Codes of Conduct

Assignments

1) 1) Though lectures will be part of many classes, this is not primarily a lecture course. The issues we are exploring are the topic of serious debate, and this course seeks to prompt you to critically engage with these issues in the classroom. There are many readings in the syllabus, and each will be assigned to a student to present to the class. Presenters will have five minutes to introduce the class to the basic issues involved in the text, and the opinions or resolutions that come from them. Presentations will be evaluated on the basis of being concise and to the point. Participation is worth 20% of the grade.

All students are responsible for doing all the readings. Class discussion of the readings will proceed once the introductory presentation has been made. Students are encouraged to volunteer their remarks, but I will also be calling on students who have not volunteered.

2) There will be two short (two-page) thought papers assigned throughout the semester. The purpose of a thought paper is to state a thesis and support it with evidence and rhetorical vigor. You should be prepared to take a position, even if you feel ambivalent about the given issue. The thought papers will be worth 20% of the grade. The first of these papers will be due on Wednesday, January 25, at 5:00 PM.

This class satisfies the writing requirement. We will be talking about the special demands of academic writing throughout the semester. The second short thought paper will be an assignment that undergoes revision based on my feedback on writing. You will first submit the paper to me, and I will give you detailed feedback concerning the writing alone. You will then submit a second draft, which I will grade on both content and writing. My general practice is to grade papers on both content and writing, because the two are inextricably linked.

All written assignments are to be submitted to me by email, at vongeldern@macalester.edu. They are to be in Microsoft Word format, double-spaced with one-inch margins (not the 1.25 default margins for MS Word), and be in 12-point Times New Roman font. I will return papers to you by email, marked up in MS Word edit mode.

3) On February 29, all students will take the notorious Global Megaquiz. This is a basic test of your "global literacy" -- your basic knowledge of the countries of the world, important figures and events of world history, etc. You will be given an information packet containing all the information you need. You will also need to study a map of the world and know where all countries are located. You will be given an hour-long test on information selected from the packet. A passing grade is 80%. You will need to repeat the quiz until you receive a passing grade. This seems imposing, but you will be able to do this!

4) There will be a seven-page midterm paper, on a topic to be discussed in class. In this paper, as opposed to the short thought papers, ambivalence on an issue is entirely appropriate. Use specific examples to illustrate the themes you identify and to back up your arguments. The paper is due on Friday, March 9 at 4:00 PM and is worth 25% of the grade.

5) There will be a 10-12 page research paper on an issue of your choice concerning international codes of conduct. The paper should place the issue in historical context and then look at the events and forces that led to the evolution of international codes. Identify what you perceive to be flaws in the current state of the issue, and propose solutions if you can.

It is best to discuss your paper topic with me before you begin writing. I can give you advice on potential sources, and warn you away from topics that are too broad or are not promising for other reasons. The paper is due on May 1 at 4:00 PM. The final paper is worth 35% of the grade. Unless you get an extension before the due date, late papers will be docked one point per day. Extensions are only given for unforeseeable (not unforeseen) circumstances.

Note: Plagiarized work will not be accepted. If you are using someone else's ideas, words, or research, you MUST cite them properly.

You may haveone unexcused absence over the course of the semester. After this, each absence will result in a deduction of 1% from your overall grade.

Overview of grade components:

• Two thought papers: 20%
• Midterm paper: 25% (due Friday, March 9, at 4:00 PM)
• Research paper: 35% (paper due May 1, at 4:00 PM)
• Class participation: 20%

Grading scale:

• "A" work 1) is on time; 2) accomplishes the assigned tasks fully; 3) is clearly and engagingly written using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation; 4) well-organized; 5) correctly cites all sources used; 6) is carefully and thoroughly researched, if research is required; 6) and shows a superior level of creativity, thoughtfulness and insight into the topic at hand.
• "B" work competently accomplishes requirements 1-5 listed above, and is generally well done, but shows lower levels of creativity, originality, and/or insight.
• "C" work offers a minimum level of competence on some or all of requirements 1-5, but contains serious flaws in argument, writing, research, and/or organization.
• "D" work does not competently realize most or all of requirements 1-5 and contains many serious flaws

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