Rodney,

This is the topic these three students are working on. They do appear to
have dropped the cultural differences component of the topic, in part I
understand because other students were not interested in pursuing this
topic at their local level. The three of them are working together and I
want to encourage them to continue with their project of interest.

g
> This has nothing to do with the central topic of this group.  It does not
> reflect group effort.  The other students have been working in good faith
> toward a common goal of cultural differences.  This is to be a group
> project.  Please understand the problems this will present for the other
> teams. It would not be fair to them to change the topic so drastically
> this far out.
>
> Rodney
>
>
> Substitutions, typos, and etc curtesy of smart technology that makes dumb
> mistakes.
>
> On Nov 18, 2012, at 4:35 PM, "Michelle Moreno" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> Hi Enzo (and all CC'd)
>>
>> Sorry for the late reporting on our group project. To be honest, the
>> UVIC
>> group was pretty confused about the instructions for the group project
>> and
>> how we were expected to work together across universities. If I am
>> correct
>> we are to write a group (all universities) introduction and conclusion
>> to
>> our collected works. In our university groups (i.e UVIC) we are to
>> present
>> a topic and the division of tasks and relevant academic resources for
>> our
>> projects. In terms of doing a project under the umbrella of Cultural
>> Difference, our UVIC group was under the impression that group GI would
>> be
>> working on a common topic; we imagined a project that would analyze
>> cultural difference in a self-reflexive and collaborative process. Now
>> that our group is clear on the fact that we do not have to be working on
>> a
>> common topic for G1, our project proposal is as follows:
>>
>> University of Victoria – SJS 400A: GI
>> Michelle Moreno, Jesse Kerr, Mikaila Montgomery
>>
>> Topic:
>> University of Victoria Branded Clothing and Accessories – Marketing,
>> Outsourcing, and University Decision Making
>>
>> Where does these products come from? How are they produced? How is it
>> being marketed as “green” and/or “sustainable practice” by the
>> univeristy?
>> What is the current academic literature on these practices? What are the
>> implications in terms of social justice, human rights, and
>> globalization?
>>
>> As a group we are hoping to come together to answer these questions.
>> Individually, each of us will be responsible for producing research and
>> finding literature on one of three component topics that make up our
>> larger research question. Together, we have already documented articles
>> from the UVIC Bookstore we would like to investigate, and have contacted
>> the person in charge of ordering for the bookstore who makes decisions
>> about suppliers and the “UVIC” brand.
>>
>> Michelle – Marketing:
>> Research university products, how they are marketed. “Desgined in
>> Canada”
>> and “Eco/Sustainable” labels on clothing and school supplies. How
>> sustainable are these products really in terms of how they are actually
>> being produced? Literature on greenwashing and other “socially
>> minded”
>> marketing practices will be key in making the link between academic
>> literature and what is happening on the ground.
>>
>> Jesse – Outsourcing/Globalization:
>> In our preliminary research we discovered that almost all of the
>> products
>> sold at the UVIC Bookstore are produced overseas and then shipped to
>> Canada/Victoria. Jesse will research the globalization of textile and
>> goods production, looking into the companies that supply UVIC with their
>> branded goods and also on contemporary literature about globalized
>> production of textiles and goods.
>>
>> Mikaila – University “Branding/Corporatization” and who makes the
>> decisions at UVic about where our goods come from:
>> Literature research into the corporatization/ branding of North American
>> Universities. Connecting this phenomenon to globalization and other
>> power
>> structures and economic pulls. Mikaila is also our point-person in
>> charge
>> of contacting and maintaining dialogue with the person in charge of
>> ordering at the bookstore.
>>
>> Each of us will submit our own papers to our professor, and as the final
>> portion of our project we hope to come together and write an article or
>> OP
>> ed for the student newspaper at UVic, The Martlet. I also know that you
>> are expecting a list of all the sources we are going to use for this
>> project. At the moment, we are still gathering relevant sources, but we
>> will e-mail them to you Enzo, and/or also cross post them to the NING
>> group site.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Michelle Moreno
>>
>>> Tim. Do the best that you can. Look at the task. See what can be
>>> accomplished and do it.  Most projects star off way more ambitiously
>>> then
>>> realistically can be accomplished. R
>>>
>>> Rodney
>>>
>>>
>>> Substitutions, typos, and etc curtesy of smart technology that makes
>>> dumb
>>> mistakes.
