Consumerism and Civic Duty- Course Objectives

INTG-408 Citizenship: Consumerism and Civic Duty
Instructor: Simon Cordery

Course Objectives
In this course, students will be encouraged to:
1. Think clearly and critically about their place in and effects on the social, biological, political, and economic worlds we inhabit;
2. Learn about the history and current status, and the links between, the two abstract concepts of consumerism and citizenship;
3. Prepare for and participate in classroom discussions and the Debate by critically reading and pondering the assignments;
4. Stay alert to the connections between classroom and outside world by searching for and bringing to class pertinent news reports;
5. Draw their own conclusions about physical, political, and moral connections between consumerism and civic duty.

Throughout the semester the class will vigorously discuss and analyze the nexus of consumerism and citizenship. At the end of each week we will spend some time discussing the various perspectives taken in the readings; toward the end of the semester we will focus on final preparations for, the filming of, and conclusions about our debate. The debate is the culminating assignment in this course and as such should be perceived as a semester-long project. Students will choose topics and positions, select material, and participate as small groups. Students will each prepare papers analyzing the debate—process and outcome—from their individual perspectives. The five debates for the Fall '08 section of the course will soon be available for viewing at the following links.

Debate 1- Does consumerism destroy tradition?
Debate 2- Does consumerism destroy families?
Debate 3- Does consumerism destroy culture?
Debate 4- Does consumerism destroy society?
Debate 5- Are consumerism and civic duty related?

Course Home

Integrated Studies Courses

ILA Homepage

Global Perspectives Homepage

Reflections Homepage

College Resources

Mellinger Center Homepage

CAC Homepage

MC Homepage

Contact: Professor Craig Watson: E-mail

External Links