FIRST YEAR SEMINAR
INT 115 WY 4
FALL 2005
Theme: Migration and Transformation
Diane A. Forbes Berthoud, Ph.D.
Meeting Time: T/TH 3-4:15pm
Office: MAIN 499
Office Telephone: 202-884-9804
Email: forbesd@trinitydc.edu
Office Hours: T/TH 2-3 pm and TH 4:30-6:00 pm
Course Goals
The First Year Seminar is an introduction to liberal learning providing students with
critical thinking skills and the foundations for civic engagement. First year students
participate in rigorous college level reading, writing and discussion, with opportunities to
integrate real world experiences into academic learning through an interdisciplinary
exploration of the concepts of migration and transformation.
Objectives
Students will improve reading, writing and communication skills through close
examination of texts, numerous short writing assignments, and frequent in-class
discussions. Students will learn to integrate life experiences into abstract, academic
learning through a community based learning experience.
INT 115 WY4
This INT section will provide you with the opportunity to explore the study of Migration
and Transformation from feminist perspectives, which pays particular attention to
women’s concerns and perspectives. The course will emphasize the importance of
culture, identity, globalization and empowerment in women’s lives and you are invited to
reflect on women’s global dilemmas and reflexively learn about your own assumptions
about women, community, and resistance.
The theme Migration and Transformation characterizes movement, a journey from
powerlessness and myopia to empowerment. This course will challenge you to learn new
methods, new ways of knowing and help you to develop the competencies needed to
understand and interpret various cultural norms related to gender roles and expectations.
Learning about leadership and empowerment is critical in this course section. You will
examine your assumptions about leadership, your own leadership potential and engage
ideas about the possibilities that exist for women, and indeed for you.
The course focuses on the following sub-themes: Intercultural context and globalization;
Feminist Narratives and community; and Empowerment, resistance and enlightenment:
Experiences of women of color.
You will participate in experiential learning through Community Based Learning.
Everyone will serve in an organization as a volunteer to learn more about women’s
transformation as you pay particular attention to issues of culture, work, and
empowerment. We will be working with
________________________ for the
Community Based Learning component of the class. Each student must complete 20
hours with our community partner by the end of November 2005.
You will be required to keep ongoing notes about your experience at your service site in
order to be able to complete the community based learning portfolio due on Dec. 1.
The academic journal is your ongoing academic reflection on the readings assigned for
class and your community site experience. Some of the journal reflection questions also
require you to integrate your work in the course with your community based learning
experience. They will be due on the dates by which the reflection questions are written.
You will also be required to write four short papers throughout the semester.
CLASS POLICIES/EXPECTATIONS
1.
Excellence: Please maintain a high standard for yourself and your class members.
Mediocrity is not an option in this class. Do your very best all times, so that you may
challenge yourself and develop as a professional. Aristotle once said: “We are what we
repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
2.
Participation and Preparation: The classroom dynamics are co-constructed.
Communication between us in this learning environment is collaborative and
participatory, i.e. two-way. It is expected that you prepare course materials and attend
class with the intention to share your insights. This will great enhance your learning
experience if you also take some responsibility for the culture we create in the classroom.
3.
Attendance: In order to maximize our benefit in the class, you need to be present.
Your participation grade will suffer if you repeatedly miss class. Missing a substantial
number of classes can affect your grade by as much as a deduction of a letter grade. It is your
responsibility to make up/catch up whatever you have missed. If you know you need to
be away from class, notify me, if possible. Also, please be punctual for class meetings.
4.
Academic Dishonesty: Cheating or any form of plagiarism will not be tolerated in
this course. The penalty is automatic failure of the course and a referral for appropriate
disciplinary action. There will be no exceptions. Please be conscientious in citing those
ideas that are not your own. If you have any doubts about this policy or to read more in
detail, please consult your Student Handbook.
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COURSE ASSIGNMENTS and GRADING
Community Based Learning Portfolio
(pre-flection, reflective notes, post-flection,
observational notes and one poster presentation.)
