Sample GI courses
The following four courses all can be found in the current UVSC course catalog. They were part of a pilot program that the General Education committee ran in Spring 2006 to evaluate the Global Intercultural requirement. These courses are not the complete set of courses from this pilot program, but are representative. All information is current as of Fall 2006.
Course #1: ENG 3740 Literature of the Sacred
Course Description: Focuses on reading and interpreting primary texts of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and others emphasizing resonances of these texts in later works of literature. Discusses texts from a literary standpoint within the genre of “religious writings.” Requires reading, informal and formal writing, and tests.
Course Objectives—Upon successful completion, students should be able to:
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Demonstrate an understanding of stories and major themes expressed in the sacred texts of world religions.
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Distinguish between various religious texts and their meaning and import for the culture in which they were generated.
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Discuss the influence of each religions primary texts on writers from later eras.
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Discuss intelligently the historical, cultural, and philosophical trends affecting the reception of these sacred texts.
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Compare and contrast the ideas of individual religions noting similarities and differences of belief.
Upon successful completion, students should have the following attitude(s)/traits:
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Students will gain an appreciation of the significant influence of specific religious texts on their own and subsequent cultures.
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Students will receive practice in developing their oral and written skills.
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Students will exercise their critical thinking skill by assessing and synthesizing disparate historical, philosophical, and cultural trend exhibited by the different sacred texts.
Course #2: ANTH 1010 Social/Cultural Anthropology
Course Description: Introduces students to the variability of human behavior cross-culturally and provides an understanding of the holistic approach to human behavior. Explores interrelationships, in a variety of cultural contexts, between beliefs, economic structures, sexuality, eating habits, ecology, politics, living arrangements, psychology, symbolism, and kinship.
Course Objectives—Upon successful completion, students should be able to:
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Demonstrates an understanding of class and contemporary models in anthropology.
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Exhibit a knowledge of the application of theoretical perspectives to current real-life issues.
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Demonstrate a familiarity with the methods and models currently used in anthropology.
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Exhibit a thorough understanding of cultural analysis and critique.
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Research and write in depth, thorough, anthropological analysis comprising a variety of theoretical perspectives.
Upon successful completion, students should have the following attitude(s)/traits:
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Reach beyond their own ethnocentric biases to an understanding of other’s perspectives.
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The ability to research and write concise and in depth anthropological analyses from differing perspectives.
Course #3: MGMT 3320 Cross-Cultural Communications for International Business
Course Description: Required for International Business majors and is an elective for all business majors. Discusses today’s business environment which requires work in a multi-ethnic setting. Overviews critical elements that arise from the various cultural backgrounds which can impact both domestic and international organizations. Proceeds from a management point of view with lessons easily derived for the mid-level manager as well as for line personnel. Concentrates on managerial communications, negotiations, cultural change, and management functions.
Course Objective—Upon successful completion, students should be able to:
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Understand the effects of rapid globalization on the marketplace.
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Understand the growing cultural diversity within all work forces throughout the world.
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Understand the radical changes toward free enterprise and democracy within second and third world societies and cultures.
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Realize the need for business graduates to have a more cosmopolitan perspective, coupled with corresponding intercultural skills.
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Examine the effects of culture on global management.
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Investigate the impact of culture on international business.
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Compare and contrast cultural specifics and business/service abroad.
Upon successful completion, students should have the following attitude(s)/traits:
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Desire to advance their careers; enthusiasm, creativity, cooperation, positive self-esteem, and self-motivation.
Course #4: PORT 3520 Brazilian Culture and Civilization
Course Description: Explores a multitude of aspects that construct Brazilian national identity. Completers should acquire an understanding of contemporary issues, and ethnic and economic development of Brazil, as well as historical interdependence with other nations. Presentations and class instructions conducted entirely in Portuguese.
Course Objectives—Upon successful completion, students should be able to:
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Demonstrate understanding of the diversity that constitutes the Brazilian people, and the interaction between race, gender and class;
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Identify and explain major issues concerning society in Brazil;
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Analyze some of the many ways Portuguese speakers are connected to each other and to surrounding groups;
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Make better use of Portuguese grammar and vocabulary;
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Use educated Portuguese (in opposition to colloquial Portuguese).
Upon successful completion, students should have the following attitude(s)/traits:
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Show empathy toward Third World countries and the problems they face;
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Develop appreciation and understanding of cultural differences between themselves and Portuguese speaking countries, in addition to Portuguese-speaking immigrants in the US;
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Sense the importance of bilingualism or multilingualism as key to international understanding and cooperation.
Gen. Ed. Committee
Global/Intercultural Requirement Documents:
Introduction
G/I course application process
sample courses
Five-Year Review: Review Plan
General Information:
Why general education?
UVSC catalog (.pdf file)
committee members
meeting minutes
assessment
miscellany
