This is a discussion based and active learning course designed for students from different disciplinary backgrounds from science and engineering fields to the social sciences and humanities. The intellectual and academic content of the course allows students to draw on their educational and professional experiences abroad or attained in different intercultural contexts as we explore concepts and practices related to identity, citizenship, globalism and intercultural competencies. The course explores the meaning of global citizenship as it has evolved conceptually in scholarly and public debates and how it is “practiced” by individuals and “institutionalized” by universities, corporations and other organizations that deploy the concept as a strategic goal or a set of value commitments. We will also consider the extent to which global citizenship is a contested idea and evaluate those oppositions in both normative and empirical terms. The course will be anchored by a survey of the relevant concepts, theories and analytical tools from the Social Sciences and Humanities, as well as from Intercultural Communication and Social Psychology to enable students to fulfill the following objectives:
- Think critically and systematically about our subject matter, particularly as it is bound up with complex constructs such as national identity, globalization and the causes and consequences of human migration.
- Perform an active investigation of perception, values, and problem-solving approaches, all of which differ in patterned ways across cultures, and exert tremendous influence on how we define global citizenship.
- Acknowledge the necessity of shifting from ethno-centrism to ethno-relativism and away from “us versus them” thinking to successfully conceptualize global citizenship as an idea and a practice
“Prepare all Georgia Tech students to be cross-culturally competent, globally minded leaders” is one of Georgia Tech’s stated strategic goals. Students will transform the knowledge gained from our inquiry into the nature of global citizenship and how it is being enacted through practices both within the academy and beyond, into the following learning outcomes:
- Understand the interrelationships between the concepts of globalization and citizenship.
- Exhibit cultural, contextual, and ethical awareness. Students will become more aware of the diversity of cultural and ethical systems in the world. Includes the ability to identify, critically analyze, and apply distinguishing traits/perspectives/ formulations/ institutions in comparative or international empirical cases or issue areas.
- Differentiate communitarian and cosmopolitan perspectives on issues related to globalization, citizenship, immigration, and international affairs .
- Explain the concept of identity in relation to politics and society.
- Demonstrate familiarity with intercultural learning concepts and the developmental model of intercultural sensitivity .
- Justify or reject critiques of global citizenship using normative and empirical evidence from concepts studied in class.
- Develop effective communication and teamwork skills through group projects and oral presentations.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the goals, methods, and tools of the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Natural Sciences and what each academic approach may contribute to the investigation of the meaning and practices of global citizenship.
- Define what global citizenship can and should mean to you as individuals in an increasingly globalized world and workplace as well as what it means as a member of the Georgia Tech community.
There is no required textbook for this course. All readings are posted on the Canvas course site.
Attendance and participation are essential to doing well in this class. Participation comprises 20% of the total grade for the course, which is equal in weight to each of the other assessments. Absences are to be avoided except in the case of sickness or emergency situations. After three unexcused absences, points will be deducted from the participation grade. Readings should be completed prior to class meetings, and you should be prepared for active and engaged discussion. Guidelines for the team presentations and research projects will be posted on Canvas.
Participation 20%
Exam 20 %
Team Presentation 20%
Research Project 20%
Final Essay/Podcast 20%
Participation comprises 20% of the total grade for the course, which is equal in weight to each of the other assessments. Absences are to be avoided except in the case of sickness or emergency situations. After three unexcused absences, points will be deducted from the participation grade.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Social Sciences area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I understand human experiences and connections?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social or geographic relationships develop, persist or change.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Intercultural Competence
- Perspective-Taking
Persuasion