This fifteen-module program is an innovative, interactive program for College and University students who wish to enhance their cultural competency and become a global scholar. This program was designed by the Institute of Study Abroad in association with many faculty colleagues in our partner colleges in the USA. It can be adapted to suit existing programs, or added to your courses as a virtual study abroad program, a continuing ed program, or a course in cultural competency and global awareness.
How the Global Perspectives Program works
The Global Perspectives program uses the history and culture of Ireland, past and present, as a platform for an intensive comparative study across the disciplines of history, literature, social justice, environment and sustainability, business, politics, social studies and leisure. The program consists of 15 modules, and each module includes a lecture on a specific topic, guest contributions, site visits and a guide to class assignments. Assignments can be optional or compulsory, depending on the course. Each module also comes with a reading/resource list. The program can be customized for any group of users, and timetabled to suit your school schedule. While it is a fully online program, we usually schedule at least two live webinars. The cost per student to ISAI for 2021-2022 programs will be $50 per student. Students can enrol directly to this site, or colleges can set a fee and enrol students indirectly.
Class Lecturer
Dr. Niamh Hamill is the primary lecturer for this series of classes. Niamh is the Director of the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland and a lecturer in comparative Irish studies. She has a PhD in History from Drew University NJ and an M.A. in American Studies from University College Dublin.
Niamh is head of the academic department at ISAI and drafts the syllabi and curricula for visiting student groups. The syllabus for the Global Perspectives program was selected in consultation with academic colleagues across the U.S.A to maximise the development of cultural competency and critical thinking.
Evaluation
Dr. Whatley will be evaluating the Global Perspectives through the Narratives of Ireland using the following methods.
The Global Perspective Inventory (GPI) is a survey instrument developed at Iowa State University (https://www.gpi.hs.iastate.edu/) that measures three dimensions of global learning: cognitive, intrapersonal, and interpersonal. For the ISA evaluation, students complete the 32-item GPI at the beginning and at the end of their program to measure progress over the course of their virtual experience.
Guest Speakers
We have many interviews and chats with a range of experts, lecturers and guests who have first-hand knowledge and experience of our topics- this includes Dr. Paula Meehan, former Professor of Poetry Ireland (pictured), Professor Christine Kinealy, Quinnipiac University, Professor Liam Kennedy, Professor Diane Negra, UCD, Senator Eileen Flynn, Niall O'Dowd, Don Mullan, Úna-Minh Kavanagh, Femi Bankole, Ailbhe Smyth, Captain Bartley McFadden, John O'Connell, Rory Fallon, Conor Donnan, Syliva Rios& more. We also have site visits to many places of interest in Dublin, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim & surrounds.
Learn about our shared narratives
Ireland's multifaceted history includes narratives of colonization, displacement, emigration, civil rights movements, conflict resolution, peace building and the challenge of building better in the 21st century. All of these events provide us with excellent material for comparative and critical thinking about ourselves, our community, and our past, present and future
Empathy, Cultural Competency and Knowledge
Each of the modules in this course are based on core values of empathy, cultural awareness, social justice and environmental responsibility. Students engage with each of the classes through creative assignments that will develop intercultural skills and global experiences. These are invaluable tools to take with on your future or current career path, but more importantly, make you a more informed and educated world citizen.
Global Learning - a small step to the world
You may not yet have had the opportunity to travel or study abroad, but we hope that this program will encourage you to consider it. The world is full of exciting and interesting places and people. Ireland is a tiny example of all that happens outside of your country, and it will provide you with a friendly introduction into things we have in common, and the differences in our cultures. This is the beginning of a beautiful adventure!
Syllabus
Payment options
ISAI will bill $50 per student. Students may pay directly, or ISAI can be paid directly from the college by EFT or credit card.
We request that no college adds on more than 100% of the ISAI fee as this was designed to be an accessible, affordable program for students.
We are happy to give one free place per 10 students enrolled.
Assignments are compulsory for all for-credit options. For Community Ed /Continuing Ed, there is a version of the course with optional assignments.
As this is a fully asynchronous course, you can set the start and end dates. We recommend a minimum of 7 weeks to do the program, which is composed of 15 modules.
Each module has a lecture, between 20-30 minutes, and a recommended reading list.
An assignment is attached to each module, and we recommend that assignments are a compulsory part of the program. All of the assignments are in the form of a video response to the classes, and can easily be uploaded from a smartphone to this platform for assessment.
However, for continuing ed courses or other not-for-credit options, assignments can be left as optional,
Evaluation and recording of assignments will be done by ISAI, but access to all student work will be available to your faculty,