The integration of geography in a curriculum focused to internationalization: an interdisciplinary liberal arts perspective from the Netherlands

Abstract

Internationalization has been an important concept in higher education over the past two decades. The way that internationalization is manifest has consequences to academic disciplines, including geography. A new system of liberal arts colleges in the Netherlands has created opportunities for interdisciplinary education, representing a departure from the traditional model of European higher education. At Leiden University College the focus on global challenges created an opportunity for geography to be integrated into a diverse interdisciplinary and international curriculum. The positioning of geography into the curriculum, however, occurred because its adaptability and breadth, which enabled it to be incorporated into diverse facets of the overall teaching programme. To be successful, however, geographers should be cognizant of specific facets of the discipline suited for an international context. The case study herein reviewed highlights important differences between the U.S. and Dutch (European) context. Additionally, important points for academic geographers (academics) who are in interdisciplinary programmes (i.e. not a geography department) are emphasized, which relates to the development of course materials to suit an international context. The identification of key thematic and methodological disciplinary strands serves as bridges to interdisciplinary opportunities, which was essential to geography's successful establishment within an international curriculum.

Internationalization Project to Face the Uncertainties of Work Market

“…Becoming international or even global can be one of the most intelligent and profitable moves to improve the quality of the organization, attract new talent and increase its resources whether human or financial. Otherwise, institutions would be neglecting increasing quality of education, acquiring new knowledge and experience and, more importantly, more opportunities for research development [9].…”

International Experiences and the Implications for the Success of Engineering Programs

“…Becoming international or even global can be one of the most intelligent and profitable moves to improve the quality of the organization, attract new talent and increase its resources, whether human or financial. Otherwise, institutions would be neglecting increasing quality of education, acquiring new 978-1-5386-6522-0/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 4-7 December 2018, Wollongong, NSW, Australia 2018 IEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering (TALE) knowledge and experience and, more importantly, more opportunities for research development [10].…”

Internationalization and Its Impact in Engineering Programs

“…Becoming international or even global can be one of the most intelligent and profitable moves to improve the quality of the organization, attract new talent and increase its resources whether human or financial. Otherwise, institutions would be neglecting increasing quality of education, acquiring new knowledge and experience and, more importantly, more opportunities for research development [8].…”