International perspectives will still be included in Steinhardt's signature Dean's Global Honors Seminars, even without the ability to travel this year.
The Dean’s Global Honors Seminars are a signature feature of the Steinhardt Honors Program. Invited first year and sophomore honors students embark on a global comparative journey complimented by academically rigorous coursework. Typically an interrelated travel component connects culture, research, discussions, and international lectures to further develop a global perspective. Planned January and spring break travel has been canceled, but the study of global perspectives in these honors seminars continue.
This fall Professor Adina Schick is teaching the honors seminar Families, Schools, and Child Development, which had plans to meet with education and community leaders in Tel Aviv. As travel quickly became overshadowed by the reality of Covid-19, Professor Schick's innovative approach enabled guest contributors from Israel to join in discussions remotely. Students continue to explore comparative perspectives on child development through readings and guest lectures. When asked about the benefits of incorporating a global comparative for our students, Professor Schick stated, “reading and hearing about cultures and contexts that so vastly differ from their own lived experiences really push the students to broaden their perspectives and think flexibly about complex issues that plague society.”