(This is a faculty led study abroad course * syllabi will differ per destination), On a Global Learning Experience course, students are brought outside the typical classroom, for a 24/7 learning experience in varying locations outside the USA. The course will provide students with tools for analyzing your learning process and identifying cultural patterns, differences, similarities and values encountered during the journey. Students develop a sense of cross-cultural understanding, and navigate towards becoming a global citizen. Students develop a heightened sense of confidence, and leadership as they plan, and execute this excursion. In addition students discover the role of becoming an ambassador for their own culture. Practical issues about studying abroad (safety, money, packing, etc.) are delivered via pre-departure sessions with the International Student Services Office.
WINTER 2024
ZIMBABWE This is a study abroad course to Zimbabwe in Southern Africa. Zimbabwe as a kingdom began in the 9th century during the early Bantu migration south and its historical architectural structures still exist intact. In 1980, Detroit’s Motown favorite, Stevie Wonder, dedicated a song together with Bob Marley on Zimbabwe’s independence celebration. Zimbabwe, like Detroit, is rooted in art forms embedded in culture and a revolutionary spirit. This course provides students an opportunity to learn about Zimbabwe, its history, culture and contemporary significant in a global dialogue. Students will interact with peers and professionals from institutions and artist run spaces in Zimbabwe. The course will be both offsite and onsite. The course begins during the winter semester where the focus is about learning the history and culture through lectures, literature, movies, and workshops. There will be guest’s interaction to the campus and via Skype. Students will connect with peers in Zimbabwe to begin conversations prior to going there. The onsite experience is an intense 15- 16 days where students are introduced to both contemporary and traditional cultural spaces in both the urban and rural areas of Zimbabwe. There are workshops in specific spaces such as Medicinal and Natural pigments at Dzimbanheta Art Centre, Basketry Mbare Art Center, printmaking at Animal Farm, to stone carving in Tengenenge Village. The workshops will not define the art produced from this course, rather a shared platform to trigger ideas and dialogue. The class will end with a one-night exhibit in Harare derived from the course research in collaboration with students from Chinhoyi University of Technology, Harare Polytechnic and the School of Visual Studies at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. This research will then be shared on campus the following semester, Fall 2024.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: SLP 007