DESCRIPTION

Many issues, problems, and challenges today transcend national boundaries. No matter what subject you teach, with globalization, interdependence, and technology the world is coming into your discipline (if it hasn’t already done so!). The understanding of any academic subject (and its pedagogy) can be enhanced by placing it in comparative context, by bringing in different ways of seeing and doing, and by searching for “best practices” from other countries and societies. You are likely to have students from different countries or from different immigrant backgrounds. Introducing and examining content related to your discipline or course subject from outside the United States can help contribute to creating an atmosphere (and a pedagogy) that fosters greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. Furthermore, as your students enter the professional arena after graduation, the world will be coming into their workplace. The better equipped they are to understand and handle different perspectives with global literacy, the more likely they will succeed in their chosen careers. You can add an international or comparative perspective to your course content through readings, projects, class activities and other assignments.

Objectives, Audience, Class Size, & Mode of Instruction

GLOBALLY FOCUSED OBJECTIVES

Adding an international and comparative perspective can achieve the same learning objectives you already have for your course as well as specifically addressing one or more of the IUI Dimensions of Global Learning, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, or globally focused objectives addressed by your disciplinary accrediting body.

AUDIENCE

Globalizing course content can (and should) be done at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, from FYS or freshman courses in the major to capstones.

CLASS SIZE

This strategy is good for classes of all sizes.

MODE OF INSTRUCTION

This can be facilitated in any mode of instruction: in-person, online only, hybrid, asynchronous or synchronous.

Preparation, Implementation, Assessment, & Additional Considerations

PREPARATION

Identify globally-focused resources to include in your syllabus – news outlets, media, academic journals, etc. Use databases that provide an international view of your course topics. Consult the professionals in IUI Libraries if you are unfamiliar with these types of sources. Identify globally-focused organizations that are local, national, or outside of the US. The Office of International Affairs may be able to recommend some. Consult with colleagues with knowledge of resources outside of the U.S. including students, staff, colleagues, and international visitors. This might take couple of hours of your time.

IMPLEMENTATION

Bringing some global or comparative context into a course need not be a daunting task; it could even be done very “lightly” by simply adding a globally focused assignment. (Comparative here means comparing some aspect of the subject area content of your course to that of other countries or regions.)

Is this strategy good for small or large classes? Both? Global perspectives can be added to your course simply by assigning media or journal articles on your topic from non-US sources. It could be something as simple as asking, how is a particular topic or event you are discussing in class being covered in other countries? This could be a prompt for an in-class or online discussion or even an assignment for a paper.

ASSESMENT

Instructors can use the same criteria they are using to assess current assignments (e.g., papers, online discussions) that are not globally focused. I just include the globally focused requirements (use of international sources, bringing in non-US examples, etc.) in the assignment and rubric.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

No additional considerations at this time.

Examples, Resources, & References

EXAMPLES

Atlas Examples of how one can add an international and comparative perspective to their course.docx

Pierre Atlas, Senior Lecturer at the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, shares insight on how to add international and comparative content to your class in the video below.

Some global, comparative, and country-by-country content resources:

Some pedagogical resources for global learning:

NAFSA: Global Learning ResourcesLinks to an external site.
Asia Society: Technology Tools for Global EducationLinks to an external site.

REFERENCES

Strategy provided by Pierre M. Atlas, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer, MPA Program Director, Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs