The complexity of multicultural human service issues are best introduced with stories.  Consequently, two young-adult novels will be included in the out-of-class assignments. Crossing the Wire describes the causes and challenges of undocumented Latino immigrants entering the United States. The God Box addresses the struggles of a Christian teenager coming to terms with his homosexuality. Both of these books are available in paperback.

Hobbs, W. (2006). Crossing the wire. New York: HarperTrophy.  (ISBN 978-0060741402)
Sanchez, A. (2007). The God box. New York: Simon & Schuster.  (ISBN 978-1416909002)

But our main strategy for raising consciousness of multicultural human service issues will be the films which are required viewing during the semester. Nelson Mandela, Nobel Laureate for Peace, has said, "Films are a powerful and evocative tool for fostering understanding and tolerance in the world."  Most but not all of the ones we will review are documentaries.

One or two copies of each of the films below is/are available in the Clayton State Library (library use only). However, most students will find it more convenient to subscribe to Netflix (http://www.netflix.com) during the semester. Netflix currently offers a free two-week trial, then for $8.99/month you can get one DVD at a time, with a turnaround time between films of no more than 2-3 days. (The total subscription cost of Netflix for the three months of the semester is $27.00---far less than the cost of a textbook.)

God Grew Tired of Us
(2006). Award-winning documentary from National Geographic about the "lost boys" of the Sudan, who lived 15 years in refugee camps before being allowed to settle in the United States.  

Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars
(2007). A moving documentary about a group of musicians in a refugee camp who band together to turn their experiences into something that can heal others as well as themselves.

The Namesake
(2007). Directed by Mira Nair, describes the experiences of middle class Indian immigrants and their children growing up in America.

The Visitor
(2007). An undocumented Syrian musician and his Senegalese girlfriend in New York City find themselves entangled in post-9/11 US immigration policies, despite the support of their American landlord. Movingly captures the emotional dimensions of illegal status.

Farmingville
(2003). An extraordinarily balanced PBS documentary about the impact of undocumented Mexican workers on a small town in central Long Island, New York.

Children Underground
(2001). Award-winning documentary about a small group of abandoned children in Romania who make a home for themselves in a subway station.

Colors Straight Up
(1997). Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary, this film reveals the lives of inner-city youth and strategies used by an after-school program to teach them skills needed to transcend their circumstances.

Human Trafficking
(2005). Nominated for two Golden Globe Awards, this film starring Mira Sorvino and Donald Sutherland exposes the international problem of women and children being sold for sex.

For the Bible Tells Me So
(2007). A compassionate documentary about five traditional Christian families who must come to grips with a homosexual family member. Includes the stories of the first openly gay Episcopal bishop and the lesbian daughter of former presidential candidate, Dick Gephardt.  Includes commentaries by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg.

Through Deaf Eyes
(2008). An unsentimental PBS documentary exploring 200 years of Deaf life in America--including family life, education, work, and community connections.

Braille: Unlocking the Code (YouTube video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmnXyw2pV_s  
(2008). An argument for the critical importance of teaching Braille to people with severe visual impairments.

Emmanuel's Gift
(2004). Documentary about a Ghanaian cyclist born with one leg who raised the consciousness of a nation about the value of its disabled citizens.
 

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program.  Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU's official Notebook Computer Policy, see http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

Students in HMSV 3230 will need the following computer skills:

• facility with the Windows operating system
• facility with Microsoft Word
• facility with Microsoft PowerPoint
• ability to send and receive e-mail with attachments, using Outlook and GeorgiaView mail
• facility with Web browsers
• ability to download streaming audio files in .rm and .mp3 formats
• facility with GeorgiaView quiz formats and discussion boards
   

• Overview of international human service providers and their strategies.
• Comparisons of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) providing human services to various cultures across the US and abroad.
• Federal and state human service programs for immigrant and refugee populations
• Major human service issues related to minority cultures and immigrants.
• Demographic analysis of cultural diversity in metro Atlanta
• Analysis of metro Atlanta human service agencies working with culturally diverse groups
• Marginalized status as culture.
• Exposure to cultural diversity at Clayton State and the surrounding community
• Using art (especially literature and film) to illuminate cultural differences and issues.
   

360-400 pts = A
320-359 pts = B
280-319 pts = C
240-279 pts = D
below 240 pts = F

Midterm Progress Grade.   The course grade posted in the DUCK just before midterm (Oct. 9) will be based on the number of points earned by midterm divided by the total points possible at midterm. Midterm grades are for information only and do not impact a student's GPA. They do, however, provide feedback about whether or not a student needs to increase his/her effort or drop the course.