GEC-300 The Globally Effective Citizen (3 credits)
This series of courses engages the student in the richness and variety of life in this age of globalization by exploring local/national issues and analyzing them within the global context. Using the conceptual frameworks of political science, economics, the humanities, and global studies, students investigate politics and economics at home and abroad, the role of nongovernmental organizations in affecting global change, the historical and cultural context of issues, and the process of globalization and its impact.
GEC-302 Global Citizen:Power of Water (3 credits)
Students focus on the political and economic dimensions of water as a local and a global source of power, sustenance, and renewal. Students start with history of water usage in the U.S. in relation to political process in the U.S. on water issues. Students broaden their focus looking at other regions and their water issues. Students practice media awareness by keeping a "water log" of global water stories in the news. Water issues students research and present to their peers, one of the following: scarcity, pollution, water borne illnesses, irrigation, religious significance, sanitation, dam construction, privatization, geo-political water issues on one of these issues in a region or country, and a non-governmental organization that works on the issue in the region.
Prerequisite(s): 1-3ICM, 1-3ICM, 2-3, 2-3, 5-3, 6-2, 6-2, 7-2, 7-2
GEC-307 Global Cities: Art/Visual Culture (3 credits)
In this course, students study contemporary art historical theory and art making to increase their understanding of the current context for visual expression. They explore a broad variety of philosophical stances, movements, practices, and themes from art of the 20th and 21st centuries. They consider how these topics differ as they look at art and visual culture around the globe, uncovering how visual meanings are developed and presented in communities. An understanding of contemporary art is linked to the student's developing awareness of self as an art maker in studio art classes. Additionally, students should expect some classes to meet at local arts agencies, museums, or galleries and may need to pay some admission prices.
Prerequisite(s): Communication Level 3 ICM, Analysis Level 3, Social Interaction Level 3, Dev a Global Perspective Level 2, Effective Citizenship Level 2.
GEC-312 Global Citizen: End of Nature (3 credits)
Save the Whales"; "Think Globally, Act Locally"; "Hug a Tree"; "Deep Ecology";"Earth First!" These slogans, movements, and organizations enjoyed varying degrees of popularity in recent decades. In fact, a much longer list of issues could be included. Global Climate change represents just one of the ongoing challenges to scientists and citizens alike. Even 100 years ago, calls for scientific expertise drove U.S. government involvement in resource managment. Today, what scientists have learned about the natural world seems to exceed the wildest dreams of experts a century ago, and yet we have greater concerns than ever about our inability to plan for the future. Around the world, countries are developing at rates that may soon exceed the impact on nature of even the American economy. In this course, students will understand the challenges of the past alongside international comparisons. These challenges are unique products of different historical and cultural contexts, and they serve as instructive examples of the parallels in human experience. Students will view, through the perspectives of various non-governmental organizations, the geographic, political, and economic opportunities and challenges related to climate in our global future.
Prerequisite(s): Communication Level 3 ICM completed. Analysis Level 3 completed. Social Interaction Level 3 completed. Dev a Global Perspective Level 2 completed. Effective Citizenship Level 2 completed.
GEC-314 Global Citizen: Indigenous People (3 credits)
To many of us, a world with shrinking borders is simply a metaphor to clarify our experience with instant communication and rapid travel. For indigenous people, the process of globalization is experienced more acutely and with profound ramifications. This course examines the juxtaposition of our world with the world inhabited by indigenous people. As the First People, they have experiences and traditions that reach beyond recorded time. Yet they are forced to live in and adjust to a world that best ignores and at worst destroys their way of life. We will examine this relationship through historical, political, geographical, cultural and environmental contexts. We will learn from and about indigenous people of the Arctic Circle, the Amazon basin, from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. We will connect with organizations that fight to preserve indigenous rights. We will study how the media portrays their stories. And in the process of discovering the hidden voices of our global elders, we will learn what it takes to become informed, educated, and active citizens of the world.
Prerequisite(s): Communication-Level 3 ICM completed. Analysis-Level 3 completed. Social Interaction-Level 3 completed. Developing a Global Perspective-Level 2 completed.
GEC-315 Impact MKE (3 credits)
Open only to Bowman Scholars. In this course, Bowman Scholars will use their community engagement skills and knowledge to design and implement their own community initiative. In consultation with their instructor and Bowman peers, their initiative may take place through an existing community group or business, or be independent. The course is mostly asynchronous with periodic class meetings. Together scholars and instructor design outcomes and construct individualized project calendars. They learn about and implement activist methodologies and frameworks to become effective change agents. They periodically self assess their efforts and communicate their results with instructor and peers in both written and verbal forms. Bowman scholars may have the opportunity to share their skills and knowledge with campus-sponsored community events, helping to center Alverno College as a hub for sustainable community partnerships in the greater Milwaukee community.
Prerequisite(s): Communication Level 3 ICM completed. Analysis Level 3 completed. Social Interaction Level 3 completed. Dev a Global Perspective Level 2 completed. Effective Citizenship Level 2 completed.
GEC-317 Global Citizen: Religion & Politics (3 credits)
This course will investigate the historic patterns and current interactions of religious organizations and governments. Students will gain a better understanding of the rationales used for or against religious involvement in politics. The course will focus on the overlap, interplay, and tensions between religion and domestic politics in both Christian and Islamic societies in an attempt to answer the question: what is the proper role of religion in public life?
