Brief
_This honors seminar was designed to help students learn about the concept of
global competence. Global competencies include: (a) global knowledge
(b) empathy and appreciation (c) the ability to learn cross-culturally
and (d) the ability to perform in cross-cultural situations.
My Experience
This class, taught by Kurt Olausen, the Director of International Programs at UC, and Kevin Grace, University Archivist was a great opportunity to learn about certain nuances and subtle complexities in every culture. In Winter of 2011, I had just started my foray into International Affairs. This course taught me a lot, but also served to further excite me about my possible new major. Much of the focus in class was spent on understanding individual cultures in such aspects as religion, food, civil rights, art and economy. It just so happened that during this time was the beginning of the Arab Spring in the Middle East. And how, perfect was the coincidence of being in that class at such a time. Being in International Affairs at the time, my classes were already focusing on the Arab Spring and it's political significance for the world. But in Global Studies, due to it's function as a multidisciplinary honors seminar, we had the flexibility to really dive into the causes of the Revolutions and the consequences of such actions.
In terms of true relevance, this class was absolutely one of my most helpful. It gave me a chance to investigate current events, relate them to what was going on in the United States at the time, and was done in a forum so that everyone could understand and grow from the knowledge. The professors were, in my opinion, so of my best at UC. They were each very knowledgeable, flexible with course plans so that real learning was always achieved, and both really pushed the students to new experiences. Being in Global Studies encouraged me to apply for a national scholarship program for a week of free study in South Korea. While I did not actually receive the scholarship, someone else in the Global Studies class did!
Overall, the class was a great illustration of what a true liberal arts education should be. It was interesting, interactive, challenging and rewarding. In the 9 quarters and 1 semester at UC, it is definitely one of my top three favorite classes.
In terms of true relevance, this class was absolutely one of my most helpful. It gave me a chance to investigate current events, relate them to what was going on in the United States at the time, and was done in a forum so that everyone could understand and grow from the knowledge. The professors were, in my opinion, so of my best at UC. They were each very knowledgeable, flexible with course plans so that real learning was always achieved, and both really pushed the students to new experiences. Being in Global Studies encouraged me to apply for a national scholarship program for a week of free study in South Korea. While I did not actually receive the scholarship, someone else in the Global Studies class did!
Overall, the class was a great illustration of what a true liberal arts education should be. It was interesting, interactive, challenging and rewarding. In the 9 quarters and 1 semester at UC, it is definitely one of my top three favorite classes.