Intercultural Programs

Owned by Kirsten Beachy
Last updated: Jun 24, 2023 by Barbara Byer (Deactivated)
3 min read

This year’s intercultural experience offerings from Intercultural Programs:

Option 1: Semester Intercultural Program

The semester program is the recommended intercultural option. Each semester program comprises 15 SH taken as five courses. A semester intercultural usually includes one faith course meeting the Christian Identity and Witness (CIW) requirement and a language course (where appropriate) fulfilling the foreign language requirement. Other coursework represents history and culture, additional language studies, or an area of faculty expertise, and fulfills intercultural designate credit. Coursework during a semester intercultural does not satisfy EMU Core Critical Thinking requirements. Semester intercultural programs scheduled for 2023-24 include:

  1. Fall 2023 - Europe with leaders Justin and Amanda Poole

    1. ICSSC 201 Intercultural Social Science: Identity and European Integration (3)

    2. German language (one of the following courses, placement based on previous knowledge) (3):

      1. ICLNG 171 Elementary German I

      2. ICLNG 172 Elementary German II  

    3.  ICTHR 301 Staging the Nation: Performance as a Reflector and Shaper of National Identity in Europe (3)

    4. ICART 301 Pan European Movements and Local Adaptations: History and Theory of European Art (3)

    5. ICREL 301 Religion and Identity in Contemporary Europe (CIW) (3)

  2. Spring 2024 - Guatemala and Cuba with leaders Elaine Zook Barge and Nathan Barge

    1. ICCSSC 201 Intercultural Social Science: Guatemala and Cuba (3) 

    2. Spanish language (two of the following courses, placement based on previous knowledge) (6):

      1. ICSPA 110, 120, 210, 220, 312, 322

      2. ICSPA 320 Advanced Grammar and Composition (3)

      3. ICSPA 332 Advanced Conversation III (Nivelacion de Avanzados) (3)

      4. ICSPA 424 Literature of Guatemala (3)

    3. ICREL 302 Religion, Culture and Economics in Guatemala and Cuba (CIW) (3)

    4. ICHIS 301 History through a Trauma and Resilience Lens (3)

Option 2: Summer Intercultural Seminars (3-6 weeks)

Summer seminars provide exposure to intercultural contexts for 3-6 weeks. A three-week experience comprises the core experiential social science course. Six-week seminars include a second 3 SH course. The student elects complementary courses (see the following list of intercultural designates) to complete the required 7-8 SH of intercultural coursework. Intercultural seminars scheduled for summer 2024 include:

  1. Malta with leaders Alyse and Rod Lehrke

    1. ICSSC 201 Intercultural Social Science: Malta (3)

    2. ICLEAD 301 Leading with Civility & Resilience (3)

  2. Switzerland and Italy with leader Stefano Colafranceschi

    1. ICSSC 201 Intercultural Social Science: Switzerland and Italy (3)

    2. ICREL 301 Religion and Identity in Contemporary Europe (CIW) (3)

  3. U.S. - Mexico Border with leader Deanna Durham

    1. ICSSC 201 Intercultural Social Science: Gender, Migration and Humane Treatment in the Borderlands (3)

  4. Local Context meets on campus (for eligible students)

    1. ICSSC 201 Intercultural Social Science: Local Context (3)

Option 3: Washington Community Scholars' Center (WCSC)

The Washington Community Scholars' Center (WCSC) provides students a semester or 10-week summer experience in Washington, DC, exploring career-building internships, city life, cultural diversity, and the connections between values and work. See the Special Programs section for more information.

Additional Intercultural Experience Courses

  • ICSSC 202 Intercultural Learning and Integration (1 SH)
    For qualifying students with significant prior intercultural immersion experience. International students, multicultural students and students with previous qualifying cultural experiences reflect on their learning to fulfill the experiential component of the intercultural requirements. Permission must be granted by the Intercultural Programs director to take this course in the second year of study or later.

  • ICSSC 203 Intercultural Immersion (1 SH)
    This course provides the foundation for intercultural learning and is offered in conjunction with off-campus programs. Paired with other credits in a 4+ week intercultural seminar.

  • ICSSC 211 Intercultural Community Immersion meets on campus, spring semester (3 SH) 
    This course includes a significant experience (at least 40 hours) with a local family or individuals from a different language and culture than that of the student. Requirements also include at least 20 hours in partnership with an Intensive English Program student. For students who transfer at least 58 credits earned prior to matriculation at EMU. Contact the Director of Intercultural Programs for approval to register.

  • See the Cooperative Programs section for other programs offering courses that meet IC learning requirements.