Dignitas

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Dignitas Course Descriptions 2012-2013

Dignitas 1101-1102 Sections and Course Descriptions 2012-2013
Course	Section #	Instructor	Peer Mentor
This CSS Life	1	Bret Amundson	Allison Lambert
Words, Stories, Culture, and Human Dignity	2	Bill Hodapp	Megan McCarthy
Dignity and Consumption	3	David Vosen	Jenna Dobosenski
You Gonna Eat That?	4	Julie Ahasay	Jared Eickhoff
Living in the Universe	5	Richard Townsend	Megan White
Masculinity and War Film	6	James Crane	Kelin Dunfee
Dignity Through the Benedictine Tradition	7	John Bauman	Saydie Long
Living in the Universe	8	Richie Townsend	Kirsten Pohl
Group Culture	9	Steve Lyons	Gina Cotone
Gender Norms, Violence, and Human Dignity	10	Kelly Mullan	Neenah Ferguson
Magazine Media and American Culture	11	Felicia Schneiderhan	Amy Strafelda
Coming-of-Age Stories	12	Patricia Young	Scott Johanik
Dignity and Diversity	13	Mary Bridget Lawson	Kelsi Manley
Minnesota Hip Hop and Human Dignity	14	Ryan Vine	Dan Branovan
Communicating and Functioning More Effectively in Groups	15	Monica Marciniak	Ryan Murphy
Children, Poverty, and Social Justice	16	Jay Newcomb	Emily Glomski
World Religions and Human Dignity	17	Randall Poole	Kayla Moore
The Dignity of Seuss	18	Merry Renn Vaughan	Mindi Esala
Global Health and Social Justice	19	Mary Tanner	Marissa Foley
The Gap: How Class and Race Impact Education	20	Cheryl Skafte	Jessica Bergman

Honors Classes (HON 1111)
Course	Section #	Instructor	Peer Mentor
Brave New Words - Dark Visions of the Human Condition	1	Thomas Morgan	Fatima Alwan
The Human Footprint	2	Tony Barrett	Briana Stephens

DIGNITAS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS - 2012 - 2013

DGN 1101 001
Instructor: Bret Amundson
This CSS Life
Tuesday/Thursday 12:00 - 12:50 p.m.
TOWER 2420
For centuries, people have shared stories for reasons of entertainment, cultural preservation, and education. Each member of the St. Scholastica community has a story to tell, and "This CSS Life" will highlight the stories of our community members that raise bigger questions about human dignity. Using "This American Life" podcasts, in class discussion, presenters, and assigned readings, the first semester of this course will focus on different types of storytelling and the process of creating a story. During the spring semester, the course will be modeled after "This American Life" as students create a monthly podcast using GarageBand. These podcasts will call attention to the importance of storytelling within the context of our St. Scholastica community. Through the collection and telling of these stories, this course will emphasize critical thinking and analysis, group work, interaction with St. Scholastica community members, and reflecting on issues regarding human dignity.

DGN 1101 002
Instructor: Bill Hodapp
Words, Stories, Culture, and Human Dignity
Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 4119
"Words, words, words," says Hamlet in response to Polonius' question: "What do you read, my lord?" Language-in this case encompassing both Hamlet's "words" and Polonius' question-underpins who we are as humans, what we do with our lives, how we interpret, understand, and shape reality. Language also is fundamentally an interactive human trait: a means to engage and work with others, to articulate and critique culture, to understand and express human dignity. This course explores words, stories, culture, and human dignity by reading a variety of texts (essays, fiction, non-fiction, film, etc.), writing a range of responses (two formal essays and several short informal pieces each semester), participating in discussions and presentations (speaking and listening), and engaging in a range of out-of-class learning experiences.

DGN 1101 003
Instructor: David Vosen
Dignity and Consumption
Fall: Tuesday/Thursday 12:00 - 12:50 p.m.
Spring: Thursdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 2611
Worried about your carbon footprint? Should you pay more for organic food? Is your bottled water better than the alternatives? Is there enough water and oil to peacefully support our ever expanding and consuming human race? How do we find a dignified balance between our personal use of resources and the conservation of this unique blue planet?

