Course Proposal Form
INDV 102H: Place and Context: Social Scientific Perspectives on Community
Description of Course
This highly interdisciplinary course explores multiple social-scientific perspectives on a
specific geographic location -- for example, Tucson – while also combining academic
analysis with a community perspective. The course is divided into units, each of which
takes up a different social-scientific lens through which to explore the topic: archaeology,
history, political science, anthropology and geography are among those disciplines likely to
be represented. A lecture from a UA professor is typically matched with an exemplary talk
from a member of the community in order to provide not just an interdisciplinary view, but
also analytical perspectives that are not necessarily purely academic. Students will be
assigned reading for each unit, and will engage in active field work as well as critical
writing in response to materials presented. Regular discussions with the course
coordinators and instructor provide opportunities to make connections among the
different learning experiences in the class.
Proposed Semester to be offered:
Fall
yes
Spring yes
Summer no
Year: 2010
Desired Enrollment: 60
Class Schedule - hours per week of class meetings per student: 75 minutes twice a week
Course Format:
Lecture: 50%
Field Experience: 25%
Classroom Discussion: 25%
Instructor to be contacted about the course: Laura Berry, Associate Dean, Honors
Campus address, email and phone number: Slonaker House, berry@email.arizona.edu, 621-6901
How the course will meet the University Wide General Education Committee requirements:
Writing:
Students will complete seven fieldwork reports of 750 words each, minimum, requiring them to critically
analyze and make connections among the learning experiences presented: work in the field, readings and
lecture. Other writing is also required in the course.
Diversity Emphasis: NA
Honors:
The course will enroll only honors students.
Assessment:
Map and Interpretive Narrative:
Fieldwork Reports:
Case Study final project:
20 points
20 points each
40 points
180 – 200 points
160 – 179 points
140 – 159 points
120 – 139
A
B
C
D
Critical Thinking:
Students will be required in the Fieldwork Reports to make analytical connections between lecture
information of at least two different types (“academic” and “practical”), and to relate this material to
reading assignments as well as to their experience in the field. In addition, regularly spaced classroom
discussion will encourage students to make these connections.
Interactive modes of instruction:
Students will meet in small groups periodically throughout the course, with cues to discuss a question.
Questions will be built into many of the lectures, and will also be made a part of field experiences.
Making required readings and materials available to students:
Students will purchase some texts at the UA Bookstore and will have multiple articles and multi-media on
D2L in links and PDFs.