FLC 302/SOC 393: WHAT I LIKED/DISLIKED MOST & WOULD CHANGE

(Student Testimonials May 4, 2004, N=20)

 

 

1. GUEST LECTURES/SPEAKERS/Q&A SESSIONS

·         Provided a variety of information and interesting topics (2)

·         Guest speakers made a three hour class easier to follow

·         We got a variety of views from different academic disciplines

·         I appreciate that well-informed guest-speakers came to class

·         Speakers were really knowledgeable but some lacked the charismatic speaking ability to keep me interested

·         Guest lectures helped to break up the time and helped in keeping focus

·         Interesting guest speakers taught us new things

·         Class provided a comfortable atmosphere. The Q&A after lectures is good

·         I truly enjoyed all the guest speakers and thought they had interesting points to make

·         Lectures broadened my knowledge of areas I would not typically have known about

·         The class structure is a very good concept--to receive different perspectives is very important

·         Speakers were knowledgeable, informative and mostly prepared though a few often went on tangents and should have been better structured

·         Speakers gave a different perspective and explained the reading

·         I think the guest lectures are a great idea. It gave us something different to look forward each week

·         Guest speakers were very knowledgeable but sometimes their topic was too specific

·         The diversity was great but it would be nice to have professors or experts from outside of Stony Brook

·         Guest speakers were excellent sources of information and it was good to hear outside opinions although sometimes professors rattled on

 

·         Speakers should involve the class instead of constant lecturing

·         I disliked boring speakers (2)

·         Enforce a stricter time limit for speakers and ask students to prepare questions like for the UN visit

·         Speakers should show how their expertise impacts globalization and put issues into context

·         Sometimes the lectures and discussions were long-winded--cut off guest speakers if necessary

 

 

2. POWER POINT BRIEFINGS & DISCUSSIONS

·         Power Point was helpful when studying

·         We had good class interaction

·         Discussions provided a better understanding

·         Class discussions were excellent

·         Power Point is good because is helps to follow the flow of information

·         Instructor provided ample material

·         PP briefings were very clear

·         Briefings were very well organized and helped greatly in preparation for the exam

·         Power Point briefings were well organized but you could not take notes

·         Some briefings were very interactive, others sometimes bland. Don't use them all the time

·         Briefings summarized class well and were informative

·         Briefings were concise and clear

·         Power Point makes lectures and discussions easier to follow and gets class involved and discussions going

·         I liked sharing ideas

·         I personally prefer more visual stimulation for the discussions and less group discussions

·         Briefings and discussions were generally good though sometimes repetitive. Add more pictures and personal accountings

·         Power Point presentations were organized, precise, and to the point

 

·         I prefer shorter class discussions and more lectures but in a 3 hour class it does help to break-up the schedule a bit

·         Instructor run through PP too quickly

·         Discussion could be facilitated more productively--less rantings

·         Support "outlandish" statements with more reasoning. Students should be allowed to shoot themselves in their foot as opposed to just saying an answer is wrong

·         I propose we discuss the readings more in detail

·         Discussions and group work had questions too broad and not enough time

·         Bring in discussions more students to interact to avoid that always the same students speak

 

 

3. READINGS

·         Reading was very informative and provided a variety of approaches

·         Readings were very long but very informative and interesting

·         Provided an alternative view to mainstream perceptions

·         Interesting!

·         The readings pertaining to the U.S. governments were very interesting

·         I liked particularly the readings from Strada (2003)

·         Readings were good, easy, and short

 

·         Reading were informative and provide good information though many were too long and sometimes boring

·         I liked how diverse the readings were but some were very difficult to follow

·         They were interesting and informative but sometimes too much to remember for the quiz

·         Generally they were very useful and educational but sometimes bland and long-winded or too simple

·         Readings were insightful and covered a broad range of topics but some were too long or too academic

·         Readings were sometimes very interesting, sometimes too much so that we could not discuss them in class

·         Some of the readings of the guest speakers were difficult to follow and they should provide easier readings (2)

·         Readings gave us different perspectives on global issues but some were dry and hard to understand

·         Have less reading and more lighter material with anectodes

·         Readings varied and were interesting but were sometimes difficult to understand for a 300-level course

·         Some of the more factual readings were too dense

·         Since we met only once a week the readings were too long

·         Have less readings or less specific quiz questions about the reading

·         Use more global social justice movement material in the future

 

 

4. INSTRUCTOR/TA/SYLLABUS/CLASS EMAILS

·         Professor & TA's were very helpful

·         Instructor was passionate about subject matter

·         All were good and organized (2)

·         TA's were very helpful and well informed

·         Instructor was open and gracious toward students

·         Professor was always helpful

·         I liked how available the instructor made himself

·         Instructor and TA were always available

·         Instructor very informative (3) and friendly TA's

·         Well organized and easy to contact

·         All above were very organized and informative

·         Liked everything about above

·         Instructor was very accessible but TA's did not take the initiative and graduate TA's should be chosen

·         All above were very efficient

 

·         Instructor was sometimes too idealistic or opinionated

·         Perhaps syllabus should contain more "entertaining" controversial media

 

 

5. GRADING

·         Very fair grading system (7)

·         The grading seemed fair

·         Fair and consistent

·         Instructor graded in timely manner

·         Grading was good

·         Seems fair but I am unsure how my grade will come out

 

·         Grading was easy, perhaps sometimes too easy

·         Multiple choice answers on some quizzes make it easy for students to cheat--better are short answer quizzes

·         Quiz and attendance count too much toward final grade

·         Don't take away points for missing class

·         Quizzes should count less and student projects more

 

 

6. MID-TERM TEST/TERM PAPER/VOLUNTARY STUDENT PROJECT/QUIZZES

·         Test and final paper are very comprehensive

·         Final essay allows us freedom of choosing topics

·         Mid-term questions were in different format

·         I appreciate the take-home final!!

·         The mid-term allowed for personal explanations of a topic

·         Mid-term and final are ok and fair (2)

·         Quizzes motivated us to do the reading

·         Tests gave us every opportunity to do well

·         Fair, simple and recommendable

·         Exams were worthwhile but perhaps they should not be open-book exams

·         Tests offered a nice way to cover all the material

·         I liked that the mid-term included multiple choice and an essay--this gave everyone an opportunity to do well

·         Essays work the best because the globalizatiion topic is hard to grade

·         I like the testing system in this class

·         I liked the fact that extra credit is offered

 

·         Some questions in mid-term were so broad that it is easy to get overwhelmed

·         We got back quizzes each week but were not allowed to keep them as records

·         It is difficult to grade opinions. Another way to create expertise is to have students research specific areas and the report back on how they relate to globalization

·         Discuss the reading and topics before testing students with quizzes

·         Maybe you should have two quizzes, one on each reading…?

·         Quizzes were simple but mid-term was too harsh

·         Have quizzes not at the beginning of each class but before the break after the first 90 minutes

·         I disliked quizzes. I did the reading and knew general ideas but had trouble grasping specifics

·         Fewer than weekly quizzes might be better

·         Return mid-term to students after grading with all comments

·         Quizzes are imperfect measure to find out if someone has done the reading

 

 

7. OTHER COMMENTS

·         The emphasis on quizzes forced us to do the readings from which we benefited

·         The snacks during class-break were a good idea because the class is so long

·         The professor was open toward students in a way I had not previously experienced and showed respect for student ideas which is great

·         Circulating an attendance sheet is problematic because some students missed it

·         The trip to the UN was very interesting

·         Consider to let students participate in course content decisions based on student interest

 

 

8. HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE FLC?

·         In a PolSci 101 class

·         I knew it from last semester (2)

·         From the listing in the undergraduate bulletin (6)

·         Looked interesting in the course catalog

·         Learned about it at my transfer orientation

·         Heard from a previous FLC TA

·         Told about it by a friend

·         Heard about it through the Sociology department

·         At advising extravaganza day

·         Through online registration

·         Heard it from my roommate

·         Heard about it at SB orientation

·         I heard about it from Professor Kurthen

 

 

9. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO REGISTER FOR THE FLC?

