Internationalisation of curriculum

Some notes here initially on a seminar presented by Betty Leask at the University of Canberra - feel free to expand/improve

Internationalisation includes knowledge, skills and attitudes at three levels:

1. Raising awareness - what to do / not do
2. Improving understanding - developing understanding of why to do / not do
3. Build autonomy -

“ Internationalisation curricula is not just about content, it also requires changes in pedagogy to encourage students to develop critical skills to understand forces shaping their discipline and challenge accepted viewpoints. ”

An international curriculum will...

1. Engage students with internationally informed research and cultural and linguistic diversity
2. Purposefully develop defined international and intercultural perspectives
3. Progressively assess learning outcomes
4. Prepare students to deal with uncertainty by opening their minds and developing their ability to think both creatively and critically
5. Move beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries and dominant paradigms
   1. Rhetorical question? Does internationalisation mean Westernisation?

Some myths about IoC

1. It's about teaching international students (pedagogy)
2. It's about including a few comparative, international case studies (content)
3. It's about adapting our teaching to make accessible to offshore students (pedagogy)
4. It's about adapting the curriculum for offshore delivery (contextualisation/localisation)
5. It's about exchange and study abroad
6. It's only concerns the formal curriculum

Key points

1. IoC is about embedding the curriculum in a broader (than local) context
2. Develop learning activities focused on the progressive development in all students of international and intercultural skills, integrated across a program of study (course)
3. Assess student progress towards achievement of international and intercultural learning outcomes
4. What are the main blockers and enablers to IoC?
   1. Academics are not convinced and supported/resources to internationalise (e.g., because the purpose is seen as for marketing?)

See also

• Intercultural competence
• Internationalisation at home

External links

1. Betty Leask
2. Internationalisation at Home (Netherlands)