Brazil+Syllabus

POLI 390 History and Politics of Brazil Syllabus [Lambert]

Azusa Pacific University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Department of History and Political Science

Undergraduate Course Syllabus Fall 2012

Let me acknowledge—up front—how much I have benefitted from ideas contained in the syllabi of my department colleagues, particularly those written by Dan Palm, Bryan Lamkin, and Brad Hale.


 * A. COURSE INFORMATION**

POLI 390 HISTORY AND POLITICS OF THE NON-WESTERN WORLD (Brazil)

(#10828) (Section 01) 11:25-12:50 a.m. TR Ronald 139


 * B. FACULTY INFORMATION**

My Name and Title:

David E. Lambert, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History

My Office Location and Hours:

I will do my best to get to know you in class, but hope you will want to meet with me at other times. My office is located on the first floor (Room #124) of the Ronald Building on the East Campus.

My office hours (tentatively) will be on Wednesdays from 2:00-3:30 p.m. and by appointment (I live very close to campus and can be here quickly if you need to see me).

Contact Information:

My office phone number is 626-815-6000, ext. 3341, but I do not check that phone for messages. Instead, please feel free to call me at my home: (626) 335-4787. Try to call between 8AM & 8PM. My email address is dlambert@apu.edu. Our office fax number is 626-815-3868.


 * C. UNIVERSITY INFORMATION**

University Mission Statement:

Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical Christian community of disciples and scholars who seek to advance the work of God in the world through academic excellence in liberal arts and professional programs of higher education that encourage you to develop a Christian perspective of truth and life.

History and Political Science Department Mission Statement:

The mission of the History and Political Science Department is to provide you with knowledge of the recorded past; to develop your thinking, speaking, reading, and writing skills; to cultivate your personal, spiritual, and civic character; and to prepare you for a lifetime of learning.


 * D. COURSE INFORMATION**

Course Catalog Description:

POLI 390 History and Politics of the Non-Western World (3 credits)

Fall 2012 topic: Brazil

This course offers an overview of historical and political patterns in one pre-announced selected area of the non-Western developing world. The course may be repeated for credit as the topic varies.

A. Course content:

Our course will analyze the developmental struggles our country faced from the colonial period to the end of Reconstruction.

B. Course Methodology

Our course will focus on the following:

1) Who were the people?

History (or HERstory) amounts to using a reverse time capsule to peek in on how people lived their lives. Newspapers are a first draft of that story. What is to us an historical event was for them usually just the daily news. They were living their lives, without knowing the future outcomes.

2) Where are the places?

I believe strongly in the value of knowing geography. We will use Google Earth regularly.

3) What were the events?

I tend to emphasize political/diplomatic/military aspects of history, so I will build the semester around big events: wars, recessions, elections. No need to remember dates as such but it is critical to be aware of chronology so we can determine cause and effect relationships.

4) What were the problems (as viewed by each player) and how were they handled?

You are welcome to have your own emotional position as a bottom line, but I want you to be able to analyze dispassionately as if you were training to be a lawyer and argue either prosecution or defense.

C. Mode of Instruction

A number of years ago, I was born again as a Christian. Recently, I have had a rebirth in my approach to teaching, trying to move from a lecturing, cover-the-material teacher to an approach in which we use our laptops, work often in small groups, and practice analytical skills.

D. Work load

I hope to achieve a balance between the hard work we do in class and what you should do outside of class (close to 2 hours outside of class for each hour of class).


 * E. LEARNING OUTCOMES**

Student Learning Outcomes:

Mastery of the material covered in this course will enable you to:

Describe the major historical themes, events, and personalities in the period covered by our course.

Gain factual knowledge (terminology, classifications, methods, trends) through the use of reaction papers and class participation.

Locate, interpret and use methodologies useful to critique issues in our course.

Learn fundamental principles, generalizations, or theories through in-class discussion and exercises.

Identify and use quality primary and secondary resources needed to understand the issues in our course.

Learn how to find and use resources for answering questions or solving problems through writing assignments.

Identify and critique the variety of Christian responses to problems covered in our course.

Learn to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view using reaction papers and class discussion.