In this section of Dignitas, we will begin the semester by examining our personal consumption of resources (water, food, and fuel). This journey will be enhanced by thought provoking articles, music, films, and field trips. In the second half of the course, we will investigate the cumulative effect of individual choices and their implication on past, present and future resources of the earth. All topics will include an underlying theme of chemical process and the scientific method.

The semester grades are based on a variety of assignments: reflection/research posts and replies online, class attendance and participation, activities to estimate your personal consumption of resources (Fall), participation in events and field trips (Fall), 1 reflection paper (Fall), 1 research papers (Fall & Spring), and a semester presentation (Spring.)

DGN 1101 004
Instructor: Julie Ahasay
You Gonna Eat That?
Thursdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 3131
If, as the saying goes, we are what we eat, then who exactly are we? Chicken McNuggets? Cheetos, Pop Tarts and Mountain Dew? This course explores decisions we make at least three times a day: what to eat. How do those decisions affect our bodies, those people and animals who provide our food, our communities and our world?

First semester, we will read Jonathan Safran Foer's book Eating Animals to examine the ethics of the American food system, where our food comes from and why we know so little about something so important. Second semester, we will explore the social meanings of food using the PBS documentary "The Meaning of Food." Each semester we will view films and TV shows such as "Food, Inc.," "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution," "Forks Over Knives" and discuss issues and alternatives with experts from the community.

As a student in this course, you will expected to create and participate in lively discussions, write short papers, prepare and present brief oral assignments and participate in selected activities on and off campus.

DGN 1101 005
Instructor: Richard Townsend
Living in the Universe
Thursdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 3141
This course is an invitation to fall in love with life in all its depth, beauty, chaos, and creativity. Our very survival as a species will depend on a major shift in consciousness regarding our relationship with the natural world. The damage already done to other creatures and ecosystems and our relationships with them is nearly impossible to fully comprehend. The good news is the very things we must do to begin to turn things around are all very enjoyable - rediscovering a childlike sense of awe and wonder, creativity and imagination, acknowledgement and honoring of all forms of life, and living in a way that celebrates and continues the 13.7 billion years of cosmic creativity that brought us to this pivotal moment. To know ourselves more deeply and to experience our interconnectedness with all of the Universe are key parts of the journey. Through meditation practices, wandering outdoors, and the more traditional methods of reading, videos, lecture and discussion, writing papers and doing class presentations, we will explore the gifts of reconnecting humankind with our cosmic origins and with the rest of Creation.

Work will include 20-30 pages of reading weekly from required texts and discussions on the reading, viewing DVDs, at least two major papers/projects per semester, small group presentations, the Cosmic Walk, and enacting a Council of All Beings. We will also have Dignitas common activities and events that will be required, for which students will write short reflection papers.

DGN 1101 006
Instructor: James Crane
Masculinity and War Film
Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 3141
Films about war have both entertained and challenged Americans since the beginning of the motion picture industry. In this class, we will view 5 or 6 popular films about war, and we'll discuss the ways that they depict the experience of enlisted men. Short readings and activities will help to provide context for the movies we watch. Whether realistic or not, war films provide a terrific means to learn about our culture and the way that we think about individuality, personal dignity, justice, rights, and responsibility.

The films that we examine will take different approaches to war. For instance, some portray the effects of war on individuals and groups, some focus on the use of technology in armed conflict, and others emphasize the glory-or the futility-of war. Nevertheless, almost all war films explore issues related to men and manhood. As a class, we'll figure out what questions are posed by war stories on film, and we'll spend much of our time responding to the questions that we identify.

In addition to participating in class discussions, students will write 3 short papers, make a presentation, and lead discussion. In the process, we will learn strategies for success in college coursework.

DGN 1101 007
Instructor: John Bauman
Dignity through the Benedictine Tradition
Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 3131
Together, we will discover the meaning of dignity through the study of The Rule of St. Benedict, the Benedictine Values, our family narratives, readings, works of art, music, and mass media. This will be accomplished by having lively discussions, making observations of and reflecting on human interactions, and gaining insights from those who live the Rule as part of their life's calling. We will explore dignity through the Benedictine Tradition and how it relates, or doesn't relate, to our own lives. We desire to celebrate the extraordinary of our existence.

