Certificate

The certificate in Get Out, Plug In: Intercultural Connections develops foundation skills in speaking a foreign language and understanding cultural diversity. Students will begin their language and cultural studies by taking an interdisciplinary course that covers education, political science, business, pre–law in diverse international contexts. Students will complete the certificate with a study abroad experience that prepares them for an official, externally administered Oral Proficiency Interview. Upon successful completion of the interview, students will be certified at the level of “Intermediate Mid” – the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages’’ recommended minimum level of foreign language skill in the workplace.

Using your foreign language ability, you will engage with citizens, texts, and resources of that nation to complete work on a project that is related to your future career. In these capstone projects, students might:

The certificate in Graphic Storytelling develops foundation skills in creative process, sequential thinking, visual narrative and graphic design as it relates to the practice of illustrated storytelling. Students will enhance skills in drawing, storyboarding, and shaping narrative structure with an understanding of the history of visual narrative as an opportunity for creative expression, informational and technical writing related to professional fields and/or social commentary. Upon successful completion of the first three courses, students will create a capstone comic or visual narrative publication.

Upon successful completion of the first three courses, students will create a capstone comic or visual narrative publication. In these capstone projects, students might:

Neurodiversity is about recognizing differences in people as human variation rather than disabilities. Many people experience some type of neurodiversity in their lives today. These differences may include Attention Deficit Disorder, Autistic Spectrum, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Anxiety Disorder, Depression and other neurological disorders. This certificate aims to help students understand how to acknowledge and appreciate these differences. The goal is to understand neurodiversity and mental health issues and to create future workplaces that are inclusive and supportive of every human being.

You will apply your knowledge of neurodiversity in the capstone course by going into the community to raise awareness and inform professional practice. In these capstone projects, students might:

The certificate in Film, History and Society will introduce students to the study of film, with an emphasis on how film reflects, distorts and challenges our ideas of historical eras, gender identities and political events. Students will learn how to read films in order to question how film represents and misrepresents the “true stories” of historical figures, cultural ideas, and our sense of what really happened. Across four connected courses, students will develop skills in writing, visual literacy, textural analysis of film, and questioning the sources of historical knowledge. In the capstone course, students will have the option of pursuing either a critical or creative final project, which will be presented on campus or in coordination with The Moxie Cinema in downtown Springfield.

In the capstone course, you will apply what you have learned to complete one of two projects – develop a critical review of an existing film or create your own short film. Both written and visual works will be uploaded to a digital portfolio and presented on campus or at The Moxie cinema in downtown Springfield. In these capstone projects, students might: