Instructor reserves the right to amend this syllabus

office hours are posted on-line

list of items and skills you must possess to participate in this course

Items You Must Possess:

Own or have regular and unlimited access to a computer, meeting the following basic specifications:

PC Hardware Requirements*

Pentium Processor

256 MB RAM min. (512 preferred)

1 GIG (or more) free hard drive space (if you would like to save sound, video and graphics files; smaller free hard drive space for text files only)

1.44 Floppy Drive (optional)

CD-ROM drive (recommended)

16-bit sound and video card

Monitor

Keyboard with English alphabet

Mouse

Printer (optional)

56 k Modem

* These minimum system requirements are strongly recommended. If your computer does not meet these minimum specifications you will likely encounter problems participating and even completing the course.

Have a reliable, preferably unlimited with downloads high-speed Internet Service Provider (ISP). In most cases, technical problems are not an allowable excuse for not completing assignments on time. AOL (America on-line) users may have trouble interfacing with the eCampus system.

E-mail account that easily handles attached large files.

Software:

Windows 98, 2000 or XP operating system

Microsoft Office-2000 or higher applications:

Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Web Browser of your choice:

Internet Explorer 5 (can be downloaded for free from HtmlResAnchor http://www.microsoft.com/) or

Netscape 4.7 (or higher – can be downloaded for free from HtmlResAnchor http://browser.netscape.com/ns8/)

Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher (can be downloaded for free from HtmlResAnchor http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/index.html)

Windows Media Player; Quick Time Player (can be downloaded for free from HtmlResAnchor http://www.microsoft.com/) or any other sound and video player for listening and watching instructional files.

Skills You Must Possess :

Comfortable with a Windows operating system.

Able to use Microsoft Word and other required program listed above.

Able to type in English.

Be proficient in writing, reading, comprehending and speaking in English.

Able to e-mail (send, receive, attach files), and utilize Web search engines.

Know how to save a file to a floppy disk/CD and a hard drive.

Know how to create a folder.

Know how to start up and shut down a computer.

Be a self-motivated learner.

Be a very organized learner – completing assignments by deadlines.

To be able to learn independently and work in groups/teams on joint projects.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1

Attached Files (found on-line)

HtmlResAnchor  History of relationships (29 KB)

HtmlResAnchor  Glossary of terms (1.092 MB)

HtmlResAnchor  Requirements for items you need (41 KB)

HtmlResAnchor  Overview of cooperation (102 KB)

HtmlResAnchor  What is an online course (21 KB)

There are a total of seven readings for this week: Please read all of these.

Syllabus.

 Description of on-line course. 

 Requirements for "items" and "skills" needed for the course. 

Glossary of terms to be used during this course. Please print a copy of the glossary.  Definitions will be assigned for each week.  No specific assignment of terms for week 1. 

 History of Dallas-Saratov relationships.

Overview of cooperation between Richland College and Saratov State University.

Bios of your instructors (optional - can be found under "Course Information" tab).

Week 2

Assignment # 1.

Please, watch all attached videos and take notes if necessary in order to be able actively participate in our on-line meeting.

Video # 1 and 2 from Saratov:

You have to be connected to Internet in order to access both videos.

When you see the Todd Gillman article at: HtmlResAnchor http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/stories/071306dnintG8saratovWeb.1311e8d.html. Scroll to the middle of his article and click on video named "Todd Gillman reports from Saratov" and watch it as Video # 1.

Go back to HtmlResAnchor http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/stories/071306dnintG8saratovWeb.1311e8d.html and locate "Voices on the Street in Saratov: Part 1" video - click on the link and watch Todd's interview with a student from Saratov as Video # 2.

Video # 3 - HtmlResAnchor About Richland College

Video # 4 - HtmlResAnchor Greetings from President of RLC Steve Mittelstet

Video # 5 - About Saratov region. Click on the link below to watch the video: HtmlResAnchor http://video.dcccd.edu/econ/Econ2311/cap2-1.wmv 

HtmlResAnchor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_revolution HtmlResAnchor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_economic_thought

Week 3

Assignments:

After completing readings # 1 and # 2, please go to test area and complete test W3-1 prior a deadline on September 17th, 2006 at 11.59 p.m. Central Time. Make sure you click "Submit" button.

Become familiar with the following definitions (see Glossary under Glossary tab): 

capital

capitalism

command system

economic system

economic theory

economizing problem

efficient allocation of resources

four fundamental questions of economics (what to produce, how much, produce for whom flexibility)

freedom of choice

invisible hand

labor

market system

economic resources

      3. Complete Quiz W3-2 prior the deadline.  Make sure you click "Submit" button when done.

Week 4

Topics for this week:

Overview of Russian Economy.

 

Specific Issues:

Overview of  Russian economy

 ÿThe analysis of economic growth of Russia ;

 ÿThe impact of the current recession

Objectives:

To understand the major changes which have occurred in the  Russian economy, particularly over the past year.

