Author: CGL (Page 1 of 5)

New COIL Courses in Fall 2023!

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is a rapidly growing learning format that connects U.S. students with peers and faculty around the world. COIL courses exemplify Agnes Scott’s SUMMIT goals for professional success: Students build intercultural proficiency, communicative skills, and critical thinking while working on exciting interdisciplinary liberal arts projects in a global context. Over the last couple of years, Thanks to support from the Stevens Initiative, Agnes Scott College has established a connection with Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates and with Al Akhwayn University in Morocco. We are excited that we can now add courses with connections to the American University in Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan, and UniCuritiba, Brazil, to our lineup. Students interested in any of the courses below can enroll via AscAgnes and contact the Center of Global Learning with any questions:


POL 373 / WS 373 Middle East Politics & Societies (COIL)

Special Topic: “Gender in Media & Art in Kurdish Society”

 This course will introduce students to some of the major contemporary political and social developments of the Middle East and North Africa. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, our guiding theme for the semester will be “Gender in Media & Art in Kurdish Society”, and we will use the case of Iraqi Kurdistan to explore, discuss and learn about issues of politics and societies in the Middle East through this unique lens. Students will work in guided collaboration with both students and faculty at the American University of Iraq in Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan, giving them an in-the-field-type, ethnographic experience that offers a more nuanced and complex understanding of politics and societies of this highly politicized region.

During their asynchronous and synchronous encounters with AUIS students and faculty, students will engage in rapport building activities to establish mutual trust, develop friendship, and affinity with their counterpoint, helping students to think about what it means to establish good interpersonal relationships across the boundaries of language and culture.

This course will be taught by Autumn Cockrell-Abdullah, Ph.D. (ASC Department of Political Science) and COIL aspects of this course will be taught in tandem with Munirah Eskander, M.A.

The American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) represents the region’s diverse ethnic and religious landscape as the University continues to be the destination of choice for top students from all over the Kurdistan region, Iraq, and beyond. In 2006, the Board of Trustees of American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) set out to establish an institution dedicated to offering a truly comprehensive liberal arts education, based on the American model, for the benefit of Kurdistan, Iraq, and the wider region.

 The University has grown significantly in the ensuing years and now offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in 23 different programs. These programs, taught in English by international faculty members, are designed to encourage critical thinking and lifelong learning, and have a lasting impact not only on our students’ futures but also on the future of the entire region.

Students are prepared for successful careers in a modern, pluralistic society and in a global environment. The educational programs at AUIS develop strength in critical thinking, the ability to communicate well, a strong work ethic, good citizenship, and personal integrity. A broad-based education rooted in the American liberal arts tradition as well as skills development is achieved at the University through teaching excellence, quality scholarship, and caring student services. More about AUIS: https://auis.edu.krd/


POL 260 The Legal Systems of Brazil and the United States

An overview of these very different legal systems will introduce students to topics such as the difference between common law and civil law systems; the brief, largely procedural constitution of the US vs. the fuller, more substantive Brazilian constitution; the different court structures; the approaches to various fundamental areas of law such as employment law, property, and corporate law; and the legal professions in the US and Brazil.

 The hybrid (in-person and virtual) class format will center on synchronous meetings on Zoom most weeks until mid-November (with time at the end of the semester for projects).  Meeting for about 2 hours, these weekly sessions will be devoted to describing each country’s approach to an aspect of the legal system, with time for students to discuss topics with their counterparts online.  Language of instruction is English.

The course will be led by Professor Viviane Sellos Knoerr, Coordinator of the Graduate Law Programs of Unicuritiba, a private university in Curitiba, Brazil, and Gus Cochran, Professor of Political Science, Agnes Scott College. 


ENG 125 Digital Storytelling

Digital Storytelling is a course about the uses of modern technologies to extend our understanding of narrative forms, and it focuses on the development of media-rich narratives created with selected productivity tools, such as film and audio editing software. The course is project-based, and students produce stories for critique and dissemination via the Internet. In fall 2023, students in the course will partner with students in a course in New Media Technologies at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco to create interview-based short podcast episodes. 

