PROGRAM OVERVIEW

PURPOSE

The focus of this Mayterm program will be to cultivate a greater cross-cultural understanding of the links between faith, justice and globalization through an exploration of human trafficking and the collaborative efforts of those seeking to combat it within the U.S. and abroad. The program will incorporate an intensive one-week class based in San Francisco followed by a four-week travel seminar/service-learning component within the countries of Thailand and Cambodia. As a program aimed at exposing students intellect-ually and experientially to differing cultural contexts as well as to a contemporary global problem with considerable faith and interdisciplinary implications, its contribution to the mission of the College would be to further the cultural, critical-reflective and integrative competencies of program participants.

ACADEMIC CONTENT

There will be two courses required for this program:

1) a 4-unit seminar, Faith, Justice and Globalization: Human Trafficking, to be submitted for consideration as a Thinking Globally GE course; and

2) a companion 2-unit seminar, Southeast Asian History, Culture and Religious Experience, that will provide an introduction to the contexts shaping the issues and people encountered throughout the trip.

PERSONNEL

Brad Berky of the San Francisco Urban Program will be the faculty member teaching/coordinating this program. He is on the board of the Not For Sale Campaign, is involved with human trafficking issues locally and abroad, and has taught prior courses on a range of faith, justice and cross-cultural topics.

Rachel Goble will be the logistics coordinator and co-leader of the program. She is a Westmont grad (‘05), is Executive Director of the SOLD Project (an agency fighting child sex trafficking in SE Asia) and has experience in facilitating immersion study tours.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Faith, Justice and Globalization: Human Trafficking (4 Units)

This interdisciplinary seminar will critically explore issues surrounding globalization, in particular the problem of human trafficking within the United States and Southeast Asia. Incorporating a blend of classroom-discussion and experiential activities, the course aims to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the cross-cultural faith and justice concerns involved as well as offering a renewed awareness for what Christian and NGO organizations are doing in response to these issues. In conjunction with the companion 2-unit Southeast Asian seminar the course will seek to offer students new ways of making sense of their faith and worldview commitments through engagement with a broad range of socio-cultural and theological perspectives. The course will begin with a daily week-long class at the San Francisco Urban Program that will: a) critically-explore the impact of globalization and human trafficking concerns from a variety disciplinary perspectives; b) meet with community leaders and social service agencies addressing these concerns locally and abroad; and c) assess some of the biblical, justice-oriented values marking a more holistic response. While overseas, additional class sessions, site visits and service-learning projects will be incorporated.

Southeast Asian History, Culture and Religion (2 units)

This seminar will offer an introductory overview of key historical, cultural and religious influences shaping contemporary Southeast Asia with primary focus on the countries of Thailand and Cambodia. As a supplement to the Human Trafficking Seminar, the course aims to provide students with a deeper contextual understanding of the cultural dynamics and lived experiences of this part of the global community within the United States and abroad. It will begin with a week-long afternoon class and related field study activities at the San Francisco Urban Program that will: a) survey the histories and cultural-religious distinctives of these unique contexts; b) engage local immigrant leaders and faith-based/ service agencies within the Bay Area; and c) incorporate regular cultural events and films designed to further prepare students for the abroad portion of the course. While overseas, additional class sessions, site visits and group discussions will be incorporated.

Westmont College's FIRST Human Trafficking Mayterm

We've all heard the heart wrenching statistics: 27 million people stuck in slavery, the majority of them being women and children. And the everlasting question: what can we do?

Westmont College is offering a May Term that seeks to expose you to this question. In May/June 2010 Westmont students will be exposed to the issue of human trafficking in San Francisco, Thailand and Cambodia. We will be looking at the issue through the lense of globalization. We hope that you join us.

For more information, please email bberky@pacbell.net.