Department of Communication & Theatre Arts
Old Dominion University
Welcome
Welcome to Study Away in Seattle and our Spring Break 2024 Class Project.
This website serves as a collaborative class project. This course experience takes a critical cultural studies approach to exploring the organizational policies and gendered communication. Follow our journey through student reflections, highlighted visits and guest speakers, and a curated class gallery of the sights, sounds, and experiences of Seattle, WA.
In the News
01
From the Classroom to the Board Room: How Corporate Culture Impacts LGBTQIA+ Support
For the first part of the semester, students analyzed Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) of Pacific Northwest (PNW) headquartered corporations. They examined organizational content such as ads, promotions, policies, and other artifacts in order to analyze these corporations’ cultural branding through the lenses of gendered communication and organizational communication, as well as the intersection between the two. This set students up to see the ways in which the LGBTQ+ community is actually supported by these companies – in society, at home, and at work.
02
Through Seattle Experience, ODU Students Engage, Inquire and Grow
“Exploring LGBTQ+ organizational culture in Seattle was an immersive journey that transcended textbook knowledge,” co-teacher Megan Mize, PhD (Director, eP & Digital Initiatives) wrote. “Walking alongside students as they interacted with policy influencers and community advocates highlighted the transformative potential of education in action.”
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Project Description
Through the co-creation of a collaborative course ePortfolio, we aim to transform traditional learning by fostering a communal reflection space. Through shared experiences during our trip to Seattle, we'll build a vibrant course community that challenges norms, emphasizes the collective over the individual—queering reflection. This collaborative ePortfolio celebrates diversity, amplifies voices, and promotes a deeper understanding of LGBTQ experiences.