Course Information
Term: FALL 2026
Meeting Time and Location: T Gray Wolf Hall Room 0160 (Hybrid)
Credits: 5.00
Modality: Hybrid
Prerequisite(s): Eligibility for ENGL& 101.
Course Description
Introduction to contemporary global issues, drawing on the integrated knowledge and methodologies of multiple disciplines. Topics include population growth, food and water insecurities, environmental impacts, patterns of consumption, the fate of indigenous peoples, global health, and civic activism. Writing assignments represent a significant component of coursework.
Instructor Information
The Course Description found above is inaccurate. It is auto-filled data from the official Course Information File. Writing assignments DO NOT represent a significant component. Instead, I ask you for recorded videos of speeches.
Here is my own true description of the course:
This course will focus on developing an understanding of global situations, issues, problems and solutions. It will highlight the dramatic global changes which now define our lives. This course will enable you to think and act as a global citizen and anticipate major impacts on your future careers. GS 101 focuses on contemporary global issues, drawing on the integrated knowledge and methodologies of multiple disciplines. The course will improve your ability to communicate through speech; less emphasis will be placed on writing. You will read text, film yourself giving speeches, interact with others in the class, analyze transnational issues, and share your perceptions. Upon completion of this course, you will have a good understanding of the major forces shaping our world and how they present opportunities and challenges to your life.
Now for my Instructor Information
Carson Tavenner
ctavenner@everettcc.edu
Conference "Room" call line: (302) 202-1110, when prompted enter code 193223
Please arrange in advance the day and time for us to connect in the conference "room"
I am also open to connecting via Zoom with an appointment.
Books and Materials
21st Century Global Studies & Citizenship (student purchase)
ISBN: 9781792486029
Author: Carson Tavenner
Publication Date: 2025
Edition: 1st
Online purchase at: https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/21st-century-global-studies-citizenship-0
There are also many Canvas-posted links to readings and assignment instructions
How to be Successful in this Course
Assignments
This class is multi-disciplinary in content; therefore it also contains a multi-disciplinary approach to evaluation and class performance. There are five kinds of assignments with multiple instances of each.
Discussion Posts & Responses: You will read, watch, and participate in a great variety of content in this course. All of them is designed to make you think about the complex relationships between multiple elements of problems and solutions facing the globe. There is a predictable weekly pattern to each discussion.
As early as Wednesday or Thursday, consider posting to the discussion. Early posting by some makes for a more active and meaningful discussion for all (thinking of others is a key attribute of global citizens); therefore early posters who get the conversation going get a "bump up" in their grade for that discussion.
The first real deadline for everyone is Friday midnight to make your first post. This deadline is not reflected in the Canvas assignment "due by" settings.
Your second and third posts should be made on Saturday or Sunday (and Friday is fine for those who posted earlier in the week).
Posting more than twice -- especially when what you're posting genuinely builds a real discussion by adding to a back-n-forth with your classmates -- also increases your grade.
There are ten weeks of posting, but only nine will count towards your final grade. I will excuse the lowest discussion post grade for each student at the end of the course.
Speeches: You will turn in four planned, researched speeches. You will use class concepts to structure the ideas in your speeches, bringing in material from your research to give support to your claims. Each speech builds on the previous speeches by adding the elements of great speech making which I will teach you. There are four speeches. Three will count towards your final grade; I will excuse the lowest scoring speech for all students.
#1 – due week 2; introductory speech about yourself; purpose is to demonstrate good organization
#2 – due week 4; presenting your lessons from the family timeline; learning to add graphics and good vocal dynamics
#3 – due week 6; presenting a draft of your final speech; learning to improve gestures & argument structure
#4 – due week 8; presenting an inspirational call-to-action addressing a global issue
Family Tree & World Timeline: You will study course content in the context of understanding your own personal inheritance and place in the human story. You will be graded on how completely and professionally you build your timeline of world historical events and intersect it with your own family history.
Tests
Test #1 – Week 3
Test #2 – Week 7
Test #3 (FINAL)
Quizzes
Every week has a simple, short quiz. Nine will count towards your final grade; I will excuse the lowest quiz score for all students. In each quiz, most of the focus will be on that week's theme and/or material, but the quizzes can also assess critical/core course material needing reinforcement.
Class Schedule
Due Date Assignment Name Assignment Type Points
Every other Tuesday Speech Video recording
Every Thursday Weekly Quiz Quiz
Friday (or earlier) Weekly Discussion 1st post (input)
Sunday night (or earlier) Weekly Discussion 2nd & 3rd posts (responses)
1st two (2) Sunday nights Family Timeline Research project
The Typical Weekly Schedule (or Rhythm)
Class Schedule
Due Date Assignment Name Assignment Type Points
Extra Credit
Assignment
0
Global Citizenship
Discussion
0
Roll Call Attendance
Assignment
100
9/23/26
Welcome Survey
Assignment
0
9/29/26
Week One Discussion - 1st post due Friday (25 Sep), responses due by Monday noon (28 Sept 12:00)
Discussion
20
9/29/26
Quiz 1
Assignment
10
10/1/26
Family Timeline Phase 1
Assignment
30
10/2/26
1st Speech (of 4)
Assignment
30
10/5/26
Week Two Discussion - 1st post due Friday (2 Oct), responses over the weekend, full assignment due 5 Oct
Discussion
20
10/9/26
Family Timeline Phase 2
Assignment
20
10/12/26
Participation (Week 3 assessment)
Assignment
50
11/2/26
Participation (Week 6 assessment by Prof. Tavenner) - no student action
Assignment
50
11/10/26
Quiz 5
Assignment
10
11/24/26
Quiz 7
Assignment
10
12/7/26
Participation (Week 11 assessment by Prof. Tavenner) - no student action
Assignment
50
12/10/26
Final Exam Fall Qtr 2025
Assignment
100