Packing Slip 
item |
Two Cultures: One Goal |
contact |
Robin McCord (Chandler-Gilbert Community College) robin.mccord@cgcmail.maricopa.edu |
college(s) |
Chandler-Gilbert Community College |
discipline(s) |
physics, higher education policy, international education |
summary |
I taught in the 6th Inter'l University Pristina, Kosovo and 4th Inter'l Summer University of Macedonia & attended the 20th anniver invitational Oxford Round Table on Public Policy. 5 -16 – 7 - 3 CGCC ASU 7 - 6 – 12 Kosovo 7 - 13 - 18, Macedonia 7 - 21 – 25 Oxford |
details |
British physicist C. P. Snow’s controversial, “Two Cultures” publication, contends that there is a gulf of mutual incomprehension between physics and liberal arts faculty which ultimately affects the pedagogical experience and eventually the world view of students, served as the focal point of a four day round table at Oxford University for 27 international faculty. Diverse fields ranging from supply chain management, music and physics supplied unique perspectives and optimistic goals that mutual partnerships and projects among courses will be developed to benefit students. A forthcoming publication is the result of this endeavor. 2008 marked the third year of the University of Macedonia (ISUM) and the sixth year of Kosovo’s International Summer University in Pristina. Intensive academic courses offered in the fields of international relations, conflict studies, law, economics, business & public administration, gender, education , science and teacher training (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008)were taught by an international professor (me), a local co-professor, and a student assistant. This year was particularly poignant because it marked the first year as the newly formed Republic of Kosovo. May 16 – July 3 CGCC and ASU July 6 – 12 University of Pristina, Kosovo July 13 - 18, Ochrid, Macedonia July 21 – 25 Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom ------------------------------------------------------------ Outcomes: In a paragraph or two describe what worked well. Did you accomplish your objective(s)? Were you able to complete your summer project as written? If not, what did you modify and why? What did not go as well as expected, if anything? Were there any surprises? Note: Use the questions as guides for your outcomes. Do not include detailed list of workshops attended, speakers who presented, or a list of items you have seen, heard, or read. ------------------------------------------------------------ The paper presented in Oxford went better than I expected. The survey took more time than I expected but the results should make for an interesting journal article. The Balkans were volatile; Kosovo’s announcement of independence has provoked a variety of reactions, not all positive from its neighboring countries and the unrest was reflected among the students attending the summer programs. We spent more time in doing conflict resolution than in teaching our curriculum. Students needed to recognize and confront the fundamental differences and similarities in their cultural backgrounds that were leading to physical violence. We also examined the role of the popular press in creating “ fictional historical conflict.” The outcome at the end of the week in our class was a pledge among the students to stay in touch with each through a list serve we created and a promise not to hurt each other or themselves. The only thing that did not work out as expected was going to Prague. It turned out that the University of Prague director that I wanted to meet with and interview with the goal of setting up teacher exchange programs or at least teacher research positions for FPG programs next summer (2009) was in England for the month of July. So I was able to meet him there instead of having to go to Czech Republic. (I emailed the FPG office in late June when I found out). ------------------------------------------------------------ Professional Growth: Your own professional growth is a large part of your project. Your professional growth is important to you, your students, your college, and possibly other colleagues. How did project affect you professionally? What skills did you learn? What environments were you working in and how might your summer project influence your teaching or other responsibilities? Did you gain a different perspective? Was it professionally valuable for you? ------------------------------------------------------------ First I need to acknowledge the hardships in the Balkans (unreliable or no electricity) made me very appreciative of the resources I take for granted every day. It has also renewed my commitment to finding ways to strengthen e-resources and methods of sharing them. My FPG project was a chance to do institutional research impossible to perform in conjunction with my on-campus responsibilities. I find my normal duties during the contract year prevent me from giving sufficient attention to research, scholarly or creative projects. I also had accumulated substantial amounts and needed time to sort through, analyze, and prepare the results for publication. Because the funding for international programs is seldom sufficient to cover the costs involved, this was an opportunity to combine such activities with faculty professional development to maximize the experience. The data gathered will generate future websites, articles, blogs and WIKIS. An important part of being in any foreign country is the chance to improve one’s language skills. In Kosovo, I had a chance to practice and improve my Albanian and in Macedonia my Macedonian. ------------------------------------------------------------ Dissemination: How will you share this information with your colleagues, department, students, or college? ------------------------------------------------------------ The results of my research and writing are available in these locations: • Article - Oxford Journal http://forumonpublicpolicy.com/journals.htm publication • CGCC Division presentation • Poster - Arizona Physics Articulation Task Force presentation • Blog American Association of Physics Teachers http://www.aapt.org/ • Blog - National Science Foundation international education http://www.nsf.gov/publications/ • CGC - WIKIs I continue to look for grants and other opportunities to share these experiences and to continue to improve my growth as both a physicist and an educator with a more global perspective. Note! As a professional courtesy to the owner of this package, if you use some aspect of this package or have some thoughts about it, please share your feedback via the comments form below. |
web links |
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/fpg/ http://oxfordroundtable.com/index.php/view/Content-Main/page/rtdates.html http://www.spark-online.org/content/view/31/47/ |
shareback |
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extra |
Last modified: Sep-30-2008 Date created: Sep-30-2008 Visitor count: 381 Dublin Core Metadata record  This package is included in the Faculty Professional Growth Summer Project Reports special collection. |
Maricopa Learning eXchange
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/mlx/slip.php?item=2244
