For the past two years, CIEE and Union College have collaborated to run International Faculty Development Seminars in Beijing, China, and Istanbul, Turkey, assisting Union in their efforts to internationalize their common curriculum. During this session, we'll outline how Union applied for and won a grant from the Mellon Foundation, approached CIEE for assistance with the design and execution of the programs, and ultimately, how the first of the two programs has changed and will continue to change the common curriculum at Union. Participants will leave with a better understanding of how international professional development opportunities can help internationalize curriculum on their own campuses.
Customizing Professional Development to Internationalize Curricula
1. CUSTOMIZING AND FUNDING
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO
INTERNATIONALIZE THE CURRICULUM
Dr. Joyce Madancy, Union College Erin Santana, CIEE IFDS
Karlis Rokpelnis, CIEE Beijing
2. What are International Faculty Development Seminars?
2
• Created by CIEE in 1990 –26 years supporting campus internationalization efforts
• International professional development for faculty and administrators
• Short-term, intensive overseas experiences focusing on issues and regions that are
shaping the course of world events – overarching themes clearly aligned with
academic disciplines
3. What is IFDS? (cont.)
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• Structured around key programmatic components:
• Detailed syllabus includes readings, objectives, framing questions
• Comprehensive pre-departure and on-site orientations
• Lectures & discussion sessions with local faculty, experts, community
leaders
• Site visits, excursions, and intercultural activities
• “Now What?” workshop focused on putting IFDS experience to use back
on campus
www.ciee.org/ifds
4. A sample of 2017 seminars
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Location(s) Seminar Title Discipline(s)
Havana, Cuba Contemporary Cuban Transformations: Social
Inequities and Social Policy
Social Sciences
Shanghai, China
and Taipei,
Taiwan
Political Divergence, Culture Convergence, and
Economic Reliance
Business, Political
Science
Rabat, Morocco Intercultural Learning in the Multilingual
Context of Morocco
Language,
Intercultural
Learning
Paris, France Best Practices for Creating Successful Faculty-
Led Programs
6. Background
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Presidential/Administrative Initiative
Mellon Mid-Career Presidential Discretionary Grant – invited to apply
Inspired by President’s own study tour experience
Dean of Faculty Links to Common Curriculum (General Education)
Educational mission
- Cuts across all disciplines
- Support/affirmation for those who contribute
Director of Common Curriculum and GenEd Board
- Fleshed out details – themes of Social Justice and Sustainability
- Made decision to work with CIEE
- Campus survey of possible topics and locations
- China and Turkey (based on CIEE logistics and our themes)
- Selection of Directors and Co-Directors
- Application Process: info sessions, application essay, final decisions, deanly generosity
7. A Diverse Group
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Fourteen total – a diverse group!
By rank
5 Professors
4 Associate Professors
2 Assistant Professors
3 lecturers
By Gender – 3 men, 11 women
By Department
Director
- History – East Asia
Co-Directors
- Modern Languages – Chinese and Asian
Studies
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
8. A Diverse Group (cont.)
8
Everyone Else
Biology
Chemistry
English (three)
Ethnomusicology & Asian Studies
Electrical and Comp. Engineering
Film Studies
Geology
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Three Chinese speakers
Five had been to China previously
9. Preparation
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Three Goals
Group “bonding”
Intellectual/Cultural Preparation
Thinking about curricular consequences
Five Pre-Departure Workshops
Historical background and Language
Summer reading list
Curricular brainstorming/mapping to prepare and to follow up
Logistics
Environmental Studies Lecture Series – focus on China
Group Chinese Dinner
12. Creating the Seminar
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Wide in scope and
vast in geography
The participant
cohort was very
diverse and so
were needs and
expectations
13. Adjusting the seminar for Union College
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Even with a focus on
social justice, the
scope was still wide
The participant cohort
was diverse
Interests were more
articulated
Unfortunate timing of
staff changes at CIEE
Beijing and training
needs – had to
replace group leader
last minute
15. Ten Days in Northeast China
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A Smashing Success!
Cross-disciplinary bonding?
Check!
Educational lectures
Check!
Illuminating excursions
Check!
Results
New courses with new themes from the
trip
New modules in existing courses
Guest lectures and invited speakers