IS201.

3 cu Class
Syllabus
Prof. Matthew I. Mitchell
Global Citizenship, Cultures Political Studies
Phone: 306-966-1668
and Coexistence Email: m.mitchell@usask.ca
Office Hours
Online By appointment (via webex or
September 3 to December 7 telephone)

Land Acknowledgement
Our Saskatoon campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.

Course Description
This course introduces students to various aspects of global citizenship, global cultures, and coexistence.
Special emphasis is devoted to two important and interrelated questions. First, what are or what should
be the roles, rights and responsibilities of individual and groups in an increasingly globalized world?
Second, what are the implications of cultural plurality for a globalized world, and vice versa? Third, what
forms and degrees of coexistence have emerged to date and will likely emerge in the future? This course
will facilitate efforts of students to answer such questions.

The official course description and prerequisites are in the U of S Course and Program Catalogue
available at http://www.usask.ca/calendar/coursecat/
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this class, students should be able to:
1. Define and problematize the concept of global citizenship
2. Explain the global, regional, and civil society approaches to establishing and maintaining global order
3. Critically assess competing arguments on the rights and responsibilities of global citizenship
4. Apply a historical case study to a contemporary issues of global citizenship

Required Resources
All readings are included in the WordPress site or Blackboard.
See the “Required Readings” section in each module in Blackboard Learn for a detailed required
readings list and schedule.

Distance Education Unit, University of Saskatchewan

Class Schedule
Week Module Title Assignments
Sept 3-4 Introduction

Sept 7-11 Mod What is Global

1 Citizenship?

Sept 14-18 Mod All for one?

2 Or to each their own?
Sept 21-25 Mod A multilayered world Group Critique #1
3 due Friday Sept 25 by 11:59pm
Sept 28-Oct 2 Mod Our globalized world
4
October 5-9 Mod Global Governance Blackboard Journal #1
5 due Friday Oct 9 by 11:59pm
Oct 13-16 Mod Regional Governance
6
Oct 19-23 Mod Civil Society Group Critique #2
7 due Friday Oct 23 by 11:59pm
Oct 27-30 Mod The Global Economy
8
Nov 2-6 Mod The Global Environment Blackboard Journal #2
9 due Friday Nov 6 by 11:59pm
Nov 9-13 Reading Break

Nov 16-20 Mod Global Human Rights

10
Nov 23-27 Mod International Migration
11
Nov 30-Dec 4 Mod Research Paper Research Paper
12 ***Disregard Module 12 due Friday Dec 4 by 11:59pm
content from course
site***

Note: No Class Days/No Evaluation Days for this Class in Fall Term Nov 9-13

Distance Education Unit, University of Saskatchewan IS201 - Class Syllabus Page 2 of 5

Evaluation and Grading Scheme
Group Critique x 2 5% each 10%
Blackboard Journal x 2 10% each 20%
Research Paper 40%
Final Exam 30%
Total 100%

Assignments
Group Critique
At the beginning of the semester, each student will be placed in a larger group of approximately 6
students. The instructor will create a discussion board through blackboard, which will serve as a forum for
the group to ‘meet’ and discuss matters related to the course. This discussion board provides a critical
space for students to dialogue, discuss and debate contents of the course, whether it be readings, videos,
preparing for exams, etc.
Each group will be required to submit two ‘group critique’ assignments over the course of the semester
(Sept. 25 and Oct. 23). The purpose of these critiques is to encourage students to engage with the course
content in both a collaborative and critical way. In other words, the critiques provide an opportunity for you
to share your thoughts and discuss contents of the group amongst your peers. Moreover, this assignment
pushes you to go deeper in your reflections on the course content as you’re required to develop a more
critical assessment of elements of the course.
Specifically, your group needs to select one reading and one video from the same module, which will
serve as the content for ‘critique’. You then need to produce a 1200-1500 word document which includes
the following elements: a summary of both the video and reading; discussion on whether your group
agreed with the core arguments/positions advanced in the video/reading OR whether members of the
group had differing viewpoints; an assessment of the strengths and/or weaknesses of the
arguments/positions developed in the video/reading; and a statement on how these materials contribute
to your wider understanding of global citizenship, cultures and coexistence.
Please be sure to use headings and sub-headings in breaking down the above elements of the ‘group
critique’. As the title of the assignment implies, this is indeed meant to be a ‘group’ critique. In other
words, you are expected to work as a group in a collective effort to complete the assignment. All
members of the group will receive the same grade for the critique. In the event that individuals are
accused of ‘free riding’ on the first critique, the instructor may intervene to determine an alternative course
of action for the second critique.
These assignments will be graded on the following criteria: understanding and communication of the core
arguments/positions in the video/reading; originality/quality of presentation of the critiques of the group;
thoughtfulness in connecting content with central themes of the course.

Blackboard Journal
Each module includes several Learning Activities. For example, in Module One, there are 3 Learning
Journal Activities (1.2, 1.3, and 1.4). The Learning Activities ask you to reflect upon the material
presented and write up your thoughts in your Blackboard Journal. It is important to work through these
activities each week as they constitute much of the ‘course work’ of online classes and will form the basis
of what you are expected to have learned.
Twice during the term, you will be asked to submit three individual learning activities for grading from a
range of three different modules. These learning activities must be edited and combined into a single
Word document for submission through Blackboard. For example, you may choose: Module One:
Learning Activity 1.2; Module Two: Learning Activity 2.2; Module Four: Learning Activity 4.2.

