Posts on this page are meant to be informative and display learning experiences for the Communication and Global Competence in Barcelona Program offered by Towson University.
This study abroad course focuses on Communication and Global Competence. This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to explore the relationship between communication and culture, as they learn to negotiate a new cultural environment and begin to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for global competence. More specifically, the course will introduce global competence as a vital construct in an increasingly globalized environment, explore ways in which one’s own cultural identity is shaped in communication with others, provide the opportunity to engage with the host culture, and prepare students to develop as informed, effective and ethical communicators in an intercultural context. The course will combine a classroom learning environment (lectures, discussions, exercises, reflection) and outside the classroom (field experiences, cultural encounters).
This course is open to all majors, but it must be taken for credit. Also, attendance at all classroom meetings and field excursions is mandatory, as well as the timely completion of all assignments as described in this syllabus.
Learning Objectives: This course is designed to understand the role culture plays in effective communication strategies to: (1) assess students’ global knowledge and skills; (2) facilitate the acquisition of global competence perspectives; (3) engage students in activities with host culture to begin acquisition of global competence; (4) identify contexts where intercultural communication skills are important for success; and (5) apply knowledge to several personal and professional settings.
Host City: The program is based in Barcelona Spain, which has been described as “one of the liveliest, most unusual, most innovative, artistic, vibrant cities but still with a heart that hasn't changed for 500 years,” located at the center of a cosmopolitan area with around 4.5 million people. As the capital of the Catalan region, Barcelona residents are extremely proud of their distinct Catalan cultural identity, including its language, architecture, art, food, and history, all of which are evident when exploring this aesthetically rich and vibrant city.
This is a study abroad program offered by Towson University. Barcelona, known for its rich and vibrant Catalan cultural identity, provides an ideal learning environment for understanding the relationship between communication, culture and identity, as well as developing skills necessary to attain competency in today's globalized world. Participants will take part in class lectures, discussions and exercises, learn from guest speakers, and participate in field excursions. Program highlights include visits to Barcelona's art museums, walking architectural tours, live theatre, and a Barcelona soccer match at Camp Nou.
