Developing Foreign Cultures Courses for the Professions

FAIN: AC-269245-20

Arizona Board of Regents (Tucson, AZ 85721-0073)
Carine Bourget (Project Director: July 2019 to September 2024)

A three-year curriculum development program to infuse foreign language and culture content into courses in business, healthcare, and other professional programs. 

The Humanities play a crucial role in developing understanding of diverse cultures and appreciation of various perspectives, skills that are necessary to solve global challenges, be they related to economic or health issues, among others. One approach to make the pertinence of the Humanities to professional life obvious is to design courses that blend the Humanities with specific professional training. Such courses develop humanities skills such as intercultural competence, advanced foreign language skills when applicable, and knowledge specific to various parts of the world to help prepare students for careers in a global world.

Associated Products

Italian Business (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Italian Business
Author: Letizia Bellocchio
Abstract: Course Description Italian business is an advanced seminar in Italian language and general business culture for 400 level students. It will be structured in weekly modules in which students explore both cultural and practical aspects of the Italian economy within the European Union. For example, they will investigate how traditions and customs affect the country economy as well as they will learn commercial terminology and business practices. Moreover, the seminar will include an Italian film dealing with the world of business. These films aim at familiarize students not only with business situations but also with pivotal moments in Italian economic history such as the economic boom, the Mattei case, and the Parmalat scandal. The seminar will provide an introduction to Italian economy from the 1950 to the present, focusing on key factors in the transition from an agricultural based economy to a leading country in word trade and exports (‘Made in Italy’ brand, vehicles, clothing, furniture, food, wine etc.). The seminar will also aim at the acquisition and reinforcement of the essential, practical content, vocabulary and style to every-day business situations and transactions. Each module will offer a specific business situation in which students in pairs or small groups introduce themselves in a business meeting, make travel arrangements, write their resume and cover letter, prepare for a job interview, create a business plan and launch a new product. Finally, while students will be familiarizing themselves with the language and the practices of Italian business, they will also review advanced grammatical structures in writing and speaking.
Year: 2020
Audience: Undergraduate

German for Professional Purposes (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: German for Professional Purposes
Author: Barbara Kosta
Abstract: This upper intermediate language course is designed to combine knowledge about language and culture with skills to navigate German professional contexts. The language of instruction and communication is German. During the course of the semester, students will learn to express themselves more effectively in professional settings by expanding their vocabulary and broadening their oral and written proficiency (i.e. phone calls, emails, letters, applications, job interviews, interpersonal situations, product/business and cultural presentations). In particular, this course will introduce students to the tourism/ hospitality industry, a multifaceted field that is essential to local and regional economies. It is designed to teach students about the local hospitality industry and to combine knowledge about language and culture with skills to navigate professional contexts. During the course of the semester students will learn to express themselves more effectively in professional settings by expanding their vocabulary and broadening their oral and written proficiency. Through different types of media (i.e. newspapers, commercials, advertisements) students will gain critical awareness of cultural practices pertaining to professional contexts within the hospitality industry as well as German companies. Students will read, write, research and critically discuss business related topics such as economic issues in Germany, the promotion of local attractions for a German-speaking audience and possible cultural similarities and differences between the German-speaking countries and the U.S. They will create itineraries for tours featuring Tucson and vicinity, practice marketing skills based on our and most importantly, learn about intercultural competence, a skill taught in the humanities, that is essential for the hospitality industry and in the international business arena. Since the Southwest is a main attraction for German and German-speaking tourists according to the PIMA CO
Year: 2021
Audience: Undergraduate

East Asia and Global Capitalism (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: East Asia and Global Capitalism
Author: Jiang Wu
Abstract: This course explores the Weberian thesis on the relation between culture and capitalist economy by investigating East Asia and its connection with global capitalism. Special attention will be paid to the formation of the dominating East Asian intellectual and religious traditions such as Confucianism and Buddhism and their impact on business ethics and practices in East Asia. Expected Learning Outcome: Students are expected to make enlightened judgments about the depth and scope of East Asian thought and business culture and to situate the current subject in the global context. Through reading translations of primary sources and writing term papers and response papers, students will develop analytical skills to interpret the following issues and topics in this class: 1. The formation of global capitalism and the role of East Asia 2. Life and thought of influential East Asian thinkers 3. Impact of their thoughts on East Asian business culture 4. Cultural and ethical aspects of East Asian economy and business.
Year: 2021
Audience: Undergraduate

Portuguese for Healthcare Professionals (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Portuguese for Healthcare Professionals
Author: Ana Carvalho
Abstract: Portuguese for Healthcare Professionals is a course designed to help professionals develop the skills necessary to communicate efficiently with Portuguese-speaking patients in a culturally competent manner. This course aims at offering a fast-paced, step-by-step course for students with no or very little previous knowledge of Portuguese to develop proficiency to communicate with Portuguese speakers in a healthcare setting. Different Portuguese-speaking cultures will be taught through a variety of activities that will bring awareness to differential personal space, dietary preferences, communication styles, symptom management, activities of daily living, and religious and health practices. Thus, in addition to developing the linguistic skills necessary for communication, students enrolled in this course will enhance awareness about their attitudes, knowledge, commitment, and skills to effectively practice culturally responsive medicine during interactions with Portuguese-speaking patients.
Year: 2021
Audience: Undergraduate

Law & Order BCE (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Law & Order BCE
Author: Rob Groves
Abstract: in pdf
Year: 2023
Audience: Undergraduate

French for Health (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: French for Health
Author: Carine Bourget
Abstract: Pursuing a Global Health career, a medical interpreting career or a career in a health agency? This course is for you! Professional proficiency in French is a key skill to pursue an intercultural health career; not only because France is a key partner and contributor to the WHO (World Health Organization), but also because most of the global French-speaking world continues to face significant healthcare challenges and disparities (France Diplomacy). Beyond equipping you with essential medical terminology and reinforcing your French oral and written communication skills, this course emphasizes the development of your professional intercultural competence. Over the course of the semester, we will cover task-centric modules and work on practical class projects designed to train you to confidently navigate the Francophone healthcare system, either as a healthcare administrator, provider or interpreter.
Year: 2024
Audience: Undergraduate

Doing Business In/With Africa: A Cultural Perspective (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Doing Business In/With Africa: A Cultural Perspective
Author: Bayo Ijagbemi
Abstract: Going into the 21st century, Africa, (along with Asia and Latin America), is often referred to as one of the emerging markets of the world. This recognition has cast Africa as occupying the last frontier market of modern international business and global capitalism. AFAS 463 Doing Business In/ With Africa is designed to provide cultural grounding and competency in Africa for students and professionals interested in conducting business and/or working with government agencies and non-profit organizations in Africa. Its focus, therefore, is the cultural aspect of the international business environment of Africa.
Year: 2024
Audience: Undergraduate

Russian in a Cultural Context: Advocacy, Social Media and Human Rights (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Russian in a Cultural Context: Advocacy, Social Media and Human Rights
Author: Liudmila Klimanova
Abstract: RSSS 308 is an oral communication course designed to give you the opportunity to further develop your ability to effectively communicate in Russian in real-life situations. The course focuses on advanced communication skills, such as, expressing an opinion on various social and political issues, narrating a story, or telling about a current event, presenting a well-structured argument, and engaging in an extended conversation with a social complication. An important component of this course is an international collaborative project where you will apply your skills in a professional situation while working with students in Russia and\or Central Asia on a collaborative project. This course is designed to supplement the third-year course sequence, RSSS 301-302.
Year: 2022
Audience: Undergraduate

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