Prepare: Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum, review the Narrowing a Topic and Developing a Research Question (Links to an external site.) web page and Integrating Research (Links to an external site.) tutorial. These resources will help you in developing a topic.

It is also recommended that you review these tutorials from the Ashford University Library:

• Database Search Tips (Links to an external site.)
• Evaluating Sources (Links to an external site.)

You may also want to review the Sample Final Paper GEN499, so that you can start preparing your rough draft that is due in Week 4.

Reflect: When considering a research topic, consider an interesting topic that is worth further research. For instance, having a strong opinion on a specific topic may deter you from thinking more critically, and therefore the research might end up being one-sided. It is a good idea to pick a topic in which you can provide a good argument for both sides of the societal issue.

Write: For this discussion, address the following prompts:

• Identify a global societal issue from the following list that you would consider researching further for your Week 5 Final Paper:
  • Climate change
  • Pollution
  • Religious conflict and violence
  • Rise of artificial intelligence
  • Lack of education
  • Unemployment and lack of economic opportunity
  • Government accountability and corruption
  • Food and water security
  • International drug trafficking
  • Poverty and income inequality
• Describe effective methods you used in identifying and narrowing down to just one of the topics to further research for your Final Paper.
• Explain three ways you can critically analyze sources to determine if they are scholarly.
• Summarize information from at least two scholarly journal articles from the Ashford University Library that will support your claims for your chosen topic.
• Explain why scholarly sources should be used to support your writing on the selected topic.
• Download and attach a PDF copy of one of the peer-reviewed scholarly articles that you found from the Ashford University Library to your answer using the “Attach” function located below your response.

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length, which should include a thorough response to each prompt. You are required to provide in-text citations of applicable required reading materials and/or any other outside sources you use to support your claims. Provide full reference entries of all sources cited at the end of your response. Please use correct APA format when writing in-text citations (see In-Text Citation Helper (Links to an external site.)) and references (see Formatting Your References List (Links to an external site.)).

Required Resources

Articles

Arditi, B. (2004). From globalism to globalization: The politics of resistance 1. New Political Science, 26(1), 5-22. doi:10.1080/0739314042000185102

• The full-text version of this article is available through the EBSCOhost database in the Ashford University Library. This article discusses the differences between globalization and globalism. Globalism is seen as imposing a new order of things across the globe and is feared by elements within Western societies. Those actors seek a resistance of “radical and viral direction action” (abstract) against what they see as a threat to their way of life. This article will assist you with your APA “Find the Errors” Task assignment this week.

Austin, M. W. (2011, April 13). The value of general education (Links to an external site.) [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ethics-everyone/201104/the-value-general-education

• In this article, the author gives some reasons that support the importance of general education courses. The reasons for general education courses include helping a student become a better citizen, increasing critical thinking skills, and providing you with a broad and deep education. This blog post will assist you with your Post Your Introduction/General Education Outcomes discussion this week.Accessibility Statement does not exist.Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)

Dowd, M. (n.d.). What is the purpose of taking general classes for a college degree? (Links to an external site.) Retrieved from http://education.seattlepi.com/purpose-taking-general-classes-college-degree-1876.html

• In this article, the author explains the importance of breadth of learning. General education courses encompass several areas of study (social sciences, math, science, humanities, and nature), which will help prepare you to think more analytically, consider many views on a topic, and value cultural differences when they begin their advanced study courses. This article will assist you with your Post Your Introduction/General Education Outcomes discussion this week.Accessibility Statement does not exist.Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)

Papastephanou, M. (2005). Globalisation, globalism and cosmopolitanism as an educational ideal. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 37(4), 533-551. doi:10.1111/j.1469-5812.2005.00139.x

• The full-text version of this article is available through the EBSCOhost database in the Ashford University Library. Globalisation discussed as “a complex relation to its discourse.” In the Abstract, Papastephanous writes, “failure to grasp distinctions between globalisation and globalism leads to naïve and ethnocentric glorifications of the potentialities of globalization…. The antagonistic impulses cultivated by globalization and globalist discourse are singled out and targeted…. The final suggestion of the article concerns the vision of a more cosmopolitically sensitive education.” This article will assist you with your APA “Find the Errors” Task assignment this week.