This course will be led by Dr. Toby Emert, Agnes Scott College, and Dr. Bouziane Zaid, professor of communication studies at Al Akhwayn University. Language of instruction is English

Agnes Scott Offers Three New COIL Courses for Spring 2022

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is a rapidly growing learning format that connects U.S. students with peers and faculty around the world. COIL courses exemplify Agnes Scott’s SUMMIT goals for professional success: The courses enable students to build intercultural proficiency, communicative skills, and critical thinking while working on exciting interdisciplinary liberal arts projects in a global context. Thanks to support from the Stevens Initiative, Agnes Scott College has established a connection with Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates and with Al Akhwayn University in Morocco. For Spring 2022, Agnes Scott students can choose from the following lineup of COIL courses co-taught by Agnes Scott College and Zayed University or Al Akhwayn University faculty:

MUS 134: Telling Stories Through Sound and Words (Prof. Qiao Chen Solomon). ASC orchestra students will have the opportunity to engage in collaborative learning with Dr. Chrysavgi Papagianni and her students at Zayed University to explore the music-text relationship by analyzing stories from the past and setting them with appropriate music. One of the guiding questions will be how the musical representation of literature can be seen as a critical interpretation.  “Peter and Wolf” is a masterpiece that exemplifies the power of combining words and sounds in telling a story.  All in all, students will work together across different time zones to share the stories and gain a deeper understanding of how different media such as fiction and music can converge to support each other in the process of telling stories, creating meaning and  engaging in dialogue across cultures and times.  Students who are interested in joining ASC Community Orchestra please contact Professor Qiao Chen Solomon for audition information qsolomon@agnesscott.edu.

FRE 243: French Fashion: Theory and Practice of Haute Couture (Prof. Julia Knowlton).

This course explores the history and origins of haute couture in France (18th century & prior) as well as the contemporary global fashion industry. It offers knowledge and insight into the world-wide, legendary influence of French designers Lanvin, Dior, Chanel, YSL, and others. Basic elements of fashion design and relationships between fashion and politics/war will be included. Students will engage in a critical examination of racism/racial identity and diversity issues in the fashion industry. The partnership with Zayed University will allow students to discuss these issues in an intercultural context and to broaden their understanding of how European/North American fashion concepts relate to Middle Eastern culture. The COIL component will focus on the power of storytelling in the context of international marketing and business.

ART 244/344: Digital Processes (Prof. Nell Ruby)

This COIL course provides students with an opportunity for cross-cultural connections through a team based project between two women’s colleges–one based in the United Arab Emirates, and one in the US. Students on two continents will work together to develop and produce an appropriate visual message to communicate effectively in another country. The project requires communication between students, as well as outreach beyond the classroom and into the UAC community, as project teams in Agnes Scott’s Digital Processes and Zayed University’s Business Communication courses investigate the images as a messaging device in real, emerging UAE companies.

POL/WS 3737: Middle East Politics & Societies (Prof. Mona Tajali)

This course introduces students to the major political and social developments of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) from the end of the Ottoman Empire (post-WWI) until today. With its interdisciplinary approach, this course analyzes key aspects of the postcolonial state, the emergence of civil society, the growth and development of social movements (particularly women’s and minority rights movements), and ongoing popular protest (i.e. the “Arab Spring”). The course includes a COIL element in which students partner with peers and faculty from Morocco’s Al Akhwayn University in a team-based virtual group project for a period in the semester.

Course times and schedules are listed on AscAgnes. All courses are taught in-person, ASC students will collaborate with Zayed U and Al Akhwayn students via synchronous and asynchronous online formats. Students can sign up for these courses through the regular course selection process.

Agnes Scott College’s COIL program is administered by the Center for Global Learning in collaboration with the Center for Digital and Visual Literacy.

U.S. Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2021

On this October 11, 2021, traditionally called “Columbus Day” but also dedicated Indigenous Peoples Day by President Biden, Agnes Scott College’s Center for Global Learning stands in solidarity with native peoples across the globe to urge meaningful actions in support of indigenous communities everywhere.

Calling attention to the myriad of challenges that indigenous peoples face has become more important than ever in the context of climate heating. As tribal attorney and indigeneous leader Tara Houska recently mentioned at Agnes Scott College’s Women’s Global Leadership conference, Building a Better World: Women and Climate Justice, defending the rights of native communities is an urgent act of survival. Houska poignantly summarized what’s at stake:

Indigenous peoples around the globe hold 80% of all earth’s biodiversity, despite being just 5% of all human beings. We are fighting for what remains, everywhere. The earth is a relative, not a resource. My ancestors fought back, or I would not exist. I owe the next generation the same. We all do.

