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.
