Wittenberg Magazine Online

In a continuing effort to infuse global learning into the curriculum, a number of faculty groups recently traveled overseas on grant-sponsored trips to study social dynamics, observe educational systems and deepen cross-cultural perspectives.
Using funding from the $1.9 million Freeman Foundation grant awarded to the university’s premier East Asian Studies (EAS) program in 2002, Stephen Smith, professor of sociology and anthropology, and James Huffman,
H. Orth Professor of History, recently traveled to Mongolia to learn about study-abroad options for Wittenberg students and to immerse themselves in Mongolian culture in the hopes of enhancing current course offerings.

Since 2002, 45 faculty members have traveled to East Asia on Freeman Foundation-sponsored grants, the result of which has been the creation of unique courses designed to provide an encounter with East Asia as part of students’ undergraduate educational experience.

For Smith and Huffman, the trip allowed them to understand Mongolia and the role of the Silk Road in its history for a new team-taught course on the historic series of trade routes connecting major civilizations with China since antiquity. Huffman also plans to incorporate the region into his history class on East Asia and the West.

In addition, the two visited the School for International Study (SIT), which offers the only study abroad program in Mongolia.

“The program has high academic standards but also a great emphasis on experiential learning,” Smith said. “I will recommend that Wittenberg encourage students to consider the SIT Mongolia program for study abroad. ”

At the same time, Cliff Brown, professor of psychology, Jo Wilson, Paul Luther Keil Professor of Psychology, and Mary Jo Zembar, associate professor of psychology, were awarded Freeman grants for travel to Japan to learn more about the country’s educational system as well as the cultural differences between the United States and Japan with respect to child-rearing practices, social perception, body image and eating disorders for a new WittSem course. The group also examined cultural differences in social cognition, interpersonal interactions and gender roles.

In addition, the psychology professors reunited with former students who served as guides during their 11-day stay. Mike Hasegawa ’89 and Asuka Fuwa ’03 traveled with the group in Tokyo, while current students Motoko Hanatani ’05 and Yoko Ogawa ’05 accompanied the three in Kyoto and Osaka, respectively.

These Freeman-sponsored trips follow additional faculty-driven trips earlier this summer to the South African Kingdom of Lesotho, a Thrivent Financial for Lutherans-sponsored service trip with 26 students led by Scott Rosenberg, associate professor of history, and another one to Paris, led by Amy Livingstone, associate professor of history and department chair, and Leanne Wierenga, associate professor of languages. Thirteen students and one alumna traveled to France as part of a new month-long summer study program designed to immerse participants in French culture, history and language.

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