Reysen, S., & Katzarska-Miller, I. (2013). A model of global citizenship: Antecedents and outcomes. International Journal of Psychology, 48(5), 858-870. doi:10.1080/00207594.2012.701749

• The full-text version of this article can be accessed through the EBSCOhost database in the Ashford University Library. This article provides information concerning the idea of the global citizen. The authors explain the outcomes of identifying with a superordinate identity (global citizen) from two different studies. The relationship between global awareness and social values was evaluated. This article will allow the reader to assess their level of global citizenship and how it can impact their own identity and psychological well-being. This article will assist you with your APA “Find the Errors” Task assignment this week.

Seraphin, C. (n.d.). General education requirements: What’s the point? (Links to an external site.) Retrieved from http://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/college-academics/general-education-requirements-whats-point/

• In this article, the author explains what general education requirements are and some of the reasons why colleges include them in degree requirements. The author suggests that one of the biggest problems with general education courses is the fact that students do not think they are important. The author then supports the fact that general education courses increase a student’s critical thinking skills, communication skills, and problem-solving skills before they start taking more advanced courses in their field of study. This article will assist you with your Post Your Introduction/General Education Outcomes discussion this week.Accessibility Statement does not exist.Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)

Voelz, J. (2017). Transnationalism and anti-globalism. College Literature, 44(4), 521-526. doi:10.1353/lit.2017.0032

• The full-text version of this article is available through the Project Muse database in the Ashford University Library. Discusses the differences between globalization as an economic trend and globalism, where globalism is seen as a cultural phenomenon feared as a prioritization of racial and cultural otherness. As a cultural tool, globalism is seen as a threat to Western values, with anti-globalism occurs in the setting of extreme nationalist tendencies. This article will assist you with your Importance of Becoming a Global Citizen assignment this week.

Wehlburg, C. M. (2010). Integrated general education: A brief look back. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2010(121), 3-11. doi:10.1002/tl.383

• The full-text version of this article can be accessed through the EBSCOhost database in the Ashford University Library. This article addresses the assessment practices that take place in order to measure the course learning outcomes in higher education programs. Assessing general education has been a difficult task compared to assessing different majors based on content and skills. The goals of critical thinking, problem solving, and communication may be more difficult to measure. Assessment procedures tend to be more qualitative when it comes to general education curriculum. This article will allow the reader to fully understand the assessment procedures that have been able to measure their core general education requirements. This article will assist you with your Post Your Introduction/General Education Outcomes discussion this week.

Multimedia

Ashford University Library. (2017, November). What is CRAAP? (Links to an external site.) [PDF file]. Retrieved from https://content.bridgepointeducation.com/curriculum/file/f8a1ef48-2a27-4450-b3d0-242d91015f8d/1/CRAAP%20accessible.pdf

• This infographic covers several elements of determining when a web resource is credible. CRAAP is an acronym for currency, relevancy, authority, accuracy, and purpose. The infographic provides questions to ask oneself when looking at resources to use as credible support for their research paper. This infographic will assist you in addressing prompts in the Post Your Introduction/General Education Outcomes discussion this week.

Ashford University Writing Center. (2018). Integrating research (Links to an external site.) [Tutorial file]. Retrieved from https://content.bridgepointeducation.com/curriculum/file/5408ee9b-e793-44d5-8a4d-e54bc6e72f74/1/Integrating%20Research.zip/story_html5.html (Links to an external site.)

