PCS 211 INTRO TO PEACE STUDIES SPRING 2005

Active-learning Exercises (10%)

We will be engaged in various activities WITHIN the classroom, but this assignment asks that you take initiative to be involved in activities (as well as lectures, films) outside of our classroom. You will submit a short report (at least 2 paragraphs) on your experiences and/or the event you attended in order to get credit for the assignment. 5 events must be attended in the course of the semester (not counting the Martin Luther King lecture on 2/24). At least two of these 5 must require you to actively engage in social change (e.g. attend a demonstration, an organizing meeting of a peace or justice oriented group, do a service activity, etc.). Other activities may be to review a film or attend a lecture related to the class. The 5 activities must all be different (can’t go to the same school to tutor 5 times as a service project). I will provide suggestions for activities throughout the semester. The short report on the King lecture on 2/24 (due 2/28) will be included in this grade (though not as one of the 5). You should let me know in advance if you are unable to attend the King lecture.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS :

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING AN “EVENT”:

· focus of the event should relate to issues of peace and justice (and, correspondingly their opposites). For example, going to a war movie might be insightful for issues in this class (though preferably one that offers more food for thought than your typical war movie. Platoon, for example). Of course, even a movie that uncritically glorifies war, failing to explore its darker side or reasons why we fight, etc. can still be revealing about our culture.

· the event should be a minimum of one hour long

· the event can be off or on campus

· please aim for a variety of activities (a film, a lecture, a play, a service activity, a demonstration)

· please try to choose at least some activities that expose you to something new, and aim to cover different kinds of issues (for example, don’t choose 5 activities that all have to do with Colombia)

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

To receive credit for this assignment, you must submit a two paragraph report to me about it.

1) First paragraph. What was the event, where was it held, who was responsible for organizing it, and why did you choose this particular event? If this is one of the two activities that “actively engages you in social change” please note this and explain why.

2) Second paragraph. What did you learn about the topic from attending the event?

3) Send report within one week of attending the event

4) Send report by e-mail (we CAN save paper on this assignment!) to mgerstba@gac.edu

VERY IMPORTANT:

· do not send as an attachment. Paste text into body of e-mail

· the subject line should read “lastnameEvent#” (see below)

· the body of the e-mail must contain your name AND the # event that this is (1-5)

GRADING RUBRIC:

Each report is worth 6 pts. Remember two of the events have to be more activity oriented (“engage you in social change”). Thus, you will get 0 pts on two of the five events, unless they meet this criteria. If you have any concern/question about whether an event meets this requirement, please discuss with me.