>>>
>>> On Nov 9, 2012, at 10:19 AM, "Timothy Thilberg"
>>> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
>>>
>>> I must admit I’m a bit speechless at this proposal. A project of
>>> this
>>> magnitude I must say is a bit atypical for an undergraduate class
>>> (about
>>> 50% larger than anything I have ever written), albeit slightly less so
>>> at
>>> the senior level. With that in mind, this is almost beyond challenging
>>> given we are now just 3 weeks from the end of the term and still
>>> discussing topics/trying to contact members. Had this been the case, I
>>> would have liked to begin something like this back in
>>> September…since
>>> this will involve several hundred pages of unplanned reading and
>>> research.
>>> As much as I welcome a challenge and am interested in the subject
>>> matter
>>> -- and I can only speak for myself, but short of quitting both my jobs
>>> and
>>> dropping a class, I at least don’t see myself being able to
>>> produce
>>> anything that would equate to quality work of this length. What are
>>> everyone else’s thoughts?
>>>
>>> Timothy Thilberg
>>> Miami University of Ohio, Senior (2013)
>>> Sociology/Criminology
>>> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> || (513)-967-1215
>>>
>>> "Go to college. Get an education. Understand the law, the profession,
>>> and
>>> our constitution so you understand your responsibility to the people
>>> and
>>> the trust you are granted - and stay true to it." - Sheriff Dave Brown
>>>
>>> From: Enzo Colombo (enzo.colombo) [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>> Sent: Friday, November 09, 2012 3:36 AM
>>> To: Timothy Thilberg; 'Sydney Johnson';
>>> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>> Cc: Rodney Coates;
>>> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>;
>>> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>;
>>> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>;
>>> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>;
>>> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>> Subject: R: RE: SOC 487 Globalization, Social Justice, and Human Rights
>>>
>>> dear Timothy, Sydney and Ashley, (with Giulia, Nicolò, Mikaila,
>>> Michelle
>>> and Jesse copied)
>>> I'm really sorry for the confusion ... but I think it may be a vivid
>>> experience of how facing 'Cultural differences' could be challenging,
>>> tiring and also (maybe) exciting. I do hope that such an experience can
>>> teach you how to work in an intercultural setting.
>>> I absolutely recognise that you at Miami U. worked seriously and
>>> effectively, respecting deadlines and are doing your best to make this
>>> group working properly. You are surely right in saying that with some
>>> more
>>> accountability and clarity from the start, you might have been in a
>>> better
>>> position at this point. As a justification, I may say that leaving you
>>> the
>>> opportunity to make experience of the difficulties of working with
>>> people
>>> who may have different point of views and different languages is in may
>>> view as important as the ‘content’ of your final work.
>>> Nevertheless, I
>>> recognize that this cannot simply mean leaving you in a total
>>> confusion!
>>> I think that a common reflection on what working in a context in which
>>> ‘cultural difference’ can matter means, may be a good
>>> starting point
>>> for your Introduction and Conclusion.
>>> One of the most difficult point is the lack of communication among you
>>> (something astonishing considering the skill of younger generation in
>>> managing ICTs!). So, I invite again Milano and UVIC students to
>>> participate in an effective way to the common work!!! I personally find
>>> Ning very useful and friendly, but if you prefer other platforms,
>>> please
>>> propose and use them!
>>> Time is the other ‘big problem’. I agree with you, but we
>>> have to look
>>> at it as a ‘structural constraint’, we cannot do anything
>>> directly in
>>> order to change it, so we have to adjust our project and our work in
>>> order
>>> to fit the constrain.
>>> Finally, the expectations of the project. I propose that each student
>>> should be responsible for a 3000-4000 words contribution, defining a
>>> (sub-)topic of her/his interest. I’ll leave all of you free to
>>> choose
>>> your (sub-)topic and the method to develop it, while I invite you to
>>> discuss together the problems and the results in your Introduction and
>>> Conclusion.
>>> Other form of final communication (i.e. video) are welcome but not
>>> expected of everyone.
>>> So, I agree with this timetable:
>>>
>>> •         By 13-16 Nov, we should see full annotations on the
>>> articles
>>> students plan to use for their individual assignments. This would
>>> provide
>>> opportunities for collaboration, revision, or refinement of topics.
>>>
>>> •         By 23 Nov, we should see research results in the range
>>> of
>>> 3000-4000 words from each student
>>>
>>> •         By 28 Nov, we should have a fully-compiled
>>> collaborative
>>> Introduction and Conclusion, which can then be contributed to each of
>>> the
>>> groups for review, as well as critical comments on the individual part
>>> by
>>> all the other members of the group. Additionally, each group from each
>>> University MAY submit the video of the presentation on each of their
>>> findings.
