GLST G102: Global Issues
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 10/18/2022 |
| Units | 3 Total Units |
| Hours | 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S),
|
| Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Diversity Requirement (GCD) | Yes |
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) |
|
| Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
Formerly: PSCI G205. This course examines the origins, current status, and future trends of major issues confronting the global community. Students will apply social science methodology and will propose resolutions to topics of global significance. Topics will include nation-state building, global governance, population and urbanization trends, economic development and inequality, basic human needs and human rights, international conflict and security concerns, and environmental problems. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: GLST 102.C-ID: GLST 102.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Course Outcomes
- Apply major Global Studies theoretical works, concepts and arguments to global issues.
- Examine opposing viewpoints concerning global issues.
- Utilize investigative methods and provide an in-depth analysis of at least one global issue.
Course Objectives
- 1. Identify major recurring and emerging global issues.
- 2. Define concepts such as globalization and interdependence as they relate to global issues/problems.
- 3. Assess major theoretical perspectives and debates in the study of global issues.
- 4. Analyze one or more global issue using social science methodology.
- 5. Assess research findings.
- 6. Utilize a multi-cultural perspective with which to analyze the complexities of global issues.
- 7. Analyze the interconnections between and among global issues.
- 8. Evaluate the efficacy of national, regional, and international efforts to solve the problems associated with global issues.
- 9. Propose policies and possible solutions to global problems which will impact global change.
- 10. Assess the impact of global issues on their (students) daily lives.
Lecture Content
Introduction to global issues Conceptualizing globalization Define globalization from different perspectives Identify different aspects (or factors) of globalization: technology, economic, political, socio-cultural, environmental, religious, moral/ethical Examine the process of globalization from an historical perspective Critically evaluate positions regarding the positive and negative aspects of globalization Define, compare and contrast key terms, including but not limited to: Interdependence/interconnections Cross cultural/multicultural Neo-liberalism/liberalism International/regional/national Governmental/non-governmental organizations Positive sum gain/zero sum gain Immigration/migration Climate change/global warming Ethnic conflict/sectarian conflict The study of global issues Introduction to global compentency: cognitive, socio-emotional, and ethical dimensions Develop an international awareness Utilize a multi-cultural perspective Detect biases and stereotypes Recognize ethical concerns in research and solutions Evaluate challenges of engagement and taking action Introduction to social science research Goals of scientific inquiry The logic and sequence of the scientific world Ethical considerations in conducting research The relationship between social science theory and research Basic versus applied research Qualitative and quantitative social research approaches Empirical research and non-empirical research Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies Social sciences and the use of the scientific method Identifying the topic and specifying the research question (hypothesis) Deciding the best methodology for obtaining research and data Finding reliable sources Evaluating research for implicit and explicit biases; reliability and validity Applying research to the research question Nullifying the hypothesis Publishing the results Case Study: International relations and global governance Critically evaluate major theoretical positions and longitudinal studies pertaining to Colonial and post-colonial governance The rise and role of the United Nations and other regional and/or international government organizations The role of non-governmental organizations Analyze key factors The concepts of the state and the nation Political alliances and opportunities International goals (peace, security and prosperity) Positive and negative sum gain Diplomacy and balance of power Examine cross-sectional studies of nation/state building and the role of state and international actors Focus on the role of regional organizations Examine how globalization (interconnectedness and interdependence) has affected the creation of regional organizations Critically evaluate and debate the efficacy of regional organizations compared to individual nation-states Through simulations propose solutions/policies to problems and assess the liklihood of postive or zero sum gain Case Study: Economic development/underdevelopment Examine comparative (cross-sectional) studies of economic growth Analyze key factors such as Resources and resource allocation The role of the state and of corporations The pattern of lending/borrowing Critically evaluate major theoretical positions and studies (including data) pertaining to the global economy, such as The interconnectedness of the global economy The interdependence of various states/regions The relationship between political systems and economics Global inequality and global poverty levels Focus on neo-liberalism and comparative advantage Examine international and regional economic policies and alliances Evaluate the positive and negative effects of these policies Identify the ethical concerns associated with neoliberalism Propose long term solutions to global inequality Case Study: Population growth, natural resources and human needs Critically evaluate major theoretical positions and longitudinal data regarding important factors such as Population growth Migration trends Urbanization Food production Carry capacity Energy needs (consumption and conservation, renewable and nonrenewable resources) Analyze cross-sectional data and discuss the ethics of one or more key factors such as Water access and availability Sanitation and waste Availability of health care Food shortages Focus on pandemics Apply the concept of interconnectedness and differentiate a pandemic from other health problems Access longitudinal data regarding pandemics Assess international, regional, and local policies regarding the prevention of pandemics Assess the efficacy of the World Health Organization regarding recent pandemics (i.e., SARs, COVID) Propose alternative solutions Case Study: The environment and climate change Critically ev aluate major positions and studies (including data) pertaining to climate change and the human effect Identify the interconnectedness between political/economic elements and global warming Identify key factors, such as