Courses

Course offerings reflect the 2023-2024. One unit of credit equals four semester hours.

.50 credit

The first intercultural seminar includes conceptual review, introduction to intercultural models and student-generated cultural and international comparisons. Topics develop the stated objectives for the major or minor. Students enrolled are encouraged to take this course early in their program. The course is open to any student wishing to gain an understanding of intercultural dynamics.

Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

.50 credit

This course completes the two-course, half-credit series of intercultural basic courses required for a major or minor in the intercultural studies program. It is also relevant for any student wishing to develop intercultural understanding. Students who successfully complete this course will have substantially developed intercultural knowledge and skills.

Prerequisite: ICS 270 and sophomore standing.

This course uses a global perspective to introduce students to international political, economic, social, ethnic and gender issues and institutions. Emphasis is placed on discerning and analyzing the nature of intercultural interactions, both historical and contemporary.

.50 credit

Students enrolled in the program for a major complete a third seminar. The goal of this course is to develop and present a capstone project. The project, developed in consultation with a seminar instructor, should address individual and program objectives. Students should take this course at the end of their program.

Prerequisite: ICS 271. Spring Term.

To stimulate discussion and understanding about the way the world is perceived from a woman’s perspective, this course will examine the lives of women and the attitudes and institutions that affect women living in the United States and around the world in various social, political and cultural contexts. This course will investigate the ways that age, culture, nationality, class, ethnicity and sexuality impact women’s experiences.

.50, .75 or 1.00 credit

Majors and minors in intercultural studies will undertake a study-away experience or a field placement in a site relevant to their focus area of study.

Prerequisite: ICS 271. As offered.

This course will utilize the Facing History and Ourselves curriculum to facilitate students’ exploration of the historical and current realities of being LGBTQ in America. Specifically, it will use the Facing History concepts of identity, membership, we/they, creating the other and universe of obligation to examine the LGBTQ experience in America. Students will consider the history and development of LGBTQ identity and how it has changed over time in the U.S. Where appropriate, comparisons with the LGBTQ experience in Europe will also be made. Emphasis will be put on examining the efforts to both exclude and include the LGBTQ community in certain societies and cultures at various times in history, and the results of these measures on the development of the identities of LGBTQ individuals and the wider LGBTQ community.

Directed study of intercultural topics determined by faculty expertise and student interest. Contact instructor for course description.

Repeatable for credit.

Students will study the many parallels between the antiapartheid struggles of South Africa and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Drawing upon intercultural content within an international context, this course will address critical race theory and include writings by and about Tutu, King, Gandhi, Mandela, Biko and Malcolm X, as well as learning from the oral traditions of 1960s activists. The seminar format allows students to interact with international activists. Student assessment will include a research project in which students interview participants in historical events.

.50 or 1.00 credit

An independent course for students to pursue their special intercultural interests.

Prerequisite: Consent of the ICS chair or course instructor. Upon request and approval.

.50 credit

This course gives Honors Program students the opportunity to design and implement a significant research project in the field of Intercultural Studies, culminating in an appropriate public dissemination of research methods and findings. This research must build upon previous coursework taken within the major or minor, facilitating faculty supervision and guidance. Repeatable for credit. Permission of the faculty supervisor and the director of the Honors Program required prior to registration.

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