2021 Summer SUNY COIL Global Commons Program Application Open!

Posted by Tim on April 27, 2021 in Academics, Honors Experiences, Study Abroad

The SUNY COIL Global Commons summer program is a 6-week/6-credit Collaborative International Online Learning (COIL) course based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This course will count towards either a GE requirement or a student’s major course of study, depending on the disciplinary lens with which the student approaches the particular SDG. Students will begin in a storytelling course on cultural competency, then be grouped with those who share a common interest in one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

There are two components to this course:

1. 3 credits – Intercultural Story-telling 
   1. Storytelling is a powerful tool of communication. A challenge faced by organizations, which operate with few resources is accurately and effectively communicating about their work and the issues they are trying to address. When the issues are complex, stories can inform, entertain, educate, inspire, and create connections to influence change.  
2. 3 credits – United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 
   1. The world has problems. These problems- such as climate change, inequality, and elimination of poverty-require our attention and our action if we want a better future for our world. Framed by one of the six selected UN SDGs, students will work with people and organizations working on these problems all over the world, every day. 

Course details 

• The SUNY COIL Global Commons program is a six-week, six-credit (undergraduate credit) program open to any student, from any higher education institution
• Students are enrolled in two, 3-credit courses that culminate in storytelling projects completed in small groups in partnership with a community based non-governmental organization
• The program cost is equivalent to six credits of tuition

A timeline of the course is illustrated below. Participants will learn about the partner organization and the final project. Students will work with their peers from other SUNY campuses as well as with contact from our international partner organizations around the world. 

The first cohort of the SUNY COIL Global Commons completed the program in the summer of 2020 and their final storytelling projects are available to view. Check out their videos, podcasts, graphic novels, and more at the Project Showcase site! For a more in-depth explanation of the program description. If you have any questions, take a look at the Program FAQ’s.

application deadline is May 3, 2021