This course is designed for a newcomer to the United States who has to deal not only with becoming a successful student at Xincon, but is exposed to foreign culture, customs, laws, conceptions, and misconceptions. The course is not intended to replace ESL; nor is it intended to teach international students to imitate Americans. It is designed to develop a deeper understanding of the country where international students will spend the next several years; and help them to cope with cultural differences. To understand America and Americans means in this case to have a reasonably accurate set of ideas on basis of which to interpret the circumstances and behavior they experience.
Textbook: Gray Althen: American Ways (A guide for Foreigners in the United States)
Course Outline:
Module 1. Ideas about American Culture
• General overview of the course-role/position/obligations of international students, difference in educational systems
• Understanding Americans
• How Americans see themselves
• How Americans see foreigners
• General Ideas about American Culture
• American Values and Assumptions
• Individualism and privacy
• Equality, Informality, Time
• Achievement, Action, Materialism, Directness, Assertiveness
• The Communicative Style of Americans
• Preferred discussion topics, Favorite forms of interaction, Depth of Involvement Sought, Channels Preferred, Level of Meaning Emphasized
• Ways of Reasoning
• Differences in Customs
Module 2. Specific Aspects of American Life
2-1 Family Life
a) Parents, Children, Elders
b) Family Responsibilities
2-2 Social Relations
a) Male/ Female Relations/ Friendship/ Commitment
b) Communication- Verbal/Nonverbal
c) Sports
d) Behavior in Public Places
e) Religion/Church
2-3 Business
a) Shopping
b) Banking- Credit, Credit Card, Loans, Checks- Responsibility
c) Driving
2-4 Health
a) Personal Hygiene
b) Health Care System in America
c) Medical Insurance
Module 3. Coping with Cultural Differences
3-1 Activities/ Exercises
Module 4. Assignments and Evaluation
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