Marie Butcher

This course provides students with strategies for improving their reading skills as well as understanding academic and professional rhetoric. Students will critique various texts and speeches, as well as create their own persuasive speeches and debates.

The aim of this course is to help you become a more seasoned writer, thinker, and communicator in the business world. In this course, you will analyze the rhetorical conventions of business discourse, learn strategies for tailoring your message to your audience, and revise your work in order to produce finely-tuned business documents such as letters, reports, and e-mail correspondence.

"Description is a course designed for international students to deepen their
intercultural communication competencies, while honing their writing and
presentation skills in English. Students will study intercultural competence theories
and explore the intersectional issues of race, religion, gender, language, as they
apply to cultural identity and social justice.
In addition to Intercultural theory, students will be introduced to “multiple
intelligences” (as defined by Howard Gardner), and consider multiple ways in which
we communicate and receive information. The course will allow students to
consider the complexities related to cultural identity and how to further hone their
intercultural communication skills in various contexts."

EAPP 8456 Advanced Rhetoric and Genre is a course designed to hone your research and writing skills in order to create fluid and interesting prose appropriate for the graduate level. The course is open to qualified international students. The content of the course will include a series of short essays, a genre presentation, and a final research paper that may be prepared in conjunction with another course.

The primary goals of this course are as follows:

• Developing critical reading skills,
• Learning how to correctly write and research an academic paper,
• Understanding how to blend sources without losing your own voice
• Introducing ways to document sources correctly using APA/Chicago format to avoid plagiarism,
• Understanding and implementing the characteristics of good writing into our own writing,
• Working on pre-writing skills such as brainstorming and outlining,
• Learning how to narrow and choose appropriate topics,

Costa Rica: The UN Sustainable Development Goals in Action



This course provides an immersive experience to explore Costa Rica’s Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting both their successes and challenges. Participants will engage with readings on Costa Rica’s development issues, other relevant materials, and embark on an exciting itinerary designed in partnership with the University for Peace in San José, Costa Rica, and MIIS. This journey will offer a deep understanding of the policies that have shaped Costa Rica’s development.



For those pursuing IPD credits, a 1,500-word policy brief on a topic of your choice, inspired by the program, will be required, along with reflections on the readings. Your professional presentation will be based on your policy brief. Students will also be exposed to the principles of Conflict Transformation and Intercultural Communication skills in the field.



For students pursuing 2 EAPP credits, a fewer number of readings and reflections will be required and the final presentation for the “showcase” will be optional. For those pursuing 4 EAPP credits, all readings, reflections, and the final presentation will be required. Students will be exposed to the principles of Conflict Transformation and Intercultural Communication skills in the field.



Students pursuing Spanish credits at the 200, 300, or 400 level, will draft a reflection in Spanish that covers the required readings and presentations by guest speakers during the onsite portion or the course in Costa Rica. Students will also present their experience when they return to the US. Students will also be asked to apply ICC and Conflict Transformation concepts and ideas in their reflection.

Costa Rica: The UN Sustainable Development Goals in Action



This course provides an immersive experience to explore Costa Rica’s Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting both their successes and challenges. Participants will engage with readings on Costa Rica’s development issues, other relevant materials, and embark on an exciting itinerary designed in partnership with the University for Peace in San José, Costa Rica, and MIIS. This journey will offer a deep understanding of the policies that have shaped Costa Rica’s development.



For those pursuing IPD credits, a 1,500-word policy brief on a topic of your choice, inspired by the program, will be required, along with reflections on the readings. Your professional presentation will be based on your policy brief. Students will also be exposed to the principles of Conflict Transformation and Intercultural Communication skills in the field.



For students pursuing 2 EAPP credits, a fewer number of readings and reflections will be required and the final presentation for the “showcase” will be optional. For those pursuing 4 EAPP credits, all readings, reflections, and the final presentation will be required. Students will be exposed to the principles of Conflict Transformation and Intercultural Communication skills in the field.



Students pursuing Spanish credits at the 200, 300, or 400 level, will draft a reflection in Spanish that covers the required readings and presentations by guest speakers during the onsite portion or the course in Costa Rica. Students will also present their experience when they return to the US. Students will also be asked to apply ICC and Conflict Transformation concepts and ideas in their reflection.