Intercultural Programs

Owned by Jenni Piper
Last updated: Nov 07, 2024 by Amber Tobey
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 language learning 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 2024-25 include:

  1. Spring 2025 - Guatemala with leader Wendell Shank

    1. ICCSSC 201 Intercultural Social Science: Guatemala (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. ICHIS 304 Religion, History and Culture of Guatemala (CIW) (3)

    4. ICSOC 350 Passports and Possibilities: Learning as People on the Move (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. Students entering EMU prior to 23-24 will need to take additional designate courses on campus to complete their required intercultural study. Intercultural seminars scheduled for summer 2025 include:

  1. DC Urban Sustainability and Environmental Justice with leaders Jim Yoder and Ann Butwell

    1. ICSSC 201 Intercultural Social Science: DC Urban Sustainability (3)

  2. Switzerland and Germany with leaders Sarah Bixler and Heike Peckruhn

    1. ICSSC 201 Intercultural Social Science: Switzerland and Germany - Reformation (3)

  3. Middle East with leader Timothy Seidel

    1. ICSSC 201 Intercultural Social Science: Middle East (3)

    2. ICLNG 110 Arabic Language (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 significant experience and visits with community groups 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 experience requirements.