Course Description

Global 360 - Cultural Studies is a cutting edge online course that is fully interactive and immersive through 360° technology. The course is multidisciplinary, focusing on history, art, architecture, religion, philosophy, literature, music, politics, business, science, technology, and gastronomy. Upon completion, students will be able to appreciate the unique character of several global communities, across nine different countries. Every year new destinations, global regions and multidisciplinary topics will be added to the course. 

Global 360 - Cultural Studies was created to provide the foundation for the next generation of global scholars, citizens and leaders. This course is a gateway to the world which will inspire students to improve their global awareness, participate in study abroad and increase their intercultural competency.

The course provides 30 hours of academically rigorous, asynchronous educational content in addition to weekly enrichment discussions and a final research project and presentation. The course, syllabus, learning objectives and assessments are designed by educators and experts in the field with advanced degrees and extensive teaching experience, curriculum design and intercultural learning.



Meet a few of our Global Experts

Francesco Restuccia PhD

Francesco is a PhD in Philosophy of Art. He grew up in Rome and Milan, but during his studies he lived in Paris, Berlin, and São Paulo, Brazil. Since 2014, Francesco has been leading programs for SAA throughout Italy and France. Traveling and studying are his passions and he thinks no learning is possible without exploring. He is currently a research fellow at the University of Rome La Sapienza and he is using his knowledge in history and art to develop educational programs both virtually and in person.

Mariza Anyfanti

Mariza holds a BSc in Classical Archaeology. She worked as personal tutor preparing students from preliminary to A level. In 2010 she graduated from Athens tour guide school and since then is giving tours all over Greece. She is designing family orientated tours, thematic walking tours such as "following the footsteps of the Athenian democracy", educational multi-day tours and food tours. Mariza is following Einstein's motto “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” and that’s why her tour is beyond what one can see; it is an experience of being part of what one can see . Through role-playing and interactive activities the guests are engaged in Greek mythology and history. After all you cannot expect something less than that in the birthplace of Drama and Democracy!

Claudio Quesada Rodríguez MSc.

Claudio Quesada, M.Sc., is the Research and Conservation Coordinator for Pacuare Reserve in Costa Rica. He earned his degree in Natural Resource Management from UNED and his Master degree in Marine Sciences and Technology as well as Environmental Consulting. For twenty years he has worked on the monitoring, conservation and research of sea turtles and their critical habitats, both in terrestrial and aquatic environments and the socio-economic development of coastal communities. He is currently a member of the International Sea Turtles Society and representative for Costa Rica to the IUCN in the Herons Specialist Group.

Global Learning Outcomes & Competencies

  • Historical & Conceptual Perspectives

    Students investigate and apply concepts from history/humanities to describe and understand developments across time, and the influence of history, geography, religion, ethnicity, and other factors on human identity.

  • Societies & Cultures

    Students explore cross-cultural perspectives, investigate trends and analyze issues of various communities. They will identify customs, behaviors, thoughts, and perspectives that both distinguish and connect regions, countries, languages and cultures from/to one another and one’s own, and the social and geopolitical factors that shape human diversity.

  • Citizenship

    Students understand the connection between their personal behavior and its impact on global systems. Uses their knowledge, attitudes, and skills to engage with issues that address challenges facing humanity locally and globally.

Syllabus & Course Info

  1. 1

    • North Carolina - Scholar of Global Distinction Program - Welcome & Orientation

    • North Carolina - Scholar of Global Distinction Program - Cultural Studies Syllabus

    • North Carolina - Scholar of Global Distinction Program - Cultural Studies Schedule
  2. 2

    • Unit 1 Overview - Costa Rica

    • Pacuare Reserve: Scenes 1-2, 4-5, 7-13, 15

    • Cahuita National Park: Scenes 1-12

    • Tenorio National Park: Scenes 1-11

    • Quiz 1 – Pacuare Reserve, Cahuita National Park, Tenorio National Park

    • Bribri: Scenes 1-12

    • Monteverde: Scenes 1-3

    • Coffee and Pineapples: Scenes 1-11

    • Quiz 2 – Bribri, Monteverde, Coffee & Pineapples

    • Costa Rica - Enrichment Discussion

    • Suggested Reading: Folk-Lore of the Bribri and Brunka Indians in Costa Rica on JSTOR
  3. 3

    • Unit 2 Overview - England & France

    • London - World’s Melting Pot: Scenes 1-6, 8-15

    • London – Humanities: Scenes 1-17, 26-31, 38-46, 51

    • London – Business: Scenes 1-7

    • Quiz 3 – London - World's Melting Pot, Humanities, Business

    • Oxford – Humanities: Scenes 1-17

    • Oxford – Science: Scenes 1-9

    • Lyon – Business: Scenes 2-30

    • Quiz 4 – Oxford & Lyon

    • England & France Enrichment Discussion

    • Suggested Reading: Magna Carta

    • Suggested Reading: Shakespeare – Macbeth

    • Suggested Reading: Lewis Carroll – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
  4. 4

