Atiya Pitaktrakul
Global Learning Courses
During my time at FIU, I've taken a total of 11 Global Learning courses that vary from the anthropology, communication, and art departments. Through these courses, I was able to explore different cultural perspectives and therefore increase my global awareness on different global topics/issues all while studying in Miami, FL. Here are summaries of my favorite courses I've taken.
ANT2000
Introduction to Anthropology
In this course, we explored the four subfields of anthropology while exploring anthropological theories and concepts. I learned about physical anthropology, the theories on human evolution, archaeology, cultural anthropology, and linguistics. During my time in this class, our final project was to participate in a cultural exchange with a random group of students in the class which we then wrote about in our final paper. Throughout this class, we talked and tried to analyze what culture is and what truly defines it. It was through this cultural exchange that I realized culture isn't based on things like your nationality or where you are from, but rather on social norms and customs we find within our societies. Experiences with other people's cultures and understanding what means to them was an incredible experience and one of my favorite projects I've done at FIU.
ANT 3451
Anthropology of Race and Ethnicity
In this course, we explored the concept of race and ethnicity with emphasis on the historical and cultural construction of identity, social stratification, and intercultural relationships. From 100 years of segregation of African Americans to the Cultural Genocide of Canada's Indigenous children, we analyzed serval events and topics throughout history based on race and ethnicity and their ramifications of them. During my time in this course, we had someone from FIU's Global Indigenous forum come and speak in our class. He recalled his time as a child and how he was taken from his family and forced to change his religion and strip any remanence of his indigenous culture. Hearing his story and how it affected how his cultural identity still sticks with me today. It also helped me learn more about how Canada's cultural genocide of indigenous children truly effect those who are still alive today and how those children and dealing with it.
HFT3713
International Travel and Tourism
In this course, we explored the global tourism industry, organizations, tourist behavior, history, and globalization. As well as the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts on destinations and culture. What I loved most about this course was the fact that we analyzed not only the environmental impact by also the economic effects tourism has on one different part of the world. By doing so, we were able to explore more how this affects the culture within these different parts of the world and how they've changed to adapt to tourism. This class also helped me understand more the impact I could have when visiting another country and what to be mindful of.
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MMC3303
Global Media and Society
In this course, we explored various forms of media as early as the first telegraph to modern-day media like cellular devices and how we use them to communicate with each other. We also looked at the differences in how we get our media and consume it here in the United State versus other countries around the world. Our final project would have us research a country of our choice and look into how they get their media while comparing it with the U.S. I chose Thailand and found that there was a cultural divide when it comes to media. Many from the older generations consumed media as if nothing was wrong and don't question news outlets. But, many from the younger generation felt the media was corrupt and actually started to protest and speak out against the Thai government but they were punished for doing so. This project allowed me to get a broader perspective on media itself and how the U.S is lucky to have such freedom when it comes to the media we consume and speak on.
