Take Human Resource Management online!

UMUC courses in human resource management provide 21st-century skills, knowledge, and understanding of human resource functions in private- and public-sector organizational settings. Through the proper selection of courses, the student can prepare for the certification examinations for Professional in Human Resources, Senior Professional in Human Resources, and Global Professional in Human Resources, which are offered by the Society of Human Resource Management.

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Take 'Writing the Resume' and other COMM courses online

Writing and speaking skills are required in more types of careers than many people might imagine. While writing skills are, of course, crucial in the fields of journalism, advertising, or publishing, they’re also important in any job requiring the composition of business letters, reports, or proposals. Spoken communication skills are also important in the wide range of occupations which require one to direct meetings or give presentations.

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Business and Management courses

Business is constantly evolving. Employers are looking for strong candidates who can understand, manage and adapt to new business cultures and cutting-edge technologies. Acquire the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in, finance, global policy, management, marketing, and more! Find a variety of BMGT courses in UMUC's online programs, including:

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Meet Business instructor Edwyn Saiki

Professor Edwyn Saiki was born and raised on the sugar plantation town of Waipahu, on the island of Oahu, in May 1940. He graduated from Waipahu High School in June 1958. During his college years, in 1963, Prof. Saiki married his college sweetheart, Sylvia, who is also a teacher. She continues to teach the 5th grade at Mendel Elementary School, and in some instances, Prof. Saiki has taught his wife’s students’ parents in UMUC classes.

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Take Asian Studies courses online

Asia has become increasingly relevant in various aspects of American life. China, Japan, South Korea, and other East Asian countries are now integral players in the world economy; their respective popular cultures are increasingly enjoyed internationally. Understanding the histories and cultures of East Asia is useful to students in a variety of fields.

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Commencement 2013

Get all the info about UMUC Asia's upcoming Commencement ceremonies

UMUC Among '25 colleges you haven't considered -- but should!'

UMUC is featured in a new story on The Daily Beast: "Amazing but Overlooked: 25 Colleges You Haven't Considered but Should"

The Effects of the Food Industry on the American Economy

It doesn't take much to see that everyone needs food. Whether it is loved or hated, it is essential for humans to survive. Anything that could ever be wanted or desired to put on our plates is literally at the tip of everyone's fingers as long as their wallets can support it. Some may like it just for the taste, others for the way it makes them feel. All that needs to be done is to reach out and grab it. Here in the United States especially, a land of such opportunity where everything a man or woman wants can be attained if they are willing to work for it. How can something so valuable to the sustainment of our lives hardly cost anything at all? If Americans aren't paying the price, who is? In the 2009 article "Cheap Food: Workers Pay the Price" by Arturo Rodriguez, it can be seen that the price paid for lower priced foods isn't anything compared to the price being paid by the workers that bring it to us. In the United States, consumer demand for lower food prices not only affects the American farming economy, but also the overall welfare of the people in this country.

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New Enrollment, Drop and Withdrawal Policies

UMUC’s enrollment, drop and withdrawal policies have changed! All the information is here

Complete your Writing Requirement with WRTG 101S

UMUC’s new Introduction to Writing course, WRTG 101S, may better suit your learning needs than WRTG 101.

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UMUC Asia Store

Check out UMUC Asia Merchandise at the UMUC Asia official store!  

VA: Online MATH below 100 level not certifiable

We have been recently notified that starting this Fall 2012 semester we may not certify distance education (online) MATH 001, MATH 009, and MATH 012 courses to the VA for benefits.

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CCME Scholarships

The Council of College and Military Educators (CCME) is pleased to offer $1000 scholarships each year to United States Service members (active duty/veterans) and spouses of Service members who are working towards the completion of higher education degrees.

More Information

What is the Student Advisory Council (STAC)?

STAC consists of 12 students, representing both undergraduate and graduate programs in the United States and overseas. Asia elects three representatives to two-year terms.

More Information

More Online Classes

With our new combined overseas online schedule of classes starting this fall, you have more course options at your fingertips every session! Also, ordering books just got simpler. You can now order all of your on-site and Asia/Europe online textbooks from webText Asia for faster delivery. See the schedule

2012 Commencement photos

View photos of all the 2012 Commencement Ceremonies!

Tokyo
Okinawa
Seoul
Guam

Direct Deposit now available!

UMUC Asia now offers direct deposit for student refunds! more

UMUC’s Next Step to Going Green—E-Billing!

UMUC is excited to announce that effective April 2012 the Office of Student Accounts will send all student invoices electronically. A PDF version of your invoice will be sent to the e-mail address the university has on file for you, so please update your e-mail address now through MyUMUC.

MyUMUC > MyInfo > Email Address

To read your invoice, you may need to download the most recent version of Adobe Reader.

Become a Student Ambassador!

Enthusiastic about UMUC Asia? Proud to be a UMUC student? Want to gain valuable hands-on experience in marketing and outreach? UMUC Asia is looking for motivated people who are committed to getting higher education!

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Discovering the Invisible Man

It is ten minutes to eight o’clock in the morning and I am cautiously doing as much over the speed limit as I can without bringing attention to the fact that I am speeding; watching every minute change on my stereo’s digital clock hoping that being aware of time passing will make it slow down just enough for me to make it to work on time. Driving has become an automatic response taking routes pre-programmed by destination and while some of my attention is watching for small variations that may occur, in my mind I am already sitting at my desk making a to-do list of the things I failed to accomplish yesterday. I am only running ten minutes behind but those ten minutes are crucial because now all the children are making their way to the school and everywhere I look there are swarms of kids of all ages; like ants they catch the eye with their slow movements spread out in all directions. I was at a stop sign impatiently glaring at a young man who was crossing the crosswalk at a very leisurely pace - counting the seconds and intensely becoming furious with his willingness to slow me down - when I came to grasp a concept that had been eluding me for days.

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Studying with Cancer

We talk to a UMUC student who, while undergoing cancer treatment, continued her studies. In learning about her cancer and how to overcome it, UMUC's BIOL 304 (The Biology of Cancer) played an important role! Hear the podcast

MyUMUC and WebTycho: The same password!

UMUC Asia is pleased to announce that your MyUMUC Student Portal User ID and password are now also your WebTycho User ID and password! You will now use the same ID and password to log into both sites.

New STAC Representatives Announced

Congratulations to the newly elected Student Advisory Council representatives, Takeshi Shimada and Yuko Nagashima! They join Lindsay Remer in representing Asia in the worldwide UMUC Student Advisory Council. See more info on your reps  

Learn More About FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 was created to protect the privacy of students. Read more about FERPA and find UMUC's new FERPA form here.

Read the UMUC Asia Catalog Online

Read the UMUC Asia Catalog as a PDF file! More than ten years of archive Catalogs also available for download! View now

Welcome to the New UMUC Asia Web Site!

UMUC Asia is proud to announce the launch of its redesigned Web site offering a fresh new look, easier navigation, and well-organized content specifically targeted to our diverse audience.

This redesign is part of an ongoing project to expand UMUC’s online presence and improve our ability to distribute timely and relevant content to our students, faculty, staff and alumni.

We encourage you to browse through the site and try out all the new features. If you have any feedback or suggestions directly related to the Web site, then let us know what you think.

Apply for the Orkand Family Military Book Award

Through the Orkand Family Military Book Award, active-duty servicemembers attending UMUC Stateside, Europe, and Asia can apply to receive a $100 award to help pay for textbooks. Apply now

New Major! Digital Media and Web Technologies

UMUC Asia announces a new major for Academic Year 2011-12: Digital Media and Web Technologies.This exciting new major provides in-depth knowledge in practical applications of computing. More information

DANTES Exam Coverage Not Just for Active Duty

Did you know? DANTES funds CLEP/DSST exams and administration fees (one attempt per exam per title) for spouses and civilian employees of:

• Air Force Reserve
• Air National Guard
• Army Reserve
• Army National Guard
• Coast Guard

For more information about the National Test Centers, please contact a local UMUC Asia NTC or the UMUC Asia IT Department.

Untitled

I would first like to tell you a bit about myself. I am currently enrolled with UMUC and have been for about a year. I have recently enrolled with Bowie State earning my degree as a secondary history teacher. I have taken many DE courses, and feel quite competent in answering these questions.

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Carry-on Classes

In the military today there are a lot of uncertainties about where you’re going to be from day to day. The call of duty can arise at any time taking people from one country to the next. Luckily, the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) has a Distance Education program that allows Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to pack up their laptop and take their classes wherever they may go. Distance Education through WebTycho has provided the breakthrough that the military has needed to make continuing education possible.

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UMUC Asia Distance Education: Forging a Path To Excellence

While the choice to pursue education via distance learning offers students many options not available to those attending traditional face-to-face courses, distance education also has its shortcomings. This is true of virtually all distance-learning environments and even the best programs are not exempt, though they continually strive to meet the changing demands of a diversified student population. For most students who choose to enroll in the UMUC Asia Distance Education program, their overall experience will be a very positive and quite enjoyable educational venture. However, this program too, despite its extraordinarily positive aspects still has at least one feature that can be improved upon.

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UMUC Receives 2011 Institution Award

Award from the Council of College and Military Educators recognizes organizations that have made significant contributions to voluntary off-duty military education programs

ADELPHI, Md. (Feb. 18, 2011) – University of Maryland University College (UMUC) announced today that it has received the 2011 Institution Award from the Council of College and Military Educators (CCME), a not-for-profit organization founded to promote, encourage and deliver quality education to servicemembers and their families in all branches of the U.S. armed services. UMUC received the award at CCME’s annual symposium this week in Tampa, Fla.

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The Forgotten Immigrants

Since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, some Americans give little thought about it. The land was inhabited by Indians and recognized as home to them; having this awareness, thirteen colonies were established, and many Europeans occupied them. The flow of immigrants continued to increase. As the new frontier was paved, laws were established so that social order would come about. History tells us that in order to thrive, people needed a place to dwell and so they took known resources from the land—the United States. Some Americans overlook morality in human relations, and cause further distress to laborers. Our forefathers initiated written rules, but the enforcement of them has been weak.

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No Grace for the Guilty

Crack.  A blinding white light illuminates still features.  Elongated irregular shadows imprint themselves into the stained carpet and whitewash walls.  The subtle whine of an exhausted battery grows slowly faint, rising in pitch.  Latex fingers cradle the small plastic box, focusing in its center the icy eye, twice reflecting the shimmer of a distant bulb.  The scene grows deadly quiet.  Crack.

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The Definition of a Typhoon

This article was written for Fritz Logan WRTG 101 DE class.

When most people hear the word “typhoon” they assume they’ll be getting a few days off work to wait out a hurricane in the comfort of their own homes. Webster’s calls it “a tropical cyclone or hurricane of the western Pacific area and the China seas.” While those definitions are all correct, typhoons hold an entirely different meaning in my world. To me, a typhoon means running on little to no sleep for two days, twenty-four hour live radio shows, braving the storm to get the perfect “look-live” shot, and hours upon hours of weather updates. My world is AFN Okinawa.

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Together Apart

This article was written for Eliza Warren's WRTG 101 DE class.

As a 10 year old boy and his 9 year old sister argue over who gets control of the television, an overworked, under slept mother becomes the referee to the remote control death match. That woman is me. I ask, “Why can’t you two just try and get along?” As I look to them with their pitiful face masks, I remind them that this type of behavior will not be accepted by their Dad once he came home. Later, comes the evening phone call from my deployed husband wanting to know what’s new. After I explain the fight, he laughs! I get angry for having to deal with the problems that he sees as laughable and he replies, “I wish I could’ve been there.” It was at that moment that it hit me. Everyday life with my family can become so mundane, until you take one person out of the equation. All that seemed so boring and normal has now become so foreign. It is so important in our everyday lives to be grateful for the family we have, because at any time, they can be taken away.

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Wandering Scholars Podcast: Bullying

Bullying among kids has probably existed for as long as there have been schools, but our data on it and understanding of ways to stop it have grown. Timothy Quezada, faculty member in Okinawa, tells us about the impacts of bullying (including cyber-bullying), how to recognize it, and how to stop it.

Listen to the podcast

This podcast is a preview of Dr. Quezada's "UMUC Presents" presentation:

When: Friday, October 1, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Where: Camp Foster Library

Call 645-3488 for more information.

Sponsored by the UMUC Faculty

Oil in the Gulf: The Effects on Wildlife

The recent BP oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in many images in the media of oil-covered birds. The leak is stopped and the oil is out of the headlines, but the effects on wildlife continue, and will for years to come. Jill Rolfe, a UMUC instructor at Misawa AB, Japan, talks about some of the ongoing and anticipated effects of the oil on wildlife. Also, what does it take to get oil off a bird?

Listen to the podcast

Honey Bea

A breeze brought her back from the absence of her thoughts. The engaging perfume of aging honeysuckle came over her with a subtle memory:

Years ago she had watched him preparing to plant it, turning the soil with a shiny grey spade shovel, his shirt fastened to his chest by a cool apron of sweat. He hadn’t noticed she was there, standing with one foot on the wooden porch, halfway through the swinging screen door. She was miserable, but mesmerized by his dedication, stowing away the moment deep into her memory as she pondered what thoughts could drive him so fiercely to strain himself when he could simply choose not to.

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Beauty Trends but Health Lasts

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so it is said. But how true does that adage hold when the mass media constantly bombards the westernized world with social standards of what is beautiful? Standards of beauty have existed for centuries. They have changed drastically over time, and have varied by region and culture. Society has always placed expectations upon both men and women to look and behave in ways it considers appropriate for the current time. It’s odd that now, when more people are wealthier than ever before, being thin is more valued than being fat (once a mark of wealth). Tanned skin is also more valued today than the pale skin that was once a mark of wealth and power. However, for the first time in history, we have had in the past few decades the mass mainstream media projecting these new standards to more people than ever before. It used to be that only the higher classes were expected to abide by any aesthetic standards. Yet now, the standards exist across the board regardless of age, education, wealth, or race. It’s not possible for everyone to fit into these very limited body types. However, in all honesty, it was never possible for everyone to fit the beauty standards of any age. Perhaps it is not the standards of beauty that are wrong as much as the expectation that everyone should fit those standards that is wrong.

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A Life Through Sociology

I was born in Texas a blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy. I blended in well with the general population, and so had no reason at a young age to question my existence in terms of my features. At the age of five I moved to New Mexico and started attending public school, and quickly had my differences pointed out to me by my peers. I spoke with a southern draw, and remember putting a large amount of effort, until I no longer noticed that I was trying, into shedding my accent. I have noticed that the American English is virtually unchanged in every state from New Mexico to the coast of California, and can surmise only that this has something to do with the time that each place was settled, and the multitude of different cultures that wound up there. That is to say that there was not enough time for the social isolation necessary for a dialect to create itself. If you travel east, each southern state has a very significant difference from the other, almost the instant you cross state borders. I can recall through my travels feeling, after only a few hours of driving, that I had entered another country.

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Leon McCrillis Interview

The latest Wandering Scholars Podcast is an interview with longtime UMUC history instructor on Guam, Leon McCrillis. Listen here or on iTunes.

Whales in Japanese Culture

In the latest Wandering Scholars podcast, Guam faculty members Yoko Morimoto and Gyongi Plucer-Rosario talk about Whales in Japanese culture

American Opportunity Tax Credit

The National Association of College Stores (NACS), of which UMUC is a member, has created, in partnership with the IRS, an informational Web site about a tax credit for textbook purchases. See http://www.textbookaid.org.

MyCAA On Hold

The Department of Defense (DoD) Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) funding is temporarily on hold. More information

Elmendorf Troops become Guam Students

Troops from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska were recently deployed to Guam in support of the F-22 Raptor stealth fighters. What to do in their down time? How about continue their education? This episode of Wandering Scholars Podcast reports on how the Elmendorf troops became Guam UMUC students, on a very quick turnaround.

