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Н. В. Крайсман, Х. С. Фриман
INTERCONFESSIONAL AND CROSS-CULTURAL INTERACTION OF STUDENTS TRAINING
AT NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
Ключевые слова: межконфессиональное и межкультурное взаимодействие, религиозный плюрализм, многонациональная
студенческая среда, этническая и религиозная толерантность.
Обозначены толерантные отношения между народами и этническими группами США. Выявлено межконфессиональное и межкультурное взаимодействие студентов университета штата Северная Каролина. Определена работа организаций, образованных для межкультурного диалога среди этнических и религиозных групп в кампусе.
Key words: interconfessional and cross-cultural interaction, religious pluralism, multinational student environment, ethnic and
religious tolerance.
Tolerant relations between nationalities and ethnic groups in the USA have been marked. Interconfessional and cross-cultural interaction among North Carolina State University students have been revealed as well. Activity of the Organizations established for cross-cultural dialogue among the ethnic and religious groups in Campus has been defined.
The study of the historical background of the ethnic and religious tolerance phenomenon in the U.S. involves appeal to resources of education as an incentive of ethno-cultural communication of people. Modern conflicts, which are often rooted in or connected with religious hidden motives, dictate the need to improve mechanisms for regulating religious relations. Historical forms of interaction between ethnic groups and cultures in the poly-confessional and multi-national states take on the function of models. A correlation with them helps optimize the options for a way out of the modern conflicts of the world community. In fact, dialogue between cultures is the way to ensure, preserve and promote cultural diversity, awareness of identity and accelerate the increase in the total range of values [1].
The United States occupies a special place among the multinational countries. Specificity of the country determines the initial mood of the inhabitants to cross-cultural communication and developed at the level of the existing multi-ethnic environment intercultural communication. An unbiased analysis of historical experience, a retrospective of the relations of bodies of government with poly-confessional community of the country is the condition for an adequate assessment of the current state of the United States, interconfessional and cross-cultural communication of its peoples.
Differences between the peoples belonging to different religions and cultures are the realities of the existence of human society. Regulation of tolerant relations between nations and ethnic groups, between people of different faiths is an important issue of our time [2]. It is particularly relevant for the United States because of the heterogeneity of its people. Long standing traditions of the neighborhood and residence in one area is important, particularly, for the people of North Carolina.
We can see deep history of cross-cultural and interconfessional cooperation in this state.
Usually cross-cultural interaction is a special kind of relationships and connections that are emerging between cultures, as well as mutual influence, reciprocal changes that develop in the course of these relations. Change in the
state, field of activity, values and spiritual orientation of a particular culture over the long time - these all become crucial in the process of cross-cultural interaction. It is believed that occasional contacts and other relationships that do not affect at the deep level the structure of cultural activity, the value orientations, and lifestyle of a particular culture cannot be attributed to cross-cultural interactions, and they are the forms of coexistence and cultural contacts with each other. The organization and content of teaching the humanities in schools is important in promoting cross-cultural interactions [3].
Teaching staff of Kazan National Research Technological University participated in an International Internship Training Program “Textile Design of Polymeric Materials and Modern Methods of Research” at North Carolina State University, College of Textiles, Centennial Campus, USA.
It should be noted that consistently ranked among the nation's top 50 public universities and ranked by Princeton Review as a best value for students, NC State University is a place where students can fit in — and dig in. Beginning their freshmen year, NC State students start work on their major right away — whether it’s conducting research alongside faculty or starting a challenging co-op or internship. While the student population is large, you won’t get lost in the crowd. Faculty and staff are accessible, friendly and helpful; large classes are always paired with smaller discussion sections or labs.
Many students and faculties from around the globe call Raleigh home. And it's no wonder why. Raleigh, the state’s capital city, has recently been ranked the best city to live in the United States. The Research Triangle region surrounds the NC State campus where many of the country’s leading, Fortune 500 technology, research and pharmaceutical companies are located.
Home of NC State University, Raleigh blends the fun and excitement of a big city with the hospitality and charm of a small Southern town. North Carolina’s
capital city is located in the heart of the state’s Triangle region and minutes from world-renowned Research Triangle Park, the largest research park in the world and home to industry giants like IBM Cisco, GlaxoSmithKline, Lenovo, Nortel Networks, Sony Ericsson and others.
