International and Global Studies and the Department of World Languages and Cultures are excited to offer Elon’s Intercultural Global Competency (IGC) Digital Badge!!!

What is Intercultural Global Competency?
Developing a deep understanding/self-awareness of one’s own cultural identity is crucial to succeed globally in today’s interconnected world, forming the cornerstone of intercultural global competence. This self-awareness, which is central to the learning outcomes of both International and Global Studies and the Department of World Languages and Cultures, enables individuals to recognize biases, appreciate different perspectives, and adapt behavior in cross-cultural interactions. This awareness also empowers individuals to meaningfully engage with others from different cultural backgrounds, serves as a bridge, fostering empathetic and effective communication across cultural boundaries and promoting greater global understanding.

Why is Intercultural Global Competency important?
Today, more than ever, students need to be equipped with the critical thinking, communications, socio-emotional, and language skills to work collaboratively in the United States and all over the world. An understanding of cultural identity as a multifaceted concept (encompassing a wide range of dimensions, including race, ethnicity, language, national origin, tribal affiliation, geographic region, socioeconomic class, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious or spiritual traditions, and (dis)abilities, all of which contribute to an individual’s unique cultural perspective and experiences) and appreciation of other parts of the world, different religions, cultures, and points of view are essential elements of global and cultural competence.

What skills does the IGC Digital Badge certify?
The digital badge affirms that those holding the badge have developed critical thinking, communication, socio-emotional and world language skills in a global and cultural competency context. They can work across cultures, understand global diversity of people and societies, and collaborate in varied cultural settings in the U.S. and abroad. They recognize the importance of understanding different religions, cultures, and viewpoints as essential components to international competence.

What are the IGC Digital Badge Earning Criteria?

1. World Languages*: Complete 8 semester hours of a world language at the 2010 level or higher.
2. Arts & Sciences electives*: Complete 8 semester hours of Civilization, Society, or Expression classes with an intercultural and/or global focus; (Must include one o the following: IGS 2500: Global Approaches, IGS/POL 1410: International Relations or IGS/HST 2210: World in the 20th century).
3. Experiential learning: Complete a full semester study abroad, four semester hours of internship, or four semester hours of undergraduate research with a facilitator-approved intercultural and/or global focus.
4. Complete a self-assessment and reflection available here
* Meet minimum grade requirement of B- or higher for individual courses selected for the badge.

Whom do I contact if I have questions about the IGC Digital Badge?
Dr. Elena Schoonmaker-Gates
Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures and Associate Professor of Spanish

Dr. Andrea Sinn
Director of International and Global Studies and Associate Professor of History