IRS FORM 1098-T Form for Tax Year 2009

UMUC Stateside will be printing the IRS Form 1098-T for Tax Year 2009 on or about 13 January 2010. This form will be mailed to the address posted on your MyUMUC Student Portal account. Please take a moment to verify that your address is current in MyUMUC. To verify/update your address, log in to https://my.umuc.edu > enter your UserID and password > click on “Go” > click on “Student Portal” on the left menu >click on “MyInfo” > “Contact Information” > “Address.” The target mail-out date is 29 January 2010.

If you expect a IRS Form 1098-T but have not received one by 15 February 2010, or have questions concerning the amounts shown on this form, contact UMUC Stateside at studentaccounts@umuc.edu .

Podcast: Academic Advisors

Cerebral challenge: How much do YOU know about UMUC Asia’s Academic Advisors, and the services they offer?

UMUC Students tell their stories

Read interviews with worldwide UMUC students here.

Applying for MyCAA

The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA) program is providing $6,000 for education and training in a University of Maryland University College (UMUC) program. UMUC has 150 locations worldwide and online classes to fit your changing life. Find a program you're interested in and take your career with you.

For eligibility information and how to apply, see the MyCAA page.

UMUC Presents on Okinawa

"Understanding Adolescent Cutting and Self-Harm Behavior: Why do they do it and how can we help?" will be the UMUC Presents free lecture to be presented by Dr. Melissa Butler on November 13.

Adolescent cutting and self-harm behavior has become a significant problem that has grown from a once secretive and rare behavior to a socially accepted and even customary behavior among some adolescent groups. Unlike previous decades, adolescents today are very aware of this behavior and either struggle with it themselves, have friends that engage in this behavior, or know kids at school who do. While the intent of cutting and self-harm behavior is not typically lethal, it is highly dangerous and therefore extremely distressing for those who live and work with adolescents who cut and self-harm. Parents, teachers, and clinicians are often left feeling frustrated and helpless and wonder how best to help these troubled adolescents.

In this edition of “Maryland Presents” Dr. Melissa Butler will cover the “why’s” behind this self-destructive behavior and examine the function that it serves. Dr. Butler will also give practical information and guidance for parents, teachers, and clinicians on how to best help adolescents who cut and self-harm, including an important list of “what not to do.”

Dr. Melissa Butler is a clinical psychologist and adjunct professor for UMUC – Asia and Bowie State University. For 10 years, she has worked extensively with troubled adolescents who cut and self-harm in inpatient, outpatient, and juvenile correctional settings.

This special lecture is part of the “Maryland Presents” series, a public lecture sponsored by the Maryland faculty. Please join us on Friday, November 13th at the Torii Room in the Kadena Officer’s Club. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available from 6:30 pm and the presentation will begin around 7:15 pm.

Students Awaiting Education Benefits — Request an Advance Payment

Effective October 2, 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has authorized checks for up to $3,000 to be given to students who have applied for educational benefits and who have not yet received their education payment.

Read the GI Bill Web site Advanced Payment Q&A for detailed information and instructions.

Wandering Scholars Podcast: Understanding Arabs and the Middle East

The Western perception of the Arab world is filled with stereotypes and misinformation. At Osan Air Base, Korea, on October 9, Dr. Ray Weisenborn will be giving a lecture entitled “Understanding Arabs and the Middle East.” Dr. Weisenborn has taught writing, English, speech, theatre, and Human resource management for UMUC Asia. In this episode, he talks about his experiences with the Arab world and some of the misconceptions Arabs and Westerners have about each other.

Wandering Scholars Podcast: The Financial Meltdown

What’s it like to teach an Economics class during an economic meltdown? UMUC Asia Adjunct Associate Professor Douglas Ostrom had this experience last fall while teaching at Yokosuka NB, Japan. He’ll describe how he handled it, the causes of (and solutions to) the economic crisis and the current recession, and the effect it has had on the Japanese economy.

Wandering Scholars Podcast: Financial Aid for Servicemembers

What financial aid programs are available for active-duty servicemembers and their spouses? Wandering Scholars talks to the recipient of a UMUC military spouse scholarship, and gets the scoop on other programs available from the UMUC Asia financial aid office.

Wandering Scholars Podcast: Korean Shamans

Dr. Frank Concilus talks about Korean shamans and what they do in the latest Wandering Scholars podcast.

Podcast and slideshow on India

UMUC Asia faculty member Nick Zoa recently gave a talk and slide show about his visit to India and Sri Lanka at Yokota Air Base. An audio podcast of this talk is now available, along with a photo gallery of his slide show!

Commencement Photos Viewable

Photos of the Tokyo and Okinawa Commencement ceremonies are now viewable at the UMUC Asia Commencement Web page. Video of the Tokyo ceremony is also available.

More photos and video to come!

Martin and Collins Win the Drazek Award

Congratulations to Dr. Rick Martin and Mr. Jerry Collins for being awarded this year’s Stanley J. Drazek Teaching Excellence Award. This year, students nominated scores of instructors to be recognized for teaching excellence and after much deliberation the selection committee chose five finalists. Jerry and Rick, the top two finalists, were awarded the Drazek Award; Pamela Carlton, Aleta Geib, and Hiromi Edwards—the three runners-up—were awarded the Teaching Recognition Award.

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Acid and Music

The Beatles and The Doors

In 1965 the acid culture began to influence many bands. The Doors was one such band and another was The Beatles. The Doors were just emerging onto the music scene and were experimenting with psychedelics from the start. The Beatles had been together since the beginning of the decade but had only released their first studio album in 1963. The Beatles first arrived in the U.S.A in 1964 and were introduced to several psychedelic substances that affected their music. These two bands are not often looked at as having many similarities. However, I find that their musical style and lyrics are very similar and relate this to their usage of psychedelics.

