International Courses

Who says international awareness gives you the edge?

“Part of the process of America’s continued leadership in the world is going to be our capacity to communicate across boundaries.”
–President Barack Obama

Foreign Language Education in the Global World

“More businesses than ever are working in the international arena and are now requiring their employees to speak a foreign language.  As the job market becomes more and more competitive, those with foreign language skills have the upper edge. If the United States is to keep a competitive edge in the international business world, we are going to have to succeed in educating more of our citizens to communicate in other languages. Learning a foreign language isn’t just useful abroad. The ability to speak a foreign language is also incredibly useful here in the United States. Whether in public service, sales or tourism, many employers are looking for employees with foreign language skills.”  (Liza Sánchez, is the founder and Board Chair of Escuela Bilingüe Internacional (EBI) in Oakland, California.)

International Courses

ICS 101 GER International Cultural Studies in Germany—2 Cr. Hrs. – 1 Contact Hr. Prerequisite: Selection to participate in the Exchange Program between Muskegon Community College and the Kaufmännische Schule Stuttgart- Nord and acceptance of the terms of participation. German language abilities are not required but highly recommended. The course introduces students to the Global Community as represented by Germany. The student will study German culture, history, and politics through lectures, discussions, and actual travel to Stuttgart, Germany. It is offered in conjunction with the Kaufmännische Schule Stuttgart-Nord in Stuttgart, Germany, and culminates with a ten-day visit to Germany. Beyond tuition and texts, additional costs include the airfare to Stuttgart, Germany, and spending money while in Germany. Please note: This course does not carry the Ready to Succeed prerequisite, but does not fulfill the Foreign Language requirement under the International category of the ASA degree.

 

Business, Social Sciences and Modern Language courses:

BUS 200 – International Business 3 Cr. Hrs. – 3 Contact Hrs. This is an introductory course designed to help students become familiar with, understand, and appreciate people from different cultures to promote a more effective basis for working together in the business world. Emphasis and application are placed upon business etiquette and business practice as they differ in various cultures. The course will explore reasons companies choose to enter the international market, various marketing approaches, government regulations, and opportunities for individuals in the international scene. Note: Section 836 is offered via the Internet. See instructions for requirements.

BUS 121 – Introduction to Business 3 Cr. Hrs. – 3 Contact Hrs. This is general course in business principles, problems, and practices, which provides an understanding of the operation of the American Business System and it’s place in the economy. Information concerning more effective use of business services in personal affairs is included as well as preparation for future business courses.

BCOM 101 – Business and Technical Communications 3 Cr. Hrs. – 4 Contact Hrs. This course is designed for students who choose to specialize in a business or technical field. All phases of the communication process will be covered with major emphasis placed on effective written communication for business and industry, including intercultural communication strategies. Revision and proofreading skills necessary for appropriate business and technical correspondence are emphasized, and students will develop abilities to organize thoughts, which will allow them to write clearly, accurately, and quickly. Lab hours outside of the scheduled class time will be necessary.

ENG 227 – British Literature 3 Cr. Hrs. – 3 Contact Hrs. An introduction to British Literature I (673-1744), students will survey the realm of British Literature and discuss its forms, functions, meanings and themes.

ENG 228– British Literature 3 Cr. Hrs. – 3 Contact Hrs. An introduction to British Literature II (1750-today), students will survey the realm of British Literature and discuss its forms, functions, meanings and themes.

GRD 150 – Multimedia Production 3 Cr. Hrs. – 6 Contact Hrs. The student will use contemporary multimedia software and prepare files to create, storyboard, assemble and produce multimedia presentations. The fundamentals and terminology of movie production will be taught. The student should have strong knowledge of the computer operating system, contemporary photo editing software and drawing software.

PHIL 203 – Philosophy of Religion 3 Cr. Hrs. – 3 Contact Hrs. A brief comparative study of the history and content of major world religions followed by philosophical inquiry into the meaning, truth and value of religious phenomena.

PSCI 211 – Comparative Government 3 Cr. Hrs. – 3 Contact Hrs. This course will compare governments in various European, American, Asian, and African states. Students will examine political, cultural, economic, and historical reasons for similarities and differences between nations. The United States will be used as a model for comparison. In the process, students will gain a new appreciation of U.S. government and be inspired to improve it. Note: Section 98 starts January 29th and meets for 12 weeks.

PSCI 202 – International Relations 3 Cr. Hrs. – 3 Contact Hrs. This course examines political relationships worldwide. It will include the analysis of conflicts in the world and how nations search for peace through the United Nations. Additional areas to be examined are international law, the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, currency exchange rates, the integration of trade blocs like the European Union, environmental pollution, and economic development.

SPAN 101 – Basic Spanish 4 Cr. Hrs. – 4 Contact Hrs. Prerequisite: The student must have completed ENG 101 or presently be enrolled in ENG 101, or have passed the English Placement Exam indicating the student may enroll in ENG 101, or have the permission of the instructor. This course is for students with little or no experience with Spanish. It is designed to help the student achieve a minimal oral capability, to comprehend the structure of the language, and to develop moderate reading and writing skills. There is no laboratory requirement, but the student is required to spend five sessions with a native speaker, when available, for group conversation practice. There will be occasional sessions on cultural matters.

