International Social Justice and Service Learning
The Costa Rica Track is a voluntary alternative to the General Studies requirements for students taking GSR 200 - 300 courses that Honors students may take to satisfy their General Studies Requirements (GSR). This track replaces GSR 200 and 300 level requirements in a student's sophomore and junior year.
Using Costa Rica as a case study, students learn about Latin America, biodiversity and sea turtles, globalization and social justice issues. Students take two 200 level courses in the fall and spring of their second year, which prepares them for a ten week internship with the Costa Rican deaf community in the summer between their second and third years.
This program does not require students to have any specific career plan, but rather is designed to support students who are firmly committed to excellence and making the world a better place.
Course Requirements
Fall 2009
GSR 211: Language History and Culture of Latin America (6 credits)
GSR 240: Global Human Rights and Social Justice (4 credits)
Spring 2010
GSR 230: Cultural and Ecological Biodiversity (4 credits)
GSR 220: Sustainable Program Design and Implementation (4 credits)
Summer 2010
GSR 300: International Internship in Social Justice (4 credits)
Benefits
This track will develop confidence, leadership, intellectual abilities, organization, and project management skills in students electing to participate. By learning Spanish and Costa Rican sign language (LESCO), students will be developing the skills necessary to connect and interact with other cultures in an increasingly interconnected world. Gallaudet University has had a strong relationship with Costa Rica since the 1980s. Our counterparts in Costa Rica are excited about this program, and are looking forward to our work.
Program Learning Outcomes
Student learning outcomes for this program integrate all five of the new general studies competences--critical thinking, identity and culture, ethics and social responsibility, language and communication, and knowledge and inquiry. By the end of this program, students are expected to:>
1. Assess, develop, implement, and evaluate a service learning project with the Costa Rican deaf community that considers empowerment and social justice implications and has the added feature of sustainability for long term impact.
2. Develop cross-cultural and multi-cultural awareness through living and working together with deaf people in Costa Rica.
3. Develop an appreciation of social and ethical responsibility to self and others through direct engagement with the deaf community of Costa Rica.
4. Develop intermediate proficiency in Spanish and LESCO (Costa Rican Sign Language) through in-class and in-country communication.
5. Develop knowledge and inquiry skills through needs assessment, program planning, collaboration with international partners, research activities, and evaluation of the program's outcomes.