>>>
>>> •         By 5 Dec, the final project complete with the written
>>> work.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Does this all seem agreable/on par/doable?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> all the best
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> enzo
>>>
>>>
>>> Il 08/11/12, Timothy Thilberg
>>> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> ha scritto:
>>> Sydney and Ashley (w/ Dr. Coates and Professor Colombo copied),
>>>
>>> I think I’ve more or less grasped what is going on here, and I
>>> will it
>>> explain my interpretation thusfar.
>>>
>>> From what I gather, we are all together going to be writing a
>>> collaborative literature work with regards to the topic “Cultural
>>> Differences”, with specific regards to Globalization, Social
>>> Justice,
>>> and Human Rights. Collaboratively, we will have an introduction and
>>> closing paragraph to this work, which will somehow (amazingly) tie
>>> together our potpourri of research ideas relating to our specifically
>>> assigned topic pairing (id est Cultural Differences and Globalization,
>>> Cultural Differences and Social Justice, or Cultural Differences and
>>> Human
>>> Rights). Each university’s students would be expected to
>>> evaluate this
>>> topic from the vantage points of all three topic pairings. Each
>>> university’s group would then provide a presentation of their
>>> findings
>>> to show in class and to the other groups. Now, in this process,
>>> we’ve
>>> run into a few obstacles, some of which might be obvious:
>>>
>>>
>>> 1)      Definition of the topic – In a rather ironic twist,
>>> there are
>>> some very different opinions from each region on what exactly cultural
>>> differences are. Perhaps an interesting topic in and of itself, the
>>> cultural problems that plague a particular nation are going to be
>>> drastically different. At this point, I think it is best that we each
>>> go
>>> about this from a local perspective and tie it together in order to
>>> form a
>>> rounded global summary/examination of the issue.
>>>
>>> 2)      Time – Already working on a short timeframe,
>>> we’re essentially
>>> collaborating on a 24-hour delay. With this in mind, discussion or
>>> debate
>>> severely exacerbates the abovementioned issue, and it wasn’t
>>> until
>>> Professor Colombo intervened that we at Miami decided to locate some
>>> bibliographical references in attempt to prevent the project from
>>> derailing. That being said, we haven’t had much accountability
>>> to the
>>> group, and it’s difficult for students to get on each other to
>>> get
>>> things done, let alone ones in other time zones.
>>>
>>> 3)      Expectations of the project – We are still quite engaged
>>> in a
>>> discourse regarded the exact specifications and scope of what the
>>> “project” is. The instructions we have are as follows:
>>>
>>> Students will collaboratively participate to research and write a group
>>> reflection paper connecting their research to course material.
>>> Specifically, the case study projects aims to provide students with an
>>> opportunity to explore course material through real world experiences
>>> and
>>> data.  Students will individually write reflective journal entries
>>> pertaining to the projects, their efforts, course readings and
>>> discussions.
>>>
>>> I think some sort of guidance as to the suggested scope and/or page
>>> length
>>> might have been helpful, as a 1-2 page contribution per student vs. a
>>> 5-6
>>> page contribution per students provides very drastically different
>>> opportunities for exploration.
>>>
>>> 4)      Participation – Nobody is perfect, and even us students
>>> at Miami
>>> were slow to start since we were presenting right at the beginning of
>>> the
>>> multinational project, but it should be stressed (and checked up on by
>>> our
>>> supervising professor) that we are diligent in moving forward on this.
>>> I
>>> think with some increased accountability and clarity from the start, we
>>> might have been in a better position at this point.
>>>
>>> At this point, I just wanted to provide some input as a student as to
>>> the
>>> difficulties we have encountered with this and some personal reflection
>>> on
>>> it. I think it is very possible that we can still be successful with
>>> this,
>>> and we’re going to make sure that we push forward and spell out
>>> what is
>>> expected of everyone. With this in mind, I’m going to ask this
>>> of the G1
>>> group:
>>>
>>>
>>> A)    ASAP we need at least a bibliographical outline or synopsis of
>>> what
>>> each person plans to investigate. MUOhio is the only one to report in
>>> and
>>> Milano has pretty much indicated their preferred topics. We have yet to
>>> get much of substance at all from UVIC.
>>>
>>> B)    Once A is accomplished, I think it would then be very easy to
>>> come
>>> up with an introduction and conclusion to our research. With the actual
>>> results in mind, it may be hard to craft a conclusion, but I think at
>>> this
>>> point we should be evaluating how either roadblocks or characteristics
>>> of
>>> Cultural Differences create global or multinational issues.
>>>
>>> C)    By 13-16 Nov, we should see full annotations on the articles
>>> students plan to use for their individual assignments. This would
>>> provide
>>> opportunities for collaboration, revision, or refinement of topics.
