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BSGC 100 – The Student in the University: Global Communities (1 credit)

Fall 2014

Instructors:

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Malaika Marable Serrano

0119 Dorchester Hall

Tel: 301-314-7100

Mei-Yen Ireland

0119 Dorchester Hall

Email:

Tel: 301-314-7100

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Location: Dorchester Classroom

Section 0101: Tuesdays 9:30 – 10:45 am; Section 0102: Tuesdays 11-12:15 pm; Section 0103:Tuesdays 2-3:15 pm

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Course Overview

BSGC100 is a required one-credit seminar for all First Year Global Communities students. During the semester students will develop a sense of community within the program, become familiar with campus resources, gain skills and information to prepare for the Global Experience Semester, and explore the surrounding international community.

Course Objectives

  • Articulate a clear understanding of Global Communities program expectations and foster connections with fellow Global Communities members.
  • Explore UMD Services and Resources.
  • Identify potential option(s) and successfully prepare for the Global Experience Semester.
  • Develop cross-cultural communication skills by engaging with international communities both within UMD and surrounding communities.

Academic Integrity

All assignments must be your own work, and when you use ideas and information that someone else put together, you must cite it properly using standard citation formats. Do not try to pass off as your own work something you got elsewhere—this is known as plagiarism and cheating. If you are at all unsure what constitutes plagiarism, you should ask us! See the resources provided by the University Libraries on Academic Integrity (

The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. If you are caught you will be referred immediately to the Student Honor Council—view the Student Honor Code and policies at

Expectations/attendance

All students are expected to attend all classes. University policy excuses absences due to illness, religious observances, participation in official University activities, and circumstances beyond the student’s control. It is the responsibility of the student to provide a signed note explaining the reason for missing a class. Students who are ill during a major grading event or who experience prolonged illness leading to more than one absence are required to provide official documentation from the University Health Center or their own health provider.

We expect all students to notify us of an impending absence at least 24 hours in advance, except in the case of severe emergency. In the case of illness, a doctor’s note or note from the UMD Health Center is required in order for the absence to be excused. Absences which do not meet the above mentioned criteria will be classified as unexcused, and participation points may be deducted from your grade.

late work policy

All assignments, papers, and presentations are expected to be turned in/concluded by the deadline listed in the syllabus, unless noted otherwise. Work turned in after the deadline will be marked down one-half letter grade for each day that it is late. The instructor reserves the right to make an exception to the late policy in the case of an extreme (and documentable) emergency.

technology policy

The use of cell phones, smart phones, or other mobile communication devices is disruptive, and is therefore prohibited during class. Except in emergencies, those using such devices must leave the classroom for the remainder of the class period.

Computers are generally unnecessary for this class, and should remain in your backpack unless otherwise indicated by the instructor. Those using computers during class for work not related to that class must leave the classroom for the remainder of the class period.

Online Behavior

Be mindful of the Core Rules of Netiquette taken from Virginia Shea’s Book and Website -

Rule 1: Remember the Human.

Rule 2: Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life.

Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace.

Rule 4: Respect other people’s time and bandwidth.

Rule 5: Make yourself look good online.

Rule 6: Share expert knowledge.

Rule 7: Help keep flame wars under control.

Rule 8: Respect other people’s privacy.

Rule 9: Don’t abuse your power.

Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people’s mistakes

Students with Disabilities

We will make every effort to accommodate students who are registered with the Disability Support Services Office and who provide us with a University of Maryland DSS Accommodation form, which has been updated for the current semester. Additional information and support is available through Disability Support Services at If you need to make additional arrangements, please be sure to notify the instructors in writing before the end of the schedule adjustment period.

Religious Observances

We are happy to make accommodations for students whose religious observances conflict with class and class assignments. You must notify us within the first two weeks of the semester of any intended absences due to religious observances. We will arrange for you to make-up any assignments without penalty.

We are equally happy to accommodate students with disabilities in any way we can. You must obtain documentation from the University Disability Support Services, which will detail what types of accommodation are necessary. You must provide us with the documentation and request for accommodation within the first two weeks of the semester.

Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, please call 301-405-SNOW to learn whether or not the University is officially closed. Class will be in session unless the University has officially cancelled classes.