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GoArmyEd Students: Be sure to select the correct campus!

Army students stationed in Asia: When registering for UMUC classes in GoArmyEd, be sure to select "UMUC Asia" as your campus in the GoArmyEd portal.
More information

More Self-Service in MyUMUC

Military and military-affiliated students can now update and change more of their personal military information directly in the self-services section of the MyUMUC student portal. This new feature helps students to stay informed about available benefits and keep their information current.

To learn more, read the Instructions and Frequently Asked Questions.

MSNBC Highlights UMUC in Iraq

News outlet MSNBC recently interviewed UMUC faculty and students on the ground in Iraq, highlighting the University's innovation and flexibility as it offers classes and services to deployed servicemembers. The first U.S. university to serve troops in Iraq, UMUC now has 500 students enrolled there.

Cigarette Smoking-Who is to Blame?

Should the tobacco companies take the blame for more and more people smoking? This is a very hot, very controversial topic in the United States these days. In a country where people are free to protest, free to do what they want, cigarette smoking has become excellent argument fodder for practically everyone; parents, teachers, politicians, lobbyists, doctors, smokers, and non-smokers. Everyone wants the freedom to do what they want with their own body, yet people also want to be able to make others believe what they believe. Doctors have provided excellent medical evidence on the dangers of smoking, yet smokers still buy the pack of cigarettes. Politicians have promised to toughen the cigarette laws, yet pretty much everyone who wants cigarettes can get them. Plenty of people in America are holding the tobacco companies at fault. The American people feel that tobacco companies are marketing cigarettes towards children; they feel that these companies are trying to make cigarettes more addictive. There are people who have smoked for their entire lives, get cancer or emphysema, then want to sue the tobacco companies for making them smoke. Parents are angry because they find out that their children have been smoking. Non-smokers are angry because someone smokes in a restaurant. All of these people blame the tobacco companies. The real issue at hand isn’t the tobacco companies manufacturing cigarettes; it’s the American public not taking responsibility for their actions.

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STAC Election Winner Announced

The results of the latest Student Advisory Council (STAC) election are in! The newest rep is Corey Gronli of Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan.

ATTENTION: Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Students

It is your responsibility to get your tuition assistance (TA) approved by your service branch if you wish to use it to cover the tuition cost of a class. It is best to have your tuition assistance approved and submitted before the first class meeting. If you have not received approved tuition assistance and attend a class for which you registered, you may be personally liable for all tuition charges.

TA is a form of payment only. To successfully enroll in a UMUC course using tuition assistance you must:

1. Apply for tuition assistance and receive approval for funds
2. Register for your class(es) through the MyUMUC or GoArmyEd portal

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Meet the UMUC Asia Business Office - pt. 1

Asia View presents a series of quick intros to our Business Office staff and how their work affects you. This week: James Ritton, Accounting Assistant.

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Transcript Requests: New Policy

If you would like to request a copy of your official transcript you have three ways of doing so, online, by fax, or by postal mail.

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Violence in Children Is Not Just From TV

Most parents expect a four year old to be very active and zealous, but never violent. However, some children exhibit violent behavior, such as running around the playground kicking, karate chopping and biting other children. The following example is based on personal experience.

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UMUC Asia Begins Audio Podcast

UMUC announces its new audio podcast, "Wandering Scholars."

"The podcast is aimed at students and will feature the University's students, faculty, and staff," said Tim Young, Marketing and Communications Coordinator. "We wanted to start off with something fun, so we're starting out with a movie review episode--two of our faculty members discussing the movie 'Tropic Thunder.'

"Thanks to Kelly Johnston in the Dean's Office, we've got a lot of interesting topics lined up," Young explained. "Everyone in UMUC Asia will be able to get something out of listening to this podcast."

To listen, visit http://umucasia.wordpress.com.

Is Your Address Correct in MyUMUC?

The address in your profile in the MyUMUC Student Portal is the address to which UMUC will send financial aid checks, diplomas, and other correspondence. Please take a moment to ensure that your mailing address in MyUMUC is correct. In the Student Portal, click "MyInfo".

Black Men and Public Space: An Agent of Change

African-American men and white men are born and raised within the continental U.S.; each of their own faculty empowered to change the social injustice of a society. The innate qualities of the African American do not compare to those of the white man, yet - “empowered” they are with character. The foundation for the concept –“character” is best defined as “holistic,” meaning of physical, mental and social qualities – A. Adler’s school of thought, as well as A. Maslow and C. Rogers’ thoughts –“[a]n equal human being… cognitive, emotional, and volitional” (Ambrus, 33 -34)

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White and Newbern Win Drazek Award

Teaching award given to two veteran Asia faculty

"Dr. White’s class is top notch and well worth the price of admission. […] He teaches his students the important role we all play as stewards of the Earth and the importance of our efforts to learn about Earth and ocean processes."
 
"It was obvious from watching Professor Newbern that he was extremely enthusiastic about the material he taught, which made me enthusiastic about learning the material." Another student reported, "I feel honored and humbled to study under him."

