PRESENTATION COLLEGE

 

DEVELOPING NATIONS (HS363)

Three Semester Hours

Spring 2010

NU24/LC2    T/R  3:00-4:15 pm CST

 

 

Welcoming people of all faiths, Presentation College challenges learners toward academic excellence and, in the Catholic tradition, the development of the whole person.

 

Instructor:                  Dr. Brad Tennant, Assistant Professor, Department of Arts & Sciences

Office Hours:              C334  Office Hours:  MWF 7:00-8:45 am CST;

                                    TR 7:00-11:50 am, 2:00-2:45 pm CST (or by appointment)

                                    (605) 229-8577 or 1-800-437-6060 ext. 577

E-Mail:  Brad.Tennant@presentation.edu

 

Texts/Supplementary Readings:

 

Griffiths, Robert J. Ed.  Annual Editions: Developing World 09/10, 19th Edition. Dubuque, IA:

McGraw-Hill, 2009.

 

Handelman, Howard.  The Challenge of Third World Development, (4th ed.).  Upper Saddle           River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006.

 

United Nations Development Programme

            http://www.undp.org/

 

CIA - The World Factbook

            https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html

 

Course Description:

            Developing Nations (HS363) examines the political, economic, and social issues associated with the world’s underdeveloped nations.  Among the topics to be explored are the roles of religion, ethnic and cultural diversity, women, agriculture, industrialization, urbanization and political change.  The course is intended to meet the requirements for core social science/ human culture and cultural diversity.

 

 

Instructional Techniques:

            Although the class will be lecture-based, Web CT, videos, special presentations and readings are designed to encourage active participation and discussion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presentation College General Education Course Goals and Outcomes for HS363:

 

Goals

Outcomes

1. Graduates will read with understanding and think critically.

1.a.  Read and analyze a short written work.

1.b.  Demonstrate the critical thinking skills of comprehension, understanding, analysis, application, synthesis and evaluation that pertain to general academic disciplines.

2. Graduates will express themselves clearly, correctly, and succinctly in writing.

2.d. Compose a research-based essay correctly using multiple resource types.

5. Graduates will develop a critical awareness of the diversity of human cultures found in the historical or contemporary world.

5.a. Analyze historical events from a multi-cultural perspective.

5.b. Articulate interrelationships of individuals, societies, and historical/cultural context.

5.c. Comprehend the diversity of perspectives among people of differing religious beliefs, backgrounds, races, genders, ages, sexual orientations, physical capabilities, and ethnicities.

5.d. Demonstrate reading and critical thinking skills in the context of the social sciences.

7. Graduates will understand and appreciate the range and/or depth of creative achievement in human thought and works, as found in the traditional humanities disciplines.

7.b.  Demonstrate competence in contextualizing creative works and ideas.

7.c. Demonstrate reading and critical thinking skills in the context of the Humanities.

9. Graduates will show proficiency in the use of technology.

9.a. Use the computer as a word processing tool.

9.b. Use the Internet as a research tool.

 

 

Specific Instructor Objectives:

1.      To understand the political, economic, and social challenges that developing nations encounter;

2.      To better appreciate the role of cultural pluralism in countries and regions around the world; and

3.      To understand the challenges of an increasingly interdependent world.

 

 

ADA Statement:

            Presentation College is committed to ensuring equal learning opportunities for all students and provides reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities in accordance with the College’s procedures.  If you are a student requiring accommodations or services, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 1-800-437-6060, Ext. 581.

 

 

Assessment and Grading:

            Students should be familiar with Presentation College’s policies regarding academic integrity.  These are found in the college catalog under “Academic Policies.”

 

            Student assessment will be based on the following:

                        A mid-term and final exam (80 points each)                          =          160

                        Weekly discussion questions (10 questions @ 10 pts each)   =          100

                        Country profile (50 points)                                                     =            50

                                                                                                                                   

 

EXAMS will be essay.  You will be given your choice of eight essay questions to address. Each essay question will be valued at 0/3/5/8/10 points.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS will consist of one question from the weekly chapter readings.  Each question will be valued at 0/3/5/8/10 points.  Responses must be typed.

