About the Global Classroom
Course description: The Global Classroom will simultaneously engage students on four continents (the United States, Brazil, South Africa, and France) through state-of-the-art videoconferencing and online resources. The goal is to enhance learning and understanding between cultures.
University partners:
- University of Akron, Akron, U.S.A.
- Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado (FAAP), Sao Paulo, Brazil
- University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Le Mans Université, Le Mans, France
Class schedule: Jan. 30, 2018, with weekly classes that run through May. In consideration of time zones, the class will be held at 9 a.m. EST, meeting once per week for 2 ½ to 3 hours
How it will work: The Global Classroom will utilize real-time interactions. Faculty and students, regardless of location, will be able to interact and openly exchange information and ideas.
Each university will lead three classes throughout the semester on a rotating basis. Each class will begin with the lead university students presenting a review of the current events in their country/continent. The use of social media platforms such as YouTube is encouraged. The other universities will present a shorter outline of current events in their country/continent. The lead university professor will preside over a discussion regarding the week’s current events.
The lead university also will provide a guest speaker from politics, government, academia or journalism. The guest speaker will be interviewed by the lead professor or a student, in lieu of addressing the class with a prepared speech. The interviews will be on the guest’s topic of expertise.
Each university will upload newspaper and magazine articles, commentary, and/or videos regarding politics/democracy to The Global Classroom website. There is no textbook.
Who can take the class: U.A. and FAAP will admit undergraduates, graduates or continuing education students. Pretoria and Le Mans will open it to graduate students only. All universities will be awarding three credits for completion of the course. Each university will decide course requirements, such as tests, presentations, and papers.
Website:http://www.uakron.edu/bliss/global-classroom
Hashtag: #UAGlobalClass