Intercultural requirement

Intercultural thread of the Goshen Core

One of the five core values at the foundation of Goshen College is global citizenship, so intercultural study is an important component of the Goshen Core. There are four ways to meet the intercultural study requirement, listed below.

Four intercultural study paths

1. International Study-Service Term (SST): 13 credits

Immerses groups of students in a significantly different culture for a semester, with a faculty leader. Includes study of language and culture, a service learning placement, and homestays with host families. Prerequisite is language competence equivalent to two semesters of college-level study.

2. Domestic Study-Service Term (Latino Studies Program): 13 credits

May be spread over one, two, three or four semesters. Includes a relationship with a host family, but not homestays. Prerequisite is Spanish competence equivalent to two semesters of college-level study.

• Span 103/203, Spanish language study: 4 credits
• INTL 230, Intercultural Service Learning: 3 credits
• INTL 253, History & Culture of Latinos in the U.S.: 3 credits
• INTL 257, Arts & Literature of Latinos in the U.S.: 3 credits

3. Modified requirement for Nursing students: 9-10 credits

• Spanish language course, at individual student’s level: 3-4 credits
• INTL 253 and INTL 257 (above): 6 credits
• Clinical placement in a Latino setting for NURS 408, Community Health Nursing

4. Intercultural study for international (F-1) students: 10 credits

• Comm 206, Communication Across Cultures: 3 credits
• INTC 253, U.S. History & Culture: 4 credits
• INTC 255, U.S. Arts & Literature: 3 credits

CORE 300, Global Issues Seminar

After intercultural study is completed, all students take this 3 credit course to process their experience.

Credit hours and evaluation for international SST

  • Foreign language: 4 credits
  • Intercultural communication: 3 credits
  • History and Culture of [country]: 3 credits
  • Arts and Literature of [country]: 2 credits
  • The Natural World of [country]: 1 credit

Domestic SST Latino Studies option:

This program is designed to give you the flexibility you need with your schedule while staying close to campus. You can take two classes plus connect with a local family in a fall semester, and then take two classes and serve in a local Latino organization in a spring semester. Learn more about the program.

Prerequisite: Span 101, 102 (or competency by exam)

Credit Hours and Evaluation for Domestic SST

  • SPAN 103/203, Spanish language: 4 credits
  • INTL 230, Intercultural Service Learning: 3 credits
  • INTL 253, History & Culture of Latinos in the U.S.: 3 credits
  • INTL 257, Arts & Literature of Latinos in the U.S.: 3 credits

Students will receive a letter grade for each program component.

Prerequisites for SST

Students are responsible for completing these essential prerequisites prior to SST. The director of international education must approve any exceptions

  1. Students participating in French, Arabic, American Sign Language or Spanish units need to establish 102-level competency (by course or on-campus test) in the language of the country.
  2. Students participating in any other foreign language unit will complete one elementary course in that language, offered on campus especially for that SST group prior to departure, and either 101-level competency in a third language, a course selected from a third language, or one course from the following list. Whenever possible, students should elect a course from the specific region of their SST unit.

Alternative language prerequisite courses

  • Bus 350, International Business
  • Comm 206, Communication Across Cultures
  • Econ 306, International Economics
  • Econ 308, Introduction to Economic Development
  • Engl 201, World Literature
  • Engl 310, Introduction to Linguistics
  • Hist 240, History of Global Poverty
  • Hist 340, Religious History of Africa
  • Hist/WoSt 330, Gender in World History
  • Hist 335, History of Ethnic Conflict
  • Hist 350, African History
  • PoSc 308, International Politics
  • Phil 307, Asian Thought
  • Rel 220, World Religions
  • Rel 317, Islam
  • Soc 230, Cultural Anthropology
  • Soc 334, Race, Class and Ethnic Relations
  • Soc 340, African Societies and Cultures

United States culture studies for international students

International students will complete 10 credit hours studying U.S. culture, including a connection with a local family, arranged through the U.S. History and Culture course taken in the fall semester.

Credit hours and evaluation

  • Comm 206, Communication Across Cultures: 3 credits
  • INTC 253, U.S. History & Culture: 4 credits
  • INTC 255, U.S. Arts & Literature: 3 credits

Students will receive a letter grade for each program component.

Other study abroad options with Goshen College

During the May term or summer, Goshen College may offer special courses abroad. Locations vary, but recent courses have operated in England, Spain, Morocco, Greece, Italy, and Mexico. Credits may be earned in several areas, among them art, business, history, language, literature, music, theater, religion and peace studies. Some credits may apply toward the international studies minor.

Study abroad with other international programs

Study abroad is available at colleges or universities in many different countries. Special application must be made on forms available from the international education office. Goshen College students have access to approved study-abroad programs through affiliation with the following organizations:

Goshen College students in these affiliated programs will be registered as students at Goshen College in absentia. Credit may count for international education requirements only with the approval of the director of international education. Approval for credit equivalency does not mean that Goshen College financial aid will apply, but sources of financial aid outside of Goshen College are available.

Financial aid policies

For the list of affiliated international study programs in the previous paragraph, sources of student financial aid and scholarships are limited to funding outside of Goshen College such as Pell Grants, state grants, outside scholarships, church aid and Guaranteed Student Loans.

Only when the international program is required by the student’s major and there is no alternative available on campus may Goshen College scholarships and financial aid be used. An application must be submitted and the major must be declared by spring advising days prior to the year of off-campus study. Contact the director of student financial aid for more information.

Programs which are not on the approved list above may be eligible for credit transfer, but students who choose to enroll in programs that have no affiliation with Goshen College cannot apply for any sort of financial aid through Goshen College.

Intercultural and international studies course descriptions

INTC 253 U.S. History and Culture (3 credits)
A broad overview of U.S. history and cultural values. Each week the class will explore a theme from several angles: historical source(s), current events and cultural expression. A central piece of the course will be topically-directed conversations each student will have with her or his friendship family.

INTC 255 U.S. Arts and Literature (3 credits)
Explores music, art and literature with special attention to works that represent key issues and perspectives on the American experience. Students will be exposed to a variety of artistic and literary expressions that sometimes point to a common value or assumption but may also represent conflicting voices in the United States.

INTL 230 Intercultural Service Learning (3 credits)
A field assignment in an intercultural setting through an approved agency or placement site. Arranged by the student with the international education director or Latino Studies SST director.

INTL 253 History and Culture of Latinos in the U.S. (3 credits)
An overview of past and contemporary experiences of different U.S. Latino subgroups, with an emphasis on the experience of Latinos in the Midwest and Northern Indiana. Exploration of topics such as Latino culture, history, politics, economics, and other social issues through classroom teaching, interaction with members of the Latino community, and field trips to Latino communities.

INTL 257 Arts and Literature of Latinos in the U.S (3 credits)
Issues of identity and social justice in contemporary U.S. Latino/a Literature and Arts. Examines how writers and artists express and enact what it means to be an American and a Latino in our contemporary culture. Students will explore the historical context of Latino art and literature as well as the influence of Latino traditions, experiences, and immigration stories.