Glbl 350A: Serving the Global Community

Professor: Tom Shaw
Term: Fall 2009
Location: Stevenson 3065
Time: Alternating Mondays 6-7:50pm


Objectives

The primary goal of this course is to sensitize students to the multi-faceted ways to be of service, and will explore the need, importance and value of service to others. This goal (at least for this course) derives not from religious sentiments, but from knowledge, understanding and awareness of how other people around the world live, and of the challenges and conditions they face in life. In concert with the goals of a global studies curriculum, this course aims to highlight the basic struggle for survival that characterizes the plight of not only poor and oppressed "others," but in an existential sense also describes our own lives. The idea is to probe below the surface of conditions in everyday life to discover "what really matters" to people, and to clarify and shape values that motivate service to others and an interest (academic or otherwise) in the lives of people around the globe.

Requirements to pass the course:

1. Attendance. Only 1 absence is permitted.
2. Participation. Regularly participate in class discussions.
3. Reading. Have reading done before coming to class.

Required texts. (available at Northlight Books)

1. Kleinman, Arthur What Really Matters: Living a Moral life amidst uncertainty and danger. Oxford University Press. ISBN-10: 019533132X
2. Pipher, Mary The Middle of Everywhere: Helping Refugees Enter the American Community. Harvest Books. ISBN-10: 0156027372

Class Schedule:

*Note: before the 1st class, read Chap. 1, Introduction, in Kleinman's book.

 

M 8/31
M 9/14
M 9/28
M 10/12
M 10/26
M 11/9
M 11/23
M 12/7

Chap. 1, Introduction in Kleinman
Chap. 2 and 3 in Kleinman
Chap 4 and 5 in Kleinman
Chap 8 and 9 in Kleinman
Workshop: Service Internships (Here are some possibilities)
Pipher, Chaps. 5 & 6
Pipher, Chaps. 9 & 10
Pipher, Chaps. 11 & 12