Internationalizing Curriculum: A New Kind of Education?  Vaino-Mattila, 2009

Discussion Question #1:

After reading Grabove’s article, what is your current conceptualization of “internationalization of the curriculum”?

Introduction to the Author Dr. Arjo Vainio-Mattila

is currently the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Huron University in London, Ontario.

Relationship to Internationalization

Vanio-Mattila (2009) gives a case example of what “internationalizing the curriculum” looks like at Huron University.

Place: What is in a name?

Background on “internationalizing the curriculum”

Huron University had a department referred to as the Centre for International Studies that was established in 2000.

Local Initiative at Huron University

The “Think Global, Act Local” (TGAL) initiative was launched in the 2001/2002 academic year and enabled students to learn about international curriculum in the local context (London, Ontario).

Discussion Question #2

What has “internationalization of the curriculum” looked like at other institutions you have studied at outside of Canada? For instance, is it just at the surface level or were there initiatives in the local context that enabled students to learn about global issues directly?

How is internationalizing the curriculum viewed in higher education in Canada today?

Why is it important for internationalizing curriculum to become more connected to pedagogical debates?

Discussion Question #3

How has your conceptualization of “internationalization of curriculum” changed after this presentation? For example, what are the differences between the drivers for internationalization of the curriculum at Niagara College and at Huron University?