THAILAND: GLOBAL CHANGE, COMMUNITIES, AND FAMILIES
FSoS 4158 3 credits
January 4-18 in Thailand

Instructor:  	Acharn Cat (Dr. Catherine Solheim), Professor, Department of Family Social Science; 287 McNeal Hall, 612-625-1201, csolheim@umn.edu

Course Website:	http://academics.cehd.umn.edu/thailand/

Course Description:

This interdisciplinary course uses social justice and human ecological lenses to examine global change that is occurring at the intersections among Thailand’s natural environment, communities, families, and culture. Topics include globalization, human trafficking, education, religion, environmental issues, and cultural integration/identity formation, particularly among indigenous populations in northern Thailand. Students interact with key community leaders, village leaders, elders, and students who serve as teachers; this leads to critical understanding of Thai culture and the contemporary issues faced by Thailand’s families and communities. Through journaling, digital stories, blogging, and discussions, students will synthesize, integrate, apply, and communicate what they’ve learned.
University of Minnesota Liberal Education Requirements and Student Learning Outcomes:

This course is designed to meet the Liberal Education Global Perspectives theme at the University of Minnesota. This theme focuses on “assuring U of M graduates have at least one significant academic exposure to the world beyond the U.S. borders and the opportunity to consider the implications of this knowledge for the international community and their own lives”. 
Moreover, this course will meet two Student Learning Outcomes. Students will: understand diverse philosophies and cultures within and across societies; and 2) can communicate effectively.

Specifically, learners will:
1.	Observe, document, and critically analyze impacts of globalization on families and communities in northern Thailand (e.g., Chiang Mai, Mae Kampong, Chiang Dao, Chiang Rai, and Chiang Khong). Specific attention will be paid to population changes, ethnic minority integration, human trafficking, education, Buddhism, community advocacy to protect local cultural and natural resources, and deep culture.
2.	Understand diverse philosophies and cultures of families and communities and their wealth of cultural traditions and the challenges to thriving due to economic forces and impacts of globalization in northern Thailand.
3.	Actively compare and contrast observations and learning in Thailand to families and communities in the United States (particularly Southeast Asian refugee populations in Minnesota), and to further students’ own understanding intercultural interacting.
4.	Produce a writing journal and take photographs (and/or sketches) to document their learning and use to create blog entries and digital stories on topics relevant to families and communities as well as students’ own intercultural development.

Course Format and Participation:

This course is designed to encourage you to develop your critical thinking skills about global change, families, culture, social justice, and the environment. Pre-departure orientation sessions including lectures, readings, discussions and group activities prepare you for entry into Thailand. Experiences in Thailand have been selected to help you meet the learning goals listed above. Some unscheduled time is built in to allow you to explore on your own and with others. We will also spend time thinking, reflecting, and writing as individuals and discussing as a group. These processes are critical to your learning and growth; specific assignments that demonstrate your learning and growth are included below.

This course is guided by six core principles:
●	Stay engaged in the process
●	Think critically and reflectively
●	Speak your truth
●	Respect others’ truths
●	Experience and learn from challenges and discomfort
●	Expect and accept ambiguity and non-closure

Note: Students must read, understand, and sign an accountability contract prior to departure (attached).

Course Assignments										Points
1.	In-country participation								100
a.	Full participation in learning activities
b.	Active engagement in discussions
c.	Respectful culturally appropriate conduct
d.	Respectful intergroup interactions
e.	Honoring departure times and schedules
f.	Disconnection from technology devices during learning experiences
2.	Required daily journaling, ~30 minutes (2 25-point checks in-country)		50 
Journal provided	
3.	Individual blog (one pre-departure; one in-country)					25
4.	Content-focused blog based on team project						25
5.	Digital story (focus on personal learning and growth) 		           		50
TOTAL		250