The above accolades were given by students in their nominations for Dr. David White and Mr. Jeffrey Newbern for the 2008 Stanley J. Drazek Teaching Award. This year the Associate Dean’s Office received 108 nominations for 71 faculty members. We were flooded with messages from students singing praise to UMUC Asia faculty from various disciplines. It was extraordinary to read the impassioned, gracious, and sincere nominations from students who took time from their busy schedules to express their gratitude for faculty members’ hard work and consistent excellence.

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Annual Schedule Now Available

Tentative class offerings for the entire 2008/09 Academic Year are now available as a PDF file.

New: The Grade of P

Degree-seeking students who have earned 30 credits (including at least 15 credits at UMUC) and who have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 may take one course of up to 6 credits each standard session (fall, spring, or summer) on a pass/fail basis, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Students must elect pass/fail grading at the time of registration. This status may not be changed after the first week of classes has ended. This grading method is allowed only for electives. Required courses (e.g., general education courses and courses for the major and minor) may not be taken pass/fail, nor may pass/fail grading be used in retaking a course for which a letter grade was earned previously

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2008-09 Catalog available electronically

The UMUC Asia Catalog for 2008-09 is now available as a PDF file. Click here to download.

Transcript Fee to Change

As of July 1, 2008, the fee for each transcript requested will be $10.00. As before, the first transcript a student requests will be free. Payment must accompany each request for a transcript.

Interview: New Student Advisory Council Reps

In the November online election, Selena Baca and Ashley Odomirok joined Jason Wright as UMUC Asia's representatives to the Student Advisory Council (STAC). In mid-January, Selena and Ashley traveled from Okinawa to visit UMUC Asia's main office at Yokota Air Base, near Tokyo. Asia View got a chance to ask them a few questions.

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Prejudice, the Spoil of Life

This article was written for Eliza Warren's WRTG 391 DE class.

I was born and raised in Europe. I have learned from my history books that there were freedom and equality in the United States. I learned that, among many other rights, people enjoy freedom of religion and freedom of speech - the rights that were envied by millions of people of the Eastern Block countries.

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Tick tock! Kerplaw!

College students, especially DE students, need good time-management skills. Here are some tips

Study?? When the heck am I supposed to study? I work full-time, I have two kids who always need something, and my house is a mess! I can barely manage my time as it is...who has time for school?

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Apply for Financial Aid Online!

Federal financial aid is available for all UMUC Asia students and we encourage all students to apply for financial aid to fund their education! All forms can be easily accessed electronically. Please follow our recommended steps of application:

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FLEX Course Solution

Keith Witherspoon faced a dilemma. He wanted to continue his studies with UMUC during Term I, but he had a week of leave coming up, immediately followed by a week of TDY. Normally, two weeks away from the classroom would make it very difficult to complete a course with a good grade.

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Curriculum Changes in the 2007-08 UMUC Asia Catalog

Two new course designators appear in this year's catalog. They are:

• WRTG (Writing): Includes many courses which used to be COMM and ENGL courses. For example, ENGL 101, Introduction to Writing, is now WRTG 101.

• FINC (Finance): Includes finance-related courses formerly coded as BMGT. BMGT 340, Business Finance, is now FINC 330.

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The Difference

This article was written for Robert Cook's ENGL 101 class at Yongsan in Term V.

My fingers played with the keys, teasing them with light touches. They were restless and hungry. Pain laced up and down my tensed arm. Joints groaned in protest. There I was ready to type, yet my normal enthusiasm was gone. Something wasn't right. As my nails scratched fruitlessly at the sea of letters before them, my mind swung with mixed emotions. I wanted to write, because I lived to write, yet something within kept shaking its head. There was something nagging my mind.

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A Baby Story

This story was written for Dr. Frederick Logan's DE ENGL 294 course Term IV.

I stretched one more time. Okay, now for a shower. I rubbed some of the sleep out of my chocolate brown eyes and opened them slowly. My vision was a tad bit blurred, I blinked. Suspended over my head was a series of vivid colors including hot pink, turquoise blue, and lime green. I could see fuzzy shapes and distorted animals that appeared to be a cow, a donkey, and a goat. They too had these lively colors, and they dangled from little cones that had a black and white swirl.

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What is the Student Advisory Council?

The UMUC Student Advisory Council (STAC) plays a critical role in assisting undergraduate students by communicating and providing a means for them to input things they want and need. STAC Representatives are able to communicate students' concerns to the university president, provost, deans, and other officials on behalf of all students.

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Financial Aid: New Method of Calculating Half-Time and Full-Time

A change takes effect this academic year regarding the definition that must be used for the purposes of financial aid for what constitutes half-time and full-time enrollment status. Department of Education regulations require that eligibility for federal financial aid be calculated on a "semester" basis.

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Drazek Award Recipients Announced

More than 70 faculty members teaching in both traditional and online formats were nominated by students in the past year for the Stanley J. Drazek Teaching Excellence Award. UMUC Asia is happy to announce that the following faculty members were chosen for recognition:

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Moving Back to the U.S. Soon?

You may be leaving Asia, but you don't need to end your association with UMUC. We have many locations around the world which provide traditional classroom courses, and you can continue your education with our award-winning online Distance Education program from anywhere with Internet access, worldwide.

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How to Start Receiving VA Benefits

VA benefits, provided through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, are a good way to help finance your education. Many UMUC students (veterans and active-duty service members) are eligible for these educational benefits. If you have been using tuition assistance to defray your educational costs but now need to use your VA benefits, or have departed the military and are no longer eligible for tuition assistance, here are the steps you can follow to start the process to receive your VA benefits.

