Scope
A key challenge for universities is to prepare faculty and graduates to effectively participate in an increasingly interdependent global society. Many colleges and universities are rapidly expanding their program offerings related to international education. This course will examine different aspects of “internationalization” as an objective and then explore the implications for faculty, students, the curriculum, research strategy, and institutional arrangements.
Objectives
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- explain to someone unfamiliar with the term, the meaning of “internationalization” and its implications for academic institutions, using the language and concepts basic to current discussions about internationalization;
- articulate your own perspective on how to define an approach international affairs appropriate to a particular institution, including your own values with respect to the centrality, issues and trade-offs in embarking on an internationalization path.
- discuss knowledgeably, with key university stakeholders their views of different internationalization objectives, showing them that you have an appreciation for the breadth of issues in the management of international affairs and demonstrating your own critical judgment about these issues;
- appreciate the general nature of the cultural differences the U.S. higher education system presents for international students, and prepare yourself to learn about those differences first hand in a culture foreign to you.
Format, Requirements, Grading
The course will function in a seminar format, using the readings to provoke discussion and stimulate students to make judgments about the topics. Guest presentations by senior faculty/administrators on key topics have been arranged. Class sessions are designed for intense exploration of the major topics.
The seminar is a collaborative venture and active participation in discussions is essential to its success! The readings are fundamental to the course.
Each student is required (a) to attend class regularly and to participate actively during class sessions, (b) to participate in an ongoing discussion €˜Forum’ on the class website, and to lead his/her forum for one week, (c) to participate in the English Conversation Partners Program and write reflection papers addressing cultural issues for international students, (d) to examine and write about an original research topic and (e) prepare a class presentation/discussion on that topic.
Topics
1. Introduction and Overview
An overview of the course: why internationalize? for which institutions is it important? what is the scope of an internationalization effort? and how do you adjust the scope by type of institution? what is the role of American institutions of higher education in the world?
Readings — Prior to the first class one book will be selected from current bestsellers.
2. Purpose and Dimensions
Who are the constituents of international programs? on campus? off-campus? Who benefits? what are the costs?
3. Curriculum
General education requirements, language training, basic disciplines. What does an educated citizen need to know in order to function in an interdependent world?
4. Curriculum con’t
This session is the companion to the previous one, and is intended to explore those parts of the curriculum specifically geared to international studies: undergraduate international studies majors, study abroad, interdisciplinary or regional centers.
5. Students
Foreign students: proportions, majors, origins, obligations, infrastructure, adjustment issues, English as a second language. Domestic students: study abroad, other opportunities.
Guest speakers: International student panel
6. Faculty
How do faculty (a) contribute to, (b) need, or (c) adjust to the demands of internationalization? What are the implications for faculty diversity, the conduct of research, travel, and/or faculty development? Faculty attitudes toward internationalization and incentives to change.
7. Research, Technical Assistance
What does it mean to internationalize research? e.g., MIT’s strategic planning process; graduate student involvement. The implications of involvement: costs, timeframes, technical assistance vs research; university involvement with USAID, the World Bank and other foreign institutions. What sorts of special inter-institutional arrangements are necessary — collaborative agreements, technical assistance? An overview of related government and private programs will critique the degree to which they help or hinder international education objectives.
8. Case Examples
Through this discussion we will explore the type of infrastructure required to accomplish the objectives of an internationalization initiative: the library, travel funds, institutional contacts, database requirements, use of the Internet, consortia and conference infrastructures.
9. Making Change and Organizing
Where to start? Which are the most fundamental dimensions? Where will be the most complex resistance? Where might you find the best successful pilot programs? What are different options for organizing international affairs on a campus?
10. Where Have We Come?
Can we articulate a framework?