Global Learning Courses

Western Civilization: Medieval to Modern Europe

This was my first Global Learning course at FIU and it allowed for my love of history to flourish. In this course, there were discussions on religion, inventions, philosophy, and important figures that influenced the narrative of the early Medieval period. During this era of European history, we see a creation of bridges between civilizations, through ways of the Silk Road, which evidently allowed for the spread of information, ideas, and inventions. However, we also see a period of corruption and power struggles between the strongest countries in Europe.

Western Civilization: Europe in the Modern Era

This course was a continuation of Western Civilization: Medieval to Modern Europe, beginning in the middle to late 17th century to The Cold War. Despite my love for Medieval and Renaissance Europe, it was intriguing to learn about eras like the 20th century, with events that my parents and grandparents experienced throughout their lives. In this course, I was able to further explore the perspective of Europe during various historical events, like World War II and the Berlin Wall. Additionally, I was able to independently do research on topics that were of particular interest to me, like women's role in society, and have a better understanding of how it has changed throughout the years.

(View sample work: Final Paper)

Global Psychology

The Global Psychology course covered a variety of topics, such as nutrition, common ailments, epidemics, and more. This course relied heavily on group collaboration and a project was completed over the course of the semester. My group chose the AIDS epidemic and it gave us the opportunity to learn more about its effects, both within the U.S. and internationally. One major thing that I have held onto from that course is that Miami had been considered an epicenter of the AIDS epidemic and that many African countries were and are still confronting this crisis, putting them at a disadvantage. This course has allowed me to develop a greater view of the world around me and its relationship to various crises, like the AIDs epidemic.

Italy During the Renaissance

Italy During the Renaissance has been one of the most interesting classes that I have taken at FIU. This course has given me perspectives on gender, race, and social status that I had been unaware of. Another fascinating part of this historical period was the philosophy and scientific progress that was occurring, that influences us in our modern era. The creation of Humanism rippled through city-states, like Florence and Venice, forming generations of new philosophers that would influence the future's view on intellectual development.

(View sample work: Primary Source Report)

Sample Work

Primary Source Report

Short Writing Assignment

Final Paper

The Black Death

In the summer of 2020, I enrolled in The Black Death course, taught by Dr. Tovah Bender. It was striking to see the similarities between the Medieval Bubonic plague and the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though science was not as advanced as what we have today, it was interesting to see how the people of the Black Death plague were attempting to interpret the illness the same way scientists were investigating COVID-19. We see the same concerns relating to the uncertainty of what the future holds and many did and have felt a sense of hopelessness.

(View sample work: Short Writing Assignment)