GST 110: THE GLOBAL
EXPERIENCE
Spring 2000: Section A, 4 semester hours
Professor: Dr.
Lawrence H. Simon
Office: Mooney 307-C
Phone: 584-2351 (on campus ext. 2351)
E-Mail: simonl@elon.edu (on campus simonl)
Class Hours: 8:00 a.m.-9:40 a.m. TTH in Mooney 207
Office Hours: Mon. 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Tues. 9:40-11:40 a.m. and 3:50-4:50 p.m.
Wed. 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Thurs. 9:40-11:40 a.m. and 3:50-4:50 p.m.
Other times by appointment
Required Texts and Materials:
Brief Course Catalog Description: This first-year seminar examines public responsibility in a global context. It explores some of the implications created by cultural and natural diversity and the possibilities for human communication and cooperation within this diversity. The course emphasizes student and faculty creativity through active and collaborative learning. The seminar is writing intensive. (Timely class preparation, regular attendance, and verbal participation are absolutely essential for success in this course.)
A major course project will entail participating in a model United Nations large group simulation with 5 other class sections. We will represent six countries and deal with environmental issues that have a global or regional impact. This will culminate in an environmental conference, April 2, 3, 4, 2000.
There will be a series of three "pod" large group lectures that will supplement what we do in class. In addition there are five specially selected films that fit the objectives of this course. All are recommended, but you will be required to see at least two, including the first, "Mister Johnson." There are dozens of events on the Spring 2000 Elon cultural calendar. The instructor will require two speakers and two performing arts events, and recommends several others which fit the course objectives. Please attend as many as possible.
We will also engage in the following activities to help meet the course objectives:
- an in-class "cultural artifact" group game exercise.
- one or more authentic simulation games dealing with synergistic group problem solving from other cultures, such as jungle culture, arctic culture, and desert culture.
- composition of a poem about one’s personal cultural heritage.
- view and discuss the film: "A Force More Powerful": A Century of Nonviolent Conflict."
- bring in articles from the New York Times, dealing with aspects of domestic or foreign culture, to discuss each class period.
- View and discuss the film: "Race to Save the Planet."
Goals of the General Studies Program:
These goals have been articulated to especially meet the needs of first year students, a year in which critical study, work, and social habits are being formed. Success in meeting these goals in this course might well predict future success during the four years on campus. Moreover, they are crucial to the development of a mature, life-long learner.
1. Scholarship: critical, creative, and connected thinking.
2. Leadership: informed values and actions.
3. Wholeness: development of the whole person.
4. Diversity: respect for diverse ideas and approaches.
5. Independence: experiential and self-directed learning.
6. Foundations: writing, speaking, quantitative, and computing abilities.
Our GS110 Course Goals:
Special emphases of GS 110: TOLERANT UNDERSTANDING OF OTHER CULTURES, CRITICAL THINKING, COMMUNICATION (writing, speaking, listening), INFORMATION RETRIEVAL (library research, computer skills)
During the semester, you will work to understand:
1. the importance of individual responsibility.
2. the relationship of humans to the natural world.
3. globalization and reculturization as powerful global forces.
4. the impacts of imperialism and colonialism.
5. the nature of culture.
6. the plights of disempowered groups.
Important Dates:
Sunday, February 6 – Movie: "Mister Johnson" at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center (required)
Sunday, February 13 – Movie: "Zan Boko," 7:00 p.m., McKinnon Hall.
