Student Course/Registration Information - Web Course

Title: WEB: UNITED Conference Seq. #: 82764 (ED 989, Section 55)Location: University Center, Northern Michigan UniversityMeets:  Sept. 21 through Dec. 13Instructor:  Judy PuncocharTuition: $323.25 (1 credit hour)

Course Description: This web-based course contains sessions from the UNITED Conference (Uniting Neighbors in the Experience of Diversity) at Northern Michigan University. UNITED aims to increase understanding of internationalization, multiculturalism, and pluralistic values by engaging participants in an appreciation for the richness of cultures and ethnicity. This course deals primarily with living cultures of the world and includes U.S. domestic cultures. Topics include literary, artistic, and other cultural achievements; religious and ethical values; social, economic, and political systems; and/or intellectual and historical trends. Participants will attend UNITED Conference sessions through MediaSite Live delivery of lectures, discussions, exhibits, and presentations at http://www.nmu.edu/united.

Course Assessment Methodology: Participants will choose nine different sessions within four web-based modules consisting of four or five sessions each. Participants will post reflections asynchronously about each viewed session on discussion boards and respond to others' postings. Participants are encouraged to generate ideas for curricular materials and community-building solutions to issues raised during the conference sessions. One reflection paper of 5-10 pages is required for linking the conference to Professional Standards for Michigan Teachers and Related Proficiencies and addressing the objectives of the course. Requirements for the paper include a list of sessions viewed, discussion of session themes and course objectives, reflection on personal and professional growth, and articulation of standards addressed by the conference sessions in support of the Professional Standards for Michigan Teachers and Related Proficiencies. All papers are due on or before the last day of classes during the semester.

Course Objectives: Participants will explore, analyze, and reflect on ways to promote respect for the vast multicultural backgrounds of K-12 students. Participants will use themes from conference sessions to formulate their own perspectives and generate community-building solutions to issues discussed during the conference. Participants are encouraged to generate ideas for curricular materials based on conference sessions. The UNITED Conference should result in participants' obtaining a greater understanding of their own and others' cultures.

Participants completing this course should be able to:

1. Comprehend and articulate the distinctive worldview (e.g., values, norms, and beliefs) of at least one culture or cultural practice that varies significantly from Anglo-American and Western European cultures

2. Understand and articulate what culture is and how people express culture in terms of artifacts, artistic accomplishments, technology, customs, and texts

3. Understand and respect social and cultural diversity and complexity in a global context

4. Understand how factors such as racial, ethnic, gender and class differences affect intergroup relationships within a culture, and

5. Articulate the important achievements and contributions of other cultures in such areas as the arts, literature, philosophy, ethical values, religion, and science.

Graduate StudentsIf you have never taken a graduate course at NMU, you will need to complete a Graduate Application for Admission. You may apply on line at: http://www.nmu.edu/graduate_studies/ (Click on “How to Apply”) or call the Graduate Studies office at 906-227-2300.

Note: As of winter 2006 graduate students no longer pay an application fee until they register for a major. When they take that step, the application fee is $50.00.

To Register (ONCE YOU ARE ADMITTED)

You may apply on line at: my.nmu.edu. First time users will need to find their Username and create a password. This can be done by clicking on the tab “MyUser,” and selecting the “New User” line. You can also register over the phone by calling the Student Services Center at 906-227-1221.

Students must register within 7 days after the first class meeting.

Note: 900-numbered courses are not applicable to plans of study leading to provisional certificates, endorsements, nor to M.A.E., M.A., or M.S. degree programs. Four credits of 900-level courses are applicable to the 18-semester credit requirement for the Michigan Professional Education Certificate. For a renewal of the Michigan Professional Education Certificate, which is required each five years with documentation of 6 semester credits within the last 5 years, the teacher/administrator may use 6 credits of 900-level courses.

Refund Policy for Extension Courses: Classes with only one session must be dropped by the Friday prior to the first session to receive a 100% refund. If an individual attends the class, subsequently registers for credit, and later requests a refund, the refund request will be denied. For multiple-session classes, a 100% refund will be made before the second class session. After the second class session, no refund is given.