University College

This course will be linked with four universities located in the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The course will provide students with multiple perspectives on these cultures and with the opportunity to experience direct interaction with their peers at sister institutions. This comparative study and engagement will allow students to move from an undifferentiated concept of the other to a sophisticated understanding of the many, many others who are different from them. The course is divided into modules, with each centering on a different country. Within those modules, ASU students will engage with students in other countries on topics that fall into four broadly-defined areas: college life and education, family life and cultural traditions, stereotypes and prejudices, and religion and the meaning of life. The course is designed so that topics become progressively more challenging inter-culturally as students gain familiarity with each other and with the PRC, ROC, Thailand, and the U.S. Our readings and course materials will be drawn from carefully selected readings in the umbrella field of communication across the cultural divide, and from our own fields of study. The pedagogical practices and assignments for the course will place an emphasis on engagement with ideas and people, individual and group reflection and opportunities for creative synthesis. Course is linked with partner universities in Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, and China.  NOTE: This course is offered as a hybrid with 50% required face-to-face meeting times and 50% required meeting times via Zoom as stated.  Instructor will provide details to enrolled students.