Raleigh is a city of contrasts beginning with its location. Situated midway between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, the beach and the mountains are never more than a two to three-hour drive away. With a vibrant social, sports, cultural and arts scene, multinational business and diverse recreational opportunities, plus a climate that’s mild year round, it’s easy to see why Raleigh and the surrounding region are consistently rated among the best places to live and work in the United States.
With more than 34,000 students and nearly 8,000 faculty and staff, North Carolina State University is a comprehensive university known for its leadership in education and research, and globally recognized for its science, technology, engineering and mathematics leadership.
NC State students, faculty and staff are focused. As one of the leading land-grant institutions in the nation, NC State is committed to playing an active and vital role in improving the quality of life for the citizens of North Carolina, the nation and the world.
Researchers across the university are deeply engaged in making new, application-driven discoveries. As a major research university, NC State has the people — from undergraduate and graduate students to faculty — and the responsibility to advance knowledge, transfer technology, and discover and develop innovations that solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.
NC State’s research expenditures are approaching more than $325 million annually, with almost 70 percent of its faculty engaged in sponsored research and 2,500 graduate students supported by research grants. NC State is ranked third among all public universities (without medical schools) in industry-sponsored research expenditures.
NC State’s Centennial Campus is a unique community of collaboration. Industry and government partners work alongside faculty, staff, post-docs and students to conduct cutting-edge research in state-of-the art facilities. Home to more than 130 corporate and government research partners, as well as incubator companies, and NC State University research units, the Centennial Campus is the premier university research campus in the country.
Centennial Campus provides a rich, collaborative environment for corporate, governmental and non-profit partners who want to tap into NC State's recognized expertise in such areas as cybersecurity, comparative medicine, advanced materials, biomedical engineering, innovative education, nanofiber technology, serious gaming, distributive energy, and many other fields.
NC State produces more than graduates, as the university combines the theoretical with the practical to create innovators and leaders of tomorrow. With 12 colleges representing all major academic disciplines, a student population of more than 34,000 and nearly 2,000 faculty, NC State is the largest university in North
Carolina. It is also a global center of learning for some of the most important emerging technologies and new sciences now shaping the future of the world - including nanotechnology, biotechnology, biomedical engineering and computer science. Its expertise in these groundbreaking areas is backed by historic strengths in agriculture, engineering, forestry, wood and paper science, textiles, veterinary medicine and design.
NC State also provides a high-quality education in the humanities and social sciences, education, life sciences, management, mathematics, natural resources and all the physical sciences. The breadth of our academic excellence is reflected in the strength of the NC State University library system, which receives up to 14,000 visits a day from students and faculty who use the 4.3 million volumes in its five libraries.
NC State University consists of 10 schools and colleges: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Design, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Poole College of Management, College of Natural Resources, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, College of Textiles, College of Veterinary Medicine as well as the First Year College and Graduate School [4].
We became acquainted with the students of College of Textiles, because we participated in an International Internship at this College. North Carolina State University is a surprisingly diverse campus, diverse in ethnicity and nationality. There are students who came to study from many countries of Europe, South America, Asia and Africa. This University creates an atmosphere of interconfessional and cross-cultural diversity. While studying at the university, students have a great experience of communicating with people of different nationalities and religions. They co-exist in harmony and friendship, despite the diversity of their traditions and cultures.
It should be noted that the American nation is a relatively young multi-ethnic community that was formed in the long process of cultural, economic, social and consumer interactions, as well as in the process of mixing and assimilation of the descendants of people from different ethnic backgrounds, representing all three races of world - Mongoloid, Caucasoid and Negroid [5].
In general, the USA is a diverse country with a multitude of religions. But historically, the first immigrants arrived to the United States were (according to religious affiliation) Protestants, who fled to the New World from Europe. The Protestant religion greatly influenced the course of history of the United States. One of the main concepts of the religion is the desire to work and the promotion of labor, which is a significant factor in economic development of the country. The religious spectrum of the USA covers Protestants, Roman Catholics, other Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Mormons and members of undetermined religion [6].
