International Coursework
SPC4710
Intercultural Communication
EUS3930
Germany in the EU
INS4930
International Studies Senior Research Experience
GER4482
German Cultural Identity & Intercultural Competence
Intercultural communication is a vital skill needed in our interconnected world today. This course caught my particular interest because it combines my major in International Studies with my minor in Communication Studies. Through this course, I was able to study the various intercultural aspects from different areas around the world and in return, see the ways they implicate and influence communication between different cultures. I was able to interact with my classmates so we could discuss specific characteristics of different cultures, like clothing, food, and holidays. Being able to understand a diverse range of cultural practices and customs allowed us to apply intercultural communication skills and analysis to reflect upon how different groups of people have different interpersonal relationships, workplace and leadership communication styles, and different views on specific social topics of discussion, such as gender, conflict management, and more.
Being a double major in German Language and Literature, as well as studying abroad there, I have a particular interest in learning about German culture, politics, literature, and everything in-between. This class taught me about the role Germany plays within the European Union (EU) from politically, culturally, and economically. One of my main areas of research that connects my International Studies major to my German one, is the topic of immigration into Germany. I have written and am in the process of writing about how immigration into Germany, mainly by asylum seekers is implicating their politics and society. Linked below are a couple presentation in which some graphs and statistics can be seen, as well as a paper from another course I have written pertaining to the topic of Germany and immigration.
For International Studies majors, seniors must write a detailed and extensive research paper according to a topic of their choice. Of course, like mentioned before, I have had a special interest in Germany and immigration. Therefore, my research paper was focused on analyzing and comparing two right-wing parties and their utilization of immigration in their party platforms leading to gaining voters. Naturally, I looked at the German right-wing party called the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), and I am comparing their strategies and tactics to the French right-wing National Front party. This course was made up of International Studies majors from all areas of concentrations ranging from Asia, to the Middle East, to South America, and more. It was very interesting to hear about everyone’s various research and their international knowledge that I am not exposed to being in the European concentration of my major. My paper is attached below in case you are interested in reading it!
This class not only highlights my German language capabilities, but also ties in an international aspect unique to every area I have and am studying. Being a higher-level German course, this class was taught exclusively in German. We had discussions about what it means to identify as German, cultural holidays, typical food and drink, music, and history. We also worked a lot in groups to create presentations every week pertaining to the specific area we were studying in class at the time. This class was intriguing and eye opening when it came to learning about how German’s may identify themselves and how it relates to being inter-culturally competent not only in the various sub-areas of German identity, but also around the entire world. There was a lot of in-depth conversations about what it means to be competent of another culture, and more understanding. This class really helped provide me with more insight into German cultural identity helping me better understand the ways in which I can be more inter-culturally competent in various aspects.