Teaching Globalization Globally and Virtually
Pierre Canac, Charles K. Davis, and Sujin K. Horwitz
University of St. Thomas, USA
Volume 9: 2014, pp. 71-100; ABSTRACT
This case describes how a course on globalization was conceived by an individual faculty member at a small private university located in the Southern United States and how it has eventually evolved as a multidisciplinary, virtual course embracing faculty and students from six regions of the world over a decade of offerings. Teaching globalization globally and virtually as described in this case relies upon computing and networking technologies to create a unique blend of multilingual, multinational team teaching and collaborative learning. This collaborative learning initiative has captured and benefited a large number of students around the world who might not otherwise take the course on globalization and the ensuing result has been a rich composite of countries and cultures all present in one intriguing and unusually far reaching educational experience. Although delivering globally distributed online courses poses unique challenges to faculty and students alike as seen in the case, online instruction also provides academic institutions with increased educational opportunities and greater flexibility due to its unique ability to transcend traditional boundaries of time, space, and other educational constraints. Ultimately, carefully-designed and well-delivered online instruction offers a means by which students can acquire and practice skills needed to collaborate and compete in this increasingly global community.
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