Muleskinner

Issue date: 1/19/06 Section: Features

Mona Jurshak - Muleskinner - Wayne Clark gives powerpoint presentation during class.

Many students enrolled in communication courses this semester are attending classes taught by a professor from the United Kingdom.

Sociology professor Wayne Clark comes to Warrensburg from Buckinghamshire, England. Clark exchanged positions with communication professor Sam Cox, who is teaching at the University of Buckingham Chilterns.

"I've always wanted to teach in the states," Clark said. "I've been to the U.S. before on holiday, but never had the chance to live here. I wanted to experience the culture, the people and the teaching."

Terry Cunconan, department chair in communication, said Clark's arrival is beneficial to the department.

"Initially [Clark] was concerned that he wouldn't teach the way we do here," Cunconan said, "but I told him that it's good for college students to experience different teaching styles. This way, we bring England to the students."

Although Clark has been teaching nearly 10 years, he has never taught abroad before. He decided to come to Warrensburg after being contacted by Cox.

"I didn't know much about Warrensburg, but I love it," Clark said. "The weather reminds me of Britain's weather, and the staff has been fantastic."

Clark said one of the challenges he faces is dealing with language differences. Phrases that are simple and easily understood by Americans may pose problems for someone from another country. Clark said his accent makes it more difficult for Americans to comprehend what he says.

Clark, who arrived in Warrensburg Jan. 2, said one of the most difficult things about teaching abroad was being away from his family.

The communication department has had several faculty exchanges in the past, which mostly were conducted through Monterey Technical University in Mexico.

Joy Stevenson, director of international programs, said the communication department has been more involved recently with international faculty exchanges because the curriculum in the communication department "fits so well" with international courses.

Stevenson said professors rarely go abroad for more than one semester. Cox is entering his second consecutive semester abroad, however. He taught in Mexico last fall.

"Sam has been one of our most enthusiastic candidates for the international program," Stevenson said. "He has been very supportive of international students and active in international programs in the past."

"Sam has worked hard to be able to do both semesters," Cunconan said. "He was very diligent in building international relationships and knew what he wanted to do."

Stevenson said Central's faculty exchange program with Maastricht has been the most successful with more than 10 faculty members involved in that program per year.

This is the first professor exchange Central has had with Buckinghamshire. Stevenson said a lot of the reason the professor exchange occured was the success of the student exhchanges between the two universities.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools