This program originates away from the home campus; therefore, it is considered distance learning. It probably would be wise not to initiate any new study abroad programs while on SACS probation due to concerns in the area of distance learning.

Here is a hot version of the link Amy referenced: http://www.usm.edu/idv/images/belize_bro.pdf

(Use the clockwise/counterclockwise function In Acrobat Reader to read the text.)

Would anyone care to contact the program's apparent director, david.butler@usm.edu, or USM's Center for International and Continuing Education, to find out more about this IDV 699 untitled course?

I agree with others -- the description of Belize is offensive, and the brochure is poorly written overall.

If this sort of thing is typical of distance learning USM-style, no wonder SACs has put USM on probation!

In the academic unit I left, the relentless push for online courses (another side of distance learning), in a discipline where such "content delivery" to our "customers" could hardly be effective, was of great concern to me and most of my colleagues. I still have to wonder, though -- is distance learning the only thing about USM that SACs is concerned about?

But hey, if I had given in to online teaching, I could still be drawing a salary from USM while living on the other side of the planet from Shelby Freland Thames. How very foolish of me to have resisted!

http://www.sparkimg.com/emoticons/bleh.gif

This is not good. I googled and found...
If someone could make this a hotlink, you could read many of the words on the brochure.

http://webcenter.travel.aol.com/travel/lonely_planet/central_and_south_america/belize/culture.html

Nope. Won't work. Maybe Googler or somebody can hotlink it.

Website sanitization started again the day they unlinked the IDV webpage from the USM main webpage a few weeks ago.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Amy Young
"This is not good. I googled and found... If someone could make this a hotlink, you could read many of the words on the brochure. http://webcenter.travel.aol.com/travel/lonely_planet/central_and_south_america/belize/culture.html"

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So does the Belize brochure contain plagiarized content?

From the LONELY PLANET WEBSITE: (I bolded any words/changes in the original text from what appear in the brochure; otherwise assume it is verbatim plagarism).
Belize is officially English-speaking, but the creoles (the largest ethnic group) speak their own colorful dialect as well as standard English. Spanish is the main language in the north and some towns in the west. You may also hear Mayan, Chinese, Mennonite German, Lebanese, Arabic, Hindi and Garífuna (the language of the Garinagu people of Stann Creek district) being spoken.

The majority of Belize's population are Roman Catholics, but British influence has created a sizable and varied protestant congregation, including German Swiss Mennonites. The Mayan practice of Catholicism is a fascinating fusion of shamanist-animist and Christian ritual.

Belize has never really developed a national cuisine. Its cooking borrows elements from the UK, the USA, Mexico and the Caribbean. The traditional staples are rice and beans. These are often eaten with chicken, pork, beef, fish or vegetables. Coconut milk and fried plaintain add a tropical flavor.

From the IDV BROCHURE:
Belize is officially English-speaking, but the Creoles (the largest ethnic group) speak their own colorful dialect as well as English. Spanish is the main language in the north and some towns in the west. You may also hear Mayan, Chinese, Mennonite German, Lebanese, Arbic, Hindi and Garifuna being spoken.

The majority of Belize's population is Roman Catholics, but British influence has created a sizable and varied protestant congregation, including German Swiss Mennonites. The Mayan practice of Catholicism is a fascinating fusion of shamanist-animist and Christian ritual.

Belize has never really developed a national cuisine. Its cooking borrows elements from the UK, the USA, Mexico and the Caribbean. The traditional staples are rice and beans. These are often eaten with chicken, pork, beef, fish or vegetables. Coconut milk and fried plaintain add a tropical flavor.
*****

How sad is this? It's not the first time USM has plagarized--I seem to remember multiple occasions of this type of thing (remember when they literally copied the Auburn letter about SACS probation?). I wouldn't go to the administration first about this; someone should e-mail Lonely Planet. Their website is copyrighted PLUS Lonely Planet makes money off their tourism guide books. I hope they sue USM! Maybe IHL would finally wake up.

"Dr David Butler" has his name attached to the brochure. He is, therefore the plagiarist. Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic. You've got some college down there in Mississippi

I hope this can be corrected ASAP because it is terribly embarrassing!  I emailed a dean and asked for his intervention.

Amy Young

quote:

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Originally posted by: Amy Young
"I hope this can be corrected ASAP because it is terribly embarrassing!  I emailed a dean and asked for his intervention. Amy Young"

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Amy, which of the many deans might that be? With the constant moving of programs from one college to another I can't tell whose on first.

Dr. Butler's ethics are not fully developed.  Look into student complaints about the way he forces students to do his research.  He needs strong mentorship from senior faculty.

Isn't Cont. Educ. mailing out about 17, 000 of these at the present time?

Note that the IDV class is a 600 level class, requiring the collection of data and expected publications, without any prerequisites such as experimental design, statistics, research methods, all those things that would create a foundation for quality research.  There is, required interaction via email prior to the class - whoop de do!  Our undergraduates are required to have some foundation prior to participation in any level of research.  This is a waste of a graduates student's time, unless they understand full well that the only value is some exposure to another culture.

quote:

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Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"Amy, At the very least you'll learn whether an academic dean actually has any authority over the International Development program. Robert Campbell"

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Robert, it is my understanding that your question was answered today: NO!