Overview
Two Discussions:
In thinking about the interconnected state of the world now, it's easy to look back and see how isolated the world once was. In the early 20th century, few businesses operated outside their own state of origin.
Today, any business can access tools to broaden their market internationally. It used to be rare for a person to leave their home country. Today, whether through immigration or displacement, more people are living outside of their home country than ever before. The readings for this week touch on topics like the importation of labor from other countries, the ways in which governments embrace or suppress their citizens living abroad, and the different types of international organizations that exist now to facilitate international cooperation.
Do you think that the world has become interconnected in a way that cannot be untangled? Is there a way for the world to de-globalize? Should that be the goal of the international community, or is the world made better by this era of globalization?
REMINDER
To receive FULL CREDIT for each weekly discussion board, students must do the following:
- Read posts by other students
- Post 1 substantial response to the question (250-
350 words) - Post 2 substantial responses to other students (minimum of 150 words per response)
- Cite or refer to appropriate sources (authors/articles, etc.) to support points
- Cite any Al tools used
NOTE: If no one in your group has posted yet and you will be offline/unavailable due to work/travel, you may post a SECOND substantial comment INSTEAD of responding to another student. In this case, full credit will be awarded IF your second post EITHER 1) argues the opposite position of your first post OR 2) highlights a different issue than your first post.
Discussion 2: Continuing the Conversation #3 (50 points = 1 Post & 40 points = 2 Replies)
For our last "Continuing the Conversation" assignment of the semester, I decided to switch up the format a bit and give you an opportunity to combine current events with enhancing your digital literacy skills.
To receive FULL CREDIT, students must:
- Select ONE option listed below & post 400-500
words about it - Post 2 replies to other students (minimum of 150 words per reply)
- Cite any Al tools used
Here are a few different options to choose from. Please pick ONE of these options:
OPTION A: First, watch the 10-minute video () that Mike Caulfield made explaining how his new tool (Well-Grounded Al) works. The tool is designed to show you how to analyze arguments, assess their weaknesses and strengths, and understand what additional information you should seek to determine their validity. Second, use this link (https://chatgpt.com/glg=679149b4f3348191935d05daa242e669-well-grounded) to access "Well-Grounded" Al and upload or paste a screenshot of a social media post that makes a point, presents a fact, or advances an argument and ask for an analysis. The post should relate in some way to comparative politics. Attach a screenshot of the social media post that you used and briefly explain the results.
OPTION В:
Pick a topic relevant to the study of comparative politics. Craft a short (1-2 sentence) thesis statement. Find 2-3 sources that argue IN FAVOR of your statement and 2-3 sources that argue AGAINST your statement. Use your digital literacy skills to evaluate the sources. Highlight 4 brief arguments/examples that SUPPORT your thesis statement AND 4 brief arguments/examples that UNDERMINE or OPPOSE your thesis statement.
OPTION C:
Pick a social media app of your choice and
search for content that is relevant to the study of comparative politics (for example, statements or graphics that comment on government institutions, citizenship, political ideologies, political culture, political identities, political-economic systems, elements of democratic/nondemocratic regimes, forms of political violence, globalization, etc. - basically pick any topic that would fit under a sub-heading in the O' Neil book). Use your digital literacy skills to evaluate the content - what is accurate, what is misleading, what is the source's agenda, and do you think there is any misinformation or disinformation involved? Be sure to post a screenshot of the content in addition to providing a short analysis.
OPTION D: Dissect a website that is relevant to the study of comparative politics. For example, determine who created the website, who is paying for it, how long it's been around, and how it has changed since it launched. Fact-check the information presented, evaluate its validity, and analyze what agendas and narratives the website is promoting. Be sure to include a link to the website you chose. Examples of relevant websites include:
- Websites for national political parties (from any country)
- Political Action Committee websites
- Websites for an elected member of government (any country, at any level)