In the course COR 4180: New York City: Living in the Global Community, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Safia Swimelar uses the city as a microcosm to help students understand the diversity and complexity of global humanity.
People from around the world call New York City home. From Broadway to Wall Street, “the city that never sleeps” is a popular destination that bustles with energy. And every summer, New York City becomes an immersive classroom through Elon’s Study USA program. While the course has been offered for several years, each faculty member brings a unique perspective to the learning experience.
This summer, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Safia Swimelar teaches New York City: Living in the Global Community using the city as a microcosm to help students understand the diversity and complexity of global humanity. The course explores the meaning of NYC as a global city and how cultural, political and economic aspects of globalization are reflected and visualized there.
“Even though I teach political science, we’re talking about the globalization of hip-hop, food, 9/11, identity and culture,” Swimelar says. “They all fit the idea of New York as a global city.”
Students spend Monday through Thursday interning in industries ranging from finance and marketing to communications and graphic design. On Fridays, everyone comes together for weekly seminars, encouraging students to connect their workplace experiences with broader discussions around globalization, identity and culture.
In true Elon fashion, learning extends beyond the classroom. “We try to match the academic topic with some kind of hands-on experience, whether that’s a museum, a tour or meeting people in the community,” Swimelar says. This summer’s experiential learning opportunities included a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, a World Cup watch party, a Juneteenth celebration in Central Park, a performance of “Ragtime” on Broadway, the Pride Parade, a tour of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, an international food tour in Queens and a private tour of the New York Stock Exchange, to name a few.
At its core, the course is about helping students understand the world from a new perspective. “I really want them to understand that the United States — and every city in it — is inherently connected to the rest of the world,” Swimelar says. “The global is everywhere.”
By the end of the summer, students bring home much more than academic knowledge and internship experience. Living in Brooklyn, navigating the subway and working full-time internships provide a realistic glimpse into life in one of the world’s largest cities.
“For many of them, this is the first time they feel like they’re actually living here instead of just visiting,” Swimelar says. “When I read their journals each week, many are saying, ‘I think I really do want to move to New York.’”
Whether students pursue careers in business, the arts, communications, finance or public policy, Swimelar hopes they leave New York with a deeper appreciation for the people, cultures and ideas that shape communities both locally and globally.
Ʒ the Professor
Professor Safia Swimelar has taught political science and policy studies at Elon since 2008. Her teaching and research focus on international relations, human rights, European politics, global studies and film and politics. As a former Fulbright Scholar, Swimelar draws on her international experience to help students better understand global politics and contemporary issues.
Recommended Materials
- “The Colossus of New York,” by Colson Whitehead
- “Hip hop’s Enduring Echo: From New York’s Streets to Global Beats,” The Elephant, 2023
- “America After 9/11,” PBS Frontline documentary