As we proceed through this semester together, I will give you many content-based goals tied to our course.


 * F. COURSE GOALS**

I am pretty well educated in a professorial way. I have a B.A. in International Affairs from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, an M.A in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh, an M.B.A. in Finance and International Business from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and a Ph.D. in U.S. History from the Claremont Graduate University. But because of my somewhat eclectic background and varied military and executive experiences prior to becoming a professor, I have goals—broader than just the academic pursuit of the who, what, and when of history per se—that I hope we will achieve this term.

Thomas L. Friedman's work [The World is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century (New York: Picador, 2007), 308-324] helped me decide upon several of my course goals. He underlines the importance of being flexible over our career and taking away from our college years a facility for 1) learning how to learn, 2) understanding in a deeper way how to navigate the web, and 3) increasing our intellectual curiosity and passion for learning. Though I will try to role model each of these desired characteristics, I can't be successful at it unless you yourself take responsibility for your own learning by setting challenging goals for this course (and for your career).


 * G. TEXT**

No text required.

The required reading is blended into the course module on the Learning Professor wiki. http://thelearningprofessor.wikispaces.com/


 * H. RECOMMENDATIONS**

For a more extensive list of recommended books and websites, consult Section N below.


 * I. COURSE CALENDAR**

CAVEAT: The course schedule, topics, evaluation, and assignments may be changed at the instructor’s discretion.

WEEK #1

6 September Thursday

WEEK #2

11 September Tuesday

13 September Thursday

WEEK #3

18 September Tuesday

20 September Thursday

WEEK #4

25 September Tuesday

27 September Thursday

WEEK #5

2 October Tuesday

4 October Thursday

WEEK #6

9 October Tuesday

11 October Thursday

WEEK #7

16 October Tuesday

18 October Thursday

WEEK #8

23 October Tuesday

25 October Thursday

WEEK #9

30 October Tuesday

1 November Thursday

WEEK #10

6 November Tuesday

8 November Thursday

WEEK #11

13 November Tuesday

15 November Thursday

WEEK #12

20 November Tuesday

22 November Thursday (Thanksgiving)

WEEK #13

27 November Tuesday

29 November Thursday

WEEK #14

4 December Tuesday

6 December Thursday


 * J. ASSIGNMENTS**

Daily reactions on your wiki page are required.

A reaction is due even if you missed class.

These reactions will combine the assessment outcomes that would normally be fulfilled by quizzes, exams, and longer paper assignments.

Post a daily (minimum) 500-word reaction (from each day's reading and class session) on your personal wiki page.


 * K. EVALUATION**

1. Factors contributing to final grade:

a. Wiki Portfolio

Your grade in this course will be determined by your class participation and your portfolio. Your portfolio is the sum of daily reactions posted to your personal wiki page.

It is important both how hard and how well you have worked on your personal wiki page this term.

Quantity counts. I will observe how much you have written over the course of the semester.

We are using these daily reflections as a substitute for exams and term papers.

Your reflections should give evidence that you are thinking about the issues. Record what impresses you, troubles you, differs from what you thought before, connects to current real world issues, or influences your spiritual walk.

Quality counts. I will assess your reactions on the quality and depth of your thinking as well as on the correctness and clarity of your prose.

b. Classroom attitude

First of all, come to class. You can't participate if you are not present. Success in life is often merely showing up.

Second, come with your proper tools each time: You will be docked half an unexcused absence if you come to class without your required materials, principally your laptop. Your laptop is required for this course.

A word about laptops. Our laptops are to enhance learning. Excessive dinging around with it will grieve the Holy Spirit (and me) and will warrant half an unexcused absence. All of us need to be faithful in appropriately using our laptops during class time. I don't want to have to spy on you but hope to count on you not to be using your laptop to do email or surf the web. Conduct yourselves so that I can feel confident that you (and your mates) are working away appropriately even if I am not watching. [Note the reference to eye-service in both Ephesians 6:5-6 (NAS) and Colossians 3:22 (NAS).]

Third, do something once you are here. Your class participation will make the difference between an "A" and a non-A. Most of my grading of you is on-going, as I observe you day after day in class. Verbally and non-verbally, demonstrate enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Look toward me and make eye contact periodically. When you look continually at your computer when I am talking, I question—perhaps unfairly to you—what you are doing.

