Syllabus

Becoming a Global Citizen: The Humanitarian Aid Sector

SOC 376
Spring 2019

Syllabus (tentative; will be amended)

Elon University

Instructor:                              Dr. Tom Arcaro

Office Phone:                          336-278-6442
Other phones:                        336-263-4578 (c)
Émail:                                        arcaro@elon.edu
Office:                                        Lindner 209-C

Introduction
I look forward to working with you as we probe deeper into the many critical social problems facing our global community.  In many ways I want you to consider this course an extension of what you learned in COR 110, The Global Experience, and indeed I hope you bring much of that learning and growth into our many discussions.  We have much important work to do in this class, and by the very act of signing up for this course you have begun to be part of an important –no, critical- effort to make the world a more just place for all.

Catalog Description
In this course we will survey a wide range of global social problems including the Syrian refugee crisis, the threat of ISIS, the chronic instability in Somalia and South Sudan, G/SBV and sex trafficking in all parts of the world, issues related to global climate change, and other issues and news current during the time frame of our semester. Using these crises as a backdrop we will examine and critique the global humanitarian responses to these events/phenomena including both emergency aid and development efforts. Special emphasis will be placed on the lives of the aid workers who are the point on contact between the donors and the beneficiaries of humanitarian aid.  Students will read about and research these topics and will be responsible for presenting to the class on an issue of their choice. Students will be challenged to work together on a class project to actively address one or more issues. Work in the course will be geared toward deepening each student’s understanding of what it means to be a globally aware and ethically responsible citizen.

Course Objectives

The objectives for this course include exploring the following subtopics:

1) Review the major theoretical perspectives in sociology
In order to move beyond merely describing the world we must accumulate a set of conceptual and theoretical tools to help us go from asking the what questions to the why and how questions, i.e., from describing to analyzing and explaining.  Our first job will be to look around the world and be able to know what is happening, but in the end, we will have the goal of offering some critical analyses as well.

The main theoretical perspectives in sociology include functionalism, symbolic interactionism, conflict theory and, more recently, evolutionary psychology.  We will do primers of each as we start the course.

2) Explore a wide range of global social problems
We will examine a wide array of global social problems using both the Internet and readings I will post on our blog.  Each student will present what they learned in their GST 110 course and after sharing those insights we will go on to cover more deeply some of those topics as well as break some “new ground.”

3) Examine the concept “global citizen”
Through reading an array of essays and articles we will explore what it means to be a global citizen.

4) Examine the world of humanitarian and development aid and critiques thereof  in both text and other media.

5) Do a meaningful and related service project. Imagine and then create your own PSA on a topic of your choice related to our course work.

Service component

This course will have a service component.

You will either individually or in teams of up to three create a short (3 minutes maximum) video that will be submitted for consideration for either the Golden Radiator Award or the Rusty Radiator Award for 2019.

Required Course Materials

• In the Eyes of Others (edited by Caroline Abu-Sada)
• War Games:  The Story of Aid and War in Modern Times (by Linda Polman) [Alternate title is Crisis Caravan]
• That the World May Know by James Dawes
• Emergency Sex by Cain, Thomson, and Postlewait

I recommend that you get started on these books immediately.  All are available online at Amazon.com and you should order them ASAP.

I will post other readings related to our various topics on our blog.  These will either be essays or book chapters.  You will also be sent links to various web sites as we proceed through the term.

Additional readings:
You are asked to choose one of these books to read and review by the last three weeks of the semester. If you have another relevant book you’s like to read and review, please see me.

Chasing the Flame. Samantha Powers (2008)
Humanitarian Business.   Thomas G. Weiss (2013)
Condemned to Repeat. Fiona Terry (2002)
Where Soldiers Fear to Tread.  John Burnett (2005)
Seeking Refuge. Stephan Bauman (et al) (2016)
Shake Hands With the Devil.  Romeo Dallaire (2003)
Aid on the Edge of Chaos.  Ben Ramalingam (2013)
The Global Struggle for Human Rights. Debra DeLaet (2006)
The Tyranny of Experts. William Easterly (2013)
Inside the Everyday Lives of Development Workers. Fetcher and Hindman (2014)
Adventures in Aidland.David Morse (ed) (2013)
The Paradoxes of Aid Work.  Silke Roth (2015)
Humanitarianism Contested.  Barnettt & Weiss (eds)  (2011)
HUMAN. J. (2016)
Honor Among Thieves J. (2017)
Letters Left Unsent. J. (2014)

Course Requirements
To accomplish the objectives for this course, you will complete the following:

Reading Assignments
You will have several reading assignments throughout the term, beginning with reading the assigned monographs.  There will be additional readings assigned in class from web sources. You should read all material assigned and be ready for discussions on our blog.  All writing that you do for the course should use and reference assigned reading materials as well as any outside research that you do.

