INT 115 WY5:  Migration and Transformation                                           Fall 2005

First Year Seminar

TRINITY UNIVERSITY

M/W 12 – 1:15 Library Seminar room

 

Instructor:  Dr. Deborah Harris O’Brien

Office:  Rm. 256 Main, 202-884-9272

Office hours:  M/W 10 - 12, T/Th 1:30 – 2:30

E-mail:  Harris-ObrienD@Trinitydc.edu

 

There is no required textbook.  Readings will be distributed by the instructor.

 

                                                COURSE DESCRIPTION

The First Year Seminar, required of all students, provides new students with an interdisciplinary introduction to college level discussion, analysis and writing in a seminar format.  This course contains a service learning component, which helps students integrate community based learning with more traditional in classroom experiences. 

 

                                                COURSE GOALS

Consistent with the Foundations for Leadership Curriculum (FLC), this course will help the student to improve the following skill areas:  comprehension and critical analysis of written materials, clear and logical writing, and effective speaking in group discussions and individual oral presentations.  “Mind sets” essential to a liberal arts education will also be emphasized, including:  application of scientific inquiry to socio-cultural forces that shape our world, awareness and acceptance of diversity in our global society, and examination of ethical issues, especially as they relate to social justice.

 

                                                COURSE OBJECTIVES

  1. Students will read college level materials with a high level of comprehension and use of critical analysis.
  2. Students will satisfactorily produce the following written documents:  an academic journal, an extended definition, and both a summary and a critical analysis of scholarly articles.
  3. Students will each present a short oral presentation to the class.
  4. Students will participate meaningfully in class discussions.
  5. Each student will write reflective essays, and, at the end of the semester, present a poster on her community based learning experience.
  6. Students will satisfactorily complete 20 hours of service on site at their community agency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

  1. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS.  There will be 3 papers required during the semester.  They are as follows:  a summary of “Cultural Stories:  Mothers and Daughters” (100 pts.), an extended definition of “identity”, using the article “The Globalization of Identity” (100 pts.), and a critical analysis of the article “Playfulness and world traveling” (150 pts.).  Specific guidelines for each of these papers are at the end of this syllabus.

 

  1. COMMUNITY BASED LEARNING.  The community based learning experience is comprised of the following:  20 hours of service with observational notes (150 pts.), beginning and end of semester surveys (25 pts.), and a poster presentation (75 pts.).  Specific guidelines for the poster will be distributed later in the semester.

 

  1. ACADEMIC JOURNAL WRITING.    Every week there will be questions related to the readings, films or field trips assigned.  Each student is to keep a notebook with the questions and their answers.  The journal will be collected at 3 points throughout the semester (see Class Schedule).  The first 1/3 of the journal is worth 50 pts., and the second and last third are worth 75 pts. each, for a total of 200 pts.  Specific guidelines for the journals are at the end of this syllabus.

 

  1. CLASS PARTICIPATION.  Class participation includes attendance at classes and field trips, participation in group exercises and being a member of class discussions.  As this is a seminar class, it is very important to not miss classes; seminars are intellectual discussions.  If you are not present you cannot contribute your insight and perspective.  The total participation grade for the semester is 150 pts.

 

5.  INDIVIDUAL ORAL PRESENTATION.  Each student will do a short (5                                minute) oral presentation to the class on the topic of “Who am I?  Who are my people?”  This presentation will focus on the student’s family history of migration and transformation.  A sample presentation will be given by the instructor. The presentation is worth 50 pts.

 

 

                                                COURSE SCHEDULE

8/24     Introduction to course

 

8/29     The social science perspective on culture

Reading:  Understanding Intercultural Communication” from Intercultural Communication: A Reader

 

8/31     Discussion:  The importance of intercultural communication

 

9/5       NO CLASSES!  Labor Day Holiday!

INT 115 WY5                                                                                                            

 

9/7       Community based learning:  Review of CBL handbook, presentation by Melynda Majors on service learning

            In class assignment:  CORAL Network survey

 

9/12     Film:  “Real women have curves”

 

9/14     Continue film, discussion of film

           

9/19     Exercise:  Ethnic identity.

Discussion:  What is identity?  How is identity influenced by culture?

            Reading:  “Cultural Stories:  Mothers & Daughters” from Between voice and silence. Questions for academic journal.

 

9/21     Discussion of “Cultural Stories:  Mothers & Daughters” from Between voice and silence

Writing a summary - - guidelines

 

9/26     In class “Pre-reflection” about visit to Spanish Catholic Center

Discussion:  How does our CBL partner relate to our class theme?

            Writing assignment #1 due:  Summary of “Cultural Stories”

Erikson’s stages of development

            Reading handed out:  “The Globalization of Identity” from American Psychologist.  Journal questions for the week handed out.

 

9/28     Class visit to Spanish Catholic Center.  Meet at bus stop in front of campus (Michigan Ave.) at 11: 50.

 

10/3     Sample oral presentation:  Who am I?  Who are my people?

            In class reflection about visit to Spanish Catholic Center.

            Academic journal #1 due (Includes questions from intercultural communication article,   “Cultural stories” article, “Globalization of identity” article)

 

10/5     Writing workshop.

 

10/10   NO CLASSES!  Columbus Day holiday!

 

10/12   Student oral presentations.