Assignments

  1. Seminar Participation
  2. Class Participation - Just “showing up” for class will not guarantee you an “A” in participation. Every student is expected to contribute to the conversation by asking questions, making thoughtful comments, and actively listening to the instructors and each other.
  3. Required excursion to Langley Park, MD. There will be several instructor-led tripsto Langley Park, October 1-13. If you are unable to attend one of the scheduled trips, you’ll need to make arrangements to go to Langley Park on your own.
  1. Discussion Boards
  • Throughout the semester, there will be several discussion board assignments. Students must respond to questions and make thoughtful comments to other students’ responses (simplyfulfilling the minimum required of posts and responses will not guarantee you an “A”). Assignment details are posted in Canvas.
  1. Exercises
  • Throughout the semester there will be several exercises related to course readings. Assignment details are posted in Canvas. Completing these assignments will be factored into your class participation.
  1. Second Year/Alumni Interview
  2. Global Communities has an extended network of students and recent alumni who come from many different backgrounds and enjoy engaging in contemporary global issues. Each of youwill interview a GC Second Year student (sophomore) or program alumni (juniors, seniors, and UMD alumni). This assignment will enable you to meet new people and build connections with fellow GC students and alumni.
  3. Suggestion: Attend Global Communities Student Association (GCSA) sponsored events during the first week of class and get to know Second Year students. If you approach someone and they’ve already been interviewed, ask them to refer you to one of their GC friends!
  1. Faculty Interview
  2. This assignment is a great way to get to know faculty better and can potentially lead to new references for employment, internships, or graduate school. For the assignment, you will need to contact one of your professors and set up at time to meet him/her during office hours. We strongly suggest that you do this 3 weeks in advance. Assignment details are posted in Canvas.
  1. Global Communities Events Participation
  2. Members of Global Communities are expected to actively participate in Program and GCSA-sponsored events. For this assignment, you will need to attend at least two approved Global Communities events fall 2014. See list below for approved events.

Approved UMD and Global Communities Events for Events Participation Assignment:

September 9Study Abroad Fair, 4 pm – 7 pm, STAMP Grand Ballroom

September 11Dorchester BBQ, 4 pm

September 16LinkedIn workshops at Career Services

September 17“The Dialogue” Film 4-6 pm, Hoff Theatre and Language House

September 17 & 18First Look Fair, McKeldin Mall

September 21Fiesta DC – Latino Festival

September 23Alternative Breaks Meet and Greet 4-6 pm, Stamp Atrium

October 7Culture Dinner: Focus on Nigeria

October 17Embassy Visit

October 26Chesapeake Bay Boat Excursion

October 29International Coffee Hour hosted by GC, Dorchester Basement

November 1Day of the Dead Celebration at the Mexican Cultural Institute

  1. Global Experience Semester Action Plan
  2. By the end of the semester, we’ll expose you to multiple ways to fulfill your Global Experience requirement – study abroad, internationally-oriented internship, or internationally-oriented service-learning experience. For this assignment, you will develop an action plan for your proposed Global Experience. Assignment details are posted in Canvas.

Grading Scale

AssignmentPoints

Seminar Participation80

Global Experience Semester Action Plan 40

Global Communities Events Participation (15 points per event)30

Langley Park Participation and Discussion Forum30

Second Year/Alumni Interview 25

Faculty Interview25

The Complexity of Identity: Who am I?15

First Year Expectations Letter15

Campus Resources Discussion Forum15

Total 275

Course Schedule

Module / Date / Location / Topic / Readings/Assignments Due
Introduction to Global Communities, UMD, and Self-Discovery / September 2 / Dorchester Classroom / Introduction to Global Communities and Self-Assessment
September 9 / Dorchester Classroom / Discovering Campus Resources / Letter Assignment
September 16 / Dorchester Classroom / Wellness, Study Skills, and Time Management / (1) Campus Resources Discussion Forum;(2) Dimensions of Wellness Exercise
Exploring our International Community, Identity, and Privilege / September 23 / Dorchester Classroom / Identity and Culture / “The Complexity of Identity: Who am I?”
September 30 / Dorchester Classroom / Privilege and Social Justice / (1) “Invisible Backpack”
(2) “Explaining White Privilege to a Broke White Person”
October 1-13 / Langley Park, MD / Exploring Our International Community – Langley Park / (1) Langley Park Resources
(2) Langley Park Discussion Forum
Preparing for Your
Global Experience / October 14 / Dorchester Classroom / Global Experience Preview / Second Year/Alumni Interview
October 16-27 / Your Professor’s Office / Faculty Interview
October 28 / Dorchester Classroom / Career Services and Professional Skills
November 4 / Dorchester Classroom / Closing Discussions and Cultural Simulation / (1) Faculty Interview; (2) Global Communities Events Participation
November 25 / Global Experience Semester Action Plan

Bibliography

Crosley-Cocoran, Gina. “Explaining White Privilege to a Broke White Person.” Retrieved from

Fischer, Karin. A Freshman Year, Far From Home. The Chronicle of Higher Education. September 3, 2013.

McIntosh, Peggy. “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack” (1988).

Tatum, Beverly. “Who Am I?” The Complexity of Identity. Retrieved from

Langley Park Resources

  • Scott, Molly. “Forgoing School To Pay The Bills.” NPR Podcast, August 4, 2014.

Transcript of Podcast: