ERIC Number: ED282267
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1986
Pages: 10
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Communications and International Business: Focusing General Education on the Needs of International Business.
Harwood, Glenn R.; Platt, Chet
The communications and international business program at Coastline Community College in California focuses on the use of curricula experiments and instructional innovations to update general education and vocational courses to meet the training needs of international business people in the area. Local business executives whose companies were involved in international trade were surveyed for suggested topics to be included in an international program. Most respondents were interested in comparative cultures and in dealing with problems that arise in typical cross cultural settings. Interest in a certificate rather than a degree program was high, and Coastline scheduled credit and non-credit courses at a variety of times and locations and in diverse formats to allow students to study while continuing full-time employment. In addition to courses specifically dealing with international business--the intercultural communication course in the Speech Communication area--was revised, revitalizing its general education and liberal arts curriculum. Traditional curricula were maintained while innovative methodology was implanted, including (1) the use of business oriented media to illustrate cultural similarities and differences, (2) extensive use of role-playing in order to illustrate specific cultural patterns and effects on intercultural communication, and (3) lecture and discussion using examples from business and industrial settings. This "mixed approach" holds the best chance of success in meeting the needs of international business people--the ultimate goal is to become a permanent training/education partner with the international business community. (NKA)
Descriptors: Business Communication, Business Education, Class Activities, Community Colleges, Cultural Awareness, Curriculum Development, Foreign Culture, Instructional Innovation, Program Development, Role of Education, School Business Relationship, Speech Communication, Student Needs, Teaching Methods
Publication Type: Opinion Papers; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A