Grade Scale for This Course
A	93-100%	232-250 points
A-	90-92.9%	225-231 points
B	83-89.9%	207-224 points	
B-	80-82.9%	200-206 points
C	73-79.9&	182-199 points
C-	70-72.9%	175-198 points
D	65—69.9%	162-174 points
F	<65%		160 points

Student Conduct Code:
The University seeks an environment that promotes academic achievement and integrity, that is protective of free inquiry, and that serves the educational mission of the University. Similarly, the University seeks a community that is free from violence, threats, and intimidation; that is respectful of the rights, opportunities, and welfare of students, faculty, staff, and guests of the University; and that does not threaten the physical or mental health or safety of members of the University community. Students at the University of Minnesota are expected to adhere to the Board of Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code. http://regents.umn.edu/sites/default/files/policies/Student_Conduct_Code.pdf.

Use of Personal Electronic Devices in the Classroom:
http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/STUDENTRESP.html.

Scholastic Dishonesty:
You are expected to do your own academic work and cite sources as necessary. http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/INSTRUCTORRESP.html.

Makeup Work for Legitimate Absences:
Students will not be penalized for absence during the semester (for this class, this means in-country activities or follow-up sessions during spring semester) due to unavoidable or legitimate circumstances. https://policy.umn.edu/education/makeupwork

Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials:
Please see: http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/STUDENTRESP.html.

Grading and Transcripts: The University utilizes plus and minus grading on a 4.000 cumulative grade point scale in accordance with the following:
A	4.000 - Represents achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements	
A-	3.667	
B+	3.333	
B	3.000 - Represents achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements	
B-	2.667	
C+	2.333	
C	2.000 - Represents achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect	
C-	1.667	
D+	1.333	
D	1.000 - Represents achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements	
S	Represents achievement that is satisfactory, which is equivalent to a C- or better.	

For additional information, please refer to: http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/GRADINGTRANSCRIPTS.html.

Sexual Harassment
"Sexual harassment" means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. For additional information, please consult Board of Regents Policy: http://regents.umn.edu/sites/default/files/policies/SexHarassment.pdf

Equity, Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action:
The University will provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs and facilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. For more information, please consult Board of Regents Policy: http://regents.umn.edu/sites/default/files/policies/Equity_Diversity_EO_AA.pdf.

Disability Accommodations:
The University is committed to providing quality education to all students regardless of ability. For more information, please reference Disability Services: http://ds.umn.edu/student-services.html.

Mental Health and Stress Management:
You can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus via the Student Mental Health Website: http://www.mentalhealth.umn.edu.

Course Assignment Descriptions and Requirements
1.	Writing Journal: There are two parts to your journaling. Part I will address questions posed in your journal notebooks. These questions will focus more on the content of the day/activity. Your writing will share: a) what you observed; b) provide rich descriptions; c) offer your evaluation of what you experienced, and d) evaluate what you learned. For c – evaluation, and d – interpretation, I want you to critically think about the basis for these responses and provide a reflection on not only what you learned about ‘another’ but how observing ‘another’ has contributed to a deeper understand of their cultural selves. I also want you to tap into your emotions and feelings. Feel free to sketch, use poetry, etc. Bring in the senses. What did you smell, hear, see, feel, and taste? Feel free to attach artifacts or mementos that you gathered that day.

I will ask you to turn in the journal twice (see syllabus for turn-in times) so I can read what you’re learning, what you’re experiencing, what you’re feeling. Please keep that in mind. If you want something kept confidential, please label those sections as such. Alternately, you may also want to keep a separate personal journal.

2.	Online Blog: The online blog writing uses first person narrative that keeps in mind that others will be reading. It should be free of spelling and factual errors. Your online post should be shaped by your personality, written in your voice, should be honest and true, and also culturally respectful and anticipate what readers who are not journeying with you in Thailand will need to know in order to engage with your insights. Acharn Cathy will be available to read and provide feedback prior to posting it to the blog if you would prefer.

