This section has been designed to determine the extent to which the course contains internationalisation specific learning experiences that aim to develop respect, awareness, knowledge and skills to interact effectively in culturally or linguistically diverse contexts, and/or contain global and international perspectives in a discipline.

Convenors are required to select the appropriate checkbox/es.

More than one checkbox can be selected:

Convenors are asked to list any other internationalisation and cultural diversity objectives, activities, teaching strategies and assessment in the text box provided;

OR

Select - 'there are no internationalisation and cultural diversity specific learning experiences in the course'.

Internationalising the curriculum and classroom practice

The following resources outline approaches and useful strategies for integrating international perspectives into course content and learning and teaching activities and cultivating culturally inclusive learning environments.

Questions explained

1. International perspectives - e.g. History, culture, language, literature, religion, philosophy, economics and/or politics of other country/countries

For example, does the course utilise teaching materials (readings, journals, websites etc.) from international sources which discuss developments in a particular field of study in a particular country/region/culture? Does the course utilise teaching resources which include an international comparative perspective?

Examples:

  • Comparing policies/practices/case studies from Australia and another country.
  • Include multicultural workshops, round-table discussions, and ask students to critically evaluate and compare the impact of an issue/topic on [Country X] and [Country Y].
  • Students work in culturally diverse groups with students from a range of social, cultural and religious backgrounds and prove them with support to ensure equitable relationships.
  • Ask students to use electronic links and networks (e.g. email, videoconference, chat groups) to communicate with students or professionals in other countries.
  • Use recently published international textbooks, journal articles and conference proceedings.
  • Include presentations from guest lecturers or overseas academic/professional speakers with international experience in the field.
  • Present live or digital video-recorded interviews with migrants, community members or ethnic minorities to discuss current controversial issues (e.g. equality and racism, immigration etc).
  • Speak at approximately 150-160 words per minute which is the range that people can comfortably hear and vocalise words.
  • Attending professional development workshops about facilitating the learning of international students.

Resource Guide: Examples of Global and International Perspectives and Awareness (PDF 314k)

2. Requires an overseas exchange, placement or experience

Internationalisation is an important element of Griffith’s mission statement and a key part of this is to internationalise programs through the exchange of students. The Vice Chancellor dedicates up to $500,000 each year to encourage students to study overseas as part of their degree. This grant is called the International Experience Incentive Scheme (IEIS) grant.

The Griffith Exchange Program enables students to remain enrolled at Griffith University while studying at the host institution. Both long and short-term exchanges are available. Further information is available at: Griffith Go Global

International exchange can include any activity that students engage in as part of the course, including overseas exchange, short overseas study tour, work experience/placement/internship in an international organisation, interaction with students from international universities (including our overseas partner institutions).

Other examples of exchange programs include:

  • The Griffith Business School MBA encourages students to undertake international exchange components up to 40CP. Further information is available at: Griffith Go Global
  • Griffith University has exchange partnerships with a number of universities - for example, Yasar University in Turkey provides 4 x $5000 scholarships available to eligible students who apply for an exchange to Yasar. Further information is available at: Griffith Go Global

There is an annual Exchange Fair with representatives from overseas partner universities. Please contact the exchange office on your campus for more information.

Other examples:

  • Participation at an overseas competition or moot. Demonstrating active participation - e.g. Model United Nations, debating, law or politics, moot, and/or business simulations.
  • Encourage students to participate in overseas Work-integrated learning experiences or exchange programs with international partner institutions such as Los Andes in Columbia, Sun Yat Sen in China, Centrum in Peru, Ruven in France, Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
  • Encourage students to undertake a domestic internship or pursue volunteer experience with an international organisation that works on tasks relevant to global leadership.
  • Provide students with practical, hands-on experience through field trips to local organisations to explore discipline specific issues (e.g. water management, wildlife conservation). For example, in Environment, Planning and Architecture, students in 2007 were provided with an opportunity to experience research and conservation issues in Nepal.
  • Involve students in multicultural extra-curricular events such as Harmony Week, to increase their knowledge and experience of social, cultural, and religious diversity.
  • Inform students about and encourage involvement in programs such as Student Linx, and Finding Your Voice across Cultures.

3. Activity specifically to foster intercultural sensitivity, cultural understanding, and/or teach intercultural communication skills

This could include any activity which focuses on interaction in diverse cultural contexts, including role plays, group exercises, reflective journals, case studies (e.g. skills for working in multicultural groups; communicating effectively with people from other cultures).

Resource Guide: Practices for Creating a Culturally Inclusive Classroom (PDF 302k)

Examples:

  • Encourage students to create e-portfolios to demonstrate their intercultural competence and global awareness.
  • Encourage students to join international associations that are affiliated with their discipline/profession, for example, Griffith Environment Conservation Organisation, AIESEC, Griffith Vision Group.
  • Assisting in the organisation of an overseas, domestic or on-campus event or competition featuring international content and delegates.
  • Encourage students and staff to study a second or additional language. This will enable students to appreciate the difficulties faced when trying to communicate in languages other than their mother-tongue.
  • Encourage students from different cultural backgrounds to contribute relevant examples (e.g. professional practices, social norms, workplace rules) from their home country or community.
  • Ask students for ideas about assessment projects that would allow them to demonstrate an international awareness of global, multicultural and/or multilingual issues.

4. Involves study of a foreign language

Encourage students to learn a language other than English at the Brisbane Universities Language Alliance (BULA). Griffith University, the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have formed an alliance to enable students to study more languages. Students from Griffith University can enrol through the BULA website and gain study credit toward their degree.At the moment, languages include Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Spanish.

Encourage domestic students to take part in the Language Exchange organised as part of the Student Linx events and programs each semester. In this weekly program, held at both the Nathan and Gold Coast campuses, provides students with an opportunity to practice their conversational skills with native speakers of the language they are interested in learning or maintaining. All levels of proficiency, from beginner through to advanced, are welcome to attend. For further information, contact Student Linx at: https://www.griffith.edu.au/international/griffith-english-language-institute