78679 - Mediation - Spanish (LM)

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to familiarize the students with theories of linguistic and cultural mediation and its diverse practical/professional applications. The students are expected to be able to apply the theoretical and practical tools learned in class to the needs of the public and social services, as well as to international and intercultural communication. They are also expected to progress to being able to independently monitor and update their skills and competence, also for the purpose of conducting autonomous research in the field. Language classes aim at improving students’ linguistic competence; over the two year period students’ knowledge of Spanish should reach an equivalent level to C2 in accordance with the European framework in all four abilities. These classes will work in connection with the lectures to improve students’ writing skills in particular.

Course contents

Bridges and Dialogues: Tools for Intercultural Mediation

60-hour course | 2nd semester 2026-2027

Instructor: Professor Silvia Betti

Course description

The course provides theoretical and practical training in intercultural mediation, aimed at developing competencies for conflict management and the facilitation of communication in contexts characterised by high cultural and linguistic diversity. Drawing on a conceptual framework encompassing notions such as ethnocentrism, cultural relativity, power asymmetries and non-verbal communication, the course addresses real-world cases in areas including healthcare, education and migration contexts, with particular attention to both physical and symbolic border dynamics. Through simulations, case studies and debates, students will acquire some tools to intervene as mediators in situations of increasing complexity.

Learning objectives

The course aims to enable students to understand the theoretical foundations of intercultural mediation, to develop negotiation and conflict management skills in asymmetrical contexts, and to critically analyse real-life situations in the healthcare, educational and migratory domains. Particular emphasis will be placed on the application of non-verbal communication strategies and cultural empathy, as well as on critical reflection on the role of the mediator as a bridge between discourses, identities, and normative systems in tension.

Course content

The syllabus is organised around three main blocks which will be developed in an integrated manner throughout the semester. Firstly, the theoretical and conceptual foundations of intercultural mediation will be addressed, including mediation models, cultural biases, and the keys to verbal and non-verbal communication. Secondly, the main areas of application will be examined, with particular emphasis on the healthcare sector, where linguistic barriers and differing perceptions of illness present daily challenges; on the educational domain, with a focus on mediation in multicultural schools and migrant family contexts; and on migration scenarios, with a specific focus on the Mexico-United States border, understood as a space of transit, hybrid identities, and control policies. Lastly, specific attention will be devoted to practical tools and active methodologies, such as role-playing, mediation simulations, analysis of intercultural discourses, and protocols for preventing cultural misunderstandings, with the aim of enabling students to design and evaluate mediation projects in diverse contexts.

 

Readings/Bibliography

N.B. Any additions and/or modifications will be communicated during the course.

- PPT and lecture materials (and/or indicated during classes)

- Betti, Silvia. *La fragilidad del ser y la violencia simbólica del lenguaje en un cuento de Luz Selenia Vásquez*, «LINGUE E LINGUAGGI», 2025, 69, pp. 85-96 [article]. Will be uploaded on Virtuale.

- Betti, Silvia. *Voces fragmentadas: violencia, identidad, lengua y transculturalidad en "Papi y el Otro" de Luz Selenia Vázquez*, «GLOSAS», 2025, 10, pp. 16-32 [article]. Will be uploaded on Virtuale.

- Students must choose 2 books from the following list: Geda, Fabio, *Nel mare ci sono i coccodrilli. Storia vera di Enaiatollah Akbari*, Baldini e Castoldi, 2017 (or other edition). Luiselli, Valeria, *Los niños perdidos*, Sexto Piso, 2018. Sabatés, Sandra, *No me cuentes cuentos*, Planeta, 2022. Reyna Grande, *La distancia entre nosotros: Memorias de una niña emigrante*, VR EUROPA - VRYA (or other Spanish edition) 2020. Sergio González Rodríguez, *Huesos en el desierto*, ISBN 978-84-339-2554-1, EAN 9788433925541. Blue Jeans, *La chica invisible*, Ed. Planeta, 2020, ISBN 978-84-08-18478-2.

- In addition to the two chosen books, students are required to read the graphic novel by Bianchini and Ballati: *Migrantes. Clandestino verso il sogno americano* (Bfs Edizioni, 2015).

- Grupo CRIT, *Culturas y atención sanitaria. Guía para la comunicación y la mediación intercultural*, Octaedro, Barcelona, 2009. ISBN 978-84-9921-012-4. Available in print or PDF format at: https://octaedro.com/libro/culturas-y-atencion-sanitaria/

- Laghrich, Saloua. "Reflexiones sobre la mediación intercultural y experiencias desde la Comunidad Valenciana", *Tonos Digital*, no. 8, Dec. 2004. Available at: http://www.um.es/tonosdigital/znum8/estudios/11-Salou.htm

- Medina, Pilar and Miquel, Rodrigo Alsina. "Las emociones como barreras y como accesos a la diversidad cultural", *Congreso Comunicación y diversidad cultural*, Forum Barcelona, 2004. Available at: http://www.portalcomunicacion.com/dialeg/paper/pdf/35_alsina.pdf or at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277274395_Las_emociones_como_barreras_y_como_accesos_a_la_diversidad_cultural

Teaching methods

Students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are advised to contact the University's relevant office as soon as possible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it) and the instructor. Any requests for accommodation must be submitted at least 15 days before the examination date by email to the instructor, copying the appropriate office: disabilita@unibo.it (for disabilities) or dsa@unibo.it (for SLD).

Lectures and cooperative learning. The classes will require active student participation through debates, role-playing, presentations and practical exercises. The languages of instruction will be Spanish and Italian.

Assessment methods

Examination for the monographic course (lectures) - Instructor: Professor Silvia Betti

The examination for the lecture component will consist of an oral interview in Spanish (entry level C1) with the instructor, covering the course content (lecture notes, materials provided in class, required readings) and the various practical activities carried out during the sessions.

The overall grade for the examination (language practice + lectures) will be the result of the weighted average of the grade for the language practice component (34 hours of exercises) and that for the lectures (Professor Betti).

 

Teaching tools

Lectures will utilize:

• PowerPoint presentations

• Audio and video materials

• Online documents

• Other digital resources

 

Office Hours:

Consult Professor Silvia Betti's website:
https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/s.betti

Links to further information

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/s.betti

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Betti