Requirements for Online Blogs 
•	You will post one pre-departure blog before leaving for Thailand. Acharn Cathy will provide you with questions that might guide your thinking.
•	There will be a sign-up for students to post their in-country blog during throughout the 2-week experience. 
•	Note: A blog entry should be at least four solid paragraphs and at least one photo or short video.

3.	Group Topic Blog Project: You will base this project in your experiences in Thailand as well as some research you do online. You will become familiar with topics and themes throughout your time in Thailand. Observe, take notes and pictures, and journal continuously while you shop at local markets, interact with locals, learn from elders in villages, and visit with community members, guides, van drivers, hotel staff and students. In teams, you will focus on one of the following four topics: Human Trafficking; Education; Globalization (on communities, on the natural environment, on culture); Indigenous identity and cultural integration
 
Requirements for Team Topic Blog Project 
•	Your team will determine what and how you will move forward in understanding your chosen topic. 
o	This may include having a conversation with a local person (if needed, with the help of an interpreter), walking along the Mekong and taking photos, mapping the streets, or taking notes after visiting the market. 
•	Each team will create a 2-3 page blog post that will include at least 2 images on the selected topic. 
•	Please quote and cite outside research. 
4.	Individual Digital Story: Once you return to the U.S. and you’ve had some time for reentry, each of you will create a short (10-12 minutes) digital story reflecting on the learning you experienced in Thailand. You will create a storyboard, a kind of visual outline or map of your digital story, that anticipates your use of narrative, photos, videos if relevant, music, text, and considers the arc of your story. You can create your digital story with the program of your choosing (for example, iMovie). Finalized digital stories will be due TBD. 

Requirements for Individual Digital Story
•	At final group meeting in Thailand, share your initial ideas about a focus for your digital story.
•	After returning to campus, create your digital story. Consult with Acharn Cat as needed. Save as MP4 file.
•	Upload final digital story (MP4 file format) to Google Drive (link will be provided). Stories will be uploaded to our Thailand course website digital story page. 

Copy of Accountability/Responsibility Contract That You Signed
Thailand: Global Change, Communities, and Families

As a learner in this course that occurs in Thailand, you will be representing yourself, the University of Minnesota, and the United States. Accountability and responsibility are important aspects of personal and professional leadership. Your actions reflect on the entire group and the faculty leader who has spent many years developing relationships that are critical to allow us to be invited into villages and organizations so that we can learn from local hosts. Fulfillment of the contract includes participation, respect for Acharn Cathy, other leaders, and the group, and responsible conduct at all times.
Participation means participating fully in all lectures, group discussions, activities, and immersion experiences in communities. Active participation means being awake and engaged with local hosts/informants and with each other. You will not be penalized for the first time you do not meet this expectation. However, continuing this behavior, such as falling asleep due to reasons other than jet lag or illness, talking with others during a presentation, or engaging in behaviors that are culturally inappropriate will result at the minimum in a reduction in your grade and at the extreme in a return home at your own expense.
Accountability/responsibility: You are responsible for all individual assignments outlined in the course syllabus. You are also responsible to actively and substantively contribute to the group project.
While in Thailand, you are responsible to your roommate, which means that you can always account for your roommate, and in turn, they can always account for you. Please post general evening plans and who is in your group on the course communication site (Facebook or other program used that year). This will provide Acharn Cathy with the information needed should you need help or need to be contacted. Never leave anyone in the group alone in any setting. Do not let any group member leave on his or her own with locals.
Expectations include respect and appreciation:
•	Respect and appreciation of the local community and its norms and expectations related to appropriate dress (see expectations for dress below for more detail) and behavior
•	Respect and discretion when asking questions; we are guests of our local hosts. It is not our job to point out weaknesses or flaws in the culture, but rather to work to understand why things are the way they are.
•	Respect and appreciation related to hotel accommodations and staff (custodial, reception, maintenance)
•	Respect and appreciation of our local tour guides, bus/van drivers, guest speakers, community organizations. Specifically, a primary role of our guides is to help you understand local culture. They are not there to make individual travel arrangements or arrange to have your laundry done. However, you may consult with them about resources and options.
•	Self-monitoring of noise levels in the hotels. Please keep noise to a minimum so it does not disrupt others in the hotel or in the neighborhood, especially after 10:00 PM

