Developing an international curriculum: why and how?

Abstract

Today’s globally interconnected world offers a vast array of new opportunities, but has simultaneously created a need for greater intercultural understanding (Koehne, 2006). This workshop aims to explore the role that Higher Education has to play in preparing graduates for this global market place through internationalisation of the curriculum. In order to achieve this we must first agree what we mean by ‘the curriculum’: should we focus on disciplinary content (Bridges, 2000); the pedagogic approaches we use (Pegg, 2013); the architecture of programmes (Boyd et al, 2007); or a combination of these? Secondly we need to delve into the term ‘internationalisation’ and recognise not only its common challenges, such as the difficulties around language and integration (Kelly, 2010); but also the rich opportunities that internationalisation offers to both ‘home’ and ‘international’ students and staff (Magne, 2014). Following an exploration of these issues, a range of well-defined examples of internationalisation including: pedagogic approaches, cultural cafes, in-class activities, field trips and cultural exchange will be shared (Magne, 2014). Participants will be invited to critique these approaches and discuss how they might be adapted, or used as a spring-board for further ideas to assist in the development of an international curriculum in their own disciplines. Finally participants will apply a gap analysis tool to their own curriculum. This will demonstrate how colleagues can acknowledge existing aspects of internationalisation within their programmes, and identify where there are further opportunities to develop or enrich international elements.