(HouSKA)
Continue reading

Virtual Journeys (Post)Colonial Legacies Featured in “Diversity Abroad”

The Center for Global Learning is excited to share Dr. Philip Ojo’s essay, “‘Connecting Globally while Grounded at Home’: The ASC Experience” (pp. 38-40), which describes his innovative Journeys global immersion during the pandemic in March 2022. Dr. Ojo and the entire faculty team under the guidance of global learning faculty coordinator Dr. Regine Jackson created a powerful and rich series of virtual global immersions that connected students to a wide range of global sites, speakers, and cultural contexts. Congratulations to Dr. Ojo!

International Education Matters

Agnes Scott College’s Center for Global Learning applauds the recent affirmation of the role of international education and the importance of international students. As an institution that has welcomed international students for many years, we know about the transformative presence of students and scholars with different cultural backgrounds. Our global program would not be possible without the perspecives of community members who contribute aspects their life experiences, their worldviews, their languages, and their cultural experiences to shape the educational fabric of Agnes Scott College. The recent story about Aluel Deng Arou’s outlook on climate change and climate justice is a case in point: Alue’s experience is a crucial element of Agnes Scott’s upcoming conference Building a Better World: Women and Climate Justice.

Over the past year, the COVID pandemic has created significant challenges and barriers for international learning. Agnes Scott’s international community demonstrated resilience and endurance as students and faculty engaged with the situation and we are stronger for it. We look forward to a better year filled with new global opportunities and insights.

Read the full text of the statement here and watch Secretary Blinken’s opening remarks:

ASC Hosts Global Climate Justice Conference

The SUMMIT Center for Global Learning is excited about the upcoming Second Annual Women’s Global Leadership Conference (Sep 23-25, 2021), dedicated to Building a Better World: Women and Climate Justice. Sustainability, climate change, and climate justice are core elements of the SUMMIT global learning and leadership curriculum. The conference will serve as a forum to bring together activists, political leaders, and private sector representatives to discuss solutions to the climate crisis and emphasize the contributions that liberal arts learning can make for a more just world.

ASC students participate for free, follow the evolving program here and check out some of the exciting keynote speakers already confirmed:

Congratulations Global Scotties

International students form a core part of Agnes Scott’s global learning focus. They contribute their intercultural perspectives, their language expertise, and they model many different ways of global citizenship. At the Center for Global Learning we are grateful for the many wonderful moments with our international students and we would like to congratulate the following global Scotties:

Sofia Aladas – Graduated with a BA in Political Science and Economics

Hannah Brendell – Graduated with a BA in International Relations

Nicemode Charles – Graduated with a BA in Biochemistry and Economics

Hajar Harda – Graduated with a BA in Psychology 

Princesse Karemera – Graduated with a BA in Economics . 

Displaying AirBrush_20210427232015.jpg
Mihika Rao – Graduated with a BA in Astrophysics and Economics and was accepted with a full scholarship to the PhD program at the University of Virginia starting fall 2021. 

Ting Xue – Graduated with a BA in Physics

Weiyi Zhou – Graduated with a BA in Biology and minor in Chemistry and was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania.

We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Please be in touch and let us celebrate your milestones with you!

Journeys Through My Eyes – Marine Ecosystems

We are excited to continue sharing our students’ perspectives on their Global Journeys this year. Today, we will be sharing Katherine’s perspectives on Journeys 2021 #JourneysMarineEcosystems21

Katherine Blank ’23 shares her reflection on and her photos from her Journeys experience as a Schmidt Global Student Leader.

“It was a very interesting experience seeing the cultural differences in Belize and how they are trying to protect their environment for the future.”

Thank you for sharing your perspective and also for helping to lead this section of Journeys, Katherine!

For Journeys 21 Marine Ecosystems, we had the pleasure to work with Learn From Travel! Learn more about Learn From Travel on their website, linked here – Learn From Travel

Journeys Through My Eyes – Astronomy and Discovery

We are excited to continue sharing our students’ perspectives on their Global Journeys this year. Today, we will be sharing Bria’s perspectives on Journeys 2021 #JourneysAstronomy&Discovery21

Bria King ’24 shares her reflection on and her photos from her Journeys experience.

“I really enjoyed the cultural and nature aspects of Journeys, specifically our Bomba dance workshop, Mofongo cooking workshop, and our meeting with the astronomy society from University of Central Florida! The business meetings were a bit tedious, but they were informative!”

Thank you so much for your reflection and photos, Bria!

For Journeys Astronomy & Discovery, we had the pleasure to work with Learn from Travel and Spanish Studies Abroad. Please find more information about Learn from Travel and Spanish Studies Abroad on their respective websites, linked here – Learn From Travel, Spanish Studies Abroad

« Older posts

© 2024

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑

css.php