Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details
This is an in-person class.
Contact Information
Textbook: Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World
Year: 2009
Author: Tracy Kidder
Textbook: Blood Brothers
Year: 2003
Author: Elias Chacour
Manuscript: A History of Sugartree Ministries
Year: Forthcoming
Author: Michael T. Snarr
Global Education Goals
With reference to Wilmington College’s mission, vision, core values, and queries, students will develop knowledge of
- the perspectives of cultures other than their own
- global issues, especially as they relate to peace, social justice, and/or ecology;
- reflect upon the interconnectedness of the world and their own roles as engaged members of a global community.
Honors Program Goals (for this course):
In addition to the goals stated above, students will:
- reflect on and examine their own values with respect to their place in the world;
- identify and describe the issues of marginalized populations;
- identify and describe how agents of change can respond to pressing global issues and marginalized populations.
Course Outline (subject to change)
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
Week 1 (August 24)
Read: “Introduction to Our Course”
Read: “Introduction to Globalization” (Snarr: Chapter 1)
What is your story?
POVERTY/HEALTH/HUMAN RIGHTS
Week 2 (August 31)
Read: “Short and Oversimplified History of Haiti”: http://faculty.webster.edu/corbetre/haiti/history/course/unitone/short.htm
Read Farmer (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
Week 3 (Sept. 7)
Labor Day (No class Monday)
Introduction to Honors
Read Farmer
Week 4 (Sept. 14)
Read Farmer
Guest Speakers: Aid to Infrastructure (Nov. 14)
Read “Women’s Equality and Development” (Snarr: Chapter 13)
Choose a country
Week 5 (Sept. 21)
Read Farmer
Week 6 (Sept. 28)
Read Farmer
Introduction to Kiva
ISRAEL-PALESTINE & PEACEMAKING
Week 7 (Oct. 5)
Read Chacour
Westheimer Peace Symposium (Oct. 6-7)
Week 8 (Oct. 12)
Read Chacour
Human Rights Watch report Assignment
Tuesday, October 13 in service no classes; no PEP classes
Week 9 (Oct. 19)
Fall Break—No classes (Oct. 19)
Read Chacour
*Visit Peace Resource Center (Oct. 17)
Week 10 (Oct. 26)
Read Chacour
Video: “We Were Warriors”
*Guest Speaker: Rick Polhamus (Oct. 26)
HOMELESSNESS
Week 11 (Nov. 2)
Read Snarr
Week 12 (Nov. 9)
Read Snarr
Week 13 (Nov. 16)
Read Snarr
Week 14 (Nov. 23)
Read Snarr
Thanksgiving Break: No class Wednesday or Friday (Nov. 25-27)
Week 15 (Nov. 30)
Roundtable Prep
Week 16 (Dec. 7)
Final Exam
Roundtable Prep
Last day of classes (Dec. 9)
Study Day (Dec. 10)
Final Exam/Roundtable: Sunday, Dec. 13 6:00pm-9:00pm
(Final Exam time slot: Friday, Dec 11 @ 10:15-12:15)
Course Assignment/Requirements
Writing Assignments
Writing Assignments (WAs) will be given throughout the semester. Most WAs will be given at the beginning of class, but can be given at other times as well. They will cover the assignment for the day and may also include material that has been covered in the current section (note the course is broken in several sections based on the books we are reading). No make-up Writing Assignments will be given. If a student must miss several classes, for legitimate reasons, please notify the professor ASAP.
Writing assignments may also be posted on Blackboard and will be due before class. Please follow the guidelines below (unless otherwise instructed).
- Your completed WAs must show evidence of critical thinking. In others words you must: react, analyze, and make explicit connections to class material. Do not simply summarize or describe. You can evaluate the quality of the position presented, reflect on issues raised, or discuss whether you agree or disagree, but you must support your position with evidence and details. (Note: You will not be graded on your opinions, but on the quality of your reflections and the amount of effort put into your work.)
- Write at least 250 words for each Writing Assignment and submit on Blackboard. Generally speaking, students who write more tend to get a higher grade.
- Late papers may be accepted but will lose significant points. Contact me immediately if you are going to hand a paper in late.
- Note: an “A” paper is defined as outstanding. In other words, students will do more than simply satisfy the assignment; they will clearly demonstrate impressive effort, thought, and reflection. If you feel you deserve a better grade, talk to me.
Roundtable
Each student will engage in a roundtable discussion/debate regarding a global issue. Details will be distributed in class.
Class Engagement
The success of our class depends to a great extent on each individual being an active, contributing member of the class. Class engagement includes (prompt) attendance, preparation, and participation. In order to participate effectively you must complete the assignment prior to class and be engaged during class (pay attention, ask questions, and answer questions). Engaged students will not have their cell phones out, and will be self-aware (e.g., don’t dominate the discussion). If for some reason you must miss a class, notify me as soon as possible.
Final Exam
This will be a final evaluation over a few key course concepts.
Point Structure
Writing Assignments = 65%
Roundtable = 20%
Class Engagement = 10%
Final Exam = 5%
Grade Structure
A=93-100; A-=90-92 (outstanding)
B+=87-89 B=83-86; B-=80-82 (good)
C+=77-79; C=73-76; C-=70-72 (average)
D+=67-69; D=60-66 (below average)
F=59 or below (inadequate)
Instructor Course Policies
See Class Engagement (under Course Requirements)
This policy is directly related to the first Testimony, which is part of the Student Code of Conduct: “I will practice personal and academic integrity.” The College believes that it is important for students to develop high ethical and scholarly standards and accept responsibility for maintaining these standards. Students who engage in academic misconduct receive sanctions from the faculty member of the course in which the misconduct occurs. In addition, students with multiple offenses or who commit a serious violation are required to appear before the Academic Standards and Appeals Committee, and may be subject to additional sanctions as determined by the committee.
Additional Information
- An “A” is defined as outstanding. To receive an “A” in this class you must perform at an “outstanding” level throughout the semester.
- Talk to me prior to class if you need to use a laptop or cell phone in class.
- Do not hold side conversations.
- Please do not begin gathering your materials until you have been dismissed!
- If you’re concerned about your grade or any other class-related issue, see me sooner rather than later. Don't wait!!!
- You are responsible for what you miss in class (including changes in the syllabus). If you miss a class-related event, it is your responsibility to make it up (to the extent that it is possible).
- Save quizzes, papers, etc. in case there is a dispute over your grade.
- In order to maintain your eligibility for financial aid, you must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0. You also must successfully complete 2/3 (67%) of the classes for which you are registered after the first week of school. Dropping a class could put you at risk of not meeting the 67% criteria. If you wish to drop a class, please see your instructor or advisor for help calculating your status.
- Americans with Disabilities Act. If you have a documented disability that requires accommodations, contact Spencer Izor, the Associate VP for Compliance: spencer.izor@wilmington.edu, 937-481-2365, or visit her office in College Hall, Room 306.See the current Student Handbook for the college Attendance Policy especially as it pertains to excused absences.
- See the current Student Handbook for the college’s Academic Integrity policies as they pertain to examinations, plagiarism, classroom behavior, and the process for handling academic misconduct charges.
- Don’t let the relaxed nature of class fool you, students fail this class.
- Contact me prior to class if you need to attend via Zoom. You will need to explain the necessity of your request. Please have your video on when you Zoom.
- All work (essays, test answers, homework answers, etc.) that you submit in this course must be originally produced by you and not by artificial intelligence. Failure to comply with this policy will result in penalties for academic dishonesty.
Title IX Statement of Policy
Consistent with Wilmington College’s testimony, “I will respect the dignity of all persons,” Wilmington College (or the “College”) is committed to providing a learning, working, and living environment free of discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sex and gender by employees, students, and third parties. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), Wilmington College prohibits discrimination based on sex (including gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation) in its educational, extracurricular, athletic, or other programs or activities that it operates, or in the context of admissions or employment. Specifically, Title IX provides, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Wilmington College considers sex and gender discrimination in all its forms, including sexual harassment, to be a serious offense. Consistent with Wilmington College’s commitment to compliance with Title IX, the College will promptly and equitably respond to all reports and formal complaints under this Sex Discrimination & Sexual Harassment Policy (the “Policy”) in order to end the conduct, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects on individuals and the community. Inquiries regarding the application of this Policy may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary of the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Education, or both.
Religious Accommodations
Wilmington College strives for an inclusive climate and welcomes students from all backgrounds, faiths, and experiences. If religious observance impedes your ability to participate fully in classroom activities or a principal holiday from your religious tradition occurs during the semester and conflicts with class meetings or activities, please make the professor aware of this immediately to determine if a reasonable accommodation is possible.
ADA and Students with Disabilities
Wilmington College and the Office of Compliance and Integrity are committed to ensuring equal access to students with disabilities, including physical, medical, and psychiatric disabilities. If you are a student with a disability and feel you may need a reasonable accommodation to fulfill the essential functions of this course, you are encouraged to connect with Nathan Flack, Academic Resource Center Manager/ADA Coordinator by visiting the Academic Resource Center located in Robinson Communication Center, Room 103 or connecting via email/phone at nathan.flack@wilmington.edu or 937-481-2208 (TTY: Ohio Relay 711 for deaf/hard of hearing). Please understand that formal eligibility communication from the Office of Compliance and Integrity must be presented prior to the coordination of accommodations for this course.
Institutional and Program-Level Policies
All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.
Undergraduate: FA26 Final Exam Schedule
Out-of-class Work Expectation A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week. |
Instructional Course Delivery Definition of Courses |
Academic Integrity Policy The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions. Academic Integrity Policy |
Class Attendance Policy Institutional Class Attendance Policy |