GST 110B – THE GLOBAL EXPERIENCE
Dr. Calhoun, 134 Koury Center, Ext. 2321,
calhoun@elon.edu
Spring, 2000, 9:20-10:30a.m., Mooney 207
I. Course Overview
The Global Experience is a multifaceted course. It is your introduction to a higher level of critical thinking and problem solving required to succeed in college and your future endeavors. It is an opportunity to explore the implications of cultural and natural diversity for your life. It will help you develop skills (writing, speaking, collaboration, research, computing) that will be necessary in future course work. It will foster independence as you engage in self-directed learning and participate in experiential learning.
The Goals of General Studies:
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L |
Leadership Habits. Learning to take responsibility for one’s own life and to extend fairness and care to all communities, peoples, and places. |
|
A |
Abilities that are Fundamental. Reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Accessing and interpreting information. Evaluating, supporting claims, presenting. |
|
U |
Unity in Diversity. Respecting and valuing diversity, both among communities and among ideas prizing what unites us as humans and unites us with our environment. |
|
N |
Numerical Ability. Working with numbers and quantitative evidence. |
|
C |
Critical/Constructive. Connected/Creative Thinking and Acting. Knowing how to be a constructive skeptic. Being creative while working with other people and ideas. |
|
H |
Holistic Living. Being aware that there are connections between, mind, spirit, and body. Recognizing that theories can be applied. |
II. Course Objectives (as established by class consensus)
1. Understand and discuss world issues with an open mind and objective perspective.
2. Identify ways to become more responsible as an adult citizen of the world.
3. Demonstrate greater independence in thought and action.
4. Express profound understanding of self in relationship to the world community.
5. Demonstrate lateral thinking when questioning and problem solving.
6. Demonstrate communication and social skills that lead to improved self esteem and
quality relationships with others.
7. Develop career skills that allow productive work within the dynamic structure of a
focused group.
8. Relate to others as a "well-rounded" person.
9. Enjoy the process of learning and scholarly pursuits while expanding life experiences.
III. TEXTS
IV. Required Events
A. Films (Choose 3 – Write reaction paper, discuss with class.)
B. Presentations (Choose 1 – write a reaction paper; discuss with class)
V. Tentative Agenda
This is an experimental course utilizing the content areas of Global Studies to develop intellectual abilities and academic skills. Topics of study will follow a general chronology with completion times dependent upon how long it takes the class as a whole to digest and process the relevant information. We will follow two tracks of study that will converge in a final culture project:
Lateral Thinking Global Issues/
Skill Development Problems
Culture Project
Potential Solutions
To Global Problems
VI. Evaluation (as established by class consensus)
A. Article Reviews 25%
B. Written Assignments 20%
C. Attendance 15%
D. Contribution to Class 15%
E. Group Projects 25%
(Grades will be assigned on a standard "+,-" 10 point grading scale. 5 points will be deducted from late assignments. All graded assignments have not yet been established. Therefore, weighted grading percentages are impossible to determine and cannot be "etched in stone" at this point in time.)
Assignments for GST 110
Dr. Mike Calhoun
Assignments, class discussions, group work, and exams are all designed and implemented with a focus on process rather than content. The following assignments correspond with the general chronology of our study. All assignments are to be turned in typed (preferably completed on a word processor) unless you are instructed differently. Proof read final draft for spelling and grammar.
1. Analyze the "Test of Logical, Perceptual Thinking". After our discussion on the nature of communication, tell why you failed the "test" and how you can apply this insight to future courses or personal interactions.
2. Answer the following questions concisely: What do you want from your college experience? Is it reasonable to expect these "wants" to be met? Why, or why not? We will use these papers as our basis for establishing the classes 10 greatest expectations from college, as a means of establishing our course objectives, and as a springboard for discussing "You Can’t Go Back – The College Transformation".
3. What does it mean to be "intelligent"? Is intelligence inborn or developed? Answer these questions in 1-2 pages. We will use your papers as an introduction to "Lateral Thinking – A Divergent Approach to Knowledge".
4. From our discussion of "The Intelligence Trap" and related readings answer the following questions: How can knowledge of "The Intelligence Trap" affect (a) the way you view your peers? (b) the way you view your professors? (c) your college experience? (d) the way you view your own intelligence? How can "The Intelligence Trap" stagnate the sum total of human knowledge?
5. Complete a P.M.I. on the following statement: "All vehicles using public roads should be battery and solar powered." (Investigate using library resources)
6. complete a P.M.I. on the following statement: "All couples must live together for one year before getting married."" (Investigate using library resources)
7. Complete an A.P.C. on the following: "College women is the only population subgroup that has not decreased in number of smokers. How can you explain this?" (Investigate using library resources)
8. Complete an A.P.C. on the following: "Social, emotional, physical, and psychological expectations are different for males and females. How can you explain this?" (Investigate using library resources)
9. On a 3 by 5 card, summarize and comment (agree, disagree, profound thoughts, etc.) on the assigned article from Global Issues and be prepared to discuss it in class. Be sure to include your name and the article number at the top left hand side. (We will be discussing approximately 25 articles in Global Issues. Your review may be hand written.)
10. From our readings and discussion on the plight of the world’s homeless people, place yourself in the following scenario: A coordinated series of terrorist attacks has just destroyed most of the major cities in the U.S. The nuclear weapons used have left many contaminated areas and mass migrations to livable zones. Food is scarce, money is rapidly declining in purchasing value, hundreds of people apply for every paying job, your family is assumed dead, and your bills have not been paid at Elon College. You are homeless now with only the resources you brought with you to college. How will you survive on the streets? What are your options for the future? Will you ultimately survive or die? (Write a 3 to 5 page creative short story about your life under these conditions and answer the previous questions in context.)
11. From our readings and class discussions, answer the following questions: Should immigrants be allowed into the United States? If so, under what conditions? How could this affect your life in the future? Support your answers with convincing arguments!!
12. Develop and answer 5 relevant questions on your chosen book.
13. From the study of your chosen book, assigned articles, and class discussion answer the following questions: Does a culture of "superior technology" have the right to "colonize" a "primitive" culture? Describe potential positive and negative aspects. How is this occurring today? Is "equality" possible between all countries and cultures? Explain.
14. Select a particular cultural topic from your chosen book and report your findings to the class. Paper will be turned in after your presentation. (See "Elements of Culture" handout)
15. From all of our readings and discussions concerning world issues and problems we will be facing in the future, write one universal law that must be followed by all people. (Test your law with different people in different situations before you turn it in!) Explain how your law will benefit the global population.
16. The Culture Project. (Instructions will be given later)
a. Family Culture.
b. Elon College Culture.
c. National Culture.
17. Summarize the group dynamics that occurred while you were developing your National Culture presentation. Was your group cohesive? How often did you compromise? Did the compromise weaken the final project or strengthen it. Was dissention a problem? Relate these group dynamics to the group dynamics that occur when several nations come together to solve disputes and reach agreement on how to peacefully coexist.
18. World Solutions Project. (Instructions will be given later)