    • Unit 3 Overview - Germany & Switzerland

    • Freiburg – The Green City: Scenes 2-40

    • Quiz 5 – Freiburg

    • Geneva – A Global City: Scenes 1-12

    • Switzerland – Business/Science: Scenes 1-30, 40

    • Quiz 6 – Geneva, Switzerland Business

    • Germany & Switzerland Enrichment Discussion

    • Suggested Reading: John Calvin – Institutes 20.11-12

    • Suggested Reading: Geneva Convention III – Part II
  5. 5

    • Unit 4 Overview - Ancient Greece & Rome

    • Ancient Greece: Scenes 1-7, 14-17, 20-27, 33-50

    • Ancient Rome 1: Scenes 1-27

    • Ancient Rome 2: Scenes 1-29

    • Ancient Rome 3: Scenes 1-24

    • Quiz 7 – Ancient Greece & Rome 1-3

    • Ancient Rome 4 Ostia Antica: Scenes 1-16

    • Ancient Rome 5 Pompeii: Scenes 1-16

    • Quiz 8 – Ostia Antica & Pompeii

    • Ancient Greece & Rome Enrichment Discussion

    • Suggested Reading: Eutropius – Roman History

    • Suggested Reading: Virgil – Aeneid – Book VI

    • Suggested Reading: Pliny the Younger – Pompeii

    • Suggested Reading: Homer – Iliad – Book IX

    • Suggested Reading: Homer – Odyssey – Book IX

    • Suggested Reading: Thucydides – Pericles’ Funeral Oration
  6. 6

    • Unit 5 Overview - Renaissance Italy

    • Italy Renaissance 1: Scenes 1-6, 9-11, 17-36

    • Italy Renaissance 2: Scenes 3-6, 11-35

    • Italy Renaissance 3: Scenes 3-11, 14-31

    • Quiz 9 – Renaissance 1-3

    • Italy Renaissance 4: Scenes 1-12, 14-35

    • Italy Renaissance 5: Scenes 1-27, 33-36

    • Italy – Pisa: Scenes 1-4

    • Quiz 10 – Renaissance 4-5 & Pisa

    • Renaissance Italy Enrichment Discussion

    • Suggested Reading: Dante – Inferno – Canto I

    • Suggested Reading: Petrarch – Letter to Virgil

    • Suggested Reading: Lorenzo de Medici – Letter to a Cardinal

    • Suggested Reading: Leonardo da Vinci – Letter to Sforza

    • Suggested Reading: Benvenuto Cellini – Casting of Perseus
  7. 7

    • Unit 6 Overview - Modern Italy & Greece

    • Milan: Scenes 1-5

    • Lake Garda: Scenes 1-15

    • Venice: Scenes 1-14

    • Modena: Scenes 1-20

    • Vinci: Scenes 1-17

    • Quiz 11 – Milan, Lake Garda, Venice, Modena & Vinci

    • Rome: Scenes 1-36

    • Naples: Scenes 1-13

    • Paestum: Scenes 1-16

    • Basilicata: Scenes 1-10

    • Greece: Scenes 1-48

    • Quiz 12 – Rome, Naples, Paestum, Basilicata & Greece

    • Modern Italy & Greece Enrichment Discussion

    • Suggested Reading: Statuto Albertino – Constitution of the

    • Suggested Reading: Lateran Treaty – 1929

  8. 8

    • Unit 7 Overview - Hungary

    • Hungary, Budapest: Scenes 1-42

    • Quiz 13 – Budapest

    • Hungary Enrichment Discussion

    • Suggested Reading: Hungary 1956 – US State Department

  9. 9

    • Unit 8 Overview - India

    • India – Business: Scenes 1-16

    • India – Global Perspectives: Scenes 1-14

    • Quiz 14 – India

    • India Enrichment Discussion

    • Suggested Reading: Bhagavad Gita – Chaps. 1-2

    • Suggested Reading: Ramayana – Book I Canto I

Student Testimonials

Hillsborough Community College

Samuel

This perspective was a great and beneficial experience in my development as a student. I was able to get into places that otherwise would be very unlikely for me to travel to. There were great features that were able for use that really embrace your curiosity to know more. I believe that more courses can really embrace that inspiring aspect and involve many students that are eager to know more about the world

Central Piedmont Community College

Traquan

I loved the class. I learned a lot about different countries. I also compared the different countries to the US and I realized that the US needs some catching up to do. The 360GLE virtual platform was easy and self explanatory. I felt like I was in the country I was learning about. It made me think about studying abroad for a semester. I would recommend 360GLE to anyone wanting to learn about different countries or wanting to take educational trips around the world.

Medaille College

Lisa

The 360 Global Learning Experiences (360GLE) virtual experience was a surreal journey across places that I may never have a chance to visit and if I do, I will have so much hands-on information that will make me familiar with my surroundings. Incredible!

Central Piedmont Community College

Brigette

I wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed this class. It has been one of the most interesting classes I have ever taken. I love getting to see the places in real time while learning the history and culture of them. It makes me wish I would have majored in Humanities my first go around.

Joliet Junior College

Monique

This was a great experience. I've always wanted to travel to Italy and this has enforced that idea and gotten me excited! I'm looking forward to traveling abroad!

College of Central Florida

Lasanya

I really enjoyed the different methods of learning about the countries. It appeals to people who are visual and auditory learners like myself. I found this to be a very interesting experience. I think that it gives a nice international experience when the ability to travel is not available. This is beneficial in a global pandemic, however not limited to that. I definitely see applications to broaden international learning to students that may not otherwise be able to have these experiences.

College of Central Florida

Heather

I think this was the best thing invented since sliced bread. It was so immersive and educational, I would love to see more countries virtually.

Valencia College

Gary

The 360 global learning experiences is a rich orientation to the culture, and communities students examine within the course material contexts. I thought it was definitely a different form of learning that benefited me and kept me interacting as I learned.

Joliet Junior College

Helen

I enjoy the interactive photographs and videos, it makes the experience real. Also having an opportunity to watch videos and view pictures makes the experience varied and more interesting. It’s always very interesting to move around both on the standard map and using camera points to get a grasp of the history and culture of the location.

Hillsborough Community College

Laura

I just finished my Honors Humanities class using this amazing software in the curriculum and it was a very insightful experience! Made me want to study abroad ASAP!

30 Hour Global Experience