10140333Global Studies Abroad
Course Information
Description
Global Studies Abroad cultivates a global mindset, enhances cross-cultural communication skills, and prepares students for international collaboration. In this immersive course, students explore international business practices, visit various business / cultural sites, and collaborate in multinational teams. The experience fosters an understanding of cultural intersections, socio-historical contexts, and global business practices through engagement at the host site (N. Ireland, Germany or WI). 
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Examine the intersection of your own culture and the partner’s culture through active investigation and immersion in the cultural environment of the partner countries
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Presentation
    Criteria
    Describe your own culture, cultural lens, and cultural assumptions
    Recognize how culture influences attitudes, behaviors, and expectations related to business
    Develop self-awareness about your own unconscious and conscious bias
    Demonstrate awareness, openness, and sensitivity to cultures from partner country
    Identify strategies for cross-cultural adjustment
    Presentation incorporates cultural and gender-neutral inclusive language
    Written Product includes reflection on working with students from different parts of the world, what skills and personal traits you have that help you be a global citizen, and what you need to work on to be an even better global citizen

  2. Explore socio-historical understanding of inequalities in our partner countries and culture
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Describe what it means to be human
    Describe the seven main points of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights preamble and why they are important for a healthy global society
    Identify key information about partner colleges such as population, government type, president or prime minister, geographic location and comparison to the US
    Recognize the social history of the partner country and how it has shaped current culture
    Compare and contrast similarities and differences regarding inequality between our partner countries and the US

  3. Investigate the economic, geographic, legal, political, and technological environments of the host country as they relate to best practices in business and corporate social responsibility (CSR)
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Presentation
    Criteria
    Presentation includes summary of host country’s economy, legal system, political status, and technology environment
    Presentation includes a map showing the placement of the host country in relationship to your country
    You create a virtual field trip
    You attend a virtual field trip
    You attend a site tour or field trip

  4. Examine current business trends and issues in the global market, identifying key challenges and opportunities
    Assessment Strategies
    Presentation, Written Product
    Criteria
    Identify three emerging business trends in the global market
    Identify three business challenges in the global market
    Identify three business opportunities in the global market
    Explore how the business trends, challenges and opportunities impact global business operations
    Presentation includes current business trends, challenges, and opportunities specifically within the partner country

  5. Communicate, work in international teams, and deliver informational presentations in a cross-cultural business environment
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Presentation, Reflection
    Criteria
    Describe components of effective interpersonal communication
    Demonstrate active listening skills
    Adjust your dialogue, volume, and pacing to meet the needs of the audience
    Evaluate your ability to function as an effective team member
    Demonstrate awareness of the impact of nonverbal communication across cultures
    Use professional language, free from stereotypes
    Use a person-first approach when communicating
    Reflect how your culture might differ from those of other team members
    Identify resources to bridge language barriers between team members, if communication is halted
    Demonstrate cultural humility during communication

  6. Examine and implement practices for a safe and effective study abroad experience, ensuring preparedness and awareness in diverse environments
    Assessment Strategies
    Offsite Travel Experience, Written Product
    Criteria
    Follow travel safety guidelines as specified in the orientation materials and syllabus
    Demonstrate alertness and awareness during travel
    Manage expectations and planning for travel
    Participate in the required activities as specified by the instructor and syllabus
    Engage with local communities in another country with an attitude of openness and respect
    Responsible Traveler Module is completed prior to departure
    Daily Cultural Learning Debrief is completed as specified by the instructor
    Demonstrate cultural humility during travel
    Identify strategies for travel delays and adjustment

  7. Practice a global mindset focused on continuous learning and adaptability with a focus on promoting inclusivity
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Offsite Travel Experience, Presentation
    Criteria
    Demonstrate active listening skills
    Practice genuine curiosity by asking culturally appropriate questions
    Engage with student colleagues using culturally appropriate and inclusive verbal and body language
    Demonstrate ongoing learning by adjusting behavior as needed for the purpose of including others