Academic Courses

Instructor: GSP Associate Director

Credits: 1

Prerequisite: Completion of or current enrollment in ALA 211 and admission into the Global Scholars Program for a second academic year.

Other course info: Students are required to attend a weekend retreat in late January. Depending on public health circumstances, the retreat may be off-campus and may include staying at the location overnight. In such cases, all costs are covered and meals are provided.

Notes: Students who have reached their maximum courseload and are unable to enroll in ALA 212 may explore alternative arrangements with the associate director.

Description: As societies grow more diverse, it is imperative that students develop the necessary intercultural capacities to succeed in their personal and professional lives. In the Global Scholars Program (GSP), Peer Facilitators play a key role in the development of these capacities, serving as the face of the program and building important relationships with first year members. This course will provide students returning for a second year to GSP as Peer Facilitators with the necessary knowledge and skills to facilitate multicultural group interactions and become more engaged contributors to our diverse society.

In this course, Rising Peer Facilitators will explore foundational readings that will enhance their understanding of facilitation as a pedagogical practice. These readings will expand their knowledge content and challenge their critical thinking capacities through exposure to concepts rooted in critical race, feminist, queer, and disability theory, as well as educational development concepts. Students will build upon this theoretical foundation and learn important facilitation skills through constructive dialogues, role-playing, and writing assignments.

What students say about ALA 212:

"My biggest challenge was getting over the fear of committing a microaggression. I got over my fear because we were taught that even though it is not okay to commit a microaggression, you can work hard to address any biases or attitudes you may have if you do happen to commit one. You can work hard to educate yourself and also apologize if you catch yourself. As a future facilitator I realize that I will make mistakes but I can learn from them and work hard to prevent them from happening again." (Winter 2021)

"It was really cool to see how my culture was represented and indicative of some of the behaviors I also show, and knowing that my parents are from an interdependent culture and that I've grown up in an independent culture – I think that is what played a big role in how I communicate." (Winter 2021)

"I will carry these essential skills in my future academic, professional, and personal endeavors." (Winter 2021)

Instructor: GSP Associate Director

Credits: 2

Prerequisite: Admission into the Global Scholars Program for a third academic year

Notes: Students who have reached their maximum courseload and are unable to enroll in ALA 470 may explore alternative arrangements with the associate director.

Description: This course is required during students' third year of membership in the Global Scholars Program. Third-year GSP members serve on the GSP Advisory Council (AC). As Advisory Council members, they have spent two years in GSP developing their intercultural capacities as individuals within culturally diverse group settings (CG membership) and as facilitators of culturally diverse groups (peer facilitation or leading special projects). During their third year, they help organize GSP’s community of globally diverse members by advising staff on key program decisions, hosting signature community events, and chairing committees that reflect GSP's mission and values.

During the fall semester, AC members receive academic credit for their continued learning and skill-development by enrolling in ALA 470. This is a practicum course and is unlike most traditional academic courses. It serves as the AC meeting time and the majority of assignments are directly related to AC leadership responsibilities. In addition, ALA 470 provides a scholarly foundation for AC membership through the analysis of case studies of organizing communities, movements and/or institutions.