Syllabus

HS 280

Where in the World is the U.S.A.?

Cornish College of the Arts, Fall 2013

Alex Morrow                                                                                                        amorrow@cornish.edu

MCC 303                                                                                                                          MW 6:00-7:20

Notions Mailbox                                                                            Whereintheworldistheusa.blogspot.com

Since the end of World War II, the United States has been a ubiquitous force in the world.  America is

literally and figuratively everywhere.  The spectacle and affluence of this nation draws immigrants from around the world.  And with every can of Coca-Cola consumed and missile fired, this nation reasserts its global power. But what is that power and what are the consequences of using it?   As the long title implies, this course critically questions the location of the United States in a larger globalized world.  It is a place to discuss the connection between national experience and foreign policy, the legitimacy and morality of war, and the response of artists to it all.  The first half of the course sets the historical context of immigration, defining borders, cultural interaction, and military ventures.  The second half emphasizes the legacy of that history, focusing on contemporary concerns of immigration, terrorism, and globalization.

By the end of the semester you should be able to:

·         Hold an intelligible conversation about current global affairs

·         Critically evaluate the work of social scientists, artists, politicians, and popular culture

·         Understand the changing relationship between the United States and the World

·         Interpret historical and contemporary issues from multiple interpretive angles

Required Texts:
Matthew Frye Jacobson, Barbarian Virtues

Online Reading Documents

Required Elements

25%    Midterm Exam | In-class review of reading and class discussion
21%    Current Events Reportage | 2 short essays in the first and second half of the semester
35%    Retrospective Exhibit | Curator’s Statement and Exhibit Catalog
19%    Class Participation

Humanities and Sciences Department Mission:

The Humanities and Sciences Department provides a curriculum that engages Cornish students in an exploration of the social, environmental and cultural contexts in which artistic production takes place. The aim of the department is to inspire curiosity about the world, cultivate civic awareness and foster the habits necessary for life-long learning.

Integrated Studies Program Description:

All Integrated Studies classes meet the College writing requirement and introduce students to college learning through reading, writing, research and seminar discussion. In addition, Integrated Studies promotes an understanding of the nature and value of liberal studies learning by providing opportunities to engage with problems and issues from multiple perspectives and to develop a personal synthesis and stance that can be supported with a variety of forms of evidence. This full-year program helps prepare you for the remainder of your college program and life after graduation.

Program Learning Objectives:

During the year, you will gain experience and practice in the following:

·   Observing, listening, and reading in order to deepen your understanding

·   Discussing, interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating information and ideas

·   Identifying and examining your own assumptions

·   Recognizing and drawing from multiple perspectives as you shape your own perspective

·   Finding the appropriate and reliable information you need to support your ideas

·   Clearly expressing your perspectives and ideas through writing, discussion, and oral presentation

Attendance:

The learning experience cannot be duplicated outside of class and depends on the participation of all classroom community members. Attendance is required for all Humanities and Sciences courses. To pass all Humanities and Sciences courses, students are permitted three absences before having their grade affected. In all courses, these permitted absences include absence due to personal matters or illness, and absences due to departmental commitments, such as rehearsals, performances, or show installation. In all cases, it is the responsibility of the student to alert his or her instructor of a pending absence and to make arrangements to complete all coursework in a timely manner. To minimize absences, students should take care to register for courses that fit their schedules and that do not conflict with other courses or internships. If students miss class for any reason, they are still responsible for turning in their work on time and for any material or assignments covered during the class meeting.

Academic Honesty:

The College demands a high level of artistic integrity and academic honesty on the part of students. No form of academic dishonesty (for example, cheating and plagiarism) will be tolerated. If an instructor demonstrates to the Department Chair that a student is guilty of academic dishonesty, the student will be assigned a failing grade for the entire course.