• This tutorial from the Ashford University Writing Center introduces the appropriate ways to integrate research when writing a college essay or formal assignment. It goes over examples of the ICE method when it comes to paragraph development and supporting the information found from an outside source. This tutorial will assist you in addressing the prompts in the Final Paper Topic discussion forum this week.

North Carolina State University, Libraries. (2013, August). Picking your topic is research! (Links to an external site.) [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/tutorials/picking_topic/

• This video tutorial illustrates the importance of picking a topic that can be easily tested through finding and reading sources on that topic. The point made is that the topic is not written in stone unless the topic is specifically assigned by the instructor. The research that is found can guide how the topic can be revised, such as make it more specific if the topic is too broad. This video will assist you in completing the Post Your Introduction/General Education Outcomes discussion forum this week.Accessibility Statement does not exist.Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)

Romin, J., Arnstad, H., Lennartsson, J., & Lilja, V. (Directors & Producers). (2009). What is globalization? (Links to an external site.) [Video segment]. In J. Romin (Executive Producer), Open borders: Globalization-a real-world view. Retrieved from https://fod.infobase.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?token=47499&wID=100753&loid=144239&plt=FOD&w=640&h=360&fWidth=660&fHeight=410

• The full version of this video is available through the Films on Demand database in the Ashford University Library. This first video segment discusses the meaning behind globalization and the encouragement of openness to diversity and other cultures. A few knowledgeable speakers provide suggestions on how people can become more confident in their ability to deal with emotions and thoughts that are tied to the pressures of becoming a global citizen. This video will assist you with your Importance of Becoming a Global Citizen assignment this week.Accessibility Statement (Links to an external site.)Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)

Stucke, K. (Writer). (2009). Globalization at a crossroads (Links to an external site.). [Series episode]. In M. Stucke & Claudin, C. (Executive Producers), Global issues. Retrieved from https://fod.infobase.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?token=39350&wID=100753&plt=FOD&loid=0&w=640&h=480&fWidth=660&fHeight=530

• The full version of this video is available through the Films On Demand database in the Ashford University Library. To some, the term “globalization” means ruthless exploitation by corporations; to others, it means bringing economic development to all the peoples of the world. This program explains key principles at the core of global economics and takes a historical look at their effects, focusing on market liberalization and the failed “East Asian miracle;” privatization of basic resources in Bolivia and the severe backlash against it; Russia’s rapid transition to capitalism and the oligarchism and kleptocracy that came to characterize it; and China’s incremental implementation of capitalism under communism. The video also takes stock of the seismic shift in the U.S. economy and its probable effect on the rest of the world. This video will assist you with your Importance of Becoming a Global Citizen assignment this week.Accessibility Statement (Links to an external site.)Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)

Stucke, M. (Executive Producer), Purdue, K. (Writer). (2001). What is globalization? (Links to an external site.) [Video segment]. In The global trade debate[Streaming video]. Retrieved from Films On Demand database.

• The full version of this video is available through the Films On Demand database in the Ashford University Library. To some, the term “globalization” means ruthless exploitation by corporations; to others, it means bringing economic development to all the peoples of the world. This program explains key principles at the core of global economics and takes a historical look at their effects, focusing on market liberalization and the failed “East Asian miracle;” privatization of basic resources in Bolivia and the severe backlash against it; Russia’s rapid transition to capitalism and the oligarchism and kleptocracy that came to characterize it; and China’s incremental implementation of capitalism under communism. The video also takes stock of the seismic shift in the U.S. economy and its probable effect on the rest of the world. This video will assist you with your Importance of Becoming a Global Citizen assignment this week.Accessibility Statement (Links to an external site.)Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)

Web Page

Ashford University. (n.d.). Narrowing a topic and developing a research question (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from https://writingcenter.ashford.edu/narrowing-topic-and-developing-research-question

• This web page provides information about how to narrow down a research topic as well as developing a focus for your final essay. It will assist you in your Final Paper Topic discussion forum this week.Accessibility Statement does not exist.Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)