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Cultural Horizons Institute Curriculum Model The CHI Curriculum Model is based on achieving mastery in three domains (Communication, Home Life, and Industry) at three deepening levels of practice (Consciousness, Harmony, and Integration). Three Key Domains: Communication (Language) • Basic Language Skills Home Life (Social and Informal Settings) Explore the Differences and Common Practices within: Industry (Professional and Formal Settings) Explore the Differences and Common Practices within: Three Levels of Practice: Consciousness (Awareness)
Harmony (Empathy)
Integration (Understanding & Embodying)
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Culture Tip: The importance of Chinese guan-xi... In the early phases of founding the Cultural Horizons Institute, I was describing the curriculum and business plan to a potential investor from Shanghai. With great care I went over in my best broken-Mandarin the carefully thought out details of our approach. Proud that I had gotten through the course description and decidedly ready to answer almost any question that came my way, I was unexpectedly caught off guard by her reply: “But how can I explain to the other investors the value of your program? How will you establish the value to them?” Confused, I struggled to re-explain the content, goal and financial viability of our work. After dancing around conversation in search of a satisfying for the next twenty minutes, I came to understand the nature of her underlying question. What she wanted to know was: “Who are the publicly well-known endorsers? Who are the team members? With what prestigious university will you be affiliated?” In other words, tell me about your guan-xi – your relationships.
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News Flash: Wall Street Journal: Chinese draw the lines between personal and professional life differently than Americans do, and the idea of "colleagues" isn't the same in the two countries… READ MORE By Li Yuan, published February 19, 2008 New York Times: As American educators seek to emulate Asian pedagogy... Chinese educators are trying to blend a Western emphasis on critical thinking, versatility and leadership into their own traditions… READ MORE By Ann Hulbert, published April 1, 2007. New York Times: With its booming economy and aspirations to expand its global influence, China may have achieved a victory in American classrooms… READ MORE By Natasha Degen and Winnie Hu, published November 29, 2006. |
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Testimonials: "I appreciated that the workshop allowed us to step back from our studies and reflect on life. I liked the critical thinking aspect of it and how there was not a black and white clear-cut answer. I also liked the environment that you tried to foster by understanding that people feel vulnerable in situations where they have to speak out in a large group." - University of Pacific Student, Fall 2007 |
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• Raise a consciousness around social norms and values as culturally constructed behaviors and values v. universal truths.
• Raise a consciousness around common or shared experiences of the human condition for the sake of connectedness to others and sensitivity of another’s experience.
• Equip the learner with direct skills to be applied in diverse settings.