COD Library: Inclusive Teaching: Course Internationalization

Overview

Ensuring that courses and program activities include global perspectives is central to the development of an internationalized curriculum. While only a small number of students can benefit from educational experiences abroad, internationalized curricula have the potential to affect all students. This tip sheet explains how instructors can design internationalized courses and offers examples of course internationalization strategies developed by Waterloo instructors from a variety of disciplines.

What is course internationalization?

Course internationalization is “a process by which international elements are infused into course content, international resources are used in course readings and assignments, and instructional methodologies appropriate to a culturally diverse student population are implemented" (Schuerholz-Lehr et al., 2007, p. 70).

Strategies

How do I internationalize my course?

Depending on the extent and expected outcomes of course internationalization, instructors choose different approaches to internationalize their courses. These approaches range from simply adding international content to doing a fundamental course re-design for internationalization. However, three main approaches are used by faculty members to internationalize their courses (Bond, 2003, p. 5).

Approach to course internationalization	Description
Add-on	Easy to implement and requires no fundamental changes in course content or pedagogy Examples: adding on a reading, a guest lecture or an assignment with an international or intercultural focus
Curricular infusion	Requires preparation and rethinking of the course design Examples: including course goals that focus on the development of intercultural knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors; including readings and assignments that reflect diverse points of view that are discussed in class
Transformation	Difficult to implement, especially in certain disciplines Main goal: shift in cultural perspective and development of the ability to move among different cultures and worldviews

The following table presents strategies for comprehensive course internationalization that can permeate all aspects of the course design (adapted from Leask, 2005, pp. 119-129).

Components of the internationalized course design	Internationalization strategies
Internationalized student learning outcomes What international perspectives (knowledge, skills and attributes) should students develop in this course?	Internationalized learning outcomes communicate to students the importance of international learning. Whenever possible, international learning outcomes should address cognitive, affective, and behavioural domains of student learning. Below are examples of internationalized learning outcomes. By the end of this course, students should be able to : Discuss the development of _______ in Canada and [insert other country] Evaluate and compare the impact of _______ on _______ around the world. Analyze international trends in _______
Internationalized content What international content and/or contact will students need in order to develop international perspectives?	Including course readings and learning materials that explore course topics from various cultural perspectives Incorporating articles from international journals in your field Including reference to intercultural issues in professional practice Using examples and case studies from different countries and cultures
Internationalized teaching and learning activities What learning activities and tasks will assist learners to develop international perspectives and prepare for the assessment?	Including exercises or research assignments with international or intercultural components Designing activities that bring together international and domestic students through group work and collaborative projects Incorporating intercultural learning activities and simulations Asking students to analyze media reports from international newspapers or interview international students or professionals who have worked internationally
Internationalized assessment methods What assessment task(s) could students complete to demonstrate achievement of international perspectives?	Students self-evaluate their development of international perspectives Students are asked to reflect on their own culture as well as engage with other cultures Students are asked to present information to a real or simulated international/cross-cultural audience

Resources

Bibliography

Bond, S. (2003). Engaging educators: Bringing the world into the classroom. Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE): Ottawa.

Leask, B. (2005). Internationalization of the curriculum: Teaching and learning. In J. Carroll and J. Ryan (Eds.), Teaching international students: Improving learning for all (pp. 119-129). London: Routledge.

Raby,R. L. & Valeau, E. J. (2016). International education at community colleges: Themes, practices, and case studies. Palgrave Macmillan.

Schuerholz-Lehr, S., Caws, C., Van Gyn, G. & Preece, A. (2007). Internationalizing the higher education curriculum: An emerging model for transforming faculty perspectives, Canadian Journal of Higher Education, 37 (1), 67-94.

Online Resources

“Building Resilience through the Development of Intercultural Competencies: Story Circles.” UNESCO, 28 May 2021, https://en.unesco.org/themes/intercultural-dialogue/competencies.

Internationalization in Action: Internationalizing the Curriculum, Part 1 - American Council on Higher Education