Tuesday, February 15 – Pod Speaker, Dr. Jeffrey Pugh on "Epistemology" in McCrary Theatre, Model Center, 8:00-9:40 a.m. (required)
Thursday, February 17 – Environmental Issues U.N. pod film: "Race to Save the Planet," 8:00-9:40 a.m., place TBA (required)
Tuesday, February 22 – Pod Speaker: Wilson Fellows, Goldie and Malcolm Rivkin, "Applying Planning Principles to Other Cultures," Elon Community Church sanctuary, 4:30 p.m. (required)
Sunday, February 27 – Movie: "Burning Season," 7:00 p.m., McKinnon Hall
Tuesday, March 7 – Pod Speaker, Dr. Yoram Lubling on "Universal Values," 8:00-9:40 a.m., McKinnon Hall (required)
Sunday, March 12 – Movie: "Indochine," 7:00 p.m., McKinnon Hall
Tuesday, March 14 – Mid-Term Examination
Friday, March 17 – Elon spring break begins after classes
Monday, March 27 – Elon spring classes resume at 8:00 a.m.
Tuesday, March 28 – "U.N. General Assembly Parliamentary Procedure" pod, 8:00-9:40 a.m., place TBA (required)
Sunday, April 2, Monday, April 3, Tuesday, April 4 – Model U.N. Conference of 36 nations (Sunday afternoon and night, Monday and Tuesday night – place and exact times TBA) (all sessions required)
Sunday, April 23 – Movie: "Europa, Europa," 7:00 p.m., McKinnon Hall
Final Exam: TBA
Between now and May 9th, you must attend and review six of the following events, two in each of these categories (S = Speaker; P = Performing Arts Events; M = Movie). These reviews are due within one week of the event, no later. Make each review a two-page, double-spaced, typed response. Begin by summarizing the event. Next, link the event to one of our GS110 goals (see syllabus). How did this event enhance your understanding of the goal? Finally, give your personal reaction to the event. (Clarification: There is one required speaker. This meets half that requirement. You are encouraged to go to many. There is one required movie, "Mister Johnson." You must go to at least one more. There are several recommended performing arts events. You must go to at least two.)
Events:
Sunday, February 6: Mr. Johnson, McCrary Theatre in the Model Center, 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (M) (Required)
Tuesday, February 8: Mark Levine Trio with special guest Jon Metzger, Yeager Recital Hall, 8:00 p.m. (P) (Recommended)
Wednesday, February 9: Josh Abrams, The Dogwood Alliance, McKinnon Hall, 7:30 p.m. (S) (Recommended)
Thursday-Sunday, February 10-13: Department of Performing Arts Presents A Chorus Line, McCrary Theatre, 8:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:00 p.m. Sunday. Admission by ticket only: $10 or Elon ID. (P) (Recommended)
Sunday, February 13: Zan Boko, McKinnon Hall, 7:00 p.m. (M)
Wednesday, February 16: Division of Social Sciences Annual Symposium I – The Future of The American Family, Yeager Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. (S) (Recommended)
Sunday, February 20: The Tom Erdmann Quartet, Yeager Recital Hall, 3:00 p.m. (P) (Recommended)
Tuesday, February 22: Ohio Ballet’s Kings of Swing, McCrary Theatre, 8:00 p.m. Admission by ticket only: $12 or Elon ID (RS). (P) (Recommended)
Thursday, February 24: Jerry and Tammy Sullivan, McCrary Theatre, 7:30 p.m. (P) (Recommended)
Sunday, February 27: The Burning Season, McKinnon Hall, 7:00 p.m. (M)
Tuesday, February 29: Adam Werbach, "Act Now, Apologize Later," McCrary Theatre, 7:30 p.m. (S) (Recommended)
Thursday, March 2: Elaine Marshall, N.C. Secretary of State, Yeager Recital Hall, 7:00 p.m. (S) (Recommended)
Thursday, March 2: Keith J. Devlin, "Geometrics of Animals, Flowers, Art and The Human Body," McCrary Theatre, 7:30 p.m. (S) (Recommended)
Monday, March 6: Bohemian Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra with Pianist Michiko Otaki, McCrary Theatre, 8:00 p.m. Admission by ticket only: $12 or Elon ID (RS). (P) (Recommended)
Friday-Saturday, March 10-11: Grand Night for Singing VIII, Yeager Recital Hall, 8:00 p.m. on Friday; 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Saturday. (P) (Recommended)
Sunday, March 12: Indochine, McKinnon Hall, 7:00 p.m. (M)
Monday, March 13: Film Antonia’s Line and discussion led by Dr. Ann Cahill, Philosophy Department, Moseley 221B, 7:00 p.m. (M) (Recommended)
Monday, March 13: Division of Social Sciences Annual Symposium II – Growing up in America: Is America the best place to raise a child?, Yeager Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. (S) (Recommended)
Monday, March 13: Elon College Wind Ensemble’s Eleventh Annual Family Concert, McCrary Theatre, 8:00 p.m. (P) (Recommended)
Tuesday, March 14: Doris Kearns Goodwin, "Shared Memories: The Lessons of History," McCrary Theatre, 4:00 p.m. (Spring Honors Convocation) (S) (Recommended)
Thursday, March 16: The Elon College Chamber Singers Present "An Evening of Contemporary Music," Yeager Recital Hall, 8:00 p.m. (P) (Recommended)
Tuesday, March 28: Elon College Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert, Yeager Recital Hall, 8:00 p.m. (P) (Recommended)
Thursday, March 30: Jason Viezus, Guitar, Recital, Yeager Recital Hall, 8:00 p.m. (P) (Recommended)
Thursday, April 6: Oscar Arias, former President of Costa Rica and Nobel Prize winner, will speak at the Elon Community Church, 7:30 p.m. (S) (Recommended)
Tuesday, April 11: Tom Howe, Lecture, Moseley 215, 7:30 p.m. (S) (Recommended)
Wednesday, April 12: Star Parker, "Entitlement to Empowerment," McKinnon Hall, 7:30 p.m. (S) (Recommended)
Wednesday, April 12: Department of Social Sciences Annual Symposium III – Families, Communities and Public Policy, Yeager Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. (S) (Recommended)
Thursday, April 13: Dr. Linda Miller, "My Life as a Female Hemingway Scholar," Yeager Recital Hall, 7:00 p.m. (S) (Recommended)
Thursday-Sunday, April 13-16: Department of Performing Arts presents William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, McCrary Theatre, 8:00 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 2:00 p.m. Sunday. Admission by ticket only: $10 or Elon ID. (P) (Recommended)
Monday, April 17: Elon College Wind Ensemble Spring Concert, McCrary Theatre, 8:00 p.m. (P) (Recommended)
Tuesday, April 18: Robert K. Ressler, "I Have Lived in the Monster," McCrary Theatre, 7:30 p.m. (S) (Recommended)
Wednesday, April 19: G. Terry Sharrer, "Gene Medicine: A History," McCrary Theatre, 7:30 p.m. (S) (Recommended)
Thursday, April 20: Emanons Spring Concert, McCrary Theatre, 8:00 p.m. (P) (Recommended)
Sunday, April 23: Europa, Europa, 7:00 p.m., McKinnon Hall. (M)
Thursday-Saturday, April 27-29: Department of Performing Arts Presents Spring Dance Ensemble, McCrary Theatre, 8:00 p.m. Admission: $5 or Elon ID. (P) (Recommended)
Monday, May 1: Elon College Chamber Singers and Concert Choir Present "Passage to Paradise," Elon College Community Church, 8:00 p.m. (P) (Recommended)
Thursday-Friday, May 4-5: Elan presents "Soul Food to Go," McCrary Theatre, 8:00 p.m. (P) (Recommended)
Friday, May 19: Senior Showcase, McCrary Theatre, 8:00 p.m. (P) (Recommended)
When tickets are required: All tickets will be available three weeks before the event and may be picked up in the Faith Rockefeller Model Center Box Office between 12:30 and 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Persons with Elon identification will receive tickets by showing their college identification cards.
Note: For a complete and more detailed listing of Spring, 2000 cultural events, see your personal copy of the Elon College Cultural Calendar, Spring 2000. It includes ticket information and box office hours in the Model Center. I encourage you to attend more than the required events. It will enrich your college experience!
