This course explores the theory and dynamics of global integration in the contemporary social world, how it affects, and in turn is affected by, the world's economic, political, cultural and social structures, trends, and processes.  Using the Lechner & Boli anthology of articles, we'll analyze some of the key theoretical, historical and contemporary perspectives on the origins, aspects, trends, and multiple challenges of modern globalization, from some of the most renowned experts in the field. Topics include the capitalist world-economy, liberalism as the world's geoculture and the challenges to it, global governance and the nation-state system, the recent global financial crisis, international governmental organizations, the role of the global media, the role of religion worldwide, global health & sports, cultural globalization, the links between environmentalism and the globalization of social problems, global civil society, NGOs, social movements and alternative visions of global integration for the XXI century.

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory (unexcused absences. tardiness and early departures will be penalized in their final grade). Furthermore, all students must come prepared to discuss the assigned readings. Students will be quizzed on every single reading assignment, using BlackBoard.

Class Presentations: The course will be run as a "semi-seminar," whereby in every class session a group of three students will make PowerPoint presentations on the assigned readings for the day, followed by Dr. Santos's lecture and class discussion. Each group presents once in the quarter. Time allotted per individual presentation will be 10 to 15 minutes. Presenting students will introduce, describe, highlight, and summarize their own assigned reading, and on the last slide raise one or two good questions for class discussion. Please bring your presentations in a USB-type memory stick. Presenting students should show up early to set up & test their presentations prior to the class starting.

The presentations will be graded based on: (a) the analytical strength and relevance of the presentation, including the breath of the overview, how well it covers all the main aspects, the depth on chosen topics & issues (b) the quality of the question(s) posed at the end, (c) the quality of the visual presentation, and (d) the poise, clarity, and communicative skills displayed in the oral presentation.

Essay Quizzes: To ensure students read the two textbooks, there will be eleven short-essay "Part" quizzes for the Lechner  & Boli book. All quizzes will be done on BlackBoard and are due on by the Sunday each "Part" (Lechner & Boli) ends. Please refer to the schedule of reading assignments below to see when each "Part" ends.

All quiz answers will be graded for clarity, accuracy, demonstrated comprehension, and critical thinking.

Research Paper: Each student will write an individual research paper on a topic relating to a group research project. Prior approval by Dr. Santos is required for both the group research project and each individual paper topic. The papers need to be submitted in electronic form (attached as a Word file) in the course's Blackboard account. The paper is due on Wednesday, June 12, before noon.

Each paper should be bound and include a title page and an abstract, then between 8 and 10 pages of text  (excluding the bibliography), a bibliography, and finally an appendix for whatever charts, maps, and figures are included. For a precise guide on the paper's format and citation style, go to:

http://www.csubak.edu/~gsantos/guide-paper.html

Plagiarism: To prevent students from wittingly or unwittingly engaging in plagiarism, Dr. Santos strongly recommends students to carefully read and abide by the document CSUB Classifications of Plagiarism found at: http://www.csub.edu/tlc/options/resources/turn_it_in_help_page.shtml

Anyone found guilty of engaging in plagiarism will automatically fail the course and be reported to the Office of Student Discipline and Judicial Affairs for further disciplinary action.

Grading: Each student class presentation is worth 10 points. The eleven Lerner & Boli "Part" quizzes are together worth up to 55 points. The research paper is worth 35 points. Extra credit/absence-tardiness will be added/subtracted. The final letter grade will be assigned, on a scale of 0 to 100, as follows:

94-100+ = A         84-86 = B            74-76 = C
90- 93 = A-           80-83 = B-           70-73 = C-
87- 89 = B+          77-79 = C+           65-69 = D       < 65 = F

Office Hours and Email Communication with Dr. Santos & Mr. Rodriguez: Dr. Santos & Mr. Rodriguez office hours are posted above. Students may communicate with both Dr. Santos & Mr. Rodriguez by email to the class email address above. Mr. Rodriguez, will be in charge of grading the written submissions in Blackboard - you may also reach him directly and privately at his own email address above. Please be advised that email communication has to be very brief and to the point. Expect a one line reply. Always sign off with your FULL NAME, do not assume we know who you are! You may also reach or leave messages for Dr Santos at his office phone (above). If you send an email message to Mr. Rodriguez requesting an appointment or a call back, please include a phone number.