The COUNTRY PROFILE will be a compilation of historical, political, economic, and social information pertinent to a specific country’s situation as a developing nation.  The profile will be worth a possible 50 points.

The grading scale listed below will be used based on the highest total number of points received by any one student in the class.

            96% and above                       =          A

            90-95%                                    =          A-

            87-89%                                    =          B+

            83-86%                                    =          B

            80-82%                                    =          B-

            70-79%                                    =          C

            60-69%                                    =          D

            59% and below                       =          Failing

 

 

 

The following rubric will be used for assessing the examinations and discussion questions:

·         Advanced (10 points): Student includes accurate and specific information in the appropriate context with virtually no significant mistakes.

·         Above Average (8 points): Student uses relevant and accurate information but either has minor mistakes or lacks specifics.

·         Average (5 points): Student provides a general understanding of the topic but is limited in specifics or contains a significant mistake.

·         Below Average (3 points): Student demonstrates a vague or poorly developed understanding of the topic with several significant mistakes.

·         Unsatisfactory (0 points): Student does not demonstrate any accurate and specific information in the appropriate context. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance:

            As stated in the Presentation College catalog, “Each student is expected to attend every class session and be on time.  If for any reason a student must be absent from class, the responsibility of making up work rests entirely upon the student.”

--- Attendance can be a consideration for raising borderline grades.

--- Topics covered will include a great deal of information NOT included in the readings.

--- Graded work that is submitted late will be reduced in credit.  I despise late or make-up work.

--- Students are expected to contact the instructor AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if an absence will result in missing graded work.  Graded work should be completed in advance of an absence when possible.

--- All weather-related closings are the decision of the administration.  Local radio and television stations will announce these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEVELOPING NATIONS (HS363)

WEEKLY TOPICS, READINGS, AND ASSIGNMENTS

 

Jan.      12/14   - Course introduction

                       

            19/21   - *Ch. 1 “Understanding Underdevelopment” (Challenge);

  Articles 1 and 2 (Developing World)

 

            26/28   - *Ch. 2 “Democratic Change” (Challenge):

                           Articles 27 and 31 (Developing World)

 

Feb.     2/4      - *Ch. 3 “Religion and Politics” (Challenge);

                           Articles 7 and 19 (Developing World)

 

9/11     - *Ch. 4 “Cultural Pluralism and Ethnic Conflict” (Challenge);

                           Articles 21 and 22 (Developing World)

                       

            16/18   - COUNTRY PROFILE, PART I DUE

 

            23/25   - *Ch. 5 “Women and Development” (Challenge);

                           Articles 43, 44, and 45 (Developing World)

 

Mar.     2/4       - MID-TERM TEST            

 

9/11     - NO CLASSES – SPRING BREAK

                       

16/18   - *Ch. 6 “Agrarian Reform” (Challenge);

  Articles 10 and 15 (Developing World)

                         

23/25   - *Ch. 7 “Urbanization and Urban Poor” (Challenge)

               Article 35 (Developing World)

           

            30/1     - COUNTRY PROFILE, PART II DUE; April 1 – Easter Vacation – No Class

                       

Ap.      6/8       - *Ch. 8 “Revolutionary Change” (Challenge)

                           Article 32 (Developing World)

 

            13/15   - *Ch. 9 “Soldiers and Politics” (Challenge);

                           Article 18 (Developing World)        

 

            20/22   - *Ch. 10 “The Political Economy” (Challenge);

    Articles 12 and 13 (Developing World)

 

            27/29   - COUNTRY PROFILE, PART III DUE;

  April 29 – SDSHS Conference – No Class

 

May     4          - FINAL TEST

* Discussion questions for assigned chapters are due at class time.