            Writing Assignment #2 due:  Extended definition paper (“Identity”)

 

10/17   Student oral presentations continue

Background information:  Forced migration

 

 

INT 115 WY5

 

10/19   Film:  “Rabbit proof fence”

            Reading:  “Women writing borders, borders writing women” from Our Voices:  Essays in Culture, Ethnicity and Communication

 

10/24   Film, cont.

            Discussion of film

Reading:  “Angry women are Building” by Paula Gunn Allen

           

10/26   Class trip to American Indian museum

10 hours of CBL must be completed

 

10/31   Film: “Trafficking in women”

            Reading:  “The ultimate growth industry:  Trafficking in women & girls” from Progressive Women’s Quarterly

 

11/2     Discussion of forced migration of women

            Reading:  “Life behind the Veil” from The Gender Reader

 

11/7     Discussion of the Jewish Diaspora

Reading:  “Appreciating Cultural Difference” from Lectures on the Psychology of Women

 

11/9     Class visit to the Holocaust museum

 

11/14   Living between cultures

            Film:  Whale Rider

            Reading:  “From foutou to French fries:  Life on the edge of African & American Cultures” from Running for their lives

 

11/16   Living between cultures/Film (continued)

            Reading:  “Mah-Rukh Ali:  Profile of a Norwegian” from Running for the Lives  

           

11/21   Discussion:  Transformation through multi-culturalism

Reading:  “Playfulness, world traveling and loving perception”

 

11/23   NO CLASSES!  Thanksgiving holidays!

 

11/28   Reading:  Optional ethnicities:  For Whites only?  From Women’s Lives:  Multicultural perspectives

            20 hours CBL must be completed

            Writing Assignment #3:  Critical analysis of “Playfulness, world traveling…” due

 

 

INT 115 WY 5

 

11/30   Wrap up of semester

            Coral surveys

            CBL Portfolio due

 

12/5     Academic journal #3 due

During the week of 12/5 – 12/9 all sections of INT 115 will do poster presentations on their CBL experiences (Exact day/time TBA)

 

 

                        ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

Students’ learning will be assessed on 3 papers, an oral presentation, an academic journal, class participation and completion of community based learning portfolio.  Grading rubrics for each of these are attached.  The 3 papers are allowed to be re-written for additional points.

                                    PAPER #1 (Summary) 100 pts.

                                    PAPER #2 (Extended Def.)      100 pts.

                                    PAPER #3 (Critical analysis)    150 pts.

                                    Community Based Learning        250 pts.

                                    Academic Journal                       200 pts.

                                    Class attendance/participation  150 pts.                                                

                                    Individual oral presentation            50 pts.

                                                Total pts.     =               1000 pts.

 

Trinity uses a grading system of A through F, with pluses and minuses for some letter grades.  Following is the exact point requirements for each semester grade.

 

                        A =    920+ pts.                       A- =  900 – 919 pts.

                        B+ =  880 – 899 pts.                B =    820 – 879 pts.

                        B- =   800 – 819 pts.               C+ =  780 – 799 pts.

                        C =    720 – 779 pts.                C- =   700 – 719 pts.

                        D+ =   680 – 699 pts.              D =     600 – 679 pts.

                        F = below 600 pts.

 

 

                                                COURSE POLICIES

 

  1. Attendance.  Attendance is expected unless there is a serious illness or family emergency.  Documentation for all absences must be given to the instructor on the next day of class attended.  Documentation consists of a note from the University Health Center or other health care professional if the student is ill.  In case of family emergency, the Dean of Students should be contacted.  The Dean’s office will verify the situation and notify all of the student’s instructors. 

 

INT 115 WY5

 

  1.  Make up of missed work.  The instructor will leave copies of in class assignments, journal questions, etc. in an envelope on her office door for students who have missed class.  If possible, students will be given an opportunity to make up films that are missed in the library, on their own time.

 

  1. Extra Credit.   Throughout the semester, various campus organizations sponsor lectures, films, and panel discussions.  The instructor will inform the class of any of these events that are pertinent to the class topic and can be attended for extra credit.  The number of points for a specific event will vary depending on its length.

 

  1. Weather policy.  If Trinity is open, but I am unable to make it to campus due to weather, I will e-mail the class.  Please check Trinity’s website or call 202-884-9009 to see if the University is open.  If we are open, but the weather is bad, check your TRINITY e-mail for a message from me.  If you cannot access your e-mail, please check with the Registrar’s office at 202-884-9200.

 

  1. E-Mail.  Although most of you have personal e-mail accounts, you MUST use the Trinity e-mail assigned to you for communication with professors.  If you are unsure of your Trinity e-mail, contact Information Technology at 202-884-9811.  Generally the students’ e-mail is in the following form:  Last name, First initial, “DOT” (.) students @ Trinitydc.edu.  The reason for the insistence on Trinity’s e-mail system is that the University’s spam filters often will prevent mail from yahoo, hotmail, aol and other servers from being delivered. 

 

  1. Honor Code.   Every member of the Trinity community (faculty, staff, students) agrees to follow the Honor Code.

“I realize the responsibility involved in membership in the Trinity community.  I agree to abide by the rules and regulations of this community.  I also affirm my intention to live according to the standards of honor, to which lying, stealing and cheating are opposed.  I will help others to maintain this responsibility in all matters essential to the common good of the community.”

            The student handbook and Trinity’s website have more complete information on

the Honor Code and its applications.  For this class in particular, the Honor Code especially applies to plagiarism of written work and the falsification of community service participation.

I will report any suspected cases of Honor Code violations to the Dean of Students and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for investigation and adjudication.