University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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Senior political science major Jon Monger stands atop the Arc di Triomphe in Paris, France, overlooking the Eiffel Tower with his cousin Marie-Aurely. Whether they chose Paris as their study abroad location or not, many students traveled to the city during their semesters in Europe. Photo courtesy ofj. Monger A student receives help from a classmate while completing an assignment in class in Spain. Although traveling to different parts of the world was the main attraction for most students studying abroad, classes were still attended on a regular basis just as they would be in the United States. Photo courtesy of S. Ma Two University students stand in a market in Barcelona, Spain. Spain was another popular place of study for students, whether they took Spanish courses at the University or not. Photo courtesy of 5. Ma 82 Academics

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Igbt courses draw attention on campus A course introduced in the fall entitled How to be Gay attracted tremendous media attention and was immediately one of the hottest controversies in campus academic life. A wide array of opinions circulated on campus about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) course. Chin Swan, a sophomore math major, summed up the general sentiment, ! am kind of curious, he said. Elizabeth Joseph, a senior physics and economics major, thought the course made headlines just because it was unconventional. On the other hand, Anthony Breschike, a sophomore engineer commented, It ' s ridiculous that you can actually get credit for that. Professor David Halperin, the instructor of How to be Gay , sought to clear up general misunderstandings on this course, making the following comments in his opening lecture - This course has absolutely nothing to do with the question of what causes either homosexuality or heterosexuality. For the purposes of this course, I have no opinion at all on that subject. For the purposes of this course, gay identity will be treated as a social identity. That is, it will be treated as equivalent to being middle-class, or Jewish, or Irish, or American. Halperin taught a different course on Gay Studies in prior years, which focused on critical analysis of gay literature. This change was part of his attempt to make the prior course a lot more interesting. Now I can stand it if my students are bored when I teach courses on Plato or on literary theory. But when I teach a course in lesbian or gay male studies, I expect my studen ts to be thrilled and moved and engaged every single second, explained Halperin. So to find even gay male students treating my course on contemporary gay male fiction like academic business as usual was extremely discouraging, and I decided to try and figure out a new and better way to package gay male studies and queer theory for undergraduates at the University of Michigan. This course on ' how to be gay ' is the result of my thinking. The Director for Campus Affairs at the University of Michigan Engineering Council, Khoi Nguyen said, It shouldn ' t really matter. I don ' t see how it affects anybody... if you want to take the class, go ahead and take it. I guess that ' s the line we should all tow allowing freedom to elect as well as design courses. There were other courses offered that centered their curriculum around gay studies. Womens Studies 245, Introduction to LGBT Studies, offered an in-depth look at different sexualities from as early back as the 9()()s to the present. Professor Patricia Simons used numerous slides, reading materials, and even movies in the course. Despite its explicit nature, Simons ' course could not match up to the controversy caused by Halperin ' s How to be Gay couse. Inside the Common Language Bookstore, shelves are stacked with piles of new books on sexuality. Coming out, bisexuality, gay stud- ies, and lesbian fiction were some of the categories of literature the bookstore held. Tedjasukmana photo The Common Launguage Bookstore is located on Fourth Avenue. Many LGBT and women ' s studies courses sent students to pur- chase textbooks and other reading materials there. Tedjasukmana photo Controversial Courses 81

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xposure to different cultures was an ideal way for students to enhance their educational experience at the University. Studying abroad gave students the opportunity to come into contact with a different society and its customs, while receiving credits that went towards completion of their respective degrees. It also gave the opportunity for some to put the languages they had been studying at the University to use. There were three options for studying abroad: admission to programs sponsored by the University, admission to programs sponsored by another American university or college, or direct enrollment at a foreign educational institution. -Many resources such as catalogs, brochures, program evaluations by students and scholarship information were offered in LSAs Office of International Programs. With these, students were able to decide which program was right for them. Although these programs were often quite expensive, there were many outlets for financial aid. The concept of study abroad allowed people to acquire essential skills that could be used later for their careers and to enhance further training in graduate or professional schools. For some people, the University itself fulfilled the college experience academically and even surpassed their expectations on a cultural level. But LSA junior Angela Arcori stated, I felt that a study abroad experience would not only compliment my college education, it would provide me with an experience I will learn from that will surpass what the classroom can offer. It was a learning experience for both the students that attended, and also for residents of other countries. The arrow was always moving, they taught me something, and I would teach them something-it was absolutely beautiful, said Arcori of her two month long visit to Spain. Coming into contact with other cultures was something that people would remember for a lifetime. While it is often common in American culture to value business and making money, the lifestyle in certain countries was different, and to some, very appealing. LSA junior Natasha Cervi said, I adored the lifestyle of the Spanish people... I loved how you could just walk down the street and the majority of the people would know each other, it really felt like a family more than a community. Cervi advised anyone considering studying abroad to go for as long as possible, at least six months to one year, in order to fully experience the new way of life and its people. As a result of studying abroad, new friendships were made, new foods were sampled, and people s lives were forever altered. Arcori ' s advice summed it up: Don ' t think twice about it, if you think you can ' t handle it, you can, the worst thing that happens if you ' re not happy is, you come home! students take advantage of study abroad programs Study Abroad 83