Course outline Fall 2012

Global issues: current issues and

how NGOs tackle them.

NGO 201 (10 classes, 7:00-7:00pm, Fridays Fall 2012)

                 

Instructor:	ROSSITTO	Contact	Sarajean.tuj@gmail.com
Hours	20	CEUs	2

Textbook :

Online articles Including Sections of The Millennium Development Goals Report 2011 Reading links & materials: http://ngo-201.blogspot.com/ Only registered viewers, will be able to access the materials once the semester begins.

 

Basic Description/Course Objectives

Course overview: NGO 201 is an issues-based course aiming for the development of a deeper understanding of current global issues and the strategies used by nonprofit-NGOs. Weekly assigned online readings guide discussion so that all may better understand causes, impacts and connections between of a wide array of issues. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) serve as a base for topics. Specific case studies highlight problems and approaches. Each week, participants are also asked to do online research about NGOs working on specific issues in order to better understand the methods they use. Participants are expected to be active in class discussion, take part in group-work and make a final presentation on an issue and NGO of their choice. ＊NOTE* this is a newly revised syllabus specially for Friday nights; it includes new topics and more educational activities and less lecture than the other NGO201 classes. Revisions are highlighted in green. Course Objectives: 1.               Learn about key issues in the world today. 2.               Develop a better understanding of how NGOs work & how they address issues. 3.               Use and develop knowledge and skills. 4.               Share own know-how and experience with class participants Evaluation: Participants receive a pass if they fulfill the criteria for passing: 70% in attendance, active class participation, assignments and a final project.

Course Outline

	Issues	Themes and contents
Class 1 9/21	Introductory class	Class outline review, Intro to NGOs, Intro to the MDGs How good is your life? How is your life connected to others in the world?
Class 2 9/28	Poverty and hunger	Hunger today, food security, solutions to food access  Farming village simulation
Class 3 10/5	Access to education	Literacy, Access for girls, inclusion and conflict and education * Project: commit to one issue of interest for the final presentation
Class 4 10/12	Health	Major / minor health issues in developed and developing countries. Child & maternal health, reproductive rights and AIDS
Class 5 10/19	Refugees	Imagine the life of a refugee
Class 6 10/26	Water and sanitation	Gaps, facts and country reports on water Project: update on progress
Class 7 11/2	Children’s rights	An overview of rights, why do children need to work? What is decent work?
Class 8 11/9	Disasters	Disaster data and reports from 2011 and 2010, Haiti & Chile (EQs) Indonesia & Japan (Tsunamis)
Class 9 11/16	Gender	The conflict cycle, The role of NGOs in conflict resolution and peace building, Building peace from the ground up
Class10 11/30	* Final project presentations	Putting together everything from the semester!

Course Evaluation

1	Minimum attendance: 70%
2	Minimum course work performance: 70%
3	Others: Final project 70%
	Attendance and Make-up: You may miss 6 hours of class in total – which means 3 full classes or 6 half classes. You may do a make up for 1 full class that you missed. Please ask the instructor for details. Course work performance: Each week, all participants are expected to complete reading assignments and be active in class discussion. “Active class participation” includes taking part in all small group and whole class discussions, Q&A and other activities as well as regular preparation for class. Class participants are expected to complete readings and/or other course work even if absent. Final assignment: All are required to do a presentation and paper on a specific issue relevant to the course contents and one nonprofit NGO tackling that issue. Each class participant should start planning as soon as possible. Assignment Objectives: 1.     Opportunity to use and develop knowledge and skills. 2.     Develop a better understanding of NGOs work and how they address issues. 3.     Chance to share know-how and experience with class participants Each person will: * Give a 10-minute presentation, which will be followed by 10min. for Q & A. * Prepare and submit a report (4 to 5-pages) or PowerPoint slides (8-15 slides).  All written materials are due at least 3 days before the last class. I encourage you to be very creative in finding ways of affecting social change. More detailed information on the project will be given in class.