Abstract

• Internationalization of curriculum is important in a world challenged by issues that require us all to think beyond our geographical and cultural boundaries. Within this context, global environmental change is a key issue.
• In this project, I will consider two ways that international context can be emphasized in the course Global Change Biology: (1) by providing students with relevant case studies (news stories) identified and explained by international experts, and, (2) by having students identify and explain relevant case studies to their peers. The issues identified will then be vetted and added to a developing database.
• The advancement of the database documenting issues of concern will provide students (current and future), educators, and researchers with a living record of the international (via expert selection) and local (via student selection) perception of important aspects of environmental change.
• By trialing, and publishing about, these different pedagogical approaches, educators will have access to evidence regarding the success of alternative techniques, which can inform their approaches.
• Ultimately, this project will enhance student recognition of the international nature of global environmental change, promote internationalization of learning, increase capacity to view issues from different perspectives, and help the development of boundary-crossing skills.