Class Description:
"Overwhelmed with images of war, famine, and disease young people in the United States are suffering from an epidemic of compassion fatigue. In this course, students will explore issues of global relevance in an effort to better understand the world around them and their position as potential change agents. The class will be based upon an examination of articles and case studies, discussions with guest lecturers, and a final project in which students propose and implement ideas in response to the topics addressed in class."
Where: University of Illinois at Chicago, Taft Hall Room 301.
When: Every Other Wednesay, 3 - 5 PM - starting Jan. 16, 2008
Who: 14 students from the Honors College, Harish Patel and Daniel Yang, Guest Lecturers, and anyone else who wants to join in on our discussions.
Why: The purpose of this course is to intrigue you, to unleash your creative potential by providing you with action opportunities and a platform to discuss, collaborate, and critically question.
General Outline of the Class:
The class will be divided into 3 sections –
1) Analysis (3 classes)
2) Action (3 classes)
3) Reflection (2 classes)
The course is designed as a mosaic of 8 distinct units, employing different styles and techniques every class. There are, however, common elements that ground the course with some consistency.
Common Elements in the Class:
1) Discussion based – feel free to challenge other people's opinion, we want active dialogue but please be respectful.
2) Journal Entries – writing and reflection is very important in developing our own ideas and processing the information and arguments we're bombarded with.
3) Out of classroom learning – we'll keep you posted with opportunities for action (i.e. conferences, panel discussions, demonstrations, etc…)
4) Community – we want to foster a sense of community among the class, emphasizing collaboration and learning from each from other's experiences.
5) Feedback – 1) tell us what works and what doesn't in the class; 2) we promise to offer you feedback by responding to your journal entries and e-mails.
Bio of the Two Instructors:
Daniel Yang and Harish Patel have been working together for the last two years, starting as Honors College students at UIC. In the fall of 2006, the two of them watched a documentary film about a twenty-one year civil war in Northern Uganda. In response to the film, they decided to travel to Uganda. Lacking money and a clear plan, they took to the streets of downtown Chicago dressed in pink teddy bear costume bought on eBay for $150. With the support of a few thousand hugs, the two of them made it to Uganda, handing 16 children in the slums of Kampala a camera and an opportunity to share their stories. After returning from their first trip, Harishi and Daniel co-founded Project FOCUS, a locally-based youth-led initiative of artists, writers, activists and students. This non-profit organization is committed to educate, inspire and empower youth through art. Currently, the organization is working with a rural community devastated by HIV/AIDS in Lyantonde, Southwestern Uganda.
Our Contact information:
Daniel Yang
danielyang20@gmail.com
773 550-0477
Harish I Patel
harishibrahim@gmail.com
312 823-0090
For more information about Project FOCUS, please visit our website: http://projectfocus.org
If you’d like to read about our experiences in Uganda this past summer, visit us at our blog: http://projectfocusprogress.blogspot.com/
>Daniel and Harishi
Saturday, February 9, 2008
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