Course Spotlights

• SLC 125
• Gold GCSI
• Session C
• Immersion

How do we actively participate in a globalized world? This course introduces students to the idea of global citizenship, defined as consciousness of the interconnectedness of all forms of life on this planet. Just as humans are connected across earth through technology, social media, travel, politics and commerce, so too viruses and climate change are not restricted by national borders. Aims to develop global literacy that enables students to recognize, engage with and participate in developments that occur at a global scale, such as migration and climate change.

• SLC 294
• Gold HUAD
• Session B
• Immersion, Hybrid

This course explores the representation and self-representation of persons with disabilities in cultures across the planet, as expressed in a wide range of media. Students will engage with autobiographies, fiction and visual materials that communicate views/ideas/thoughts of persons with disabilities about their lives in ableist societies. Students will also explore materials that are made about persons with disabilities. In addition, the course will discuss these cultural representations with regard to legal frameworks and material resources, exploring questions of implementation, practices, and institutions in countries such as the United States, Kenya, India and South Africa, among others. Students will become familiar with key concepts from the field of disability studies. The course will be taught in English.

• SPA 113
• Gold SOBE
• Session A
• iCourse

Offers an in-depth exploration of the U.S. Latinx language experience, focusing on the complex interplay between language, identity and power. Students engage with key concepts such as language ideologies, attitudes and the dynamics of language shift and maintenance within Latinx communities. Through a multidisciplinary approach, also delves into the historical and contemporary presence of Hispanic/Latino/a/x populations in the United States. Investigates the diverse cultures, identities and social practices that shape the experiences of the largest minority group in the country. Discussions include the impact of imperialism, immigration and borderland identities alongside educational challenges and opportunities for language retention. 

• SLC 240
• Gold HUAD
• Session C
• Immersion

Explores perspectives on the intersection of nature and the world. Studies the ways in which the environment, sustainability and ecologies are represented in a variety of texts such as advertising, political debate, press, television, social media and film. Students identify specific narratives and then critically evaluate and reinvent them toward a variety of possible futures. Instruction in English.

• SLC 212
• Gold SOBE
• Session A
• iCourse

Not limited to language majors and does not require any previous knowledge of a foreign language or culture. Students complete course projects using the material of their cultures of interest (the language they are taking interest in, including English). Focuses on the following topics in linguistics and cross-cultural communication: cultural norms, cultural conceptualizations, cultural scripts (as linguistic concepts), equivalence, communication failures. Emphasizes hands-on analysis and familiarizes participants with the basic concepts in the fields of cross-cultural linguistics and cross-cultural psychology.

• SLC 294
• Gold HUAD
• Session C
• Immersion

This interdisciplinary course explores touch as communication, connection and care across cultures. It is designed for students preparing for careers that involve tactile practices, as well as for those seeking to develop a more culturally informed, reflective and ethically attentive understanding of touch. The course begins with the science of touch, examining how touch functions in humans and non-human animals and how it supports development, social bonding and well-being.

• ARB/SLC 194
• Gold HUAD
• Session B
• iCourse

This course explores the rich culinary traditions of the Arab world as a lens to understand its diverse cultures, history, and identities. Through readings, media, and hands-on activities, students will examine how food reflects regional customs, religious practices, migration, and social values across Arabic-speaking countries. This course is taught in English and does not require prior knowledge of Arabic.

• ITA 220
• Gold HUAD
• Session A
• iCourse

Provides an exploration of Italian cinema, focusing on the cultural, historical and aesthetic elements of its evolution. Examines key periods and themes in Italian film history and analyzes the relationship between Italian cinema and broader societal and cultural contexts. Requires no prior knowledge of Italian or film studies and is entirely taught in English, with films presented in Italian with English subtitles.

• GER/SLC 194
• Gold HUAD
• Session C
• Immersion

As AI tools reshape how we live, work and communicate, something unexpected is happening: fundamental human abilities, like the capacity to think critically and make ethical decisions, are also becoming more valuable in our personal and professional lives. Combining these skills with AI-literacy, this course will explore enduring questions about human existence¿freedom, identity, suffering, love¿with an eye to the future. We will discuss film, science fiction, graphic novels, gothic, and other forms of literature from a range of different traditions in order to cultivate capacities that will serve students throughout their time at ASU and beyond. Open to majors from across the university, this is a course for anyone curious about what it means to be human, especially now.

• GRK/LAT/SLC 294
• Gold SOBE
• Session B
• iCourse

Who gets to kill and who gets justice in the ancient world? This course dives into real and legendary murders from Greece and Rome, exploring cultural representations of divine sanction, courtroom drama, ritual revenge, family vendettas, and political assassination. Along the way, we'll use tools from anthropology, psychology, and legal studies to uncover how ancient cultures understood violence, guilt, and the human need for retribution. From Heracles to Julius Caesar, murder was never just a crime. It was a cultural phenomenon. These cases are studied not for their supernatural or mythic claims but for what they reveal about ancient cultural systems, institutions, and behavioral norms. The course is in English. No ancient languages needed, just curiosity and a strong stomach.