GDEV 2105 - Critical Global Citizenship: Preparing for Ethical Engagement

Spring. 2 credits. Letter grades only (no audit allowed).

J. Ficarra, H. Mouillesseaux-Kunzman.

This course focuses on preparing to work collaboratively across geographic, cultural, and ideological borders to address global development challenges. The first part of the course focuses on the concept of “critical global citizenship”, and how the collaborative promotion of equity, environmental justice, and human equality on a global scale is essential to the work of ethical development. We will emphasize how praxis, critique, and collaborative learning experiences help to transform global, historical, unequal relations of power in communities both near and far. The second part of the course considers the realities of development practice in specific geographic locations. It prepares students in basic principles of situational assessment, logistical preparation, risk mitigation, health, safety, and personal wellbeing while doing meaningful, ethical, development work.

Outcome 1: Identify their social positionality and how it might inform their work as a development practitioner.

Outcome 2: Describe some of the major theories and practical tensions that define Critical Global Citizenship.

Outcome 3: Evaluate challenges and opportunities of doing development work in specific regional contexts.

Outcome 4: Explain the importance of and several ways to communicate ethically, meaningfully and effectively across cultures.

Outcome 5: Prepare logistically, culturally, and personally for fieldwork in communities that are new and/or unfamiliar.