Global Pathways Certificate Requirements

"My exposure to different cultures and global institutions at FSU has been instrumental in understanding of the world. FSU has helped me to build a global bridge of knowledge. This bridge is composed of countless memorable events that have lead me to where I am today, an aware student of global human rights."
Johnathon Marvel,
Global Pathways Certificate in Human Rights,
Political Science & Religion Major

Choose a Global Pathways Certificate Theme that will tie together your coursework, experiences, and activities into an emphasis area. The Synthesis Project will then integrate your global interests with the set of objectives for the certificate and the development of cross-cultural skills and competencies.

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The 4 courses you choose for the certificate should enable you to:

• Describe how cultures are both related and diverse.
• Demonstrate how our contemporary world is made up of a diversity of cultures and experiences.
• Demonstrate how world geography, impending changes in the global climate, social and economic conditions, political and religious differences, and events affect the rest of the world.
• Interpret the complexity and interdependency of world issues, events and the historical forces that have shaped our current world.

Course content must meet the criteria of:
1) Addressing contemporary issues (at least 20th century)
2) Involving a language, culture or religion different from your own AND
3) Being concerned with issues that cross national borders or international regions.

Your courses should support exploration of your theme.

You must complete 4 three-credit courses (12 hours). Special topics, Directed Individual Study (DIS) and other courses not listed in the General Bulletin need to be approved by the Global Pathways Coordinator before you take the course. Check with the relevant departments each semester for new courses.

View Courses Previously Approved for the Certificate and search for courses that meet your own interests at The Florida State University Course Lookup.

Knowing another language will allow you to communicate effectively and appropriately in cross-cultural situations. Choose A or B:

A.  If your native language is English you may satisfy this requirement by completing the language requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree (proficiency equal to or beyond the 2000-level in one modern language).

B.   If your native language is not English and you are enrolled as an  international student at The Florida State University you will have met the requirement.

It is preferable that your language study reflect your sustained experience.

Check the Graduate Requirements for specific language requirements for graduate students.

This sustained experience will make it possible for you to:

• Adjust behavior and/or language in cross-cultural situations.
• Collaborate effectively with people from cultures different from your own.

You have the option of meeting this requirement by participating in one of the following university sponsored or approved programs:

A.  An international experience such as such as study abroad, cultural exchange, international internship, international service learning, international research project, or a nationally recognized organization's international study or volunteer experience for at least 1 week.

B.  A sustained cross-cultural experience in the U.S. (minimum 75 hours total, maximum 2 experiences). We can assist in finding these experiences on campus in our limited number of placements each semester. Sign up early for the best options and expect to wait a semester or 2 for a placement.

This experience should reflect your theme area. Experiences which occurred after you enrolled as a degree-seeking university student and within two years of application can be used to meet this requirement if they are the one of Options for the International/Cross-Cultural Experience

Additional experiences may also be eligible, but do need to be approved in advance of participation.

These 8 shorter events and activities will allow you to:

• Demonstrate attitudes of respect, openness, curiosity and discovery towards a culture different from your own.
• Apply self-understanding of how your cultural history shapes your interactions with those of other cultures.

You will participate in at least 2 activities related to cross-cultural events in each of the following 4 categories. They do not need to reflect the theme area but will expand your cross-cultural competence. An Events & Activities Reflection (available to registered applicants in the Blackboard site) should be submitted within 7 days of the event.

• Social/Cultural: Did you meet someone or see something from a culture other than your own?
• Educational: Did you learn something about a culture other than your own?
• Experiential: Did you experience a culture other than your own?
• Service: Did you perform community service alongside a cultural community apart from your own tradition?

Available activities are at the Upcoming Events link above. Click on the four catagories to see past examples.

"After the completion of my Global Pathways project,
I understand the responsibility, the pleasure, and the awareness that comes attached to being a global citizen."
Sara Wander,
Global Pathways Certificate in Environmental Sustainability,
Environmental Studies and Anthropology Major

 

This synthesis project will give you the chance to:

• Discuss world geography, impending changes in the global climate, social and economic conditions, political differences, and events affecting the rest of the world through exploration within your theme.
• Reflect on how you collaborated effectively with people from cultures different from your own.
• Recognize that your own world view is not universal.
• Interpret the complexity and interdependency of world issues.
• Reflect on the certificate experience to gain greater meaning from it
• Develop a product that demonstrates your global experience and competence.

Your synthesis project may be supplemented by a video and/or by a slide presentation made during a university-sponsored event.

The synthesis project topic must be approved by the Global Pathways Coordinator in the semester prior to its development.