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TexTrader Helps Defer Textbook Costs

Looking for a less expensive way to get the books you need for your course? Want to find a buyer for your used textbooks? Try UMUC Asia's TexTrader site.

TexTrader offers UMUC Asia students a way to buy used textbooks directly from fellow students. To get started, visit the TexTrader page and use the "Select a Course" pulldown menu to find the course for which you need a book. Once you have determined which text and edition you need from your instructor's syllabus, DE textbook listing, or center textbook listing, click the course code next to the book, and use the form to send an e-mail directly to the fellow student who is selling the book.

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UMUC to Offer Three New Degrees this Fall

UMUC adds Homeland Security, Emergency Management and Information Assurance degrees

ADELPHI, Md. (April 9, 2007) - In response to the increased role of security in government and private industries, and the subsequent need for trained homeland security specialists, the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) today announced that it has added three new undergraduate degrees to its growing Homeland Security program. The new degree programs - Homeland Security, Emergency Management, and Information Assurance - were designed to provide students in Maryland and around the world with training and academic credentials that will prepare them to succeed in these critical, fast-growing disciplines.

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Financial Aid: Apply Now!

It's time to start thinking about financial aid for Academic Year 2007-2008! If you've never applied before, you may have a lot of questions: What are the different forms of financial aid? Am I eligible? How do I get started? We have the answers.

Do not assume you are not eligible because someone you know did or did not receive financial aid. There are many factors that contribute to eligibility; income and family size are just some of them. The fact is that almost everyone qualifies for some type of grant or loan. Financial aid is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Education. At UMUC Asia, there are three basic types of aid available. Grants and scholarships are financial aid awards that do not have to be repaid. Loans are financial aid awards that must be repaid once you have finished school.

Loans are a viable way for students who are serious about their education to attend school.

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Garretson Gets Good Press in Korea

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The Daily NK, a Web site of news about North Korea, recently covered a Maryland Presents lecture given by David Garretson, longtime UMUC faculty member.

The lecture was titled "North Korea and the U.S. at a Crossroads," and was presented at Osan Air Base on February 9. Garretson, who was a diplomat prior to joining the UMUC faculty in 1974, explained in the lecture that the North wants an agreement with the U.S. as a hedge against Russia, China, and Japan. "North Korea is looking at the U.S. as one of the major global powers that it can get a good deal with, which would create leverage," he is quoted as saying.

Read the entire article (enter "Garretson" in the Search field.)

CLEP Now Available in Computer Labs

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams can now be taken in selected UMUC Asia computer labs. Results are available immediately after completion of the test.

CLEP exams are one method of earning college credit by examination. UMUC will award up to 30 credits by examination toward an associate degree, and up to 60 credits toward a bachelor's degree, provided there is no duplication of other academic credit.

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Artificial Intelligence: the right path?

The following is an excerpt from an essay written for Rebecca Rowson's IFSM 304 DE class Term I.

Scientists around the world have been focusing on creating machines of more processing power and higher value to humans ever since a computing machine was invented. The focus lay mainly in manufacturing equipment which could take over assembly line work or take on calculations which would take months for the human brain to solve to name a few examples. This focus has been shifting to incorporate other areas in the past 40-50 years; scientists and engineers have been working on constructing machines that are able to "think." More and more are these machines seen in everyday situations such as aiding doctors in evaluation and treatment possibilities, or in data mining, a technique used by various organizations to filter out certain data in order to create patterns that otherwise would go unnoticed. The media lab at MIT is in the process of creating a common sense database called "open mind common sense," and work is constantly being done in producing a natural language processing computer which could "fool" a human, the ultimate goal of scientists in this field. It seems as though the breakthrough of creating a thinking system that is no longer distinguishable from a human brain is getting near; the difference will be that this machine will be able to better accomplish tasks of any sort in comparison to the human brain.

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Nominations for Outstanding Faculty

This is your chance to nominate a UMUC Asia faculty member you would like recognized for his or her exceptional skill in promoting student learning and for consistently demonstrating a commitment to providing a high-quality education to adult learners.

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Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership

In response to sailors' needs for greater access to higher education, the Navy has developed a partnership with colleges and universities called the Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership (NCPDLP). This program is designed to offer rating-related degrees via distance learning to sailors everywhere.

UMUC is proud to be one of approximately 20 partner schools in the NCPDLP program. UMUC participates in three degree programs at both the associate and bachelor's degree levels: Management Studies, Computer Studies, and Legal Studies.

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Information and Library Services (ILS): Using UMUC

UMUC provides current students with quality resources, services, and instruction 24 hours a day, seven days a week, worldwide. Please bookmark the library home Web page for quick access to UMUC's online library.

Whether one is new to UMUC or a veteran student, a good place to become familiar with the online library is to take the virtual library tour. A link to "Navigating UMUC's Virtual Library" is located on the ILS Web page. This six-minute presentation guides users through the various resources and services available on the UMUC library Web site including:

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Advisor FAQs

Q: When am I eligible to receive an Official Evaluation of my credits?

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Preparing for tax season

While it may not be April yet, 2006 has ended and it is not too early to begin thinking about tax season. There are two important steps you can take now to ensure you will have necessary documentation to prepare your 2006 tax return.

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Graduation and Commencement 2007

UMUC Asia has three graduation dates annually on which degrees are officially conferred: December 30, May 30, and August 30. Diplomas are mailed approximately six to eight weeks following the graduation date, thus December 30, 2006 graduates should receive their diplomas in February 2007. The dates above are ones on which degrees are officially awarded and posted to student records, and do not coincide with Commencement ceremonies held annually in Tokyo, Seoul, and Okinawa.