Demonstrate a positive attitude toward whatever feedback I may provide. Aim to get better, not bitter.

Even if you think you are done with what has been assigned for the class period, keep yourself legitimately busy until dismissal. Return to websites we used during prior class periods.

2. Grading criteria:

Where necessary, I may provide an even more specific grading rubric, but the following general criteria will suffice for our holistic semester assessment.

"A" work - Outstanding Reflects mastery of the subject and outstanding skills in analysis. It demonstrates a thorough command of problems, issues, context, and evidence. "A" work presents an insightful and thought-provoking evaluation of material with clarity, accuracy, precision, and elegance, whether in written or oral work.

"B" work – Above Average Reflects a very good comprehension of the material and good skills in analysis. It demonstrates a solid understanding of problems, issues, context, and evidence. "B" work presents sound analysis and accomplished use of evidence with clarity and accuracy, whether in written or oral work.

"C" work - Average Reflects an adequate comprehension of the material and acceptable analysis. It demonstrates a capable understanding of problems, issues, context, and evidence. "C” work presents analysis and evidence competently, whether in written or oral work.

"D" work – Below Average Reflects work that is below average either because some aspect of the assignment has not been fulfilled or because a preponderance of errors (more than one or two per page) interferes with clear communication. A "D" may also indicate failure to follow directions, failure to follow specific recommendations, or failure to demonstrate personal effort and improvement.”

"F" work – Not Acceptable Reflects work that is not acceptable, either because the student did not complete the assignments as directed, or because the level of performance is below an acceptable level for college work.

3. Grading scale: 93-100=A 90-92=A- 87-89=B+ 83-86=B 80-82=B- 77-79=C+ 73-76=C 70-72=C- 67-69=D+ 63-66=D 60-62=D- 0-59=F


 * L. COURSE POLICIES**

1. General policies

a) Class attendance

Attendance is required and will be taken. You are allowed three unexcused absences without consequences. After the first three unexcused absences, your grade will be reduced for each unexcused absence. An excused absence (i.e. medical, family emergency, university business) must be properly documented by an acceptable authority. When possible, you should inform me of an anticipated absence in advance.

Please try to be in class on time. Excessive tardiness (more than 10 minutes late) will be considered half an unexcused absence. If other responsibilities require you to be tardy on a regular basis, you should discuss the matter with me by the end of the first full week of class.

b) Incompletes

Only in rare instances (medical reasons) will I be willing to accept a request for an incomplete. You should plan to finish your course requirements within the parameters of this semester.

c) Extra Credit

Normally, extra credit work is not accepted. On occasion, however, I may offer limited bonus points for your attendance at various academic functions such as lectures, seminars, and the Common Day of Learning.

2. Academic Integrity Policy

The mission of Azusa Pacific University includes cultivating in each student not only the academic skills that are required for a university degree, but also the characteristics of academic integrity that are integral to a sound Christian education. It is therefore part of the mission of the university to nurture in each student a sense of moral responsibility consistent with the biblical teachings of honesty and accountability. Furthermore, a breach of academic integrity is viewed not merely as a private matter between the student and an instructor but rather as an act which is fundamentally inconsistent with the purpose and mission of the entire university. A complete copy of the Academic Integrity Policy is available in the Office of Student Life, the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Programs, and online.

Both the expectations for this course and the consequences for violations of academic integrity are consistent with those outlined in the academic integrity policy.

3. University and Department Policies

All university and departmental policies affecting student work, appeals, and grievances, as outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog will apply, unless otherwise indicated in this syllabus.


 * M. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES**

Students in this course who have a disability that might prevent them from fully demonstrating their abilities should meet with an advisor in the Learning Enrichment Center (ext. 3849) as soon as possible to initiate disability verification and discuss accommodations that may be necessary to ensure full participation in the successful completion of course requirements.


 * N. BIBLIOGRAPHY**

1. Books and articles

The citations are blended into the learning module on the course wiki.

2. Webliography

Web links are available on The Learning Professor wiki and will not be repeated here in the syllabus.