Registration for the spring "Introduction to Culture" course, an online self-paced undergraduate course that helps enlisted Airmen improve their cross-cultural competence, ends Feb. 29.
The course explores subjects such as elements of culture, family, gender, religion, belief systems, sports and other cultural domains. It also helps Airmen operationalize this knowledge through cross-cultural communication, relations and conflict resolution.
"ITC students should anticipate a similar amount of work to any other in-residence college-level course," said anthropologist Patricia Fogarty, the lead course developer. "Some students find ITC challenging, particularly those who expect it to be a computer-based training course. They also tell us it's engaging, interesting and relevant to their work."
Three hundred seats remain for this general education course which fulfills three resident hours of either social science or program elective credit required for CCAF degrees. Only enlisted active duty, Air Reservists or Air National Guardsmen who are eligible to pursue a degree in the Community College of the Air Force program may take the course.
Although the course provides CCAF credits, that's not the main benefit, according to one Air Force noncommissioned officer.
"I liked the in-depth analysis of each of the topics, and the way it related specifically to the military, and actual situations we might face in a deployed environment or overseas assignment..." said Staff Sgt. Russell Delaney, a recent ITC graduate from the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron. "It helped me to better understand how this information could be applied to a real-life scenario I might face in the future, both personally and professionally."
ITC is one of two online courses AFCLC offers that result in college-credit. The other course is Introduction to Cross-Cultural Communication. Registration for CCC course will begin April 5.
These courses, including all instructional material, are provided at no cost, and delivered via AU's web-based Blackboard Learning Management System. Internet access is required.
For the latest information on courses and other resources, see the AFCLC's public website at www.culture.af.mil, and click on the "Culture Education/QEP" tab, or follow the AFCLC on twitter at www.twitter.com/afclc.