Class Policies:
1. The course is mandated to be "writing intensive." Writing is used as a mechanism to learn. You will write in class as well as outside of class. Much of what you write will be graded, but there will be ungraded writing assignments as well. For out of class writing, I strongly urge that you make use of the help available in the Writing Center in Belk Library. Check the Elon College Home Page for operating times and dates. All of your writing must be your own original work. Penalties for plagiarism, either intended or unintended, will be severe.
2. Attendance policy: This class is scheduled to meet 26 times. Attendance will be taken each class. Any cuts in excess of two (2), regardless of the reason, will result in one point off the final course average for each cut, beginning with the third cut. Perfect attendance will add 3 points to your final average. Remember that a seminar course relies upon informed dialogue. Hence, there is "no substitute for being there." It is also imperative that you come prepared to participate. The dialogue of a class cannot be "made up." If you should be absent, you are responsible for coming fully prepared to the next class. Be on time. Two tardies will count as an absence.
3. Evaluation:
(a) Average of map quizzes: 10% of course grade
(b) Project on Model United Nations: 25% of course grade:Country report: 5%
Research on science: 5%
Position paper: 5%
Resolution: 5%
Participation in U.N.: 5%(c) Group class presentation and handout on key issues derived from Global Issues (using other print and electronic media): 20% of course grade
(d) Participation, including in and out-of-class writing assignments, cultural event reviews, New York Times assignments, and verbal contributions in class: 25% of course grade
(e) Mid-Term Exam: 10% of course grade
(f) Final Exam: 10% of course grade
Grading Scale:
93-100 A 73-76 C
90-92 A- 70-72 C-
87-89 B+ 67-69 D+
83-86 B 63-66 D
80-82 B- 60-62 D-
77-79 C+ 0-59 FImportant:No "make-up" quizzes, tests or assignments will be given. The only exception is the final course examination, provided that an absence is officially excused by the appropriate Dean. Any late written assignment will be marked down appropriately.
4. Course outline with activities and assignments:
Dr. Simon – Germany, Peru, China,
Solomon Islands, Sudan, Belize
Dr. McGregor – Netherlands,
Brazil, Greece, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Norway
Dr. Manring – U.K., Chile,
Vietnam, Japan, Ghana, Micronesia
Dr. Berry – Congo, Russia,
Australia, Canada, Thailand, Zimbabwe
Dr. Ninehaus – Guatemala,
Argentina, U.S. Turkey, Haiti, Malaysia
Dr. Bernhardt – India,
Kiribati, France, Egypt, Iceland, Mexico
3. Demonstrating knowledge of names of countries and their location on a series of maps or other formats.
4. Collaborative group project on crucial global issues to be presented with a small group of randomly assigned group members. The presentation will have a typed summary handout and discussion outline. Group members will be responsible for thoroughly researching the topic, choosing one or more salient issues, and orally presenting the issue(s) to the class. Members of the group will take personal positions on the issue(s), and invite agreement or dissent from the other class members. They will manage the ensuing discussion, and then attempt to bring closure to the presentation. The grade will be assigned to all group members on the basis of the foregoing criteria, and how much informed participation is elicited from the class. The group should assign appropriate articles from Global Issues for all to read in advance. Wide latitude will be given by the instructor concerning the content and style of the presentation. Creativity will be rewarded. Half a class period or more, as needed, will be assigned to each group’s topic. The general topics are as follows:
(1) Population and Food Production (Unit 2) (April 13)
(2) The Global Environment and Natural Resources Utilization (Unit 3) (April 18)
(3) Political Economy (Unit 4) (April 20)
(4) Conflict (Unit 5) (April 25)
(5) An examination of international corporation among nation states and the social structures that support this cooperation in contemporary times. (Unit 6) (April 27)
(6) An examination of human rights, ethics, values and new ideas in the global community in contemporary times. (Unit 7) (May 2)