As a student in this course, you will be prepared for classes, read numerous texts, engage in class discussion, participate in course activities, write short papers, produce and present multi-media presentations, create and present oral assignments, work together in small groups, and participate in on and off-campus activities. These assignments will be spread out over 2 semesters, covering the entire academic year.

DGN 1101 008
Instructor: Richard Townsend
Living in the Universe
Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 4605
This course is an invitation to fall in love with life in all its depth, beauty, chaos, and creativity. Our very survival as a species will depend on a major shift in consciousness regarding our relationship with the natural world. The damage already done to other creatures and ecosystems and our relationships with them is nearly impossible to fully comprehend. The good news is the very things we must do to begin to turn things around are all very enjoyable - rediscovering a childlike sense of awe and wonder, creativity and imagination, acknowledgement and honoring of all forms of life, and living in a way that celebrates and continues the 13.7 billion years of cosmic creativity that brought us to this pivotal moment. To know ourselves more deeply and to experience our interconnectedness with all of the Universe are key parts of the journey. Through meditation practices, wandering outdoors, and the more traditional methods of reading, videos, lecture and discussion, writing papers and doing class presentations, we will explore the gifts of reconnecting humankind with our cosmic origins and with the rest of Creation.

DGN 1101 009
Instructor: Steve Lyons
Group Culture
Thursdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 3414
Human beings live and work with others. All during our lives we belong to different groups, some formal, some informal. This class will examine the role of group membership in our lives, and its connection to our sense of identity and dignity as a person. We will examine some aspects of groups, and learn about group culture. Through this examination students will be asked to spend time in group activities, and sharing personal experiences and beliefs in regards to groups. Students will also learn some basic principles of group development and relevant research about different aspects of the group experience. The class will include learning through guest speakers, film, community contacts, group work, etc. Assessment: 50% on class participation, 25% on final project, 25% on papers and co-curricular assignments.

DGN 1101 010
Instructor: Kelly Mullan
Gender Norms, Violence, and Human Dignity
Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 4125
What happens to people who defy gender-based social norms and expectations? What forms of violence do they experience, and why? Who has power to enforce gender norms, and how do they use violence maintain it? This class aggressively begins the dignity-themed process of using intellectual inquiry to challenge stereotypes. Confusion, anger, and disillusionment are guaranteed. So are enlightenment, empowerment, and, believe it or not, some fun.

DGN 1101 011
Instructor: Felicia Schneiderhan
Magazine Media and American Culture
Thursdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 4119
In this section of Dignitas we will examine magazines - both print and electronic - and how they reflect and influence the human experience in American culture. We'll examine audience, editorial intent, content, design and form, and advertising. What purpose do magazines serve today? How do we become smart, critical readers and contributors to this changing media?

Students do not need much experience with magazines to play an important contributing role to this project. They will spend the first semester researching the current culture of magazines in the U.S., and begin writing and working towards producing a class magazine in the second semester. Weekly writing assignments - both journal entries and magazine articles - will be required.

DGN 1101 012
Instructor: Patricia Young
Coming-of-Age Stories
Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 4141
Coming of age. Milestones. Peer pressure. Decisions. Mistakes. We all go through challenges in growing up and transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. We all learn lessons along the way. This course explores coming of age and human dignity, as reflected in our own lives and in literature from various genres and cultures. In fall semester, we start with a focus on the "self," as we study mostly American literature and explore what it means to come of age with dignity in America. In spring semester, we move beyond the borders of what is familiar and look at these concepts in other cultures within our own country and around the world. The class emphasizes critical thinking and analysis, reflecting on issues from diverse perspectives, and working in community with others. The course requirements include reading and discussing a variety of texts (fiction, films, and essays), writing (two formal essays each semester), speaking (one formal individual or group presentation each semester), group interaction, personal reflection, and out-of-classroom learning experiences.

