We Brazilians - like the Americans - both people are destined to tread, in the future, the same paths, hand in hand, heart to heart, as in the past, and march on, nourishing the same ideals and hopes, suffering the same trials, ordeals and misfortunes, that every where surround and beseige all peoples in the pilgrimage for the conquest of a better life, finer culture, and higher civilization in this world.”
We know that the future of Brazil is today, and our futures and our prosperity are inter-dependent. This is a great time for Brazil and the United States, with limitless oportunidades.
Excerpt from a speech by Brazilian Past- President Epitácio Pessoa , in honor of U.S. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby, December, 1920.
TCU Global Academy
The TCU Global Academy is a holistic approach to study abroad designed to bring faculty, students, and communities together to explore global issues. A Global Academy is thematic in nature—various themes or global issues that could be studied include sustainability, social justice, ethical leadership, healthcare, and many other topics. The Global Academy is also designed to move to various corners of the world where the chosen theme is most paramount. Global Academies must integrate:
- Exploration of a global issue in an interdisciplinary context
- Interaction with the culture including students, faculty, and community leaders.
- An interactive teaching/learning environment. Professors guide in the learning process while collaborating, teaching, and simultaneously learning along with the comprehensive team (faculty, students, and community leaders).
- Lead to faculty and student exchanges.
The first TCU Global Academy, to be initiated summer 2011, will focus upon the global theme of sustainability and will be located in Brazil.
- Understanding the depth and complexity of sustainability is critical to developing successful models for sustained implementation.
- United States can learn from the leadership of Brazil whose resources and long-term study of sustainability can contribute to and transform U.S. Policy.
- Rich and sustained dialogue between the U.S. and Brazil is a necessary link to the study of sustainability in the Americas.
- Sustainability impacts every discipline and therefore is a natural for interdisciplinary learning
Proposed 2011 TCU Global Academy:
The Question:
Given Brazil’s presence in the world, geological and geographical characteristics, natural resources, the rich culture including indigenous people, and their long-standing study of sustainability, what can the United States learn? How can TCU students and faculty come to Brazil and learn how the Brazilian approach to sustainability may change our perspective on this important topic? How can the two countries located in the Americas collaborate on issues related to sustainability?
Disciplines participating in the first TCU Global academy include political science, religion, architecture, Brazilian culture and Portuguese language, supply chain management, environmental studies, and ranch/land management—all who will come together to explore and learn the issues related to sustainability. When studying sustainability, what are the issues/perspectives of various disciplines? How is sustainability affected by government, policy, moral obligations, building trust with communities, social and cultural beliefs, architecture and design? The Global Academy for Sustainability will explore these issues in Brazil.
The Courses:
INTR 30101 INTERDISCIPLINARY EXPLORATIONS OF GLOBAL ISSUES
Spring Semester, 2011, 1 credit hour
INTR 30203 TCU GLOBAL ACADEMY
Summer Semester, 2011, 3 credit hours
Writing Emphasis and Cultural Awareness
INTR 30302 TCU GLOBAL ACADEMY: THE CAPSTONE PROJECT
Fall Semester, 2011, 2 credit hours
The Faculty:
Dr. Jane Kucko, Center for International Studies and DEMT
Mr. Jeff Geider, Ranch Management
Dr. Joanne Green, Political Science
Dr. Laura Meade, Supply/Chain Management
Ms. Becky Richards, Environmental Science
Dr. Steve Sloan, Spanish and Hispanic Studies
Mr. Tom Crowell, ESL Instructor.
