Course Information

Dates: Asynchronous online course, held during the week of June 8, 2020
Location: Online
Title: Internationalizing the Curriculum: What we think we know, What we need to know
 

This interactive online asynchronous course, convened by Professor Emerita Betty Leask, a leading international scholar in the field of internationalization of the curriculum, will include opportunities to learn from and with international scholars and practitioners in the field.  All participants will be invited to reflect on readings, presentations and their own practice in online discussion forums.

Who should enroll?
The online course has been designed as a professional development opportunity for those working in roles related to internationalization of the formal curriculum and the campus (informal curriculum), including, for example, faculty, those working in academic development roles, student affairs professionals and anyone with an interest in research and scholarship in related areas, such as intercultural competence development. As the course is intentionally international in its focus, participants from both outside and inside the U.S. are positively encouraged to enroll.

Course Description
In the past decade, traditional approaches to internationalization in higher education focusing solely, or even mainly, on mobility activities for a minority of students have been identified as insufficient. In the 21st Century, all students require intercultural skills and international awareness in both their personal and professional lives. Further, it has been argued that universities have a responsibility to ensure their programs are more inclusive of diverse knowledge and multi-cultural perspectives, systematically provide global learning opportunities for all students and ensure all students develop their soft skills, as well as their disciplinary and professional knowledge. Approaches to internationalization based on mobility for the minority, or the recruitment of international students, are clearly insufficient for this task. Increasingly, in universities across the world, attention is being given to internationalization of the curriculum, teaching and learning at home for all students. This approach to internationalization creates both challenges and opportunities for university leaders, faculty who design and teach courses, and staff who facilitate and support the learning and development of students in the co-curriculum. Research over the past decade has repeatedly shown that, while some of the challenges faced are context-dependent, others are shared across a range of different disciplinary, institutional and national contexts.

It is timely, as we enter a new decade, to take stock of what we know today about internationalization of the curriculum, teaching and learning at home in class and on campus, in different contexts. Discussions and presentations will provoke critical reflection on the past and prompt forward thinking, inviting all participants to consider their role in imagining and creating internationalization of the curriculum for the future.

Certification of completion
Please note that all participants from outside Boston College will not receive academic credit nor a transcript documenting their participation in this course. However, all participants will be awarded a certificate of completion to share with their employers.

Any questions about this course can be directed to internationalhighered@bc.edu.