IDIS 194 - American Ways

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FA, SP. This course is designed to help new international students better understand their own cultural values, how they differ from those of the Americans they encounter at Calvin, and how to navigate the differences. Each student partners with an American or Canadian student for a weekly conversation and activity. Examples of topics explored in class and with their partner are individualism, communication styles, power distance, friendship, families, different customs, and cultural adjustment. Students also do a short reading and send in weekly journal reports. The class meets for ten weeks and satisfies the cross-cultural engagement requirement.