahmed, Akbar S. "Towards the Global Millenium: The Challenge of Islam." Global Issues 1998/99: 186-190.     Session 12 (4/7): Discussion of Nervous Conditions (D) HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT (1) Scientific Diseases and viruses and their elimination; scientific discoveries (genetic engineering); food and water supply (2) Religious Religious attitudes towards diseases, curative and preventive methods (3) Social Impact of diseases on the family or the community; diseases and class; diseases and race (4) Economic Cost of drugs; impact of diseases on the economy; relationship between health and economic resources; countries that cannot feed themselves; countries with a food surplus Session 13 (4/14): Health / Disease Issues Guest Speaker Assigned Readings: Platt, Anne. "Water-Born Killers." Global Issues 1998/99: 58-64. Galpin, Richard. "Rubbing Salt into Their Wounds." Guardian Weekly January 3, 1999.   Session 14 (4/21): Environment / Pollution /Sustainable Development Guest Speaker *Multiple Choice Test *One-page Country Paper and Discussion Assigned Readings: Glantz, Michael H. "The Global Challenge." Global Issues 1998/99: 72-75. Brown, Lester R. "We can Build a Sustainable Economy." Global Issues 1998/99: 90-94. O’Kane, Maggie. "Victims of a War They Never Saw." Guardian Weekly January 10, 1999. Session 15 (4/28): Conclusions * country papers due Ethical considerations: What is reasonable? How do we show respect for all persons? Who is responsible? Assigned Readings: Richardson, Miles. "Turning Tears into Nothing." The Naked Anthropologist: Tales from Around the World, edited by Philip R. DeVita. Wadsworth Publishing Company (Belmont, CA: 1992), 107-111. [RESERVE] Winter, Paul. "Who Killed Neni Bai." The Naked Anthropologist: Tales from Around the World, edited by Philip R. DeVita. Wadsworth Publishing Company (Belmont, CA: 1992), 100-106. [RESERVE] Session 16: Exam 2:00-4:45pm, Tuesday, May 4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guidelines and Policies: Any student requiring instructional modifications due to a documented disability should make an appointment to meet with the instructor as soon as possible. An official letter from GC&SU documenting the disability will be expected in order to receive accommodation. If you want or need to discuss your progress in the course outside of class, please make arrangements to see your instructors during their office hours. You are invited to investigate a wide variety of study abroad programs at the International Services & Programs Office (#223 Lanier). Students can receive credit for study abroad, and generous scholarships are available. Please familiarize yourself with the Student Academic Dishonesty Policy on pages 94-95 of the Undergraduate Catalogue. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. In case of fire drills, leave the classroom, exit the A&S Building by the stairway nearest your classroom, and regroup in front of Terrell Residence.   IDST 2205 Global Issues: Transitioning towards the Twenty-First Century   Electronic Reserve The following administrative information contains the USER NAME and PASSWORD assigned to your course documents. This is restricted information. The electronic reserve data is ONLY for the use of the students enrolled in the designated class. The unauthorized distribution of the assigned USER NAME and PASSWORD will violate the intent of Title 17, U.S.C. that deals with "fair use." Please do not treat this requirement of "fair use" lightly. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COURSE: IDST 2205 - Call, Fraunhofer, Palmer USER NAME: GCPI2205 (all letters are in upper case) PASSWORD: PI2205UC (all letters are in upper case) NOTE: Both the USER NAME and the PASSWORD are case sensitive ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please provide your students with the following steps to use the Pals Across Georgia DocuWeb System after they have connected to the URL: http://docuweb.gsu.edu 1. Login with USER NAME and PASSWORD (be sure to use upper case letters). 2. Click on the course name in the left frame. 3. Click on a reading selection from the window in the righthand frame. 4. Click on View. Your first view of the document will be a fast loading single page at a time version for viewing only. 5. Click on a page for a full-screen view or ... 6. Click on "PRINT - download" to print the entire file. 7. Select "PRINT - download" again to download the high resolution PDF version for printing. 8. Select "Help" at any time for detailed instructions. Downloading the PDF version requires that the Adobe Acrobat Reader software be installed on the computer. This software is already installed on all GSU lab and library PCs and is available for free from www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please send comments to the Pals Across Georgia Support Team (Jpalmour@gsu.edu). Let us know of problems, which may be discovered by you or your students. We will make adjustments as soon as possible. Likewise, if you have questions concerning electronic reserves material, please contact us. Jim Palmour Phone: 404-651-2658 FAX: 404-651-4669 E-mail: Jpalmour@gsu.edu   Return to Global Issues Home Page Go to GC&SU Home Page