1 global studies essay

Extra Credit Assignment (ECA)

Rules:

- Students can submit ​up to 3 ECAs​. - How ECAs will be graded:

1) If satisfactorily completed, 3 ECAs worth the ​next lowest full letter ​grade after

your final grade. For example, if your final grade is C-, C or C+, your grade will be elevated to B-.

2) If satisfactorily completed, 2 ECAs worth the ​next sign (+ or -) after your

current letter grade​. For example, if your final grade is B-, then, your grade would be elevated to B. If you have a B+, then you grade will be elevated to A-.

3) If satisfactorily complete, 1 ECA worth the ​next total point (meaning your score, not a letter grade)​. For example, if your final total points are 60 (D), your score will be elevated to 61 (D).If you have 79 points (C+), your score will be elevated to 80 points (B).

ATTENTION: These ECAs are essays, and only grade A essays (100%) will count as a satisfactorily completed ECA. If you complete 3 ECAs but only 2 were considered satisfactory, you will get only 2 points (see case scenario 2) and so on. In other words, to earn these extra points, you must not only complete the assignments but achieve the maximum possible points, which means grade A.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

▪ CLAS can help you writing your essays. Make an appointment with Jay Stemmle (see my email “CLAS can help you”) or ​walk-in ​the CLAS office to see a writing tutor. Bring the essay prompts with you, the essay outline approved by your TA and start working with CLAS on the ECAs as soon as possible.

▪ Format: 12 pts, Times New Roman, 1.5 line space.

▪ Do not forget the title of your essay!

▪ Your essay should have 500-700 words, excluding the header, bibliography, and notes). Do not use footnotes. If really necessary, use endnotes.

▪ Citations are required for both paraphrasing and direct quotes from course material (readings and videos). Choose the citation style of your preference, we recommended MLA.

▪ We are not asking you to simply summarize the readings. We are asking you to use concepts from the course readings and lectures to make your own coherent

argument about the topic. Use short quotes and examples from the readings as evidence to support your own argument.

▪ Pay careful attention to spelling, grammar and punctuation.

▪ Submit your ECA to GauchoSpace before August 2, 10pm.

Essay prompts:

Applying a Global Studies perspective:

Option 1)

Remember the active learning activity “Thinking Globally about My Starbucks Coffee Mug” from our first lecture? Good! Your assignment is to apply a Global Studies perspective to (or think globally about) an object, an historical event, any recent news, etc. ​Your analysis should combine, at least two, different perspectives, such as gender, class, history, culture, Marxisms, technology, economics, politics, human rights, intersectionality, capitalisms, sexuality, feminisms, inequality and so forth. ​You must employ 2-3 course readings/concepts in your analysis. Make sure to explain the concepts in your own words and properly cite author(s) and source(s). Feel free to add references from your own academic field as well as personal experiences. However, keep in mind that this must be an ​Expository Essay not a ​Narrative Essay​. In other words, personal accounts are encouraged but the scope of your essay should be presenting and development an argument (your point of view).

Option 2)

Choose a movie and ​analyze it through 2-3 course readings/concepts​. Design your essay around the question “How can I explain this movie through concepts X and Y or overarching themes X and Y from the coursework (lectures, sections, readings, and writings)? Make sure to explain the concepts in your own words, properly cite author(s) and source(s) and present a well-structured argument on how the movie and these Global Studies concepts/themes intersect. Feel free to add references from your own academic field as well as personal experiences. However, keep in mind that this must be an ​Expository Essay not a ​Narrative Essay​. In other words, personal accounts are encouraged but the scope of your essay should be presenting and development an argument (your point of view).

Option 3)

You design your own ECA. As you know, Global Studies is both a transdisciplinary and a multidisciplinary field of study, and one of my goals for this course is that you are able to think globally in all contexts of your life: academically, professionally, personally… Thus, I challenge you to think globally about whatever you want and however you want, as long as you employ 2-3 course readings/concepts in your analysis. ​Design your own leading questions, choose your preferred authors and readings/videos, develop a strong argument, write a compelling essay. For this ECA specifically, you can write 1200-1500 words. For this ECA, specifically, grade A essays worth the next lowest full letter grade (see grading case scenario 1).

Before you start: Write a brief outline of your essay explaining the point you will try to make (your argument/thesis) and discuss it with your TA. If you choose ECA option 3, your outline should be approved by me. Essays that were not previously approved will not be accepted.

Essay Writing Tips:

Thesis

> Thesis is debatable and clearly presented in the opening and concluding sections of the paper.

Organization & Writing

> Clear organization with a natural flow. Includes an introduction, transition sentences to connect major ideas, and conclusion. There are few or no grammar or spelling errors. Ideas and evidence are correctly cited.

> Easy to read without stumbling or becoming confused as to what is being argued, claimed, or stated.

> Excellent use of course materials from lecture or readings. Student has used examples or supporting evidence in a way that helps build their claims

UCSB grade letters reference: