Training
ITA International/Old Dominion University (ODU) Cultural Competency Training Curriculum and Course Attendance Preparation Guidlines
- Introduction
- Course Attendees
- Course Syllabus Overview
- Scheduled Course Sessions
- Attending class/Read ahead
- What to bring
- Driving directions and maps
- Parking information
Introduction:
ITA International, in coordination with Old Dominion University, has developed the cultural competency curriculum necessary to ensure the future success of achieving NECC's expeditionary strategy which will depend greatly on the ability to communicate, negotiate with and comprehend the human terrain within a foreign environment. These abilities are structured and enabled through intense cultural competency training made possible through a partnership between NECC and ODU for educating and training today's warfighter. This course is designed to foster a fundamental understanding of cultural diversity and interpersonal relationships, the art of negotiating, and a background on non-governmental and international governmental organizations.
Course attendees:
The course is targeted for mid-level leaders (E-5 to O-3) and includes one week of intense cultural competency training that will provide selected personnel with the following skill set:
- An appreciation for the relevance and importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity for personnel working in regional environments.
- Individual interpersonal skills necessary to successfully communicate with, foster trust and support decision making with counterparts of different cultural, religious, ethnic, socio-economic and regional orientation.
- The ability to understand how cultural factors impact the operating environment.
- An overview of International Governmental Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations (IGOs and NGOs)
- An overview on the role and function of the American Embassy/ US Country Team
- An overview of the UN Organizational structure and charter
Course syllabus overview:
The weekly sessions will consist of coursework that covers each of 8 modules outlined below:
MODULE- MODULE 1 -- FUNDAMENTALS OF INTERPERSONAL COMMS MODULE
- MODULE 2 -- HOME CULTURE ORIENTATION MODULE
- MODULE 3 -- RELIGION AND CULTURE MODULE
- MODULE 4 -- USE OF INTERPRETERSMODULE
- MODULE 5 -- THE AMERICAN EMBASSY/ US COUNTRY TEAM MODULE
- MODULE 6 -- UN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE/CHARTER MODULE
- MODULE 7 -- NUANCES OF IGOS AND NGOS MODULE
- MODULE 8 -- THE ART OF NEGOTIATION
Scheduled course sessions 0800-1600:
- SESSION 1: 31MAR2008-04APR2008
- SESSION 2: 12MAY2008-16MAY2008
Attending class:
- Read ahead:
- Pre-assessment
- Module 8 Homework
What to bring:
Students should bring a writing instrument and a notebook for additional notetaking/admin and should bring the pre-assessment form from the read ahead to the first day of class. STUDENTS SHOULD PRINT OUT AND COMPLETE THE PRE-ASSESSMENT FORM AND ASSOCIATED READING (ACCESSIBLE THROUGH "PRE-ASSESSMENT" LINK ABOVE) PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS.
Students will have a one hour lunch break and will have access to local eateries and the Waves Cafe located within the VBHEC. Coffee mess will not be provided but students may bring coffee/drinks to class and vending is located on the first floor of the VBHEC.
Directions:
Classes in Virginia Beach Higher Education Center (1881 University Drive. Virginia Beach, VA 23453) Rm 217: 0800-1600
For map, please go to
1) Google Maps www.maps.google.com
2) VBHEC Parking/Building Map
Directions from ODU/Norfolk/Portsmouth:
Take 264 East from Downtown Norfolk
Exit at Rosemont Road
Make a right onto Rosemont Road
Proceed approximately 4 miles to Concert Drive
Make a right onto Concert Drive and the VBHEC is on the right.
Directions from Chesapeake:
Take 64 West toward Hampton/Richmond
Exit onto southbound Indian River Road
Turn left onto Ferrell Parkway
Merge onto Princess Anne Road
Make a left onto Concert Drive and the VBHEC in on the left.
Directions From Virginia Beach:
Take 264 West from the Oceanfront
Exit at Rosemont Road
Make a left onto Rosemont Road
Proceed approximately 4 miles to Concert Drive
Make a right onto Concert Drive and the VBHEC is on the right.
Parking: Designated parking is available in LOT 3 (Special Events Parking), 0730-1800 M-F (Class sessions are 0800-1600). Access to VBHEC is through the back or front of buidling and up the stairs to room 217.