Intercultural in the Local Context 2025 More than ever before, people are crossing national borders and encountering diversity in their natal homelands. Here in Harrisonburg, new immigrants and old Virginia families interact daily in the course of work, school, and community events. In this intercultural seminar, students explore several communities who have made their homes in the Harrisonburg area: African Americans, Mennonites/Brethren, and recent immigrant groups from Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. We listen attentively to their stories, sample their food, dance traditional dances, and consider their contributions to the mainstream. We reflect on our assumptions about ourselves and each other, and practice the interpersonal skills that make meaningful and peaceful interactions more possible. Classwork, reading, writing, and a significant experiential component all serve the following goals: • Experience various cultures represented in the local population • Develop skills for engagement across differences • Critically evaluate similarities and differences in worldviews and experiences • Reflectively update our intentions for how we will live, given our particular history, current location, and desired legacy A light meal is provided any time we are in class over meal time and often a field trip with input from local community members is part of the class. Appropriate dress and respectful interactions are expected for community visits. There is a course fee of $250 in addition to summer tuition. If you do not plan to register for this course this year, please contact intercultural@emu.edu with your updated plans. There are a limited number of seats for the course, and those closest to graduation will have priority. Faculty: Debbi DiGennaro, MSW 2025 Class Dates: M/W/F - May 7-30, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. NO CLASS on Monday, May 26, Memorial Day
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