Biodiversity Deforestation Consumption Carbon emissions Air, water and soil pollution Examine the economic, political, and security threats posed by climate change Access data and policies pertaining to one or more key factor Evaluate data and discuss the ethical component (i.e., inequities) Assess international, regional and local policies Focus on climate refugees Examine the relationship between climate change and climate refugees Identify regions prone to climate refugees and discuss the ethical concerns Examine the practical outcomes, such as the relationship between climate refugees and conflict Debate reasonable solutions Case Study: International human rights From a multi-cultural perspective, evaluate different positions regarding universal human rights Examine the United Nations (UN) "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" and compare it to other human rights policies or documents (i.e., the United States "Bill of Rights") Identify key issues at the international, regional, and state level such as Gender inequality The status of women The status of refugees Rights of indigenous people Rights of the child Human trafficking Modern day slavery Access and examine data and policies pertaining to one or more key issue Focus on international efforts to protect human rights Examine international law aimed at the protection of human rights Examine the role o f the UN and its available instruments and entities used to protect human rights Identify emerging human rights organizations Compare and contrast the efficacy of at least one emerging group to that of the UN Present results Case Study: Security, conflict, and global crime Critically evaluate major theoretical positions and studies (including data) pertaining to key issues, such as Nuclear energy and its weaponization Drug trafficking Piracy Terrorism Access data and policies pertaining to one or more key issue Examine international, regional and local policies and changes in policies over time (i.e., concept of terrorism, SALT agreements) Use cross-sectional studies and examine correlations (i.e., correlate nuclear energy to energy needs) Evaluate data and discuss the ethical component (i.e., inequities, cultural biases) Focus on current ethnic and sectarian conflicts From a multi-cultural perspective, evaluate theoretical positions regarding the concept of "conflict" Identify current ethnic and sectarian conflicts Examine the interconnectedness between political, economic and social factors in relation to a particular conflict Apply information learned (i.e., international, regional and state governance, availability and allocation of resources, inequalities, global warming) and evaluate potential causes of a particular conflict Identify conflict resolution practices Propose policies and/or solutions Globalization and technology Identify the emergence and use of new technologies (i.e., artificial intelligence, communication, finances, energy grids, healthcare) Critically evaluate major theoretical positions regarding the benefits and pro blems related to new technologies Examine longitudinal and/or cross sectional research regarding access to one or more new technologies Focus on technology and communication Identify different types of communication Examine different aspects of communication Identify and debate the pros and cons associated with globalized communication Analyze cross-sectional data and discuss the ethical component related to access/inequality of access Propose policies and/or solutions to inequality of access Identify additional global issues for possible discussion and/or research
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
Reading Assignments
Complete reading assignments in the assigned text(s). Complete required online reading assignments from a variety of scholarly websites, databases and journals.
Writing Assignments
Written term papers in which major ideological or theoretical arguments, opposing viewpoints and factual information (data) are analyzed and applied to a particular global issue. Written essays or other projects (i.e., interactive assignments, debates) in which students will analyze studies and propose potential cause(s) and effect(s) of various global issues. Written essays or other projects (i.e., interactive assignments, debates) in which students will assess potential solutions to various global issues. Written essays or other projects (i.e., interactive assignments) in which students will focus on a global issue and assess current state, regional and international policies and propose new policies.
Out-of-class Assignments
Primary research including interviews and attendance at scholarly lectures and/or conferences. Secondary research utilizing scholarly journals, books, articles and online resources/databases. Participation in discussions, presentations, and debates regarding relevant global issues.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Examine both interconnectedness and interdependence as it pertains to various global issues. Evaluate research and data in terms of validity and reliability. Examine longitudinal studies and trends. Examine cross-sectional studies. Critically evaluate major theoretical positions global topic(s). Assess theoretical positions and debates concerning both the causes and effects of global issues. Discuss and debate global issues with classmates.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Identify current global issues. Analyze the complexities of global issues from a multi-cultural perspective. Propose policies and possible solutions to problems that impact global change. Engage in discussions, debates, and simulations. Present their findings.
Eligible Disciplines
Economics: Masters degree in economics OR bachelors degree in economics AND masters degree in business, business administration, business management, business education, finance, or political science OR the equivalent. Masters degree required. History: Masters degree in history OR bachelors degree in history AND masters degree in political science, humanities, geography, area studies, womens studies, social science, or ethnic studies OR the equivalent. Masters degree required. Political science: Masters degree in political science, government, or international relations OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in economics, history, public administration, social science, sociology, any ethnic studies, J.D., or LL.B. OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required Seitz,John L and Hite,Kristen. Global Issues: An Introduction, 6th ed. ed. Wiley, 2021 2. Required Weiner, Robert. Annual Editions: Global Issues, 34th ed. McGraw-Hill Education, 2019 3. Required Harf, James E. and Mark Owen Lombardi (eds.). Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Global Issues, 11th ed. McGraw-Hill Education, 2020 4. Required Neuman, Lawrence W.. Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 8th ed. Digital/e-Book: Pearson Publishing, 2022
Other Resources
1. Reliable databases