Welcome to Your Course
As a public university located in one of the world’s most diverse and vibrant cities, UCLA is committed to promoting learning, mutual respect, and meaningful dialogue among members of its large and culturally diverse student body. Borders—literal, figurative, religious, national, cultural, and political—have unfortunately resulted in unprecedented tensions between student communities and a breakdown in respectful communication. This Community Engagement course (XP) seeks to promote learning, mutual respect, and meaningful dialogue among culturally diverse students at UCLA through an academic and theological exploration of the concept of borders, and an application of these concepts towards a deeper understanding of student self-identity. Within this intellectual framework of “borders,” the course shall focus upon two subtopics: migration and ethnic identity.
Students will explore the question: What are the “borders” in my life?
Through direct experience with primary sources–friendships, guest speakers, a walking tour of LA, visit to a religious congregation outside of their own tradition, and community service–students will learn to cross cultural boundaries and break down stereotypes.
Students will gain practical tools and skills to engage in dialogue across cultural difference. I.e., Nonviolence, Giving Voice to Values framework, etc.
Students will come to value “borders” in a positive sense–i.e., learn to value their own community cultural wealth.
Student imaginations gain cross cultural experience and skills which will empower them to become more effectively civically engaged in Los Angeles.
Read This:
Peace J. H., Rose O. N. & Mobley G. (2012). My neighbor’s faith. Maryknoll, N.Y: Orbis Books.
Chapter 8: It Begins with a Text Burton L. Visotzky
Do This:
Create a “mental map” or “cognitive map” of your hometown or the city that you most identify with.
The concept of mental maps is drawn from Kevin Lynch and his book, The Image of the City. Mental maps refer to the internal picture people form of their city based on personal experience. Put simply, a mental map is how a person pictures a place in their mind. In the words of Lynch, “Every citizen has had long associations with some part of his city, and his image is soaked in memories and meanings.” These memories and meanings can help a student understand the borders and boundaries of religion, race, and ethnicity in which they were formed.
For this exercise, draw a mental map of the city in which you were raised or which you most identify with. Use butcher paper, pens, and markers, and draw, in 30 minutes, a mental map of this city.
Use the following questions to guide you:
Where do you live, go to school, or hang out?
What places do you visit most often?
What streets, parks, stores, or landmarks are important to you?
What parts of the city feel safe, busy, boring, exciting, unfamiliar?
If someone new came to town, where would you take them?
What route do you take from home to school?
Are there places you avoid? Why?