Prerequisite(s): Communication-Level 3 ICM, Analysis-Level 3, Social Interaction-Level 3, Developing a Global Perspective-Level 2.
GEC-320 Global Citizen Israel-Palestine Conflict (3 credits)
This course examines the conflict in Israel-Palestine from a global perspective, considering international law, human rights, religious and historical claims and grievances, and many other issues, as well as the roles played by regional and foreign governments (including, especially, the US government), NGOs, activists, and others. Sources range from legal texts to personal testimony, fiction writing, and movies representing different perspectives on the conflict.
Prerequisite(s): Communication Level 3 ICM completed. Analysis Level 3 completed. Social Interaction Level 3 completed. Dev a Global Perspective Level 2 completed. Effective Citizenship Level 2 completed.
GEC-324 Coastal Cities: Baltic Sea (3 credits)
In the Coastal Cities: Baltic Sea program, you will spend the semester studying Milwaukee as a coastal city, focusing on how its location on Lake Michigan impacts the city. To gain a broader perspective, students will explore the impact of the Baltic Sea on the cities of Gdansk, Poland, Kalmar and Malm?, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, students will study how the city and water interact environmentally, economically, physically and culturally. A series of projects and adventures will get students out exploring these cities and their waterfronts. Registration: $150 deposit in the Business Office is required before registration. Cost: The estimated trip cost of $4,800 will be added to your fall tuition bill, $500 of which is non-refundable. The cost may change depending on the enrollment and the USD exchange fluctuation. Please note: the travel cost is in addition to the regular tuition for the course. You will be required to sign a financial agreement when paying the deposit; it identifies dates when fees are charged to you. The entire trip cost is non-refundable even if you drop the course and do not travel. You may want to plan for an additional amount of $400-$500 for optional expenses and free time. Enrollment: Enrollment limited to 20 persons. While students will have first preference, family and friends of Alverno students are welcome to take the trip, without taking the course. Contact the IIC for details. Must be 18 years of age. If your passport is due to expire, you must renew your passport before an airline ticket will be issued. Contact the IIC if you need information about how to obtain a passport.
Prerequisite(s): DGP Levels 1 & 2, Valuing in Decision Making Levels 1& 2, Analysis Levels 1 & 2 or permission of instructor.
GEC-328 Glbl Ct: Migration & Multicult in Europe (3 credits)
Migration and Multiculturalism in Europe Students will use frameworks from both the Developing a Global Perspectives and Effective Citizenship abilities to explore a range of topics related to recent influxes into Europe of refugees and others fleeing persecution, war, violence, disease, and poverty. They will research non-governmental organizations working with refugee and migrant populations in Europe in order to assess their contributions and effectiveness. Topics will include the history of previous migrations into and within Europe; causes behind recent refugee and migrant flows; the legal status of different migrants under international and national law; attitudes and policies towards migrants in European host societies; and the experiences of the migrants themselves, including their artistic and cultural production.
Prerequisite(s): Communication Level 3 ICM completed. Analysis Level 3 completed. Social Interaction Level 3 completed. Dev a Global Perspective Level 2 completed. Effective Citizenship Level 2 completed.
GEC-330 Glbl Ct: Cultural Persp Health: Jamaica (3 credits)
Through in-depth study of the Jamaican culture, the student gains experience in assessing cultural health-care practices, shared belief systems, and norms. She experiences the relationship between culture and health and begins to expand her cultural competence abilities to enhance her future profession. The course concludes with an immersion experience, during which she observes health-care delivery systems operating in acute, clinic, and community care sites. She participates in care and determines the impact of the host culture's health-care delivery system in meeting people's needs within the service area.
Prerequisite(s): Communication-Level 3 ICM completed. Analysis-Level 3 completed. Social Interaction-Level 3 completed. Dev a Global Perspective-Level 2 completed. Effective Citizenship-Level 2 completed.
GEC-333 Glb Cit: Arts & Cultures Europe: Italy (3 credits)
Truly a cultural feast for the soul, this course will engage you in the art and religion and culture of Italy. We will follow Caesar's footsteps through ancient Rome, demystify the history, allegory, techniques of Renaissance art, walk along cobblestone streets into breathtaking Cathedrals, engage in hands-on art projects and learn how to prepare Italian cuisine. Through visiting and studying in three cities, this trip to Italy offers you an experience of a lifetime. Medieval-walled cities of Italy will embrace you in the birthplace of the Renaissance. Linked with the history of humanity, Rome served as a capital of an empire which dominated the Mediterranean world for centuries. It thereafter became the spiritual capital of the Christian world. Florence, the symbol of the Renaissance rose to economic and cultural power under the Medici in the 15th and 16th centuries. Assisi, a medieval city built on a hill, is the birthplace of St. Francis and closely associated with the work of the Franciscan Order that focuses of the universal message of peace and tolerance to all religions and beliefs.
Prerequisite(s): 1-3ICM Series
GEC-398 GEC Special Topics (3 credits)
This course is part of the GEC-300 series. Similar to each course in the series, GEC-398 courses will develop students' abilities in Effective Citizenship and Developing a Global Perspective by focusing on three major areas: . Politics . Economics . Geography A social, political, or economic issue is explored in the United States and in one or more other countries. Each course involves student research on one or more facets of that issue using a variety of media, including the Internet.
Prerequisite(s): Must have completed: Communication Level 3, Global Perspective Level 2, Effective Citizenship Level 2