School of International Studies
Dean’s Seminar: Fall, 2005
Dean Margee Ensign, mensign@pacific.edu
Welcome to the School of International Studies and to the Dean’s Seminar. This Seminar
has a variety of purposes. The primary goal is to assist you in making a successful transition
to college. We will accomplish this by working to improve your academic and social skills
and work habits as well as determining your particular learning style.
Learning Objectives
 To learn about resources and information in the School of International Studies and the
University of the Pacific, in order to help you make a positive adjustment to college.
 To learn about yourself--how you learn best and how to improve your learning skills
 To improve your writing
 To provide opportunities for making friends and developing a support group within the
class
 To ensure that you develop to your fullest potential
Requirements
 Attend all seminar classes and Tuesday World Forums, attend three
International Careers and Experiences sessions, and summarize these talks. (See
guidelines) Complete all assignments
Course Outline
August 25
Introduction, Learning Objectives and Expectations
Explanation of Foundation Essay
Learn about OASIS and Mentor Program
Complete surveys.
September 1:
Learning Styles Professor Bruce LaBrack Purchase LSI in Bookstore
and make sure it is completed before class-bring LSI to class
In class assessment
Foundation Essay Due
September 6
Tuesday World Forum 12-1 in George Wilson Hall
University Professor Gene Bigler: "Telling America's Story Is No
Longer Enough: Why U.S. Foreign Policy Doesn't Work."
Summarize/Evaluate Presentation
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September 8
Time and Stress Management, Liz Thompson, Counseling Center
Summary of Tuesday World Forum Presentation Due
September 15
Model United Nations and International Law: Howard Moseley
September 22
Why is Culture Important? Professor Bruce LaBrack
IDI Administered, Peggy Rossen
September 29
Library Session, Librarian Lorrie Knight. We will meet in the librarylocation will be announced in class. Library Assignment
October 4
Tuesday World Forum 12-1 in George Wilson Hall Professor
Johns Sims, Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law "Your
Dungeons or Ours?" - U.S. Efforts to Evade the Law by Maintaining
a Chain of Secret Camps for "High Value" Terrorists
October 6
Strategies for Internships and Careers: and Jean Marie Stratigios and
John Carvana, Director of Career Services at Pacific
Turn in Library Assignment and Summary of Tuesday World
October 13
Preparing for Perspectives: Professors Rohlf and Giraldez
October 20
Study Abroad Options, Eric Tarbell Study Abroad Advisor,
International Programs and Services and SIS Students
October 27
Conflict Style Inventory, Professor Bruce LaBrack. Make Sure this
Inventory is Completed before Class
November 1
Tuesday World Forum 12-1 in George Wilson Hall Professor
December 6
Tuesday World Forum: Tales from Study Abroad
No Summary required
Laura Bathurst: International Organizations and Indigenous
Organizing in Bolivia, 1980s-2000s: Power Flows Both Ways
Submit Summary of this talk to Dean by November 8
Requirements for the Foundation Essay
The foundation essay is the first required part of your SIS portfolio. It is a short
paper that relates your prior knowledge and experiences to your decision to study
international affairs. When you write your senior essay you will be able to look back
and see what goals you have achieved and how much you have learned during your
four years.
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School of International Studies
Your essay will be based on the learning objectives that have been established for SIS,
that were discussed in class and are attached to the syllabus.
You are to write a 3-4 page double-spaced paper in which you:
 Choose two of the learning objectives and connect them with experiences you
had before coming to Pacific. Explain how you developed this body of
knowledge and/or skill –was it through academic work, travel, or community
work for example? How have these experiences shaped your decision to study
international affairs? How have they shaped your character and personality?
 Select two additional skills/competencies or body of knowledge that you think are
the most important for you to develop this year. Why do you think these skills are
important for an international professional? What steps do you think are
necessary for you to achieve these objectives?
Suggested Outline for Evaluation of Tuesday World Forum Speakers
What is/are the issues/problems presented by the speaker?
the evidence cited to illustrate that this is a problem, important issue
are some of the causes for this problem
can be done to alleviate this problem
will happen if nothing is done
are the related problems
are the conclusions
International Career Forum
September 1
Adam Barrett Director of Admissions, McGeorge School of Law
September 8
Professor Gene Bigler-Careers in the US State Department
September 15
Howard Moseley, SIS E-Mentoring
September 22
Gerald Hildebrand, President Katalysis, NGO Careers
September 29
Jean Marie Stratigios, Internships and Work in the United Nations
October 6
John Carvana, Director, Careers Services at Pacific
October 13
Professor Gigi Gockek (Grad School)
International Careers Speakers Series: In two to three paragraphs, summarize what
you learned from listening to the speaker
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