Navigating Cultures

Course Description

Culture is everywhere, in the books we read, the communities we belong to, the institutions we navigate, and the assumptions we carry without knowing it. This first-year seminar introduces students to the liberal arts through the concept of cultural navigation, using literature, film, and hands-on fieldwork to examine how different ways of living collide, clash, and coexist. From the norms of the university to the rhythms of communities far beyond it, students will develop the curiosity and flexibility to engage across differences with openness and skills.

A key part of the course is students practicing navigating cultures in real time, exploring the diversity of the UNC Asheville campus and the broader Asheville community through structured observation and reflection. The course also supports students’ transition to college life, addressing academic advising, campus resources, and the habits of mind that make for a successful first year.