DGN 1101 013
Instructor: Mary Bridget Lawson
Dignity and Diversity
Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 2611
This course will be an "inside-out" approach to exploring dimensions of our own human diversity and cultural backgrounds. We will examine the forces and dynamics that shape our values and beliefs and then focus on the social construction of race, class and gender. Our class will specifically examine racism, sexism, classism and homophobia through films, readings, lectures, online tools, and community presentations. First semester, our text will be "Racing Across The Lines: Changing Race Relations Through Friendship" by Dr. Plummer. We will also discover, celebrate and honor our unique cultures and identities! Each student will be required to write weekly reflections based on assigned readings, class dialog, films and lectures. Students will be required to attend two cultural events/experiences outside of Dignitas and conduct one informational diversity related interview followed by a reflection paper. Everyone will also be expected to participate in classroom diversity activities, tools and surveys which will be graded.

Second semester, students will also prepare and present a topical Diversity poster based on a 5 page research paper and lead a 30 minute defined diversity training with a small group of self-selected peers. This class will require weekly preparation, writing, and engagement during class. Our classroom community will be rooted in the Benedictine values of respect and dignity for self and others.

DGN 1101 014
Instructor: Ryan Vine
Minnesota Hip Hop and Human Dignity
Thursdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 4141
Many people mostly associate Minnesota with snow, A Prairie Home Companion, and Scandinavians who talk a little funny. But real music fans know Minnesota is the most important state in independent U.S. hip hop. How did that happen? How has Minnesota's hip-hop movement been led by men and women of various skin colors, including a white, albino dude who identifies most strongly with black folks and became a Muslim at age 15, and a multi-ethnic woman named Margaret who teaches at a Minneapolis college? And what does any of that have to do with the history of race, poverty, and violence in the United States? This class aggressively begins the dignity-themed process of using intellectual inquiry to challenge stereotypes. Confusion, anger, and disillusionment are guaranteed. So are enlightenment, fun, and empowerment.

DGN 1101 015
Instructor: Monica Marciniak
Communicating and Functioning More Effectively in Groups
Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 3150
In our college years and well beyond, we must be able to communicate successfully with groups of people. Group projects and assignments have become a standard in the college classroom. When students are actively involved in a process, they learn the most. Researchers show that, regardless of the subject matter, students working in small groups tend to learn more of what is taught and retain it longer than when the same content is presented in other instructional formats. Furthermore, students who work in collaborative groups also appear more satisfied with their classes. Although the benefits of collaborative learning are enormous, students are often filled with dread when they are assigned group work. The primary purpose of this course is to improve students' understanding of the principles of small group communication so that they may function more effectively in groups. This course is designed to allow students to learn how to actively engage in groups and improve their group communication skills through actual weekly group participation. The knowledge gained about groups, along with experiences participating in groups, will help students to become more comfortable, and more competent participants in the group communication process. This class will include learning through group work, interactive lectures, reading required text, weekly reflections and or quizzes on lectures and the textbook, and written assignments. Students final project will be to work in a semester long group where they create a community based learning project. Their projects will be displayed to educate the campus on their experiences and findings. Assessment: 50% on class participation, 25% on final project, 25% on quizzes, exams, papers and co-curricular assignments.

DGN 1101 016
Instructor: Jay Newcomb
Children, Poverty, and Social Justice
Tuesday/Thursday 12:00 - 12:50 p.m.
TOWER 2607
In this section of Dignitas, we will examine the lives of children in poverty in Duluth, in the U.S., and in the world. How do we, as individuals and as a society, work towards greater dignity for the growing number of children in poverty? Students will write short reflection papers and work in groups to create presentations on how to create dignity for all children through personal responsibility and social justice.

A major class requirement is for students to work with children at Grant Elementary School in the after-school program one day each week from 3:30 to 5:30 for both semesters. This service learning experience serves as a basis for much of what we will learn about children.

