The Global Learning Courses program is part of the Global Crossroads Initiative and is focused on internationalization of the curriculum at GLCA schools. Like the Global Course Connections program, the Global Learning Courses program seeks to complement internationalization efforts by connecting courses in ways that leverage the expertise and cultural diversity of the thirty colleges and universities in the Global Liberal Arts Alliance.
Courses offered through the Global Learning Courses program differ from courses in the Global Course Connections program in four respects.
- Developing cultural competence must be an assessable outcome of all Global Learning courses.
- Global Learning courses must have at least half of their syllabi in common.
- At least one of the schools in each connection must be a GLCA school. The partner may be any school in the Alliance (this includes the thirteen schools of the GLCA).
- Planning for Global Learning Courses will have a longer time frame than Globally Connected Courses.
The departments offering connected courses need not be the same, and the courses may include additional topics and materials, reflecting disciplinary differences. Course instructors collaborate on the creation of a shared conceptual framework for their courses, including learning outcomes, concepts, topics, readings/viewings, assignments, and rubrics. Assignments students work on in cross-course groups leverage cultural, geographic and/or disciplinary differences to enrich the conversation and deepen students’ understanding of course content.
Exploration Grant
Faculty members interested in exploring the possibility of connecting their courses through the Global Learning program are encouraged to apply for an Exploration Grant. A $250 stipend will be paid to each faculty member on receipt of a short report of the exploration.
Course Topics
There is a wide range of topics that can leverage the expertise and cultural diversity of the Alliance in ways that create powerful learning opportunities for instructors and students. A short list of possibilities includes: gender, food, the environment, communication, human rights, freedom of the press, political systems, area studies, health and wellness, inequalities, and peace/conflict studies. It is expected that courses that fulfill a “global learning” graduation requirement will be good candidates.
Global Learning Course Requirements
Global Learning Courses should have the following characteristics:
Cultural competence is an assessable course outcome.
They share at least half of their syllabi.
The common portion of the syllabi explores course topics through the cultures of the campuses’ host countries and/or the disciplinary perspectives of the connected courses.
There is significant interaction between the students through joint assignments involving cross-course groups resulting in a collaboratively developed product. Collaboration must be between sets of partnered students and go beyond mere exchange of information.
Course instructors attend an annual workshop. A GLCA instructor might also travel to a partner’s campus to plan the course.
Course instructors and students participate in course and program evaluation.
Ideally, enrollment is capped at 20 students with each course having approximately the same number of students.
Support
Faculty members who offer a Global Learning course are supported through stipends and professional development opportunities.
Stipend for initial course development and delivery: $3,500 per instructor – $1,500 to develop the course and $2,000 to offer it. A stipend of $500 will be offered to update the course for a subsequent offerings and another $500 to offer the course, as well as travel support for GLCA faculty member to travel to the partner’s campus to work on course revision.
Typically there is a summer workshop to learn about cultural competence, to co-develop the syllabi, and to design the course, including learning about relevant technologies. Both course partners must attend the workshop. If needed, there is support for the GLCA partner to travel to their course partner’s campus for additional course development before or after the summer workshop. No workshop will be held in summer 2021.
How to Participate
Step 1: Expression of Interest – Complete the course description form to let us know that you would like to offer a Global Learning course. The form asks for course title, level, prerequisites, description, when the course is to be taught next, and expected enrollment.
Step 2: Find a Course Partner – You can suggest a course partner, or we can help find one. You can express preferences if you wish. For example, connect to a course in a specific area, department, or Alliance school.
Step 3: Submit a Proposal – Once you have a course partner, you and your course partner complete the Global Learning Course Information Table and submit that with a completed proposal to offer the course.