HUM 225 Effective International Development: Theory to Practice

Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Continues an in-depth examination of a specific area of international community development in impoverished global regions. Focus of the course may include the areas of education, micro-finance, business, or human trafficking. Encourages critical thinking about global forces and the interaction of converging factors such as culture, philosophy, history of a country, literature, economics, and the processes that occur in community building in specific areas. Prepares students to participate thoughtfully and authentically in community development field work (service learning), and provides direct cross-cultural experience by living and working in another country with emphasis on unequal distribution of wealth and power as key factors in social justice.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate mastery of complex concepts relating to an in-depth examination of a particular area of international development.
Relate development theory to real work in the field through student experience, and explain relevant challenges and improvements being made in the field.
Develop a personal statement about effective practice in a specific area of development, related to a concrete example of an international development organization.
Describe personal awareness of the philosophy, attitudes, prejudices, and stereotypes evident in the specific area of international development being studied (e.g., prejudices in education).
Identify similarities and differences between the US and other countries in the specific area of study (e.g., differing educational opportunities in different countries).

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

Interpret and engage in the Arts and Letters, making use of the creative process to enrich the quality of life.
Critically analyze values and ethics within a range of human experience and expression to engage more fully in local and global issues.

Cultural Literacy Outcomes:

Identify and analyze complex practices, values, and beliefs and the culturally and historically defined meanings of difference.

Content Outline

Review Concepts and Themes of International Development
- Philsophies of international aid
- Philosphy of empowerment and capacity building in an authentic sense.
- History of international aid
- Millenium Goals review
- Political and infrastructure themes
In-Depth Examination of Specific Area of International Development
- Exploration through literature and research about specific theories of international community development
- Exploration of competing ideas surrounding effective practices, and understanding the complexities of putting theory into practice through current literature
- Field experience (service learning) to test theories and gain critical observation of theory into action in a specific area of international community development
Authentic Cross-Cultural Awareness
- Explore concrete examples of prejudice and ignorance in a new cultural setting
- Compare prejudices and stereotypes in other countries with the U.S.
- Examine the superiority complex that often comes with western international community development models
- Develop a mature sense of humility and patience in cross cultural settings
Capstone International Experience Working Directly on a Community Development Project