>>>
>>> D)    By 23 Nov, we should see research results in the range of a 2-4?
>>> page article from each student
>>>
>>> E)     By 28 Nov, we should have a fully-compiled collaborative written
>>> work, which can then be contributed to each of the groups for review.
>>> Additionally, each group from each University should submit the video
>>> of
>>> the presentation on each of their findings.
>>>
>>> F)     By 5 Dec, the final project complete with the written work and
>>> compiled video will be submitted.
>>>
>>> Does this all seem agreeable/on par/doable?
>>>
>>> Best Regards,
>>>
>>> Timothy Thilberg
>>> Miami University of Ohio, Senior (2013)
>>> Sociology/Criminology
>>> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> || (513)-967-1215
>>>
>>> "Go to college. Get an education. Understand the law, the profession,
>>> and
>>> our constitution so you understand your responsibility to the people
>>> and
>>> the trust you are granted - and stay true to it." - Sheriff Dave Brown
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> From: Sydney Johnson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>> Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 12:42 PM
>>> To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>;
>>> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>> Subject: SJS 437
>>>
>>> This was Coates response to my email abt our group confusion. I'm still
>>> confused....tell me if u understand our assignment more clearly after
>>> reading this!
>>>
>>> From: "Coates, Rodney D. Dr."
>>> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
>>> Date: November 8, 2012, 10:57:02 AM EST
>>> To: "Evans, Angel Alese"
>>> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>,
>>> "Johnson, Sydney Alexandra"
>>> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
>>> Subject: RE: Cultural Differences -
>>> Angel and Sydney:
>>>
>>> Please read the responses below and act accordingly..
>>>
>>> Rodney c..
>>>
>>> From: The Partners Project [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
>>> Behalf
>>> Of Coates, Rodney D. Dr.
>>> Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 10:52 AM
>>> To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>> Subject: Re: Cultural Differences -
>>>
>>> Sarah:
>>>
>>> Thanks I will share this with our students..
>>>
>>> r
>>>
>>> From: The Partners Project [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
>>> Behalf
>>> Of Sarah Hernandez
>>> Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 10:48 AM
>>> To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>> Subject: Re: Cultural Differences -
>>>
>>> Greetings,
>>>
>>>  Yes, the two NCF students noted (Marliz and Amelia) are in the
>>> combined
>>> group of A1+A2. They are interested in immigration. They would like to
>>> do a service learning project. It occurred to me that it would be
>>> possible for my students to participate in a project where some
>>> students
>>> do bibliographic research and my students add to such bibliographic
>>> inquiry their observations from service learning. It seems to me that
>>> the final outcome would be an interesting presentation of immigration
>>> challenges globally and how one local organization is working to
>>> address
>>> immigration rights in the US. I directed them to suggest this and
>>> consult with the faculty leading the group. If this is not acceptable,
>>> they are ready to move forward with the bibliographic approach. They
>>> understand I had informed the group that our students were flexible
>>> enough to adjust to either the service learning or case study approach.
>>> Hence, they simply need to be directed as to what the group and
>>> directing faculty think is best.
>>>
>>> As for the groups I'm directing:
>>>
>>> Group on Food security: Two students from Texas (and possibly one from
>>> Florida) are exploring GMOs, one from Florida and one from Canada seem
>>> to
>>> be moving to explore relining or food access in urban settings in the
>>> US
>>> and Canada -swapping countries-.
>>>
>>> Human Trafficking: They had a nice start and have these three topics,
>>> where each student takes one of them to research:1) one law that has
>>> been
>>> put into effect to try and stop trafficking. It looks like the laws are
>>> getting critiqued for covering things that might not necessarily stem
>>> from
>>> trafficking (prostitution). 2) one organization and how they are trying
>>> to
>>> combat the issue. Discuss possible drawbacks to their approach and
>>> analyze
>>> whether it is effective. 3) the human trafficking hotline - discuss how
>>> effective/ineffective this tool is in stopping trafficking. For
>>> instance,
>>> see if there are a variety of language options or if you have to speak
>>> English.
>>>
>>> Brian Drain: It only has two students. Ana Murillo from Texas has not
>>> replied to e-mail inquiries. I have e-mailed both of them but have not
>>> yet
>>> received a response. David Scrivener from my institution, noted that
>>> they
>>> have had some e-mail exchange, but Murillo does not seem very prompt in
>>> her responses. Since they do not use NING to communicate, it is
>>> difficult
>>> for me to know how their project is advancing.
>>>
>>> Broadly speaking, I've instructed students to begin doing their
>>> research
>>> and that they are expected to submit initial findings on the 16th.
