This April, CU Instructor Nicholas Villanueva took 10 students to Santiago and Valparaiso, Chile, on a Global Intensive studying Nationhood, Nationalism & Sport. Villanueva, from the Department of Ethnic Studies, focuses on intersectionality and comparative ethnic studies. His edited volume Nationhood, Sport—A Global Perspective will be published this fall.
If you go
Who: Faculty
What: Global Intensive workshop
When: Wednesday, Sept. 26, noon or 1 p.m.
Where: Center for Community, Room N215
Steps to develop a Global Intensive
1. Identify the on-campus course that will include the Global Intensive component.
2. Work with department/college to obtain approval.
3. Meet with Education Abroad to discuss next steps.
Global Intensives, short-term international programs embedded into a course taught on the CU Boulder campus, are a unique opportunity for faculty to bring their course material to life for their students and offers an extraordinary opportunity for students to learn in a real-life context while still getting a first-class CU education.
Villanueva’s class spent the spring term examining nationalism and sport on the Boulder campus. Students learned how public opinion could lionize or demonize athletes and examined social issues revealed through sport, including political expression, LGBT participation in athletics, racism and discrimination, ableism and gender inequity.
The class then traveled to Chile over spring break to see what they were learning in action. Students attended sporting events while learning first-hand about the sports that have helped define and shape Chilean identity throughout its history, such as rodeo and soccer.
“The personal growth that occurs when a student breaks out of their comfort zone and is faced with the challenge of studying a course in a foreign place is remarkable,” said Villanueva. “The experience also demonstrates to future employers that they have international experience. Students can expand their worldview and change previously held beliefs about the people and culture of a foreign place."
Other successful spring 2018 Global Intensives included Energy Systems in the Built Environment, Made in Germany and Cervantes in Spain.
If you are interested in creating your own Global Intensive course, attend one of two faculty workshops on Wednesday, Sept. 26, held at either noon or 1 p.m. in C4C N215. For further information, contact Steven Rose at steven.rose@colorado.edu in Education Abroad.