All cases of academic dishonesty are reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee. Disciplinary action may be determined by the Academic Standards Committee depending on the circumstances of the particular case. Further disciplinary actions may include warning, probation, suspension, and expulsion.In addition to drop-in hours Mon-Fri, the Writing Center now accepts submission of writing ONLINE 24 hours a day. Writers who use the online service can expect a video response from a consultant containing suggestions addressing the writer’s concerns. Visit http://www.cornish.edu/academics/writing_center/ for hours, contact information, or to submit your writing for feedback.

Support Services:

Library:

The Library's mission is to support and enhance the college curriculum, to play an integral role in academic life at Cornish College of the Arts and to do so in a manner that promotes information literacy and encourages lifelong learning. In addition to books, periodicals, and media available on site, the library website has online resources that may be accessed from home with your last name and Cornish ID number. Databases include many full-text resources and digital images. If you need assistance finding information, Librarians are available at the reference desk during business hours. The library is located on the 2nd floor of the Main Campus Center in Room 205. Also, feel free to call (206)726-5145, or e-mail the library libraryref@cornish.edu. To learn about these services and more, please visit the Cornish Library homepage: http://www.cornish.edu/library.

Writing Center:

The Writing Center is a free resource for all Cornish students, faculty and staff who are interested in developing their writing and reading. Located in room 311 of the Main Campus Center, the Writing Center is a place where students come to work on their writing and receive individual guidance at any phase of the writing process, regardless of their level of development. Drop- ins are welcome during posted hours. Contact Amanda Hill at ahill@cornish.edu or 206-315-5806 for appointments and information.

Student Affairs:

Student Affairs is dedicated to enhancing and complementing students’ educational experience through programs, services and opportunities that aid in their personal development. Student Affairs is committed to community building, co-curricular learning, and student support. If you are a student with a documented disability and you need accommodations, please make an appointment with the staff in Student Affairs, located in room 301 at the Main Campus Center. You can call 206-726-5098 to reach them.

Counseling:

The mission of the Counseling Offices at Cornish College of the Arts is to assist students with their academic and artistic pursuits by providing supportive counseling, referrals and outreach programs that promote students' mental health and emotional well being. To schedule an appointment, call a Counselor at 206-726-5027 or 206-726-5047. If they are not available, please leave a message on their voicemail and they will return your call as soon as possible. The Counseling Offices are located in rooms 308 A & B in the Main Campus Center.

General Safety:

Please inform yourself of safety procedures for this room, including emergency evacuation routes and the location of the closest first aid kits and fire extinguishers. Consult the Health & Safety Procedures booklet posted near doors and eyewash stations. Detailed information is also provided in the College student handbook.

The Fine Print:

·    Regular attendance is an expectation in this course.  According to the department’s policy, student are permitted three absences before your grade is affected.

·    The calendar can and will change to accommodate our schedule. The online schedule is the reference schedule.

·    Please do not operate your phone or computer in class, unless it’s germane to to our discussion.

·    You are expected to complete the reading listed in the syllabus prior to the class meeting.

·    Your active engagement, not mere attendance, in the course is critical. Question me and your classmates; voice your opinions; If you’re shy, talk with me and your classmates outside class; connect what you’re learning here to your other courses; find aspects of this course that speak to your interests.

·    There is no extra credit.

·    Please wait until the end of class to pack up your things.

·    Be respectful of your classmates and their ideas. Difference is key to a good discussion.

·    We live in unstable times, where social media have blurred the line between plagiarism and remix through the simple acts of

sharing and reblogging. Nonetheless, the line remains distinguishable. This is college, not tumblr. All of the submissions you make for this class should be your own ideas, words, and contributions to this course. When you borrow content for your work, it should be properly attributed.

·    Retain a copy of all the work you hand in for this course.

·    To receive a passing grade, you must complete each of the required elements.

·    You must submit a printed copy of all your work. I will not accept electronic copies.

·    Let me know if you need accommodations of any kind.

·    Each semester, I have a number of students that lose focus, find themselves in a jam, and occasionally disappear. If you hit a rough spot (personally or academically), please contact me. Everyone on this campus wants you to succeed.