‘3C’ takes off with AFCLC distance learning course Published Aug. 21, 2009 By Carl Poteat Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Air University took the first step toward the Air Force leadership's vision of more cross-culturally competent force on April 6, when 52 enlisted Airmen began "Introduction to Culture," or ITC, the first-ever distance learning course on this topic. Offered by the Air Force Culture and Language Center, or AFCLC, ITC is the first element of Air University's Quality Enhancement Plan. The Plan was presented to the reaffirmation team from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in March as part of AU's reaffirmation of accreditation, said Dr. Brian Selmeski, chair of the Cross-Cultural Competence (3C) Department at AFCLC. "There is a definite need for this kind of course," Dr. Selmeski said. In today's military, with frequent deployments, he said developing Airmen's 3C will help them achieve mission success while reducing the potential consequences of operating in culturally-complex environments. "The DoD has put a lot of effort into increasing cultural learning in recent years, but no one has ever offered a course quite like this before," he said, emphasizing the academic approach, delivery method and students. According to course curriculum manager Katie Gunther, the feedback from the initial class of the 15-week course was "overwhelmingly positive." Students felt that ITC was useful in both the near-term and applicable to their long-term professional development. The first class was delivered by instructors who facilitated students' progress through interactive discussion threads as well exercises and tests. Students were all Airmen, ranging from airman first class through senior master sergeant. Enrollment for the next class, starting this fall, is full. Student interest in ITC is so high, that plans are being developed to offer the course to at least 900 students in January 2010, according to Dr. Robert Sands, the course's professor of record. The fall class will have 400 students, and will once again be offered in a 15-week, facilitated format. However, a six-month, self-paced option is also being developed to keep pace with the demand, Ms. Gunther said. Ms. Gunther observed that the ITC course is based on an "anthropological model." Airmen are given general foundational concepts of culture by focusing on broad domains of culture such as gender, kinship and exchange that can guide learning in any specific cultural context. Students are also given basic communication and negotiation skills that will enhance their effectiveness in working across cultural differences. When Airmen are deployed, Ms. Gunther said, "We want them to understand the power dynamics of culture, so they can figure out who to go to, and what questions to ask." Although offered by AFCLC, the course qualifies Airmen for credit from the Barnes Center's Community College of the Air Force, said Ms. Gunther. Airmen who successfully complete the course can apply it as either their program elective or social science requirement. This is the first non-PME course in recent memory that is taught by the military and qualifies for academic credit with CCAF, said Ms. Gunther. Dr. Selmeski said the highly successful start of the Introduction to Culture Course validates the selection of the Air University QEP on cross-cultural competence. The next element of the QEP, he said, is the inclusion of 3C content in Officer Training School this fall and in the Squadron Officer College distance learning program in early 2010. Dr. Selmeski explained that when the QEP is fully implemented by 2015, 3C will be infused throughout all of Air University's schools. "This will help ensure Airmen are ready to deploy anywhere globally and keep AU on the cutting edge of research and teaching," he said.