GRS 290/390/490:  

GLOBAL ISSUES IN CULTURAL CONTEXT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

UBC’s Point Grey Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The land it is situated on has always been a place of learning for the Musqueam people, who for millennia have passed on in their culture, history, and traditions from one generation to the next on this site. 

COURSE OBJECTIVE 

The objective of this course is to bring GRS students together, foster relationships, share interests and experiences and form a community of learners. This course will connect you to your GRS colleagues throughout your degree programs and beyond.

You are required to take GRS 290, 390, and 490 during the time that you are enrolled in the GRS program. This will ensure that you are part of a GRS community of learners from the time you enter the program until you graduate and beyond. You can contribute by asking questions and contributing different perspectives to the learning process as you develop academically and personally throughout your undergraduate program. In your last year, you can focus on global leadership development as you assist new GRS students in understanding global issues and helping them to being effective in their international settings.

Whether abroad or on campus, you will interact and share perspectives that will help new and continuing GRS students understand their place in a global world and build skills as global citizens.

LEARNING OUTCOMES  

• Interact and learn from and with fellow students!
• Recognize cultural differences and value cultural diversity (academic, gender, ethnicity, nationality).
• Articulate important global issues relating to agriculture, food, health, natural resources, and more
• Understand and communicate the importance of assessing global issues through local and culturally sensitive lenses.

2023/24 TOPIC:   Roots and Branches: How Nature Connects Us.

During first term, we will be discussing how nature and current global challenges affecting it like climate change, impact every GRS resource and region of interest. We are looking for GRS'ers to discover ways to act towards climate change based on their passion, dedication and set of skills and knowledge.

COURSE INFORMATION 

While there is some flexibility in this course, you are expected to meet on campus every Wednesday @ 5:30 - 6:50pm in MCML 160. There will always be snacks (and sometimes dinner!) provided.

Various circumstances may lead to a student being unable to attend classes for a temporary period of time.  For example:

• They may not be able to get to Vancouver in time for the start of the course;
• They may be isolating after arrival and/ or feeling unwell at some point in the course;
• They may have unforeseen circumstances

IMPORTANT: If you are feeling unwell, please DO NOT come to campus. This is to protect the health and safety of all students, staff and faculty at UBC. Send an email to a TA or an instructor if you are unable to attend a class.

All course materials will be available to students via Canvas. Presentation slides and/or recordings (When available) will be posted within the Canvas course.

ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING 

Attendance is mandatory. However, if you are ill or are feeling unwell DO NOT attend class in-person. If you cannot attend a class (either in-person) for a valid reason, please send an email to one of the instructors or one of the TAs. 

• • • Bio Page
    • Volunteer Project
    • Social Media*
    • Synopsis*
    • Discussions
    • You will be assessed on your attendance and participation in class and (online), through asking questions, raising global issues, contributing responses, stimulating debate, and sharing cultural experiences.
      • Requirements for assignments can be met by completing:
  • The grading system for the course is Pass/D/Fail

Assignment 1: Biopage

We ask that you all (new and returning students) please create a Student Bio on the GRS website. These Student Bios will help you to introduce yourself to your classmates. The page is password-protected so only current GRSers will be able to view the Bios.  

All students must complete their Student Bios by September 20^th

 The Student Bio form can be found: https://grs.landfood.ubc.ca/current-students-questionnaire/

We ask that you all (new and returning students) please create a Student Bio on the GRS website. These Student Bios will help you to introduce yourself to your classmates. The page is password-protected so only current GRSers will be able to view the Bios.  

All students must complete their Student Bios by September 20^th

 The Student Bio form can be found: https://grs.landfood.ubc.ca/current-students-questionnaire/

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTING

Submit a social media post (Instagram and/or GRS website post) about a GRS experience such as your global experience (if completed already), directed studies, research, volunteering or anything you would like to share with the GRS community.

·       Instagram (@grs_program)

For the post you should submit to the TA’s the following:

• A headshot (png or jpg) and your preferred name and preferred pronouns
• One or two high-quality pictures of your experience(s)
• One or two paragraphs explaining your experience(s) for the post caption (e.g. exchange, research, directed studies, etc.)
• Optional
  • The place you call home
  • Your GRS resource/ region

Submit a social media post (Instagram and/or GRS website post) about a GRS experience such as your global experience (if completed already), directed studies, research, volunteering or anything you would like to share with the GRS community.

·       Instagram (@grs_program)

For the post you should submit to the TA’s the following:

• A headshot (png or jpg) and your preferred name and preferred pronouns
• One or two high-quality pictures of your experience(s)
• One or two paragraphs explaining your experience(s) for the post caption (e.g. exchange, research, directed studies, etc.)
• Optional
  • The place you call home
  • Your GRS resource/ region

SYNOPSIS

Submit a up to 500-word synopsis regarding the GRS classes or online discussions that had the greatest impact on your perception of global issues during Term 1. Please submit the synopsis to Les via e-mail (lml@mail.ubc.ca) with a copy to Roxana (quinde@mail.ubc.ca), no late than December 19^th at 11:59pm.

How do I submit my social media post?

Send your pictures and paragraphs to Hannah and Ava via email. Use your name and “Social Media Post” as the subject.

When do I submit my social media post?

You can submit your social media post anytime between September 11th, 2024 and December 19th, 2024. Please try to submit your experience as soon as possible. Do not wait until the last day.

What happens if I am ill/sick and need to miss a GRS class?

Attendance is mandatory. However, if you are ill or are feeling unwell DO NOT attend class in- person. If you cannot attend a class (either in-person or Zoom) for a valid reason, you must send an e-mail before the class to Roxana, Les or a TA.