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Enrolling at Least Half Time

Financial Aid Advisor

Q: I was reading the Financial Aid Guide and it says that I have to be enrolled half time to qualify for a student loan. What do I have to take to be a half-time student?

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Getting advice on your academic investment

The time you spend on your education is an investment in your future. Earning a college degree will increase your earnings over your lifetime. Just as a stockholder would get advice on financial investments, students need advice on their academic investment. UMUC Academic Advisors provide this advice, helping students determine which courses they will need in order to complete a certificate or degree program.

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Good News for UMUC Overseas Students

New Tuition Rate

GREAT NEWS! Students here in PACOM can now enroll in the hundreds of on-line courses that UMUC offers directly from the home campus in Adelphi, Maryland, as well as from the European Division, at the much lower overseas rate of $172.00 per credit. This means that the total tuition for a three-credit UMUC Adelphi on-line course is $516—the same tuition rate as for Asian Division Distance Education courses and the same tuition rate as for traditional in-class Asian Division courses.

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The Romance Novel Marriage

This story was written for Eliza Warren's Term I ENGL 391 course via DE.

From the moment they saw each other they knew they were the perfect pair. They knew instantly that the other was their soul mate. It was love at first sight. This knowledge is followed by amazing sex. Then the ecstatic couple gets married and lives "Happily Ever After." I'm talking about the modern day adult fairy tale, also known as the romance novel. I've been reading these novels since I was in the seventh grade. My first one was titled Bitter Sweet, written by Laverle Spencer, and was found in my mom's closet. From there I graduated to the more sordid novels with half-naked people on the covers. My adolescent mind was absolutely fascinated and I could not wait until I found my guy and could experience those feelings first-hand. Fifteen years later, I'm happy to say that I realize the utter ridiculousness of hoping for a romance novel relationship. I'm glad I realized fairly early in my life that reality is never anything like the words on those pages. What many people fail to grasp is that they are just entertainment.

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A Family Portrait: How the Picture Keeps Changing

This story was written for Eliza Warren's Term I ENGL 391 course via DE.

Growing up I believed that the three bears in the tale of Goldilocks were a family because they lived under the same roof and ate at the same table. I also believed that Barbie and her little sister, Skipper, were family because they looked alike, and that Mr. Potato Head and Mrs. Potato Head were family because they were married. Now that I am grown, my understanding of family has matured, and many sources have helped shape my belief. Carol Shields points out in her article, “Family Is One of the Few Certainties We Will Take with Us Far into the Future,” that all around us there are different definitions and symbols of family (Shields 558). In short, a family does not have to conform to a set mold to be considered a family. For example, a small family, such as Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head’s, still qualifies as a family. On the contrary, Webster supports a more traditional view that defines “family” as a household consisting of parents and their children. Relatives and those who share a mutual ancestor are also included in this definition (“Family” 215). Our culture’s interpretation of family is constantly changing, and an amendment to the definition should be allowed for. History tells us that a family consists of a man, a woman, and their children, but I believe that today, that definition should branch out to include non-traditional families, which in some cases could even include, pets and close friends.

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Got Spirit?

This story was written for Dr. Frederick Logan's Term IV ENGL 294 course via DE.

“Sarah, we have got to try out together.”

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A Message from University System of Maryland

I am pleased to announce the University System of Maryland Board of Regents appointment of Susan C. Aldridge as the fifth president of UMUC since 1947. Aldridge will begin her new position on February 1, 2006.

As a higher education leader, Aldridge has achieved many successes which uniquely position her as UMUC's next president. During the past year, Aldridge has served as vice chancellor of University College and the eCampus for Troy University (formerly Troy State University). The university's eCampus is the nation's second largest distance learning program at a public university. UMUC offers the nation's largest.

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Click with Distance Education

For many students today, work schedules and other obligations make it difficult to attend traditional classroom or "face-to-face" courses. However, with the introduction of computers and the Internet into academia, potential students now have more and varied opportunities to continue their education.

Online education has become both a popular and effective method of instruction. UMUC Asia's Distance Education (DE) program is available to all UMUC students in Asia, and includes several hundred course offerings each year in over 30 academic disciplines.

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New Procedures for Army Students

The Army has announced a new initiative called "GoArmyEd" that involves major changes in how active duty Army students worldwide secure Tuition Assistance, register for courses, and in certain ways how they progress toward degrees.

The new system goes into effect on 1 April 2006 and will first affect tuition assistance for UMUC Asia Term V courses (5 June-29 July 2006). Term IV courses are not affected.

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UMUC Celebrates 50th Academic Year in Asia

University of Maryland University College (UMUC) is celebrating its 50th year of providing education programs for U.S. military communities throughout Asia and the Pacific.

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The Fall of Saigon

The year was 1975, a fateful year for the Vietnamese people, for American foreign policy, and for me. The fourth term at Maryland had just started, and I was soon to be the last Maryland lecturer and one of the last Americans to leave South Vietnam. My classes were meeting at two U.S. Embassy annexes near my residence. The word had gotten around several weeks earlier that it was only a matter of time—days at best—before the capital would fall into the hands of the Communists. Nevertheless, practically all my students showed up during the last week of May when my lectures were being increasingly interrupted by the sound of exploding artillery rounds and rockets in the outskirts of the capital.

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More Online Classes Starting Soon...

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