25%
Academic journal writing
20%
Paper writing assignments
(Extended Definition, Summary, Instructor’s Choice,
Critical Analysis)
40%
Class participation
(Evidence of reading, Attendance
and general attitude)
15%
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D 60-69
F 59 or less
COURSE SCHEDULE
Aug. 25
Welcome, Introduction, Expectations
Course Overview and Summary
Aug. 30
Introduction to the Service Learning Component
Intercultural context and globalization
Sept. 1
Community Based Learning Site Orientation
Sept. 6
Intercultural Communication: A Reader by Samovar and Porter
Sept. 8
Intercultural Communication by Eckert
Academic Journal Reflection Question: In what ways do you see culture at
work at your community site? Who is primarily served at the site? And
how do you see culture as primary in their life experience?
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Sept. 13
The psychology of globalization reading
Deadline for completion of 2 CBL hours
Paper 1 topic provided: Assignment will be related to culture.
Sept. 15
The psychology of globalization reading
Sept. 20
Reading “Victors and Vanquished Spanish and Nahua views of
the Conquest of Mexico,” by Schwartz
Sept. 22
Paper 1 Due.
Discussion of reading.
Class Exercise.
Sept. 27
Service Learning Reflection – You will discuss your experiences at your
site with the class. You will note interesting observations, what you are learning and
what you intend to focus on and improve in your partnership.
Academic Journal Reflection Question: Reflect on your observations at
the site. What is most striking about your experiences at your site? What
are you learning? How are you being transformed?
Sept. 29
Service Learning Reflection – You will discuss your experiences at your
site with the class. You will note interesting observations, what you are learning and
what you intend to focus on and improve in your partnership.
Feminist Narratives and Community
Women of Color: Resistance, Empowerment, and Enlightenment
Oct. 4
Paper 2 topic provided: Movie Summary.
Oct. 6
Film: Whale Rider. Discussion of film.
Academic Journal Reflection Question: What current constraints do you
think the community at your site faces? What are some contemporary
expectations and constraints that our/your culture places on women?
How do you respond to these?
Oct. 11
Discussion of film(cont’d). Discussion of second paper.
Oct. 13
Paper 2 Due. Class Exercise.
Deadline for Completion of 10 hours of CBL
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Oct. 18
“Women Writing Borders, Borders Writing Women:
Immigration, Assimilation and the Politics of Speaking,” by Aimee Rowe
Oct. 20
Service Learning Reflection – You will discuss your experiences at your site with the
class. What are you learning about women’s dilemmas and empowerment?
Paper 3 topic provided: Compare and contrast women’s dilemmas in the
film and the dilemmas women face in our global society.
Oct. 25
Service Learning Reflection – You will discuss your experiences at your site with the
class. What are you learning about women’s dilemmas and empowerment?
Oct. 27
Film: Rabbit Proof Fence – Discussion of film.
Academic Journal Reflection Question: What similarities and differences
do you see between the Australian dilemmas portrayed in the film and
current dilemmas in our society?
Nov. 1
Discussion of film continued. Reflect on your community site and the
connectedness between the women of the Rabbit Proof fence and your
community partner.
Paper 3 Due
Nov. 3
An immigrant’s story
“The Greatest Danger: the State,” in The Revolt of the Masses
by Ortega y Gasset
Nov. 8
Picking up pieces by Maria Walker
Nov. 10
Service Learning Reflection – Review your last two months of service at your site.
What growth have you experienced personally and what are you learning about
leadership? In what ways do you see transformation among those you serve?
Paper 4 topic provided: Critical Analysis.
Nov. 15
Moving among cultures and identities
Reading “Playfullness, World-Traveling, and Loving Perception,” by
Maria Lugones
Nov. 17
National Communication Association Convention – NO CLASS
Nov. 22
Discussion
Paper 4 Due
Poster Guidelines Provided
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Nov. 24
Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov. 29
Discussion of Posters and Portfolios
Dec. 1
Last Day of Class 
Poster Presentations Due
Portfolios Due
During the week of December 5th you will present your Community Based
Learning (CBL) posters to the community.
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