·         The issues covered about globalization (2)

·         The topic and the time (2)

·         I needed an elective to graduate (2)

·         That it addressed topics that other classes at SB don't

·         The title was interesting

·         The subject matter attracted me

·         I thought it was a new field that had great importance and wanted to know more about it

·         It was cross-listed as a Sociology class

·         I am an upper-division student and it fit my interest

·         Previous experiences with the FLC

·         I have taken global courses before and this one seemed interesting

·         No other courses at SB focus on globalization

·         I am a PolSci major and interested in globalization

·         The fact that it was a 3 hour class

·         My interest in world problems and issues

 

 

10. Name the most important things you learned about globalization?

·         Its positive and negative effects/Awareness of globalizations/Its effects on every aspect of life

·         Globalization is real/If used properly it can have a very positive effect on the world

·         A better informed public can benefit tremendously from it/Everyone's attitude makes a difference/Impact of U.S. on other countries is substantial

·         How governments manipulate politics/Global economics/Role of the UN in globalization

·         The role of the UN (or lack thereof)/Human Rights/Terrorism vs. freedom fighters

·         It's effects on every aspect of our life/How effect differs from place to place/It's importance in politics, society, economy etc.

·         Globalization has pro's and con's/It spreads technology/It opens people's mind through culture

·         Learned more about current market trends/U.S. involvement

·         People must really come together to make changes/There are serious global issues at hand

·         Learned more about how globalization has to do with the world and myself

·         Negative impact of globalization on individuals and the world

·         We can make a difference

·         The impact of globalization processes and the role of actors and organizations

·         Positive and negative effects of globalization in politics, economics, culture etc/We are interdependent/Individuals can make a difference

·         There are too many to name, such as the exploitation of less developed nations/Weapons of Mass Destruction/War atrocities and the role of the U.S.

·         Globalization is beneficial as well as harmful/It is a powerful force and expansive

·         Causes /Progress/Solutions to globalization

 

 

11. What most important thing did you learn from the UN trip?

·         The UN war display showed just how devastating and real war really is

·         That the UN makes a difference-I always thought they did nothing

·         Dogs in Manhattan live better than many citizens in Pakistan

·         The UN has little power and is only used as a "front" of big powers

·         How much people are really working on global issues

·         The UN means business

·         The structure of the UN and its impact on global affairs

·         How the UN operates

·         What the different UN organizations do

·         How much the UN wants the world to unite

·         The UN is less powerful then I thought and there is too much spending for arms in the world taking away assets from solving other problems

·         The UN is important (not just useless) but its effectiveness depends on its members

·         Sexism is not the same in less developed countries like Pakistan as in the U.S.

·         How many important things the UN really does do

·         Ambassador Kamal's perspective about the UN and its relationship with the U.S.

 

 

12. WHAT IMPORTANT QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED IN THIS FLC CLASS?

·         What the future will truly look like

·         I think the questions that remain unanswered are questions the world is still trying to answer

·         What will be the future of globalization

·         What can we do to change things and establish global "standards"?

·         Why is the UN the answer to most questions in class?

·         What will become of the world?

 

 

13. IF YOU WERE FLC INSTRUCTOR, WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD YOU CHANGE?

·         To make the minor into a major and offer more globalization classes

·         Grading-particularly the quizzes

·         Discussions/Readings/Guest Speakers

·         I really enjoyed the way the class is structured

·         Not counting attendance/More tests/Less readings

·         Less ideology/More facts/Otherwise it was fine

·         Select a larger, brighter and quieter room and make student projects a required item

·         More visual stimulation and quizzes later in class

·         I would change meeting times, speakers and lectures

·         Keep the snack-break

 

 

14. WOULD YOU REGISTER FOR THE 24-CREDIT FLC MINOR IN GLOBALIZATION?

·         Yes (12)

·         Yes, if I were not graduating soon (2)

·         No (1)

·         No, because I am graduating (3)

·         No, globalization is not my particular field of interest but I would take individual classes to broaden my horizon and be better informed

·         No, I have not enough time for taking a global minor

 

 

15. If you WOULD REGISTER for a global minor, Please give three main reasons

·         Helps to understand politics and global relations/I would like to take up a career in a similar or related field/It makes me a well-rounded person

·         I think it is an asset given the global trends/Global awareness is critical in today's world/There are several federated classes to pick from

·         I think the information will be very valuable in the future for a career, personally, and for the ethical considerations

·         This knowledge is very important

·         It is important/It is a new field/It is legitimate

·         Provides for a more well-rounded resume/I am interested in the topic/Importance of globalization

·         Makes you a globally informed person/Keeps you up to date with current events/Opens up a career path

·         Global awareness/Importance of U.S. for globalization

·         It's important for myself and for the world

·         It's an important topic

·         This is a topic students need to know about and should take classes

·         Have more knowledge/share it with others/become involved in the future

·         We are living in global times/Course fulfills DEC and is an upper division level course

·         I like the fact that the minor incorporates a variety of federated classes

 

 

16. If Stony Brook University were to offer a major in Globalization, would you elect a major? Please give three reasons why or why not.

