The Creation of Short-Term International Study Courses
- Carolyn Zerbe Enns, Psychology; Cornell
- Joan Ericson, German, Russian, East-Asian Languages; Colorado
The goal for this project is to develop and teach a short-term, interdisciplinary, collaborative course (or courses) in Japan. We also anticipate that this project or course may offer a solid framework for collaborative short-term international study at our institutions and beyond. In light of this objective, we ultimately hope to present our findings at conferences and in written form. Both Cornell College and Colorado College follow a similar calendar based on a one-course-at-a time curriculum, often referred to as the block plan. By collaborating on short-term study abroad that is feasible under the block plan, our goal is to expand opportunities for students at both institutions.
The initial collaboration will emphasize the study of Japanese culture. A more specific possibility is to organize a course or courses around the theme of gender and culture in Japan. The initial class would be offered at the 200-level and would be appropriate for students completing their first or second year of courses. Students taking the course during early phases of their college career might use this course to build confidence for longer-term study abroad programs. This course would offer a solid cultural immersion experience for students at the junior or senior level who are only able to participate in one study abroad course.