UBC:Global Citizenship

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Online

Admission into the D-GLOBISS Diploma in Global Issues or 777CC Certificate in Global Issues.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability
Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage
Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course
Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to
those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found
at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

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.

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.

Students will be assessed weekly on the quality of participation in weekly facilitated online discussions (50% of final grade) and on four short written assignments (50% of final grade). There are no examinations.

All required course readings are made available to students online, within the course site.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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.