Spring 2006
Global Studies Capstone Seminar Course: GLOB 4000
Dr. Aran
MacKinnon, Office: TLC 3220
Tel: O: (678) 839-6038, E-mail: amackinn@westga.edu
Office hours: M/W, 10:00-12:00 a.m., 1:00-2:00 p.m. or by appointment.
Lectures: HIST 1111 M/W 2:00-3:15, Pafford, 208, XIDS 2301, MW, 3:30-4:45
Class meetings: TBA
Course Description
and Learning outcomes:
This seminar course is the culmination of the Global Studies major. It is designed to integrate the various experiences of students in their interdisciplinary endeavors. Depending on the particular academic tracks students have chosen as part of their program of study and relevant study abroad experiences, both of which will be represented in the portfolios students will bring to this class, specific aspects of globalization will be examined at an advanced level. Themes include population, health and food production; consumption, borders, terrorism; sustainable social and economic development; the global environment and natural resources utilization; human rights; work with displaced populations; empowerment of women, indigenous people, and children; education; culture; as well as aspects of the development of moral judgment and social consciousness as they pertain to globalization processes. Students will also engage in a critical understanding of technology based research in global studies methods through an engagement with information literacy.
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to identify and critically analyze key themes and topics in global studies, to relate their understanding of these themes to a range of current trends in the processes of globalization and to explain these in both written and oral forms. Students will also demonstrate the range of their engagement with and understanding of global studies through the compilation of a portfolio of their work. This portfolio may include internship journals, past papers and exams and reflections of course experiences
The Global Thread
For this semester capstone, the core theme and thread which students will be required to engage in will be migrations and global connections. This can include a broad range of issues and their effects on the global stage such as the migration and movement of people, migrant experiences and their impact, the migration of biological elements and their effects on the global environment and the movement of goods and services around the world.
Students will be required to research and critically analyze the nature of this global thread and be able to reflect on it to show their understanding of the processes which affect migration, and their ability to explain its causes and effects as well as to write about how it is currently operating in the world. Students will further explore this element by identifying and interviewing two people who have had some experience of migration.
Required
Daily/weekly readings of Global Studies related Migration from the New York Times (available free on campus) or articles found at World Press (http://www.worldpress.org/)
TBA assigned readings for meetings with participating instructors
Preparation and review of portfolio
GRADING AND ASSIGNMENTS
Global thread response reports: 30% (2 % for each of 15 responses to current coverage of migration issues)
Migrant Interviews 10% (5% for each of 2)
Final Oral Exit Exam and Discussion of Portfolio: 10%
Grading Scale: A = 90% and above; B= 80-89%, C = 70-79%; D = 60-69%, F = 59 % and below
Assignments
1.Each student is to read and critically engage with the readings set by each of the course component instructors; to write a four-five page report (1800-2000 word) for each topic and to discuss it in the scheduled group meetings
2 Each Student is to follow and read about aspects and examples of the Global Thread of Migration and to write a brief report two-three pagers (500-750 words) on each of 15 articles relating to this issue
3. Each student will identify, research about, interview and write a brief report (4-5 pages) about two people who have experienced migration. The interviews and reports must tie-in with the course and Global Studies themes. Students will also need to provide transcripts of the interviews in English.
4. Each student will be required to meet with the introductory Global Studies class to speak about their experiences as a Global Studies major. This can include discussion of study abroad and internship experiences.
5. Each student will compile, review and present a portfolio of their work as a Global Studies student. This may include internship journals, written essays for courses, reflections on study abroad experiences and report written for this course
6. Each student will undergo an oral exit examination conducted by core Global Studies faculty. The exam will consist of questions about and discussion of the student’s portfolio, coursework, written work, study abroad and internship experiences.
Class meetings and topics
Ms. Lipoma: Good and Evil in global perspective
Dr. Walter: Urbanization, Food and Consumption (2 meetings)
Dr. Fuller, Terrorism
Dr. Nicol: Borders and Identities
Dr. Campbell: Migration and Human Rights (2 meetings)
Ms. Stevens: Information literacy in a Global Age
Dr. Leacock: Language, Culture and Globalization
Dr. MacKinnon: Infections and Epidemics in Global and historical perspective