Integrating Study Abroad Into the Curriculum - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1579223494 ISBN 13: 9781579223496

Publisher: Routledge, 2010

Synopsis

With the increased interest in study abroad from government, educators, employers and students, the question is: is study abroad engendering the desired intercultural competencies and intellectual development?

To achieve this goal, this book proposes two strategies: structure study abroad to bridge the separation of academic learning from experiential and intercultural learning; and integrate study abroad with the undergraduate curriculum.

In proposing this integration, the editors take into account the need for institutional change, and recognize faculty members’ concerns about maintaining the integrity of the curriculum, teaching in areas outside their expertise, and keeping up with ever-evolving institutional missions.

This book opens with two chapters presenting different theoretical perspectives relevant to the integration of study abroad into the curriculum. The following nine chapters provide examples from a variety of disciplines – from anthropology and religious studies, to literature, urban studies, biology and public health – and within such contexts as distance learning, service learning, and the senior thesis. The concluding chapter considers faculty development activities and institutional structures and policies that support curriculum integration.

While the examples are drawn from Beloit College and Kalamazoo College – liberal arts colleges with substantial study abroad enrollments, and nationally recognized for their innovative practices – readers will recognize they are easily adaptable to their own institutions. The two colleges achieved their curricular innovations with limited financial resources, and in the context that most of their students are dependent on financial aid.

The transformational ideas and practices described here provide material for reflection and campus conversations for anyone concerned with developing global citizens and well-educated students, and offer a blueprint for implementation.

About this title

Book Description

"How can colleges and universities take the immense potential of study abroad and integrate what students are learning and experiencing abroad into the wider curriculum on the home campus? This is the central question Elizabeth Brewer and Kiran Cunningham address in their timely edited volume. Especially now, when greater numbers of institutions of higher education are searching for ways to internationalize their profile and offerings, this book presents a wide range of strategies aimed at effectively integrating the benefits of time spent abroad with developments in the home campus curriculum. Drawing on a wealth of study abroad experience, this book focuses on the intentional integration of students’ educational and personal experiences abroad for transformational learning and development at home."―Comparative Education Review

To achieve the goal of engendering intercultural competence and intellectual development, this book proposes two strategies: structure study abroad to bridge the separation of academic learning from experiential and intercultural learning; and integrate study abroad with the undergraduate curriculum.

This book opens with two chapters presenting different theoretical perspectives relevant to the integration of study abroad into the curriculum. The following nine chapters provide examples from a variety of disciplines and within such contexts as distance learning, service learning, and the senior thesis. The concluding chapter considers faculty development activities and institutional structures and policies that support curriculum integration.

About the Author

Elizabeth Brewer is Director, International Education, at Beloit College.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1579223494
• ISBN 13: 9781579223496
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256
• Editor: Cunningham Kiran, Brewer Elizabeth