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Each individual entry should include the following. What is the topic? Why is it important? What are your
thoughts on the topic? These Blackboard Journal entries will be graded on the degree to which you
demonstrate comprehension of the topic and provide insight into them. Importantly, this means you have
to take ownership of this work. While there are questions posed at the end of each learning activity, these
are to ‘guide’ your Blackboard Journal Entry. It is your responsibility to use these entries to explore the
key themes of each module. It is recommended that you curate these submissions: create a short
introduction and a short conclusion, where you identify themes and/or contradictions.

To reiterate, each Blackboard Journal entry submitted for grading must contain three learning activity
entries, from three different modules. The total document should be between 1200-1500 words.

These assignments will be graded on the following criteria: understanding of the module content; insight
into the ideas and application of the ideas introduced into the module; going beyond the material to
connect the modules to our understanding of global citizenship, cultures and coexistence.

Research Paper
Students will be required to write a research paper, which examines TWO themes from the course (e.g.
global citizenship; global governance; global human rights; international migration). The paper must
develop a research question that explores the intersection or relationship between these two themes AND
do so through a case study of a specific country. The paper must also integrate at least ONE of the
readings from the two core themes explored from the course. The research paper must be between 8-10
pages (double-space, excluding title page and bibliography).

The assignment will be evaluated as follows: (1) Presentation and clarity (i.e. style, referencing,
organization, structure) = 10 points; (2) Research base (i.e. supported by solid and varied academic
research) = 10 points; (3) Balanced analysis and exploration of two themes from the course = 10 points;
(4) Quality of the overall evidence, argument and logic = 10 points.

Final Exam
The final exam for this class will be a comprehensive, take home exam. Students will be required to
answer three long answer questions (choices will be provided). The exam will be available via Blackboard
at 12:00pm on a date to be determined. The completed exam will need to be submitted via Blackboard
within 24 hours of the instructor’s uploading of the exam.
Students are encouraged to review all examination policies and procedures at
http://students.usask.ca/academics/exams.php
Online Exams
Please note that online exams are viewed and treated the same as any other exam. Online exams are
tracked and monitored for irregularities.
Any collusion, collaborating, copying, cheating, or any form of academic misconduct is a very serious
offence at the University of Saskatchewan and could result in suspension or expulsion from the university.
Submitting Assignments
You will submit your assignments using a variety of online tools. Instructions will be provided on how to do
this. Note that assignments are due by 11:59 p.m. Saskatchewan time on the due date.

In order to pass the course, you must submit all course work.

Extensions and Late Assignments

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Overdue assignments will be assessed a penalty of 10% per week. No course work will be accepted after
the start of the final exam unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. If you have
extenuating circumstances, contact your instructor prior to the start of the exam.
Additional Evaluation Information
Writing Support
All USask students can receive free writing help online. Go to
https://library.usask.ca/studentlearning/writing-help/ to book an appointment or to submit questions.

Understanding Your Grades

Information on literal descriptors for grading at the University of Saskatchewan can be found at:
https://students.usask.ca/academics/grading/grading-system.php
Please note: There are different literal descriptors for undergraduate and graduate students.
More information on the Academic Courses Policy on course delivery, examinations and assessment of
student learning can be found at: http://policies.usask.ca/policies/academic-affairs/academic-courses.php
The University of Saskatchewan Learning Charter is intended to define aspirations about the learning
experience that the University aims to provide, and the roles to be played in realizing these aspirations by
students, instructors and the institution. A copy of the Learning Charter can be found at:
http://teaching.usask.ca/about/policies/learning-charter.php

Integrity Defined
“Integrity is expected of all students in their academic work – class participation, examinations,
assignments, research – and in their non-academic interactions and activities as well.” (Office of the
University Secretary)
It is your responsibility to be familiar with the University of Saskatchewan policies and procedures on
Academic Misconduct (http://www.usask.ca/secretariat/student-conduct-appeals/academic-
misconduct.php) ) and Non-Academic Misconduct (https://www.usask.ca/secretariat/student-conduct-
appeals/non-academic-misconduct.php).

Access and Equity Services

If you are a student needing accommodations based on a diagnosed disability (learning, medical,
physical, and/or mental health), religion, family status (including pregnancy), and/or gender identity, you
must register with Access and Equity Services (AES) in order to access AES programs and supports.
Information about AES can be found at https://students.usask.ca/health/centres/access-equity-
services.php
For AES exam accommodations please ensure that you fill out the AES Exam Accommodation form
within the applicable deadlines. (https://students.usask.ca/health/aes/accommodations.php)

Distance and Distributed Library Services

As a U of S student, if you are located outside of Saskatoon, you can find help accessing library
resources and services at: https://library.usask.ca/ddls/#RegisterforDDLS.

Copyright
Every effort has been made to trace ownership of all copyrighted material and to secure permission from
copyright holders. In the event of any question arising as to the use of any material, we will be pleased to
make the necessary corrections. The University of Saskatchewan copyright policy is available at
http://www.usask.ca/copyright/.

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