Global Cultures

Program Overview

Gannon University's Global Cultures program equips students with critical knowledge and skills for success in a globalized world. Through interdisciplinary courses, experiential learning opportunities, and expert faculty, students develop linguistic and cultural competencies, intercultural communication abilities, and leadership skills essential for careers in business, politics, and other fields. The program emphasizes real-world experience, including internships and study abroad, to prepare students for success in graduate school and future professions.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Gannon University's Global Cultures program plays a central role in the university's mission to prepare globally responsible citizens. The program offers a comprehensive educational experience that equips students with critical knowledge about global history, politics, cultural practices, intercultural communication, and more. It aims to develop students' career skills essential for success in both global and domestic job markets, enhance their linguistic and cultural competencies, and foster their leadership abilities in a globalized world.

Objectives:

• Develop career skills: Students will gain skills essential for success in global and domestic job markets.
• Gain linguistic and cultural competencies: Students will build expertise in languages and cultural understanding.
• Learn from experts: Students will be taught by faculty who are experts in indigenous histories, culture, translation, film, women's studies, and more.
• Become globally informed: Students will become globally and culturally informed citizens through coursework and experiential learning opportunities.
• Develop intercultural and multilingual competencies: Students will gain skills crucial for navigating today's increasingly globalized marketplace.
• Gain valuable leadership experience: Students can participate in programs like the United Nations Practicum or Model U.N., one of the oldest programs in the country.
• Travel to diverse locations: Students have opportunities to travel to locations across the globe through study abroad, Alternative Spring Break Trips, Gift Courses, and T.R.A.V.E.L.
programs.
• Engage in on-campus activities: Students can participate in International Education Week, International Night, School of Public Service and Global Affairs speaker and events series, globally focused clubs and organizations, and more.
• Learn French from a Fulbright Scholar: Students have the opportunity to learn French from a Fulbright Scholar.
• Achieve success in graduate school or a future profession: Students will gain a high-quality education that enables success in the rigors of graduate school or a future profession.
• Secure real-world experiences: Students can gain real-world experience through internships in government, business, media, and nonprofit organizations.
• Continue their education: Students can continue their education through graduate programs after completing the undergraduate requirements.
• Earn a meaningful career: Students can pursue careers in business, politics, nonprofit, public policy, communications, foreign service, tourism, travel, and more.

Assessment:

• Students will demonstrate Intermediate Mid to High level of proficiency in at least one target language (as defined by ACTFL, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Proficiency Guidelines).
• Students will identify the cultural context in which literary and non-literary texts (films, pop-culture, folk, and other art etc.)
were produced.
• Students will critically evaluate literary and non-literary products of the target culture.
• Students will apply sound research methodology and compose information with accuracy and clarity.
• Students will synthesize their traditional classroom work with a meaningful experiential learning experience.

Teaching:

• Interdisciplinary courses: The program features interdisciplinary courses that strategically connect language and cultural skills with in-demand career options in business, public service, communications, and more.
• Experiential learning opportunities: Students can engage in experiential learning opportunities, including study abroad, Alternative Spring Break Trips, Gift Courses, and T.R.A.V.E.L.
programs, to gain valuable real-world experience.
• Faculty experts: Students benefit from instruction by faculty experts in various fields, including indigenous histories, culture, translation, film, women's studies, and more.
• Personalized experience: Gannon offers a low student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, allowing for a personalized learning experience.
• Hands-on learning: Students engage in hands-on learning through real-world courses, projects, and valuable internship experiences.
• Fulbright Scholar: Students can learn French from a Fulbright Scholar.

Careers:

• Potential career paths: Business, politics, nonprofit, public policy, communications, foreign service, tourism, travel, and more.

Other:

• The Global Cultures program is mentioned as one of the oldest programs in the country in relation to the United Nations Practicum or Model U.N.
• The program is highlighted as a key part of Gannon University's mission to prepare globally responsible citizens.
• The program emphasizes the increasingly diverse, international, and interdependent nature of the world.
• The program is described as flexible and can be easily combined with other majors or minors.
• The program is mentioned as having personable and interesting faculty members who are committed to student success.