What was my major from Oregon State University?




Reciprocity in a Globalized Society
Rudy Shaffer
Updated January 2012

“Reciprocity is defined as “the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit, especially privileges granted by one country or organization to another.” In making this exchange as global citizens, we must first recognize our multiple identities, acknowledge and celebrate our diversity, and respect each other’s values. We must find ways to redefine traditional boundaries, and then build bridges to cross them.

The information and insights that I have gained through travel and through study so far have revealed the world to be a much smaller place than one might imagine. Factors such as nationality, ethnicity, language, religious beliefs, and cultural expression help define all of us as individuals. Understanding, empathy, and cooperation help forge connections that link us to the wider community.

I think of the Liberal Studies major as a paint palette. On this palette I spread out my interests; mix my topics and ideas; and use my findings to formulate new questions and make new discoveries. Coursework in sociology, anthropology, and globalization combine and recombine to help me build a context for understanding. Branching out into other concentrations—liberal arts; fine arts, fashion, and design; women and children’s issues—enrich the “colors” that I can apply.

Classes such as sociology and anthropology have helped me grasp an understanding about how demographics facilitate society. Status, income, race, ethnicity, age, gender, and education all play a role in our social order and determine the lifestyle of each individual. Communication has taught me how both verbal and non-verbal communication differs from culture to culture and how we respond to different types of communication depending on the situation. Anthropology has opened my eyes to different types of cultures, traditions, and historical events that shape individuals. Globalization has broadened my horizons and made me think about the world as a whole, rather than as a secular sphere.

The idea of reciprocity helps me link a wide range of topics that shape individual lives and lets me explore the challenges we face, the obstacles we need to overcome, and the needs we need to meet as global citizens. In addition to insights gained in focused study on campus, my participation in Semester at Sea gives me the opportunity to incorporate firsthand observations, experiences, and comparisons into the shaping and shrinking of my worldview. In the fall of 2010 I studied with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, whose definition of Ubuntu, a Bantu term, describes how people affirm their humanity by acknowledging the humanity of others:

A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.
Ubuntu is at the heart of my idea of reciprocity.

A common question that often comes up in conversations is “What will you do with a Liberal Studies major?” In all honesty, I want to be surprised! I want to graduate with a well-rounded range of abilities and interests. I don’t ever want to limit myself to a narrowly defined career field, and the more that I become involved in, the more experience I gain. I do believe that understanding our similarities and acknowledging our differences is the key to achieving social justice in any place on any scale. What I will aim for is a hands-on career that involves travel, interaction with a broad range of people, and opportunities to have a positive impact. I want a career that combines flexibility and variation so that I can use my talents and training to the utmost of my ability, relying on the past and looking to the future. I hope to work for a non-profit organization or for the community service division of a multinational company to address global issues such as poverty, disease, human rights, and sustainability— issues that will be enhanced by a keen sense of reciprocity.

Looking back, hopping from college to college before I got my footing, taking a giant leap and moving to LA for the quarter to work as an intern for TOMS Shoes, and seizing the chance to travel the world on Semester at Sea before immersing myself in the community and culture of Corvallis add up to more than I ever could have imagined or hoped for in obtaining a rich education. This is just the beginning, and I am confident that my Liberal Arts degree can help lay the groundwork for my next “jump” into the world. Whether it is continuing education that leads to a master’s program, a service project in the Peace Corps, working with Habitat for Humanity or a future career, I am certain that my Bachelor of Arts degree will help provide the tools that I need for success.