Social Action: How to make a difference in the world
| BRIAN SHOEN |
4単位 |
| 3〜4 | |
| 前期 |
| 前期(火・2)時間割表へ |
| 前期(木・5)時間割表へ |
| English for International Communication III-8 Social Action: How to make a difference in the world |
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| 10001108 |
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Topic/Theme Globalization, anti-war protests, environmental protection, grass-roots NGOs (non-governmental organizations): each of these terms (and many others) brings to mind the opportunity for social action to benefit humanity and the world in which we live. The most common form of this social action, especially for KUIS students is through volunteering. While there is a growing appreciation of the importance of “volunteering” within Japan, it also seems that the current image of volunteering seems to prevent long-term, sustainable, and personally rewarding participation. Consequently, the term “social action” will be introduced as a way to re-imagine what people can do in their daily lives, both personally and professionally. In addition, the social action which does get undertaken is often directed in ineffectual or counter-productive ways, so it seems that a set of critical thinking skills is needed to help individuals evaluate different forms of social action. Purpose/Objectives The course will have two primary aims: 1. First, the course is designed to cause a radical shift in participants’ attitudes away from “volunteering” which involves a burden or sacrifice of personal happiness, is limited to a certain age-range, and is most often undertaken only by “really good” people. The goal is to develop an understanding of social action as something that is not only possible for anyone, but also a rewarding and long-term sustainable lifestyle. 2. Beyond this, the course will enable participants to develop the necessary critical thinking skills to analyze different options to take social action (e.g. NGO). Participants will then develop a sustainable Social Action Plan which will have a significant and meaningful effect on the issue/problem and be individually rewarding. This course addresses these two primary issues by engaging participants in personally meaningful reflection, research, and subsequent action through a variety of student-driven activities designed to encourage learning of both the needed language resources and the necessary critical skills to undertake meaningful social action. Main activities The primary activities will be centered around the Action Plan Project in which participants will: --Identify an issue of focus which is both important, both on a societal and personal level --Analyze this issue from multiple perspectives --Research and consider various courses of action to address this issue --Critically review current work being done on this issue, (e.g. by NGOs) and evaluate these options for effectiveness --Develop an “action plan” which the participant will undertake in their personal life for a “trial period” during the semester --Reflect on this “action period” in terms of its practicality, sustainability, effectiveness, and personal satisfaction These stages will be reported in both written reports and oral presentations, including facilitation of a discussion circle on their area of focus, a report on an analysis of current work being done on this issue by a GO or NGO, short updates on the development of the action plan, a final presentation of the action plan itself. |
| 評価方法： |
Attendance/Participation: 20% Discussion Circle Facilitation: 10% GO/NGO Analysis Report: 10% Weekly Updates/Reflections Circles: 10% Action Plan Project: 50% |
| テキスト名： | No textbook required |
| 注意事項： | Class size is limited to 20 students |
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