Students taking SPAN 210N, IT 210N, or PORT 210N during the spring 2024 semester will be exposed to the fundamental components of the intersection of language and culture through humanities and social science. The purpose of the course is to teach the underlying mechanisms of multilingualism through language science principles and develop an understanding of intercultural communication through humanistic approaches.
The content of the course focuses on linguistic strategies for succeeding in multilingual environments (e.g. dialect variation, second language acquisition strategies) as well as intercultural communication practices for navigating new environments (e.g. understanding cultural norms, skills for global leadership). Students will learn how language and culture inform each other through the examination of cultures within the United States and internationally, including non-Western cultures. This course is taught in English, has no prerequisites, is open to all majors and semester classifications, and counts toward B.A., interdomain, GH, GS, IL, US, and Other Cultures requirements.
All travel participants will enroll in an additional .25-credit embedded travel course over the summer, LANG 297. The trip will take us to the beautiful city of Prato, Italy in the Tuscany region, where we will immerse ourselves in its diverse cultures. We will take day trips to Florence, Bologna, and other cities to explore historic and cultural sites.
Program Dates: May 4–18, 2024
Students must be enrolled in SPAN/IT/PORT 210N for the spring 2024 semester to be eligible to participate in the 0.25-credit summer embedded course, LANG 297.
If you are not taking a full-time credit load in the summer semester, the 0.25-credit summer course will be an additional cost of tuition at a flat rate of $200.
Students should also review their academic term plans to determine any financial implications, especially if you plan to take over the maximum 19 credits in a semester. Students can anticipate actual charges using the University’s updated Tuition Calculator.
Lauren Halberstadt (lyp5028@psu.edu)
- Program Fee: TBD
- Airfare: Students purchase their own roundtrip airfare with guidance from the faculty leader.
- In-Country Costs: Please consult with your faculty leader about the amount of money to bring to cover the costs of meals and any additional spending money.
NOTE: The embedded program fee will be billed to participants’ Penn State Office of the Bursar accounts in late April, and the payment is due Wednesday, May 22, 2024. This is after the trip dates. Participants will be charged the LANG 297 $200 flat fee at the same time.
The embedded program fee includes: accommodations; some group meals; transportation to/from the airports in Europe; transportation and fees related to program activities; 24-hour emergency and administrative support
The embedded program fee does NOT include: course tuition; airfare; domestic transportation to/from the airport; most meals; spending money (souvenirs, gifts, etc.)
To officially commit to the program, thoroughly read and submit the Official Financial Commitment Form by Thursday, February 1, 2024.
This form will be shared later in the fall 2023 semester. Students must fill out this form in order to be registered for LANG 297. Interested students with questions may email Lauren Halberstadt.
There are several official avenues for embedded program funding within the University. The primary ways are through the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network and Penn State Global, but students can also explore funding opportunities through their academic department, the Student Engagement Network, or Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring.
Get career ready!
Embedded programs help students to gain key skills that employers are most looking for in college graduates, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Below are 1–2 major competencies students can start to develop by participating in this program.
Communication
Incorporate elements of your language learning into a real-world applied environment while absorbing different linguistic strategies to navigate multicultural situations.
Equity and Inclusion
Understand the linguistic aspects of multiculturalism and learn how to utilize your global perspectives/interactions for use in America’s multilingual society.
Want to hear more? Meet with a Liberal Arts career coach in the Career Enrichment Network to discuss your experience and identify even more ways that this program can enhance your personal and professional development!