SPAN 102 – Basic Spanish 4 Cr. Hrs. – 4 Contact Hrs. Prerequisite: The student must have completed ENG 101 or be presently enrolled in ENG 101, or have passed the English Placement Exam indicating that the student may enroll in ENG 101, or have the permission of the instructor. Spanish 102 assumes that the student has studied Spanish for at least one semester at the college level (preferably Spanish 101). The student continues to develop the capacity to read, write, speak, and understand Spanish. There will be occasional sessions on cultural matters. The grammatical emphasis is on identifying and using the various tenses. There is no laboratory requirement, but the student is required to spend five sessions with a native speaker when available for group conversation practice.

SPAN 201 – Intermediate Spanish 4 Cr. Hrs. – 4 Contact Hrs. Prerequisites: SPAN 101 and SPAN 102, or satisfactory completion of two recent years of high school Spanish, or the permission of the instructor. This course reviews and reinforces the material learned in the first two semesters, examines more tenses and other aspects of grammar, and provides practice in expanding capabilities in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding Spanish. There is no laboratory requirement, but the student is required to spend five sessions with a native speaker, when available, for group conversation practice. There will be occasional sessions on cultural matters.

SPAN 202 – Intermediate Spanish 4 Cr. Hrs. – 4 Contact Hrs. Prerequisites: SPAN 201 or Instructor Permission. This course focuses on the remaining tenses and on the subjunctive mood. The student will have more opportunities to develop skills in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding Spanish. There is no laboratory requirement, but the student is required to spend five sessions with a native speaker, when available, for group conversation practice. There will be occasional sessions on cultural matters.

GER 101 – Basic German 4 Cr. Hrs. – 4 Contact Hrs. This course is the first semester of a communicative language course to promote proficiency and practical competency in elementary German. It will focus on the essential elements of effective communication by teaching skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It will also provide cultural insights into life in German-speaking countries.

GER 102 – Basic German 4 Cr. Hrs. – 4 Contact Hrs. Prerequisite: GER 101, successful completion of one year of recent high school German, or have the permission of the instructor. This course is a continuation of GER 101 with continued emphasis on communication and proficiency.

GER 103 – Basic German 2 Cr. Hrs. – 2 Contact Hrs. Prerequisites: GER 101 and GER 102, successful completion of two years of high school German, or have the permission of the instructor. This course will provide an intensive grammar review and serve as a supplement to German 101 and 102 so that the student will have a complete introduction to ALL grammatical elements of the German language. Advanced conversation and written assignments will complement this grammatical study. The topics for conversation, written work, and readings will include German history, the situation of foreign workers in Germany, the apprenticeship system, and German unification.

GER 201 – Intermediate German 4 Cr. Hrs. – 4 Contact Hrs. Prerequisites: GER 101 and GER 102, successful completion of two recent years of high school German, or have the permission of the instructor. This is the first semester of an intermediate level German course, which stresses skills to help the student communicate competently and appropriately in various situations in German. It reflects the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills will be strengthened by using authentic, contemporary information.

GER 202 – Intermediate German 4 Cr. Hrs. – 4 Contact Hrs. Prerequisites: GER 101, GER 102, and GER 201, or successful completion of three recent years of high school German, or have the permission of the instructor. This is a continuation of German 201 with expansion of communicative and proficiency abilities, contemporary cultural information, and grammatical knowledge.

FR 101 – Basic French 4 Cr. Hrs. – 4 Contact Hrs. Prerequisite: The student must have either completed ENG 101, be presently enrolled in ENG 101, have passed the English Placement Exam indicating they may enroll in ENG 101, or have the permission of the instructor. This is a beginning course for students who have had no previous study of French. The emphasis is on developing communication in French through listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities.

FR 102 – Basic French 4 Cr. Hrs. – 4 Contact Hrs. Prerequisite: FR 101 or have the permission of the instructor. A continuation of FR 101. The student continues to develop the capacity to understand, speak, read, and write French.

FR 201 – Intermediate French 4 Cr. Hrs. – 4 Contact Hrs. Prerequisites: FR 101 and FR 102 or satisfactory completion of two recent years of high school French, or have the permission of the instructor. This second year course is designed to improve the four basic skills begun in the first year. This course reviews and reinforces material learned in the first year, examines more tenses and other aspects of grammar, and provides practice in expanding capabilities in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding French.

FR 202 – Intermediate French 4 Cr. Hrs. – 4 Contact Hrs. Prerequisite: FR 201 or have the permission of the instructor. This course is a continuation of FR 201.

GEOG 105 – World Regional Geography 3 Cr. Hrs. – 3 Contact Hrs. World regional geography is an introductory examination of the major cultural realms of the world—areas which share similar cultural and economic conditions. The physical environment and human impact on that environment will also be studied for each region. Units of study may include: Anglo-America, Europe, Russia and her neighbors, sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa/Southwest Asia, Monsoon Asia, East Asia, and middle and South America. A previous course in physical or human geography would be helpful, but is not mandatory.

GEOG 215 – Geography 4 Cr. Hrs. –5 Contact Hrs. 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of laboratory. This course is an introductory study of the atmosphere which includes both weather and climate. Fundamental physical laws governing weather elements will be examined. No prerequisites, although physical geography and the knowledge of basic computer skills including the ability to manipulate images are recommended.