DGN 1101 017
Instructor: Randall Poole
World Religions and Human Dignity
Thursdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 4125
This course will explore ideas and practices of human dignity in some of the world's great religions, focusing not only on the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, but also on the Eastern traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Human dignity-the intrinsic value and worth of every person-is a core belief in all these traditions, something sacred for all of them. We will explore what human dignity means in them, how it relates to their understanding of God or the divine, and how it has shaped the lives of people and their work in the world. Our goal will be to learn some of the wisdom of the world's religions, following the precept that God has spoken to us "in many and various ways" (Hebrews 1:1). To guide us along the way, we will read a few (short) sacred texts, a couple life stories, and Huston's Smith's best-selling book The World's Religions, in addition to the Dignitas common text, Eboo Patel's Acts of Faith.

DGN 1101 018
Instructor: Merry Renn Vaughan
The Dignity of Seuss
Thursdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
TOWER 3147
In this course we will critically and historically examine several of the books of Dr. Seuss. We will also study his use of persuasive techniques (which he learned during his tenure in advertising, as well as through the creation of political cartoons and military propaganda) to infuse his political and social ideals into these popular children's books. We will critically engage other scholarly texts on Seuss and his work, including recent work by Donald E. Pease, Julia Mickenberg and Philip Nel. Primarily through readings and class discussion, we will look at Seuss in a new light and see that his books were designed to not only entertain children - and the adults reading to/with them - but also to engage them in the social and political issues of the day. Additionally we will be making connections to the world today and how the topics in Seuss' books are still relevant to us all. The course will require two formal papers and several shorter opinion papers, reading of one entire text and several journal articles, and an open mind and willingness to contribute to ongoing conversations.

DGN 1101 019
Instructor: Mary Tanner
Global Health and Social Justice
Thursdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
Science 3311
In this section of Dignitas, we examine the process of globalization and how it has dramatically affected the health and social justice of all people. Global health, viewed as a human right, involves personal and population health issues, community problems and concerns that transcend national boundaries. We will explore why certain populations bear an unreasonable burden of poverty and disease, and what we, individually and collectively, can do to tackle some of these health inequities.

DGN 1101 020
Instructor: Cheryl Skafte
The Gap: How Class and Race Impact Education
Thursdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
BWC 245
Tne school district. The same teachers, textbooks, and classes. Yet the gap in achievement is substantial - some students succeed while others fail. This class will examine the "achievement gap" (the difference in educational outcomes between specific subgroups of students) from a national, state and local perspective. We will examine how race and class are connected to the achievement gap and reflect on our personal responsibility to be advocates for change.

Guided by our class readings and guest speakers, we will explore both the cause and the impact the "gap" has on children and families. We will dig into federal, state and local policies and debate how those policies either narrow or deepen the achievement gap. Students in this Dignitas section will also serve as a mentor/tutor at a local elementary school allowing a hands-on opportunity to experience first-hand the concepts explored in class.

Honors Sections

*Students must have successfully interviewed for the Honors Program at CSS prior to enrolling in these sections.

HON 1111 001
Instructor: Tom Morgan
Brave New Worlds - Dark Visions of the Human Condition
Thursdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
Tower 2121
Classic and contemporary novels that describe distressing possibilities for our future will be the readings. We will read these novels critically and perhaps compare them to recent nonfiction social and political commentary. Three novels per semester will be read and several films will be watched. The course sequence includes considerable class discussion, regular short reflection papers and two short text-based papers.

Dignitas is a year-long common experience for first year student that serves as an introduction to The College of St. Scholastica: who we are, what we stand for, and how to find your place in this community. It provides a framework for your college experience by introducing you to the key components of a St. Scholastica education: community, reflection, intellectual challenge and social justice.

HON 1111 002
Instructor: Anthony Barrett
The Human Footprint
Thursdays 12:00 - 1:40 p.m.
Tower 3150
In the 1970s, a French philosopher was having his apartment painted and the painters had placed a drop cloth over an armchair. Someone had sat on top of the cloth and then left. The philosopher looked at the impression the person had made and thought "Aha, this is what we all do in life: leave some sort of impression behind." That is the genesis of this class. We will look at images, obituaries, and films, have presentations by community activists and artists. Students will examine their lives up to the present and attempt to find their core values. This will culminate in each student writing a personal mission statement that will guide them for the next several years. Along the way, we will wrestle with the question: What do we want people to say about us at our funeral? All in an effort to find out what we want our footprint to be and what it actually will be.