The main religious confessions in the United States has consistently opposed to extremism, the use of religion to undermine social stability, the spread of
hostility and xenophobia. They make a significant contribution to the preaching of tolerance, mutual understanding between people of different nationalities and faiths [7].
NC State is a diverse community made up of people from different cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, and physical abilities. These differences result in a diversity of ideas, knowledge and worldviews that enhance our education and preparation for work in a global economy. History and their own experiences have shown that when diverse ideas interact, the potential for innovation, creativity and understanding increases. As a research-extensive land-grant university, they not only embrace diversity, but they believe it is central to the academic purpose of the institution. When there is diversity of ideas and people, there is new scholarship, innovation, and increased organizational effectiveness.
There are also students of different nationalities, who came from other countries and children of immigrants in NC State’s Centennial Campus. Many students want to know more about the religious traditions of other nations. Realizing that the world is multinational, the students want to peacefully co-exist in it.
University campus life reflects a world in which there is religious pluralism. Foreign students show awareness of the politics in which religion plays an important role. Students understand that interconfessional cooperation is not only important in the formation of national identity, but also in the prevention of ethnic and religious conflicts, in the dialogue of cultures. At the same time, religious conflict can lead to hostility, cultural divisions and religious intolerance, even within a single state.
Students of NC State’s Centennial Campus are aware that in modern society the dialogue between Christianity and Islam, Christianity and Judaism, among other faiths is very important. With all the cultural differences, all extraneous features in their history, they share the wisdom, the appeal to the best qualities that are inherent in man. This brings to the ability to search for a common language between confessions. Dialogue between religions is an important component of the dialogue of civilizations.
At NC State, the diversity makes people strong. They will continue to initiate academic curricula and courses, research areas, outreach programs and a campus culture where diversity of ideas and people is embraced. Student groups are an excellent way to expand a circle of friends, learn new cultures, and challenge existing ideas and viewpoints. It is important to note that the University administration pays attention to the religious and racial diversity of students. There are a lot of communities within the university campus that were created to support students of different religious beliefs. Below is a short list of diversity-related organizations and support available to the entire NC State Campus community: Ethnic and Social Student Organizations; International Student Organizations; Multicultural Student Affairs; African American Student Affairs; Native American Student Affairs; National Pan Hellenic Council; Offices of Equal Opportunity & Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Alliance;
Hispanic Student Affairs; Greek Council; Office of International Services, Academic Study of Religion Club, and others.
The mission of the Organizations is to promote good will, cooperation and dialogue among all of the religious and faith-based groups represented in the Campus community without any compromise of the beliefs of the particular faiths represented. The Organizations work to help build and foster an atmosphere on Campus conducive to religious life and scholarly pursuit, services, support and opportunity.
At these organizations students of NC State meets periodically to discuss anything relevant to the academic study of religions. All students at NC State are welcome and encouraged to join; you need not be involved in a Religious Studies major or minor. Everyone is encouraged to attend events that include lectures, film viewings, performances, trips to local places of worship and respect. They do not endorse any particular religion or lack thereof. They talk about religions and learn about them, enhancing their knowledge of peoples and their traditions.
These organizations represent a diverse variety of faiths, traditions, and beliefs. Despite the differences in faiths that exist between them, the groups work peacefully and diligently on behalf of the university community to provide religious services, spiritual counseling, education, support, and opportunities for involvement. The majority of members actively sponsor student faith-based organizations at NC State and work together to guide, strengthen, and enhance the college experience. As a whole, the different organizations participate in volunteer opportunities on campus, assist with fall welcome activities, help students move in to the residential halls, and hold spiritual fairs on campus to educate the community about religious opportunities and different faiths.
Despite the differences in religious faiths, the organizations work quietly and diligently to provide religious services and counseling, education, support and opportunities for involvement into multinational environment. The organizations sponsor student activities at the University and work together to improve the lives of students of different nationalities. Due to the work of the Organizations, the students become more familiar with each other, have active student life, arrange various festivals, events and holidays.
