UBC:Global Citizenship

Subject 919-490 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Online.
For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Online classes from September to December and January to April through the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada. This subject is only available online. University of Melbourne students wishing to undertake Exchange studies at UBC may enrol in this subject alongside other subjects taught on campus at UBC.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Admission to the Global Issues Program and timely enrolment at UBC before the quota is filled.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: Students cannot take more than one core subject; an enrolment in this subject precludes an enrolment in Globalisation and Social Change- Concepts and Realities, offered by Lund University and Global Citizenship- Global Issues, offered by the University of Nottingham.
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Contact

U21 International Programs Coordinator
Melbourne Global Mobility
Room 120, Level 1, Old Geology Building
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010 Australia

Email: u21-gip@unimelb.edu.au

Phone: +61 3 8344 6104
Subject Overview: Global Citizenship is an interdisciplinary and highly interactive fully online course that hopes to “equip graduates with knowledge and competencies which will enable them to work and participate as global citizens” (U21 MoU, 2005). The course has been designed to inspire students to: consider the concept of “global citizenship” and develop their own understandings of this complex and contested notion, of barriers and bridges to global citizenship, and be able to recognize and develop informed perspectives relating to issues of key concern to the international community. As a result, they need to consider the impact they may have, as well as their unique and collective responsibilities, as global citizens, within their local, national and international communities.
Objectives:
In completing this subject, students:
• consider the possibility for a global ethics
• learn about and debate contemporary notions of citizenship
• become familiar with current debates on the need for an international agreement on human rights
• explore the ways in which news media shape our understanding and awareness of world events
• reflexively consider and compare arguments that support or challenge the value of multiculturalism in nation-states
• develop a new understanding of the modern notions of “nation” and its social construction
• examine some of the connections between language, communication and power
• consider the fundamental factors influencing the health of a society
• reflexively investigate aspects of poverty in their own communities and relate this to broader issues of economic globalization
• examine the ways in which individual consumer choices and behaviours impact human populations and the natural environment in an interconnected world
• reflexively investigate, consider and debate avenues which may be open to them to participate as active global citizens, within their political, social, cultural and professional contexts.
Assessment: Students are assessed on the quality of their participation and depth of the contributions in weekly discussions, which ultimately represents 50% of their final grade. The remaining 50% of the final grade is determined by assessment of written assignments and wiki contributions.
Prescribed Texts: All required course readings are made available to students online, within the course site. Full details will be provided by UBC, via email, after enrolment.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
The course has been designed so that in undertaking it students:
• consider the concept of “global citizenship” and develop their own definition of this complex and contested notion
• develop a broad understanding of barriers and bridges to global citizenship
• develop a broad understanding of issues of key concern to the international community
• consider the impact they may have and their responsibilities, as global citizens, within their local, national and international communities.
Links to further information: https://courses.students.ubc.ca/cs/main
Notes: This subject is one of three alternative core subjects for the Global Issues Program. This subject is quota restricted and places are allocated as applications are received at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Final results for this subject are usually available in March (for classes held in September) and June (for classes held in January).
Related Course(s): U21 Certificate in Global Issues (Understanding Globalisation)
U21 Diploma in Global Issues

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