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Amizade Global Service-Learning > Past Programs
Summer 2006
This program is now closed.
Program Title: Globalization and the Navajo Nation
Academic Departments: Social Work, Anthropology,
and Native Studies
Intercultural Location: Crownpoint, New Mexico
Academic Instructor: Monica Frolander-Ulf, Ph.D.
Service-Learning Facilitator: Melissa Constanio-Poruben
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Program Description
The Dine (Navajo) have a long history of migrations and eventual arrival
in their present location in the area now encompassing Arizona, New Mexico,
Colorado and Utah. They were drawn into an increasingly globalized system of
economic, political and cultural relationships with the arrival of the Spanish
in the southwest in the 1500s. This course traces the role that the Navajo
Nation and its people have played in shaping these relationships and the effects
of outside influences on their lives. The theoretical foci include the basic
principles underlying Navajo philosophy and worldview and the many-faceted
and much-debated concept of globalization. Students will also be introduced
to ethnographic methods and data gathering techniques during the three weeks
on location in Navajo Nation territory.
Specific topics include 19th and 20th
century Navajo/other Indian nations/U.S. relations, transnational energy companies
and their impact on Navajo affairs, the Navajo involvement in the two world
wars, as well as more recent wars, U.S. and global cultural influences on Navajo
culture, Navajo cultural influences on U.S. culture, identity and the concept
of dual citizenship, the survival of traditional subsistence activities and
cultural practices in the face of an increasingly cash-based economy, as well
as Navajo local and international political and social activism. (The final
course content is to be determined in discussions with Navajo instructors.)
The service components allow students to investigate local healthcare, women's
issues, environmental problems, children's welfare, and youth culture
as consequences of the Dine Nation's location within the U.S.
political economy. They will also gain an appreciation of the degree to which
Dine have regained some measure of sovereignty within this system and
what they still hope to achieve.
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Program Learning Outcomes
At the end of global service-learning program and on-site experience,
students will be able to:
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Articulate several theoretical approaches regarding the dimensions
of globalization.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the process of colonization
as one aspect of globalization with a specific focus on indigenous
populations and the Dine Nation.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of
Dine culture and philosophy.
- Identify ways in which indigenous
cultures, with emphasis on the Dine Nation in particular, exert
influence on a variety of global issues, including environment,
spirituality, etc.
- Effectively use skills in cross-cultural communication.
- Appraise
their own sensitivity to community needs and the culturally-diverse
approaches to meeting those needs.
- Design a qualitative research
study and gather relevant data in a culturally-sensitive manner.
- Incorporate
the knowledge and experience gained from the service learning
project into the broader educational objectives of their own
course of study.
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Academic Credits
Academic credits are awarded for this course through West Virginia
University. The program is academically sponsored by the Division
of Social Work and is cross listed with Sociology/Anthropology
and Native American Studies for the following credit options:
Option
1
Social Work Special Topics: Globalization
- 3
undergraduate credits (SOWK 493A)
AND
Social Work Special Topics: Global Service-Learning
- 3 undergraduate credits (SOWK 493Z)
Option 2 (Social Work Graduate Credits):
Social Work Special Topics:
Globalization
- 3 graduate
credits (SOWK 693B)
Option 3
Sociology/Anthropology Special Topics - Globalization
-
3 undergraduate credits (SOCA 493A)
AND
Sociology/Anthropology Special Topics: Global Service-Learning
- 3 undergraduate
credits (SOCA 493Z)
Option 4 (Sociology/Anthropology Graduate Credits):
Sociology/Anthropology Special Topics: Globalization
- 3
Graduate Credits (SOCA 693)
Option 5
Native American Studies Special Topics: Globalization
- 6
upper-division undergraduate credits (NAS 493Z)
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Program Timeline
May 15
Online classroom discussions begin
June
10-30
Dine College at
Crownpoint, Navajo Nation
Service, field visits, lectures, documentaries, discussions, and
reflections with Navajo hosts and instructors
July 1-30
Online classroom discussions,
community service-project completed, and completion of program.
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