VCU-SIVA English, Business and Art ProgramProposal | April 2016

Contact: Dr. Emily Ferlis Prepared by:Director of Global OutreachGlobal Education OfficeVirginia Commonwealth University

1 (804) 828-4384ferlisec@vcu.edu

About VCUVirginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a premier urban, public research university focused on academic success. As one of the top research universities in the U.S. and Top 100 Global Universities, VCU welcomes international students and values the global

perspective and cultural diversity they bring to an already vibrant campus. With more than 220 degree and certificate programs, VCU has something for almost everyone, including many opportunities to gain real-life experience, perform important research, and grow both academically and personally.

English Language ProgramThe VCU English Language Program is one of the largest intensive English programs among universities on the east coast of the United States. It is a member of American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP) and is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA).

School of the ArtsVCUarts has the highest ranking ever achieved by a public university’s school of arts and design. The school is ranked first in the country as a public university art school — and second in the country overall. 

School of BusinessThe VCU School of Business offers undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, combined degree, dual-degree and certificate programs and is home to the nationally renowned VCU Brandcenter. The school is one of only 5 percent of business schools worldwide accredited by AACSB International.

About RichmondAs the capital city of Virginia and the “Best River Town in America,” Richmond is located between the Blue Ridge Mountain and Virginia Beach, only two hours away from Washington D.C. It hosts six Fortune 500 companies, is recognized as one of Forbes “Up and Coming Cities for Entrepreneurs,” and has been listed by various publications as a top destination worldwide for its robust and creative culinary scene, active outdoors scene, and rich cultural

and historical significance. Richmond is home to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), as well as many art galleries, historical museums, and vibrant neighborhoods.

Program Description and DatesThe VCU-SIVA Certificate Program is a 6-month program where students will receive intensive English language instruction at VCU's CEA-accredited English Language Program, in addition to six credit hours each at the highly-ranked VCU School of the Arts and School of Business.  Classes will focus on Art Management, Art Product Marketing, and Small Business Enterprise. The majority of these classes will be conducted at the VCU Da Vinci Center,

which is a collaborative effort between VCU School of Business and School of Art, which will emphasize business and creative entrepreneurship.

The comprehensive classroom content is supplemented by a rich cultural program, including various day trips (Washington, D.C., Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and the Shenandoah Mountains) and participation in GEO initiatives, such as the Conversation Partner and Friendship Family programs. The program is structured to enable active engagement of students both within the VCU community as well as the Richmond community as a whole, allowing them a true immersion experience.

Session Contact Hour Per Content

WeekSummer(6/23/2016 - 8/19/2016)

22 hours of English class(4 credits)

●Written Communication●Business ESL

Fall I(8/25/2016 - 10/21/2016)

12 hours of Business class(6 credits)11 hours of English class(2 credits)

●American Society and Culture (1 credit)●Oral Communication (2 credits)●INNO/200 VNTR -- / VNTR 460 (5 credits)

Fall II(10/22/2016 - 12/15/2016)

12 hours of Arts workshop(6 credits)

●INNO 460 Product Innovation (3 credits)●INNO 221 (3 credits)

11 hours of English class(2 credits)

●Oral Communication (2 credits)

Class DescriptionWritten CommunicationStudents will produce basic academic essays using appropriate register and following the steps of writing. Students will organize and develop ideas around an academic topic. They will apply the editing strategies they have developed. Students will practice paraphrasing, summarizing and citing academic sources to avoid plagiarism. Assignments will include both drafted and in-class essays. Students will continue to use reading skills and strategies that promote comprehension and vocabulary development.

Oral CommunicationThis course is designed to further develop students’ listening and speaking skills and practice note taking and academic vocabulary. Students will continue to identify main ideas and details within academic lectures, take notes, summarize and use critical thinking skills. Activities will include reviewing academic vocabulary, listening to and taking notes from various sources. Students will apply information from lectures for academic purposes. Students will use outside source to further enhance their communication skills.

Business ESLThis course is designed to strengthen student oral and written communication skills in

international business and workplace settings. Students are given the opportunity to participate in authentic dialogues, role plays, and class discussions. Students will learn to use content-specific vocabulary for business situations, to understand the cultural elements and protocols in the global marketplace, and to familiarize themselves with writing business documents (e.g. emails, memos, letters, summaries, CV, and, reports).American Society and CultureThis course is designed to cover a wide variety of topics related to contemporary American society, culture, and art. All lectures will be presented by VCU faculty and include such topics as, race relations in America, gender and sexuality (LGBTQ) in America, religion in contemporary America, the cultural diversity of Americans, crime & the American criminal justice system, contemporary art in Richmond & America, etc.

INNO 220 Introduction to Innovation and Venture CreationA speaker series focused on the discussion of pertinent topics related to product innovation and venture creation. Students will be exposed to numerous topics through guest speakers supplemented by readings and class discussion. Topics include conceptualization, patents, capitalization, venture formation, commercialization, market assessment, project management and product life cycle management.