The organizations engage in a variety of volunteer activities such as providing food, clothing, and shelter to the homeless, working with cities and communities on emergency preparedness efforts, working to bring families out of poverty and crisis, and supporting a number of campus and community efforts. The organizations’ members are also on campus regularly to provide guidance and support to students, engage in discussions surrounding faith and religion, and provide prayer and grief counseling in times of need. The ultimate goal of these organizations is to educate, encourage, and enlighten students in their journey and to assist them in discovering and reaching their highest potential. Additionally, organizations’ members provide safe, fun and exciting activities such
as comedy shows, movie nights, lunches on the lawn, and so much more.
NC State has an African-American Student Advisory Council (AASAC), composed of representatives of student organizations of Campus. There is also a chapter of the national civil rights organization NAACP of Campus for student participation. A drama group, the Black Repertory theatre, encourages the production of African-American plays, and students with no theatrical experience are welcome to learn and take part in theatre. Students may also participate in a number of professional groups, such as the African-American Textile Society, African-American Design Students Association, and the Society of African-American Physical and Mathematical Scientists. The Black Students Board, a branch of the Union Activities Board, sponsors a number of programs including the Pan African Festival. This week-long event in the spring features musicians, dancers, lecturers and other activities.
SNAC serves as an information society of Native Americans and non-natives about Native American culture, issues and concerns through field trips, film series, lectures, and other activities. NASA serves as a support group for Native American students at NC State. NASA helped to address the need for the Native American studies class at NC State as well as with the recruitment of Native American students to Campus. AISES is composed of students majoring in the sciences and engineering and focuses on those particular programs through career fairs and job placement. All three groups co-sponsor the Spring Pow-Wow, which gives all students the opportunity to experience Native American culture.
Thus, cross-cultural and interconfessional interaction plays an increasingly important role in the cultural, historical and political evolution of modern society. Interacting with other cultures, confessional factor influences the development of relations between peoples, in particular, students. Even for the “multicultural” countries of modern Europe and the USA, the combination of ethnic and religious-communal, social and national identity is of great importance [8]. Historical forms of interaction between ethnic groups and cultures in the polyconfessional and multi-national states take on the function of models, a correlation with them helps optimize the
options for a way out of the modern conflicts of the world community [9]. The United States is a country, where, despite the tradition of cultural unification, there is still emphasis placed on ways to enhance the relations between ethnic communities. Historically, one of the multi-ethnic states in the USA is North Carolina, particularly the community of students training at North Carolina State University.
Литература
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2. Крайсман Н.В. Межконфессиональное и межкультурное
взаимодействие студентов, обучающихся по
химическим направлениям Университета штата Аризона / Н.В. Крайсман // Вестник Казанского технологического университета. - 2011. - №5. - С. 256258.
3. Коршунова О.Н. Инновационные подходы к преподаванию гуманитарных дисциплин в контексте реализации перспективного направления «химия и технология полимерных и композиционных материалов» / О.Н. Коршунова, М.В. Салимгареев // Вестник Казанского технологического университета. -2010. - №9. - С. 847-851.
4. http://www.ncsu.edu/
5. Ашкинази Л.А., Гайнер М.Л. Понимание Америки / Л.А. Ашкинази, М.Л. Гайнер // Изд-во «УРСС». - 2010. - 185 с.
6. Папкова И.А. Религия и международные отношения: состояние дисциплины в США / И. А. Папкова // Журнал Полития, - 2010. - 1. - С. 17-20.
7. Васильева В.С. США: опыт социальной политики и уроки для России / В.С.Васильева // М.: ИСКРАН. -2007. - 180 с.
8. Гордон А.В. Современный цивилизованный процесс: между мультикультуризмом и фундаментализмом / А.В. Гордон // Россия и современный мир. - 2004. - №4. -С.19.
9. Ислаев Ф.Г. Ислам и православие в Поволжье XVIII столетия: от конфронтации к терпимости / Ф.Г. Ислаев // Изд-во Казанского ун-та. - 2001. - 220с.
© Н. В. Крайсман - канд. ист. наук, доц. кафедры иностранных языков в профессиональной коммуникации КНИТУ, n_kraysman@mail.ru; Harold S. Freeman - PhD, Professor, Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science, College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, USA, harold_freeman@ncsu.edu.
