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 Roberts & Bellone anthology of articles, we'll analyze some of the key theoretical, historical and contemporary perspectives on the origins, nature, dynamics, and trends of modern globalization, from some of the most renowned experts in the field. Topics include the structure of capitalist world-economy, the world's geoculture, global governance and the nation-state system, the recent global financial crisis, international business and governmental organizations, the role of the global media, environmentalism and the globalization of social problems, global civil society, NGOs, social movements and alternative visions of global integration for the XXI century. We use the Milne book to analyze in detail the momentous world events and movements that have impacted the world order and ushered social change since 1999.

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.

Class Presentations: The course will be run as a "semi-seminar," whereby a group of two students will make PowerPoint presentations in every class session, 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 PowerPoint presentations in a USB-type memory stick and show up early the day you present, to set up.

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 most or all of the main aspects, the quotes & charts you highlight and depth with which you discuss them (b) the quality of the question(s) posed at the end, (c) the overall aesthetic quality of the visual presentation, and (d) the poise, clarity, and communicative skills displayed by the student in his/her oral presentation.

Reading Assessments: To ensure that everybody come to class fully prepared to discuss the assigned readings, students who are not presenting must bring to class a written "Reading Assessment" per reading (chapter or article) assigned - that is, two of them per class. The reading assessments must be turned in to Dr. Santos at the beginning of each class session. No late reading assessments will be accepted, unless the student has a pre-authorized absence cleared with Dr. Santos. DO NOT SEND YOUR READING ASSESSMENTS BY EMAIL, as they will not be accepted.

Please always write on top left of your reading assessments, single line, your name, the date, and the title of the reading you are assessing. The minimum length of a reading assessment is the equivalent of 2 full pages in Word, double spaced, font 12, 1-inch margins -- but please do not go over 3 pages. The fuller, more in-depth the assessment, the higher the grade. But in contrast with the presentations, these reading assessments must not summarize, nor merely describe or repeat, the readings, but must critically respond to them: express what the you think about them; identify the areas of strong agreement and disagreement with the author, explaining why you do, as well as critically select the areas or topics you find most interesting to discuss, or anything in particular that impressed you greatly, or caused you confusion or surprise. Whatever you choose to write on, you should explain your specific academic and/or personal reasons for doing so. The reading assessment cannot and should not cover every issue found in the assigned readings for the day; so you must be selective and demonstrate judgment in the choices you make of issues to analyze (by the way, early-page topics are always suspect!). A very bad assessment will reveal the student read very little or very superficially, just to "do" the assignment (it's called "just going through the motion"). A good assessment will demonstrate the student really read the material and did a serious effort to select and critically grapple with some of the main issues raised. At the end of each reading assessment, students should always write at least one pertinent question for possible class discussion.

Note: Students presenting on a given day do not need to submit any reading assessment for that day.

Research Paper: Each student will write one individual research papers, on a topic relating to a group research project. Prior approval by Dr. Santos or Ms. Alcaraz is required for both the group research project and each individual paper topic. The papers need to be submitted in printed form at Dr Santos's office by noon on Tuesday, June 10. The paragraphs should be double spaced, font 12, 1-inch margins.

Each paper should be stapled and page numbered, and include a title page and an abstract, then between 10 and 12 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: The students' class presentations are worth 15 points. The research paper is worth 40 points. The reading assessments are worth 45 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 & Ms. Alcaraz: Dr. Santos & Ms. Alcaraz office hours are posted above. Ms. Alcaraz will be in charge of grading the reading assessments - you may reach her directly and privately at his own email address above. Please be advised that email communication has to be very brief and to the point. 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. If you send an email message to Ms. Alcaraz requesting an appointment or a call back, please include a phone number.