• To offer a distinctive, world-based education that explores the interconnectedness of cultures, societies, and economies
• To prepare students to live and work in a global community
• To provide students with experiences that make clear the liberating education that derives from interacting in a diverse world

One of Carleton’s core values is its conviction that knowledge of the histories, literatures, languages, religions, and arts of diverse cultures is vital to a liberal arts education. The College first admitted international students in the 1880s and established an educational program in China in the early 1900s. Carleton has an unyielding commitment to students’ becoming proficient in at least one language other than English.

We must continue to build on Carleton’s historic framework for studying the diverse cultures of the world: area studies programs, the language-learning curriculum, student research fellowships, and off-campus studies seminars. For Carleton to continue to lead in the area of intercultural understanding, we must develop new, comprehensive, issue-centered programs that focus on developing regions of the world such as Africa and the Middle East.

Examples of globalizing the Carleton experience include:

Communicating across cultural boundaries

Carleton’s range of interdisciplinary programs such as Asian studies, Latin American studies, and cross-cultural studies helps international and domestic students develop a broader understanding of ethnic, religious, and historical identities and ties. These programs provide students with the skills to be productive, creative leaders in more than one cultural environment.

Broadening the curriculum to include study of the Middle East

The Middle East offers a global landscape rich with curricular opportunities in language, religion, history, art history, anthropology, economics, and political science. Carleton will begin offering Arabic language instruction in fall 2007; “Middle East Mosaics,” an off-campus studies seminar set in Egypt, Turkey, and Morocco, will launch in winter term 2008, with President Oden leading the Egypt section.

Increasing winter-break learning experiences

Carleton’s six-week winter break offers opportunities for faculty members and students to engage in intensive project- or curriculum-based learning while experiencing cultures other than their own. Examples include studying ecology in the Costa Rican rain forest, dance in Jamaica, geology in the Bahamas, and art history in the Netherlands.

Enriching independent study around the world

Student fellowships for independent study promote cultural understanding and help develop communication and leadership skills. Investigating the shaman’s role in modern Ecuadorian society and studying the social networks among elderly Jews in Odessa, Ukraine, are two of the many projects that have been created by students.