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

Intercultural Mediation in the 21st Century: Tools for Complex Societies

60-hour course | Spring 2026
Instructor: Betti

Course Description

This course provides a theoretical-practical training in intercultural mediation, focusing on conflict resolution and communication in multicultural settings. Grounded in key concepts (cultural relativity, intercultural communication theories, and mediation models), it examines real-world cases in healthcare, education, and migration contexts, with a special emphasis on the Mexico-U.S. border. Through simulations, workshops, and critical analysis, students will acquire tools to act as mediators in high-diversity scenarios.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand theoretical foundations of intercultural mediation.

2. Develop skills in negotiation, linguistic mediation, and conflict management in asymmetric contexts.

3. Critically analyze case studies in healthcare, education, and migration.

4. Apply nonverbal communication strategies and cultural empathy in practical simulations.Theoretical Foundations

   • Cultural Relativity and Ethnocentrism
     

   • Intercultural Mediation Models
     

   • Nonverbal Communication and Cultural Biases
     

   Application Areas

   1. Healthcare:

      • Language barriers

      • Cross-cultural perceptions of illness/treatment

      • Case study: Migrant health access in border regions

   2. Education:

      • Mediation in multicultural classrooms

      • Addressing implicit bias in schools

   3. Migration:

      • Mexico-U.S. border dynamics (policies, hybrid identities)

      • Refugee integration case studies

   Practical Tools

   • Role-playing simulations
     

   • Critical discourse analysis
     

   • Cultural misunderstanding prevention protocols
     

Readings/Bibliography

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

-PPT and lesson materials (and/or indicated during the lessons).

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 [articolo]. Sarà caricato in 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 [articolo]. Sarà caricato in Virtuale.

-A scelta, 2 libri fra questi in elenco: Geda, Fabio, Nel mare ci sono i coccodrilli. Storia vera di Enaiatollah Akbari, Baldini e Castoldi, 2017 (o altra edizione). 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 (o altra edizione spagnola) 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

-Ai 2 libri scelti, andrà aggiunta la graphic novel Bianchini e 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. ISBN978-84-9921-012-4. Si può acquistare in formato cartaceo o pdf: https://octaedro.com/libro/culturas-y-atencion-sanitaria/

-Laghrich, Saloua. “Reflexiones sobre la mediación intercultural y experiencias desde la Comunidad Valenciana”. Tonos Digital, n. 8, dic. 2004. Articolo. Disponible en: http://www.um.es/tonosdigital/znum8/estudios/11-Salou.htm

-Medina, Pilar e Miquel, Rodrigo Alsina. “ Las emociones como barreras y como accesos a la diversidad cultural”. Congreso Comunicación y diversidad cultural. Forum Barcelona, 2004. Articolo. Disponible en: http://www.portalcomunicacion.com/dialeg/paper/pdf/35_alsina.pdfo en: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277274395_Las_emociones_como_barreras_y_como_accesos_a_la_diversidad_cultural

Teaching methods

Students with SLD (Specific Learning Disorders) or temporary/permanent disabilities:

It is strongly recommended to contact immediately:

1. The University's responsible office:
   University of Bologna Services for Students with Disabilities and SLD [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en]

2. The course instructor

Requests for accommodations must be submitted at least 15 days before the exam date by email to:
.Instructor: s.betti@unibo.it
.CC: disabilita@unibo.it (for disabilities)
.CC: odsa@unibo.it (for SLD)

Teaching Methodology:

• Lectures + cooperative learning

• Lessons require active student participation (acquiring both content knowledge and mediation processes) through:
  • Class discussions
  • Role-playing (mediation simulations)
  • Presentations
  • Practical exercises

Teaching languages: Spanish and Italian

Assessment methods

Monographic Course Exam: Mediation (Lectures)

Instructor: Prof. Silvia Betti

The exam for the lecture component will consist of an oral examination in Spanish (entry level C1) with the professor, covering:

• Course content (lecture notes, materials provided in class, required readings)

• Practical exercises conducted during lessons

Final Grading

The overall exam grade (language practice + lectures) will be calculated as a weighted average of:

1. The language practice grade (34 hours of exercises taught by Dr. Asarta)

2. The lecture component grade (Prof. Betti)

Language Practice (Lettorato) - Dr. Asarta

Language competence assessment:

WRITTEN EXAM:
· Morphosyntactic, lexical and cultural content required for C1 level (CEFR)
· Italian to Spanish translation

NB: The written language exam is preparatory to the oral Mediation Spanish exam ('lectures').

Final grade calculation for Mediation Spanish:
(1/3 language practice grade) + (2/3 lecture component grade)

Special Instructions for Erasmus Students

ERASMUS students coming from European Universities must contact Pilar Asarta (mariadel.asarta@unibo.it) within the first two weeks of the course in order to understand the required linguistic level, programmes and assessment methods of both parts. Students who don’t contact the indicated professors at least 2 months before the exam will not be admitted to the exam.

Office hours: See Dr. Asarta's webpage:
https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/mariadel.asarta

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