VNTR 460 Venture Creation ProjectStudents will work in cross-disciplinary teams on a semester-long venture creation project. Topics and activities may include business model generation, customer discovery, customer

validation, financial analysis and agile development.

INNO 221 Introduction to Arts and Design PrinciplesIntroduces arts and design principles to students from non-arts disciplines

Proposed BudgetActivity Cost (USD)

Instruction $2,000.00Housing $750.00Meals ($300 Voucher) $300.00Excursions $100.00Airport Pick Up/Drop Off $50.00Application $50.00Books $100.00iBT Testing Fee $190.00Health Insurance $150.00Unlimited Monthly Bus Pass $60.00Total $3,750.00

ExcursionsWashington D.C.Visit the National Mall, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Memorial, the White House, Capitol Hill, the National Gallery of Art, the National Air and Space Museum, and other historical sites and museums.

Williamsburg and JamestownVisit Colonial Williamsburg and Jamesburg. Sites of the original 1607 settlement, students will learn about America’s earliest industries, see ongoing archaeological discoveries of the fort and view thousands of historical artifacts. They will also explore a world-class living history museum that re-creates life in the Jamestown colony.

ActivitiesConversation PartnerGet paired with American students and meet regularly to practice English, share cultures and have fun.

Friendship FamilyConnect with local American families and be invited to visit their home, have family meals and enjoy family time outside of the university campus.

International Café

Get together with other international students at VCU to learn about each other’s culture, food, games and friendship.

AccommodationsStudents will live in new and exciting living and learning community with international and domestic students. These on-campus apartments are fully furnished, and include 24-hour security, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and the opportunity to interact with students with a wide range of cultural backgrounds.

There are several cafeterias, including one buffet-style cafeteria, as well as many restaurants and convenience stores on campus. Most of them accept RamBucks. Nearby, students can access the gym, library, and sports activities and museums for free. Grocery stores, bookstores and a variety of other business on and near campus bring convenience to student life at VCU.

Student ServicesLibraryThe newly renovated Cabell Library provides VCU’s students, faculty, and staff with space to study, collaborate, discover, create, and conduct research. Students can take advantage of traditional library services (borrow books, use computers, etc.) as well as make use of innovative resources such as a 3-D printing lab, various classes and workshops, and designated spaces for both quiet study, and engaged collaboration.

Gym & Outing Rental CenterStudents will have access to two gym facilities - the Cary Street Gym, just a few blocks away on the Academic Campus and the Larrick Student Center, about a mile away on the downtown VCU Health System Campus. The Cary Street Gym offers numerous features, including an indoor heated pool, hot tub, rock climbing wall, basketball courts (as well as volleyball, table tennis, racquetball, and badminton courts), indoor running track, group exercise classes, and an 18,000 square foot fitness center full of cardio and free weight equipment.

ELP Tutoring Center The Tutoring Center helps English Language Program students with anything related to learning English. All students are welcome, and services are free. 

Writing CenterThe Writing Center is a peer-based learning support service whose primary focus is to help students become the strongest writers possible. English Language Resources (ELR) provides extending writing consultation time with a focus on tools to help English language learners become stronger, more confident writers.

University Counseling ServicesStudying in a foreign country is exciting but can also be a stressful experience. VCU Counseling Services provides a variety of services related to emotional and mental well-being, and teaches learning skills to facilitate VCU students’ academic and personal goals.

University Student Health ServicesUniversity Student Health Services is conveniently located on both the Monroe Park and VCU Medical Center campuses.   University Student Health Services provides quality outpatient medical care and public health services, which includes health education programming that empowers students to become full participants in their health care. The Wellness Resource Center offers VCU students an array of services and resources for a healthier lifestyle.

Safety on CampusThanks to the VCU Police Department and the University’s extensive emergency information systems emergency information systems, the VCU community is accustomed to feeling safe, informed, and prepared. VCU Police patrolling campus and the surrounding areas on bikes, in cars and on foot provide 24-hour protection. You can access them immediately by using one of the 350 easily identifiable yellow emergency telephones located throughout campus. Emergency phones also connect students VCU’s RamSafe, which provides escorts if you are heading home from a late-night class or meeting. In addition to regular patrols, VCU Police also offers services such as bike and laptop

registration, alert text and email messaging, residential hall security, campus cameras and more.

Insurance RequirementsAll participants need to have insurance plan that meets the following minimum requirements:

The insurance company does not have to be a U.S.-based or owned company, but it must have an office in the U.S. If purchasing a health insurance policy outside the U.S., be sure the company has an office in the United States.

The plan must provide at least $250,000 in medical benefits a year. The plan must include medical evacuation. The plan must include repatriation of remains.

VCU Global Education Office staff will provide you with health insurance coverage options that meet university and federal requirements.