Blog posts
General information about content and evaluation:  On a regular basis (typically once per week) you will be asked to respond to prompts posted to the blog.  The purpose here is to apply class material with current events as well as expand on and apply sociological thinking.  It is critical that students also research and provide academic support for the positions, observations, and perspectives presented.  To be clear, for each blog post prompt you are to (1) respond to the prompt in at least 500 words and with at least two citations (at least one from an assigned readings and/or Sociology Intro book) and one from an outside source, (2) respond to at least three of your colleague’s posts, and (3) appropriately categorize your posts. So, for example, for the Assignment 1 post you will click  “Assignment 1″ before you publish. You are advised to write your own response before reading the posts of others.  These posts (including your responses to colleagues) will be evaluated based on both the quality and quantity of writing.  I will be looking for analytical creativity, good use of research materials, and well reasoned and presented information and points of view.  You cannot pass this course without participating regularly on the blog.  Failure to make regular and timely posts will have major consequences for your grade.

Please keep in mind that although these are technically blog posts (and referred to as such) it is best to think of these as mini academic research papers.   The added  content (hyperlinks, images, videos, etc.) is needs to be carefully utilized as well and should augment and enhance what you have to say and not be just mere ‘eye candy.’

IMPORTANT
Anything that you post on the blog can be seen by everyone in the class.  Indeed, that is the point of using this platform.  In the case that you wish to have any or all of your posts remain “Private” (i.e. only the instructor can see it)  you are invited to do so.  First, find the “Visibility” Edit link.

Next, click the “Private” radio button and then click “OK”.

Feedback on blog posts will periodically come in the form of an audio file emailed to you.  You are strongly encouraged to seek me out during office hours for more detailed feedback.

 Rubric for blog posts:

As a shorthand for the longer, more detailed grading rubric above this SOC summary may be useful.

• S = demonstration of understanding and application of sociological concepts, theories, etc. germane to the topic, especially those taking about in the text and in class
• O = organization and structure overall; flow of ideas, appropriate and contextualized use of images and videos, proper documentation of sources
• C = analytical creativity; going beyond obvious restatement or simple examples and pushing boundaries of thought and perspective; finding outside academic sources beyond the obvious

Class Participation and Other Homework
I expect you to participate in class discussions and complete any additional homework assignments that may be asked of you.  Your comments on your colleague’s blog posts will be counted as part of your class participation grade.

Grading

Weekly blog posts            70%  (These may take the form of presentations/reports)
Class participation           10%
PSA project                        10%  (This may be done as a small group; your choice)
Final exam                         10%

Class dates and topic schedule:

Week             Dates                      Topic (note:  additional reading will be assigned)

1                     Feb 4,6                           Course overview; theoretical perspectives

2                    Feb 11,13                         Global citizen overview

3                     Feb 18,20                      Global citizen overview; student reports

4                  Feb 25,27                         Global humanitarian crises

5                  March 4,6                         Global humanitarian crises

6                    March 11,13                    Humanitarian ecosystem

7                      March 18,20                 Humanitarian ecosystem

8                    April 1,3                          Aid worker voices

9                     April 8,10                       Aid worker voices

10                  April 15,17                       Book presentations

11                    April 22,24                     Book presentations

12                   April 29, May 1               Book presentations

13                  May 6,8                             PSA presentations

14                  May 13                              Book review presentations (if needed), review

Final Examination:  Friday, May 17, 11:30-2:30.  We will use this time for final presentations, bringing our work to closure, and the writing of your final blog post/exam).

1. Was the assignment turned in on time? (Depending upon the circumstances, late assignments will be accepted but will be downgraded.)
2. Did the student follow instructions completely and correctly?
3. Was the student conscientious in completing the assignment? Did the student put in sufficient time and thought relevant to the assignment?
4. Does the student correctly understand and use the sociological ideas, perspectives, concepts, or theories on which the assignment is based?
5. Does the student follow a format appropriate to the assignment?
6. Is correct spelling and proper grammar used throughout the student’s work?
7. Is the level of depth of analysis, explanation, or discussion appropriate to the assignment?
8. Is the length of the completed work appropriate for the assignment?
9. Has the student shown creativity of thought and style in the assignment?
10. If outside sources were used were they cited properly? Was a list of references included at the end of the assignment.