Learning about a culture from a textbook can give us a glimpse into a different world. However, talking to someone from a different culture will provide us with a more detailed view of their culture and a deeper understanding of our own.
Inquiry Into Self and Culture is a unique class at Northern Arizona University that does just that, by pairing students with international classmates to learn more about cultural differences and similarities. Samantha Clifford, assistant teaching professor of anthropology, started teaching the class in 2011 and had to pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This spring semester, she is again embarking on a journey to teach in a classroom without borders.
“We work closely with the Center for International Education to recruit international students who are interested in getting to know American students,” Clifford said. “We have half international students and half United States students who want to learn about different cultures and anthropology and who are looking to develop friendships and connections.”
The class meets once a week on Wednesdays in the evenings and is highly interactive. Students meet outside of class to complete assignments together and then write their own reflections. Some of the assignments and activities include interviewing family members about different cultural interactions.
“Students meet family members of their class partners through a video chat,” Clifford said. “They learn the cultural expectations of meeting family members and how to introduce themselves. This also sparks a conversation about similarities and differences in cultural etiquette. Students get to broaden their perspective on practices in our society, and it really helps them reflect and understand them. It is a nice way to bounce things off and reflect on your own culture by learning from the other students.”
Another assignment includes getting a news article from their hometown to discuss what prevalent news is not shared in other cultures and to look at contemporary issues that help students learn more about different places.
“I like to have at least two or three students from the same country to have a broader group discussion,” Clifford said. “Everyone has different experiences and backgrounds, so you might have three students from South Korea, and they all are going to have different experiences in their own culture. If you grew up in a city versus in a rural area, your experience is going to be different. One student does not represent an entire culture.”
Before going on hiatus from COVID, Clifford had students do a follow-up survey about the class. Almost 90% of her students said they learned something in class that could be used in their personal lives and skills that prepared them for their future careers.
“I have presented at a couple of different conferences based on the results of the class,” Clifford said. “The research for the class is looking at how instructors can leverage pedagogy and curriculum to really foster deep and meaningful relationships because we examine enculturation, values, beliefs and morals, which are very culturally bound. It’s a unique opportunity to speak to someone from outside your culture about academic topics, but it also has the benefit of helping students reframe both what they observe and what they learn through conversations to better examine and understand one’s own culture.”
Clifford said students often are surprised when they learn more about their own culture in the class. While discussing practices that some might consider foreign, they learn about how others might perceive their cultural practices.
“I think the most important thing students learn is to suspend their judgment and assumptions when they encounter new information,” Clifford said. “We talk about that a lot, just being able to step back and reflect on different topics. Why am I reacting this way or assuming this thing? What is it in my culture that makes me think these things about this other person? I think that’s a really helpful lifelong learning skill if you’re trying to work with people who are different than you.”
Inquiry into Self and Culture is a general studies class that fulfills Social and Political Worlds credit requirements. Students interested in enrolling can email Clifford for information.
Mariana Laas | NAU Communications
(928) 523-5050 | mariana.laas@nau.edu