>>>
>>> Sarah
>>> On Thu, Nov 8, 2012 at 8:34 AM, Coates, Rodney D. Dr.
>>> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
>>> Enzo. I Will relY this to my students today. Thanks. T
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Rodney,
>>>
>>>
>>> Typos, strange insertions, and garbled communication courtesy of smart
>>> technology that males dumb mistakes.
>>>
>>> ----- Reply message -----
>>> From: "Enzo Colombo"
>>> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
>>> To: "[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>"
>>> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
>>> Subject: Cultural Differences -
>>> Date: Thu, Nov 8, 2012 8:29 AM
>>>
>>> For what I know, this is the situation for G1-Cultural Difference:
>>> Marliz Calleja and Amelia Hollis from New College are interested in
>>> A1-Immigration and not in G1 (I told them that A1 is supposed to be a
>>> Case
>>> study group and not a Service Learning group)
>>> I invited the two students from Milan in G1 to submit their outline
>>> within
>>> the end of this week. During the last weeks, there has been a
>>> discussion
>>> about the common project, with students presenting very different
>>> topics
>>> (from Cultural competence in Medicine to outcast and hobo in Milan),
>>> but
>>> also some interesting reflections on the effects of language on the
>>> definition of 'Cultural difference'. I suggested to start from this
>>> point
>>> to
>>> produce a common introduction and a common Conclusion, and leave each
>>> student to go deeper in her/his specific interest (if possible, looking
>>> at
>>> specific local issues).
>>>
>>> Milano student in C1-Child welfare, complained that Angel Evans,
>>> Miranda
>>> Blais, and Ian Free from Miami U., are not participating in the
>>> discussion
>>> and never answered to the messages of the other students
>>>
>>> enzo
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Messaggio originale-----
>>> Da: The Partners Project [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Per
>>> conto
>>> di
>>> gsitara
>>> Inviato: mercoledì 7 novembre 2012 21:46
>>> A: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>> Oggetto: Re: Cultural Differences -
>>>
>>> I would love it if Sarah and Enzo clarified for all of us so that we
>>> are
>>> not
>>> giving our students contradictory information.
>>>
>>> I met with one of the U Vic students from cultureal differences and
>>> human
>>> rights yesterday and we proposed a meeting with all their group
>>> tomorrow.
>>> They are talking about doing local...so it would be great to know what
>>> other
>>> instructors are suggesting to students.
>>>
>>> Georgia
>>>
>>>> Sarah and Enzo, I just got this from my students..
>>>>
>>>> Could you please clarify..with your students...
>>>>
>>>> r
>>>>
>>>> Rodney D. Coates
>>>> Professor and Interim Director of Black World Studies
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> From: Johnson, Sydney [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 2:55 PM
>>>> To: Coates, Rodney D. Dr.
>>>> Subject: SJS 437
>>>>
>>>> Dr. Coates,
>>>>            Tim Thilberg, Ashley Malin and I are in G1-Cultural
>>>> Differences and we chose to do a case study. We submitted our outline
>>>> on time however; none of our partner schools have (Milan or UVIC). In
>>>> addition, it seems that the other two groups do not fully understand
>>>> our assignment. We have been following the outline that you provided
>>>> and we clearly relayed to the other schools Miami's division of labor
>>>> and the particular stance that we are taking on cultural differences
>>>> in the U.S. But there still seems to be some confusion on their part
>>>> about choosing a clear topic (they've been talking about researching
>>>> "outcasts", "the excluded", "hobos and
>>>> buskers"...) and also about the direction and tight time schedule of
>>>> the project. Lastly, two new students have somehow joined our group.
>>>> Marliz Calleja and Amelia Hollis from New College in Sarasota, Florida
>>>> commented on our group page on the 30th and said they were the new
>>>> additions to our group and that they wanted to do a Service Learning
>>>> project (I politely told them that we've already decided to do a case
>>>> study). We are all just very confused at this point because it doesn't
>>>> seem as if any of the groups are on one accord. Your help would be
>>>> greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
>>>> Sydney Johnson
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Sydney Johnson
>>>> Miami University Class of 2014
>>>> Black World Studies Major
>>>> Social Justice Studies Minor
>>>> Resident Assistant -Havighurst  Hall
>>>> P&G ReadyU Campus Ambassador
>>>> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Dr. Georgia Sitara
>>> Sessional Lecturer
>>> Departments of History,
>>> Women's Studies,
>>> and Social Justice Studies
>>> University of Victoria
>>>
>>> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>>
>


Dr. Georgia Sitara
Sessional Lecturer
Departments of History,
Women's Studies,
and Social Justice Studies
University of Victoria

[log in to unmask]