Internationalizing Higher Education: Institutional strategy and development

Code

EDEN4008

School

School of Education and English

Level

4

Credits

30

Semesters

Autumn China

Summary

In this module you will explore the origins and development of international higher education with particular focus on current drivers and practices. Drivers include economic, political, cultural and academic pressures, while the practices covered will include transnational campuses, international collaborations in teaching and research, the recruitment of overseas students and staff, and the use of new distance learning technologies. You will examine different interpretations of internationalisation, distinguishing between surface and deep/ transformational models and how they relate to different drivers. You will compare what criteria of success can be used in different models of internationalisation and their implications for university organisation, strategy, management and culture. You will explore the tensions that may arise between the local, national and international dimensions in diverse institutions with different historical roots and roles. You will explore educational, social and cultural theories of internationalism and cross-cultural interaction, together with post-colonialist and cultural-hegemonic critiques of HE internationalisation and its links to capitalism and neo-liberalism in the contemporary globalising era.
Please note this module is assessed at the end of Autumn semester.  First sit/ Resit exams are scheduled normally in the summer and can take the same form as the missing/ failed component of the assessment (exam, essay etc.) or other form, as decided by the School.
 

Target Students

Level 4 students enrolled in MA International Higher Education

Classes

• One 1-hour-30-minute seminar each week for 10 weeks
• One 1-hour-30-minute lecture each week for 10 weeks

The module includes (i) self-paced study for approximately 100 hours guided by set tasks, reading and on-line interest and reading groups and (ii) 30 hours face-to-face teaching and discussion and (iii) further peer collaborative and interactive activities facilitated by module tutors.

Assessment

• 20% Coursework 1: Group project equivalent to 2000 words (+/- 10%)
• 80% Coursework 2: 4000 words- summative essay (+/- 10%)

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

A. Knowledge and Understanding
A student who completes the module should be able to:
•  gain a broad knowledge of the complexity of international and transnational HE and various concepts and theories associated with the topic;
•  deepen critical understanding of the current trends, issues and debates in international and transnational HE;
•  understand and critically analyse key issues of strategy and management in international and transnational HE.

B. Intellectual Skills
A student who completes the module should have improved the following intellectual skills:
•  undertaking critical analysis and evaluation of both educational research literature and policy and strategy documents;
•  knowing how to develop written and oral arguments about educational matters.

C. Professional and Practical Skills
A student who completes the module should have developed the following professional and personal skills:
•  taking a research-informed and evidenced-based approach to professional activities;
•  contributing to debates on issues around internationalisation in a well-informed manner.

D. Transferable Skills
A student who completes the module should have improved the following transferable skills:
•  increasing cultural awareness in international higher education settings
•  understanding the influence of values on policy and practice;
•  critical reflection on professional practice as an active engagement with theories.

Conveners

• Dr Ashley Yoon Mooi Ng