Expectations regarding alcohol and controlled substances:
•	Responsible use 
•	Respect for anyone who chooses not to drink
•	Accountability/responsibility for group members in nightclubs or any setting where alcohol is present
•	Alcohol consumption and its aftermath will not interfere with participation in the course
•	Drug use is strictly prohibited; it is illegal in Thailand (including marijuana)

Expectations regarding dress:
•	We have more strict guidelines for dress when we move through the country as a group and are considered to be ‘on program’. The syllabus will designate which activities/times are considered ‘on program’. 
•	**This is an area where students in past courses have struggled. Dress in America is seen as a way to express one’s individuality and is very much in sync with American values of individualism and freedom of expression. Although Thailand is changing over time, moderation in dress and behavior is still the norm, especially in rural areas where we will be traveling. Think of the Buddhist ‘middle path’ philosophy that one should practice moderation in all facets of Thai life. Additionally, Thailand is predominantly a collectivist society so one’s behaviors are continually connected to and reflected on others. Therefore, the way one dresses and behaves reflects on one’s family and other groups to which one belongs. This can be challenging for some students who are strongly individualistic. Although this may be frustrating for you, I encourage you to think about how the ways you typically dress and behave at home in the U.S. has been shaped by cultural values and norms; then consider how Thai dress and behavior are also shaped by their cultural values and norms.
•	By signing this contract, you are aware that faculty leaders may ask you to return to your room to change your clothes if they feel that dress code expectations are not met. This should not be seen as ‘punishment or control’ but rather constructive feedback that helps you to develop skills in crossing cultural and country boundaries. If the initial feedback does not result in subsequent appropriate dress, your grade will be lowered by ½ grade point for each time that you are asked to return to your room to change. If you have questions about the appropriateness of your clothes, do not hesitate to ask.

•	The following are expectations for dress for ‘on program’ activities and times: 
o	Short or capped sleeved shirts or tops with modest necklines, i.e., no or minimal cleavage showing for women. High-neckline tank tops are fine, but only if no or minimal cleavage and no bra straps are showing. (Wearing a tank top with a lightweight cover-up, shrug, or shawl/scarf often works very well). No see-through tops/blouses that clearly show your bra. 
o	No undershirts/muscle shirts are allowed.
o	T-shirts are great – in fact, U of MN T-shirts are even better! Shirts displaying offensive language, inappropriate images or slogans, or political statements are not allowed. 
o	Capris, slacks, long skirts, and long shorts are great (long means no shorter than slightly above the knee).
o	Dresses may be sleeveless (again, as long as bra straps are not showing). It often works if the dress has capped or short sleeves (or a lightweight T-shirt is worn underneath). They should be no shorter than slightly above the knee.
o	Please no thong bikinis in hotel pools, even if you are on your free time. It may be okay when you are at a tourist beach.
o	Please note that there are more restrictive rules for entrance into some temples. Our guides will let you know before these activities are scheduled.

•	Expectations for dress during free time will not be monitored, but please keep in mind that you are a guest in the country and you should be aware of their norms. Different parts of the country will be more or less conservative in their expectations (i.e., Bangkok will be much less restrictive than Chiang Khong which is a smaller rural city in northern Thailand)

Following these guidelines will facilitate a rich and respectful cross-cultural learning experience in which you learn about Thailand but also learn about yourself!
By signing this contract, I agree that I understand the outlined expectations and agree to follow them.
Printed Name: __________________________________________
Signature: ______________________________________________ 	Date: _______________
Verified: _______________________________________________	Date: _______________