Center for Teaching and Learning

Abstract of Report and Recommendations from CTL Group on the Internationalization of Teaching and Curriculum

Facilitator: Lisa Hoshmand
Participants: Judith Beth Cohen, Paul Crowley, Gene Diaz, Karen Frostig

The group met for five times during Fall 2005 and Spring 2006. We discussed a range of topics, conceptual and practical, and touched on a number of substantive issues and concerns. Each of the group members reported on individual work in the international realm, especially with teaching and curriculum.  We also shared references and other resources. Our last meeting was used to derive recommendations for the School and the University with respect to promoting the internationalization of teaching and curriculum.

The full report consists of three parts: (A) Summary of notes from the group discussions; (B) Bibliography and faculty resources; and (C) Recommendations.

Following are highlights of our group discussions, and our recommendations.

Discussion Topics

• Identifying GSASS Interdisciplinary and International work.
• Ways of Learning from Other Institutions.
• Conceptualizing internationalization and globalization: Terminology.
• News items related to Globalism.
• Developments in the Art world.
• Issues and Concerns Related to Internationalization.
• Questions about the International in Teaching and Learning.

Recommendations

The group has the following recommendations for the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences:

• Sponsor a faculty development day on globalizing the curriculum.
• Devote a School meeting to discussing internationalizing teaching, working with international students, and how we as educators could bring change in the current climate of cultures and civilizations in conflict.
• Survey courses that include international dimensions.
• Survey faculty to identify research projects on international topics, overseas teaching, and international conference travel.
• Encourage faculty to serve as guest speakers for others’ classes in sharing international perspectives and work that is international in nature.
• Consult the Intercultural Relations program faculty in developing international initiatives.
• Support partnership programs, such as in the Creative Arts in Learning Division.
• Reach out to international students as part of graduate student support.

Additional recommendations are made for action that can be taken by the University:

• Include international objectives as part of Lesley’s mission, and in budget and planning.
• Create an administrative structure to provide central support for international endeavors.
• Support grant initiatives for international projects, such as by providing seed money.
• Provide funding for international conference travel so as to enable faculty collaboration with faculty at institutions in other countries.
• Host faculty exchange scholars from international backgrounds.
• Use the credit option under Continuing Education as a way to bring collaborative course offerings to campus.
• Offer more language teaching, not only in the undergraduate programs, but also in the form of intensive language learning for faculty and graduate students.
• Add resources for supporting international students.

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