Expert Workshop „Internationalisation of the Curricula: Working in International and Joint Classrooms“

9. November 2017 – 9. November 2017 – Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

On the occasion of Göttingen International's 70th anniversary and the celebration "Crossing Boundaries and Spreading the Göttingen Spirit since 1947 - 70 Years Göttingen International", we invite you to join us for an exchange of ideas and good practices on the internationalisation of the curricula across the disciplines. This Expert Workshop will devote particular attention to the role and challenges of international classrooms, both on our local campus and in shared virtual spaces, and to exploring transfer opportunities. Distinguished scholars and practitioners from the field, among them em. Prof. Elspeth Jones (Leeds Beckett University) and Dr. Jos Beelen (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences), and em. Prof. Betty Leask (La Trobe University), will share their expertise in plenary sessions. Highly interactive workshop sessions will provide a hands-on approach to curriculum (re)design.

So-called international and joint classrooms for discipline-specific as well as interdisciplinary work can significantly contribute to successful and systematic curriculum internationalisation: They can be formal learning settings in which local and educationally mobile students interact and where cultural ‘otherness’ enriches classroom discussions. However, creating such environments for intercultural interaction and changes in perspective often remains a challenge for faculty. In a similar vein, students generally cherish engaging with cultural diversity in the classroom. Yet oftentimes a complex entanglement of both overt and covert issues ranging from misunderstandings due to language, culture, and academic socialisation to stereotypes, pressure in the face of assessment, or inadequate collaborative assignments influence interactions in international and joint classrooms.

In this expert workshop, we therefore invite faculty, programme coordinators, international officers, and curriculum developers of international higher education institutions to join us in acknowledging theoretical views on international and joint classrooms and in looking closely at practice and hands-on approaches. Which (already existing) concepts and tools can facilitate cross-cultural encounters on the home campus? Which role can new media and technologies play in opening new perspectives for teaching and learning? How can faculty and curriculum developers make stronger use of the potential of international classrooms which their varieties of perspectives and their multilingualism? How can an internationalised classroom-setting draw on the diverse backgrounds of all students and faculty members? How can the international or joint classroom be connected to the local community and become emblematic of a vibrant and diverse university town? Which learning outcomes are particularly relevant in this context – and which learning scenarios and assessment methods may prove to be adequate?

In the morning, three impulse talks will spark our conversations on topics related to the mission and vision and the internationalisation of the curriculum in higher education. During the workshop sessions, both newcomers to the topic and those more experienced can engage in discussions on practical issues. We encourage all participants to bring their questions and good practices to these workshop sessions. It is our aim to initiate a practice-oriented discussion on the role and challenges of working in international and joint classrooms. – Whether you participate in the workshops or are attending the impulse talks only, we invite you to take part in an interactive discussion space in the afternoon, where colleagues from the University of Göttingen as well as practitioners from other higher education institutions will share their insights and experiences with you.

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