Introduction to Intercultural Studies: Crossing Borders (FutureLearn)

Offered by University of Leeds,
Introduction to Intercultural Studies: Crossing Borders (FutureLearn)

Take a closer look at geographical and cultural borders and understand their effects on people who occupy them or cross them. When thinking of borders, images of division often come to mind. This introductory course will help you learn how borders can both divide and connect territories or people.

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You’ll encounter and discuss a range of different borders and employ theories to analyse and explain the functions and effects of different borders on space, and individuals who occupy them and cross them. You’ll explore different circumstances of crossing borders focusing on motivations such as travel or immigration and understand the effects of the invisible borders we all cross everyday.

Syllabus

Week 1: Borders
Week 2: Crossing borders

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Compare and contrast national and cultural borders.
  • Explore the extent to which borders differ and are the same.
  • Investigate the reasons for crossing borders and contrast experiences.
  • Describe how a range of cues enable us to recognise that we have crossed less formal borders.
  • Evaluate how borders both include and exclude people but can also serve as ways of bringing cultures together.
  • Compare the experiences of people crossing borders.

Who is the course for?
The course is for anyone with an interest in the way in which borders shape and influence how we view each other, you don’t need any previous experience.
This course is also ideal if you are preparing to move to a different country for work or study or you work with groups of people from different cultures to yours. By completing all aspects of the course you will have achieved 14 hours of CPD time.

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