Global Studies Certificate

List of 4 items.

• Language Requirements: 500 points

  Students are required to have 500 points in foreign language study to complete the certificate.  These points may be accumulated in a number of ways:  language classes at Highland, immersion experiences, or through alternate exposure.  Passing grades, certificates of completion or the appropriate documentation are required.

  Highland Language Study:	Points
  Completion of 3rd year of language study in a first language    (meets Highland’s foreign language requirement)	300
  First year of second language	150
  Additional years of either language	100
  Independent study at Highland	100
  Immersion Experience:
  Year Abroad	200
  Highland international student	200
  Semester Abroad	100
  Native speaker of third language (non-International student)	100
  Immersion Program (3-6 wks.)	100
  Exchange Program (min. 2 wks.)	100
  Summer Study/Governor’s School	100
  Alternate Exposure:
  Internet Classes       (credit through Highland)	100
  CD-ROM (e.g. Rosetta Stone)	50 per level
  Computer Apps (e.g. DuoLingo)	50 pts to level 25
  Private Tutor               (see tutor form)	50
  Language Club (active member)    (see club form)	50

• Cultural Requirements: 300 points

  Students are required to have 300 points in their cultural study to complete the certificate.  These points may be accumulated in a number of ways.  Passing grades, certificates of completion or the appropriate documentation are required. When there is overlap of experience between the language and cultural categories, students may choose which category to use for their points but may not count the points for both categories.

  Year Abroad	200
  Exchange Program (hosting 50 & going 50)	100
  International Family Travel (diary/photos)	50-100*
  International School Travel (diary/photos)	50-100*
  Participation in an international service activity                      (e.g. with school, church, scouts)	50-100*
  Personal interaction with students abroad (w/documentation) (e.g. pen pal, video correspondence, etc.)	50
  Non-language club with international/diversity focus (club form)	50
  Internship with an international focus	50-100*
  Employment with an international focus	50-100*
  Independent Study with an international focus	50-100*
  Model UN: participate in at least one conference	50
  Hosting an Exchange Student	100 per sem. (up to 200pts)
  Social Sciences/Literature non-required Electives (e.g. AP World History, AP European, art history)	100 per sem. (up to 200pts)

  
  *points subject to nature of experiences

• Experiential/Service/Academic Project

  No later than at the beginning of the junior year, the student, with the advisor’s guidance, will design a project that will allow her/him to pursue a particular area of interest while at the same time allowing him/her to demonstrate language and cultural understanding gained from the first two pillars.  The project may include an experience or service-based project in another country, or a research-based paper.  The project is subject to approval by the Global Studies Committee and should be concerned with a global issue or problem which leads the student to a solution or conclusion.

• Project Presentation

  The student must present his/her project to a group of students and teachers upon completion. Usually this is in the form of an all-school assembly scheduled for January or February of her/his senior year.