·         Yes (3)

·         Yes, Its relevant to everyday life/Its beneficial information/A lot of people would be interested if they knew more about globalization

·         Yes, it would be great for someone with an interest in globalization

·         Yes, because globalization is the most world changing topic

·         Yes, I have a desire to help people in need. I am especially interested in other cultures and want to volunteer in other countries to learn more about other cultures and make a difference in the world

·         Yes, because it is a topic of increasing importance and I think globalization is irreversible

·         Yes, it is valuable for the job market in coming years

·         Yes, along with the reasons given above the major would give me a background in a field that is growing by the day

·         Yes, because it is relevant to our daily life/Knowledge helps career development in any field/The world is becoming more global and therefore this should be required subject

·         Yes, if I were a freshman I would perhaps chose a global minor

·         Yes, I am interested in politics but globalization courses cover so much more

·         Yes, globalization is the future and Stony Brook is a global university since people here are from many countries and such a program makes sense for SBU

·         Yes, definitely-I wish I could major but I will settle for the FLC minor because globalization is the most important aspect of world issues to study

·         Possibly, because it is very interesting but still today not yet practical

·         I prefer a minor because it helps to make one a more rounded person. With a major it would be difficult to obtain employment

·         A minor yes but not a major because my focus is on English and Literature

·         I think it is better suited for a minor. Globalization seems not big enough like Sociology for a major

·         No, I am not interested that much and attracted in a global career path

 

 

 

 


FLC 302/SOC 393: STUDENT SURVEY

(May 4, 2004, N=20)

 

Students had five response options: Excellent (1 point); Good (2 points); Fair (3 points); Poor (4 points)

 

                                                                                                               

N

Mean

StdDev

1.  Instructor uses class time effectively                                        

20

1.25

.44

2.  Instructor gives clear explanations                                            

20

1.25

.55

3.  Instructor summarizes ideas effectively                                   

20

1.40

.50

4.  Examples and illustrations are used well                                  

20

1.35

.49

5.  The course is well organized                                                        

20

1.25

.44

6.  Instructor is enthusiastic about topics                                       

20

1.15

.37

7.  Instructor's English language competency is                           

20

1.25

.44

8.  Instructor's English pronunciation is                                          

20

1.55

.60

9.  My evaluation so far is what I expected                                  

19

1.53

.61

10. Student evaluation is fair and transparent                             

19

1.53

.61

11. The amount of work I did so far is                                           

20

1.70

.47

12. Course requirements are                                                            

20

1.55

.51

13. Course objectives are realistic                                                   

20

1.30

.47

14. Reading requirements are comparatively                               

20

1.85

.75

15. Mid-term exam task was                                                           

19

1.53

.70

16. Time to finish mid-term exam was                                          

20

1.45

.76

17. Student project requirement is                                                  

19

1.68

.67

18. Quiz requirements are                                                                 

20

2.20

.77

19. Take home final essay requirements are                                

20

1.35

.49

20. Work load in comparison with traditional classes is             

20

1.55

.69

21. Instructor shows respect for students                                       

20

1.05

.22

22. Instructor is available for consultation                                    

20

1.15

.49

23. Instructor is receptive to questions and ideas                         

20

1.20

.52

24. The TA's support for this class was                                          

20

1.55

.83

25. My understanding of globalization now is                              

20

1.55

.51

26. I would recommend taking the FLC class                              

20

1.15

.37

27. I would recommend the instructor                                           

20

1.10

.31

28. I would recommend taking a Minor in Globalization           

20

1.40

.75

29. I would recommend federated classes                                    

19

1.32

.48

30. I recommend to continue inviting guest speakers                 

20

1.25

.44