To consider and understand the potential impact of significant economic growth in Russia .  

Readings:

  HtmlResAnchor https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rs.html

The World Bank  HtmlResAnchor http://www.worldbank.org/ Note: (see Russia and USA sections)

 

HtmlResAnchor QUESTIONS:

HtmlResAnchor   HtmlResAnchor From the data in the CIA Factbook (economics section) what are the greatest similarities between Russia and the United States?

HtmlResAnchor What do you see as the greatest differences?

HtmlResAnchor What are Russia's greates assets?

HtmlResAnchor What are the United State's greatest assets?

HtmlResAnchor What  are the major economic challenges that are facing your generation-near-term and long term.  What are your greatest concerns?

HtmlResAnchor At the micro level, how do you see your fellow citizens coping with the current economic problems that we have seen develop over the past year?

 Post your responses to these 6 questions.  In addition, you are expected to post 2 two additional responses to your classmates as a follow up. 

SEE WEEK 5 FOR POSTING INSTRUCTIONS

Week 5

Topic for this week:  Overview of the U.S. Economy

  Objectives:

1.  To gain an understanding of the overall structure of the U.S. economy, particularly how government interacts with private entities.

2.  To make comparisons with the Russian economy relative to growth, and the economic impact of the current resession.

Readings:  See Week 4

We will be working within assigned for the remainder of the term.  To post your discussion items, use the following procedure (we will not be using the "discussion board" tab):

Click on "communications" tab

Scroll down and click "group pages"

Click on Groups 1, 2, 3 or 4 to find your name (they are alphabetical)

At the top of the screen for your group, click "group discussion board"

Click on "weeks 4 and 5"

Click on "+thread" icon

Enter weeks 4 and 5 for "subject" and post your work below

You will follow the same procedure each time you post any item.

Week 7

Preparation for Joint-Class Meeting—Material posted on-line

Week 8

Joint-Class Meeting—9:00 a.m. CST

Week 9

Topic for this week:

Globalization of the world economy at the beginning of the 21 century.  What are the implications for domestic economies?

Objectives:

To become more aware of international issues that are impacting the global economy.

Assignment:

Assignment # 1: Your summary should be done in a word file, following this format:

 

1.  Your first and last name

2.  Title of the article with complete reference--publication, date, etc. including URL if available.

3.  Summary of important points (approximately 500 words).

4.  Post your summary and article with your sub-group.

Week 10

As is the case with most of our topics, this one is very broad and there are differing perspectives that exist.  The articles that I have included focus more on corporate responsibility but there is no doubt that the "globilization" of the world economy has occurred largely through expansion of the transnational corporation.  More and more, we are asking these companies to do more than just make a profit.  What responsibilities (beyond profit) do these large multinational companies have?

Topics for this week: 

The role of the Transnational Corporation in the Development of the World Economy.

Objectives: 

1.  To appreciate the global economic impact of the transational corporations.

2.  To consider the social and environmental  responsibilites that may be expected from these companies.

3.  To consider what may be legitimate responsibilities to employees.

Readings:

Reading # 1: "Clear Conscience - Clear Profit" (HtmlResAnchor Reading_1_Clear_Consciene_Clear_Profit.doc (opens in new window)

Reading # 2: "For People and Planet" (HtmlResAnchor Reading_2_For_People_and_Planet.doc (opens in new window)

Assignments:

Assignment # 1: Deadline for submisstion - Sunday, November 18, 11.55 p.m.

Read both articles. 

Write your reaction paper using usual Reaction Paper format. Your reaction paper should be done on Reading # 2 only

Week 11

As is the case with most of the topics that we have covered, there is considerable complexity and numerous opinions that exist about public debt.  Since the early 1980's, and the beginnings of "supply side" economics, the United States has accumulated a huge public debt that has had significant international impact. It has been felt in capital markets as we have financed these annual deficits and has  also dramatically impacted the treade deficit in this country with have moved to a larger and larger negative status.

I have included two articles this week--one focuses on the political implications of reducing our domestic debt and the other looks more at the international impact that has occurred in the past few years.

Topic for this week:

Public debt and economic stabilization.

Objectives:

To understand the international impact of increasing public debt by the devleoped nations.

To understand the political issues that exist in the United States as we deal with our debt level.

Readings:

Reading # 1: Public's Deficit Fix May Stun Politicians.

Reading # 2: I.M.F. Warns That U.S. Debt Is Threatening Global Stability

Assignments:

Read the two articles: HtmlResAnchor Article # 1 (opens in new window) and HtmlResAnchor Article # 2 (opens in new window). 

You may do your reaction paper on either article, but I would ask that you read both.  Try to use the BlackBoard response method but you may attach and email if you have difficulty.

Week 12

Preparation for final joint-class presentation –date to-be-announced

Week 13

Joint-Class Meeting

END OF TERM