Curricular programming supported by the Office of Global Initiatives
Our office helps administer a number of academic programs related to global learning at the College. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about these or other opportunities.
Globally Networked Teaching and Learning Initiative
Globally Networked Classes represent a new genre of courses in which faculty incorporate digital technology into their classes to connect to scholars, activists, and students in other parts of the world.
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The purpose of such a course is not just technology for technology’s sake or to “beam in” local experts, but to intentionally create a rich intercultural learning environment in the classroom in which students confront a variety of perspectives and worldviews, and participate in cross-cultural dialogues about course topics. The courses piloted suggested that globally networked classes have tremendous potential to produce truly engaged learning, while at the same time expanding our capacity as a global campus to extend opportunities for virtual international engagement right here at home. An example of a globally networked course is GER/GIS/GWS 262: The Refugee Crisis in Europe, in which students engage with social workers and refugees in Germany.
FLAC (Languages Across the Curriculum or LxC)
A national initiative, FLAC enhances language competence by employing content-based language instruction in a wide variety of academic disciplines in conjunction with traditional language classes. The overarching goals are to increase global competencies, to make the curriculum more international, and to enhance opportunities for language learning.
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First piloted on our campus in the early 1990s through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the FLAC program was established in 2016. It has gained significant momentum in the number of faculty participants and the reach of the program across all four divisions of the College. FLAC-enhanced courses vary by semester and include a wide array of departments and languages (Cantonese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish).
Walter Commons Fellows
Originating as the Language Fellows, nearly a decade ago, the Walter Commons Fellows support global learning at the college through the creation and promotion of co-curricular and extracurricular events. Past events have included international poetry night, foreign film nights, cooking events, and global focus discussions.
Structured Independent Language Study (SILS)
SILS is an enrichment (as opposed to credit-bearing) program designed to allow students to study languages that interest them but are not offered as part of our formal language curriculum.
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Students use the Mango Languages application and meet weekly with native speakers. Languages studied include Vietnamese, Hindi, Korean, ASL, and Portuguese. SILS was launched as a pilot program in fall 2017 with funding from the Mellon Global Education Grant. The program is under the supervision of the Director of the Global Learning Lab.
World Languages at RMMS
The World Languages program is an innovative partnership between the language programs at Connecticut College and the Regional Multicultural Magnet School, a public elementary school in the College's hometown of New London.
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Launched in 2008, the World Languages program connects Connecticut College students enrolled in LIN 214: Second Language Acquisition to pupils at RMMS in after-school language workshops twice a week. The program seeks to inspire a love of learning languages and cultures among elementary students while affording students at Conn the opportunity to strengthen their teaching and communication abilities. The program has included instruction in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Russian and Spanish as part of the after-school enrichment program.
Travel Research and Immersion Program (TRIPS)
Established in the 1990s, the Travel Research and Immersion Program (TRIP) enhances on-campus academic courses through travel to off-campus locations. The program makes it possible for students to experience first-hand subjects they have studied in the classroom.
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Each spring, between two and four TRIP courses are offered, with grants covering all necessary travel costs associated with the program for all participants, including local transportation, accommodation, meals, fees for guides or lectures, and visa costs. Starting in academic year 2017-18, faculty who receive TRIP funding will be expected to: (1) complete a brief pre-departure training program; (2) administer a short post-trip student survey; (3) develop structured opportunities for participants to share their learning experiences with the broader college community; and (4) submit a final report to the Office of Global Initiatives.
Featured Program
Poland TRIP, March 2017
"In a sense, our TRIP to Poland was the complete liberal arts experience. We studied Poland from historical, contemporary, outsider, and insider perspectives. Inside the classroom we heard academic lectures about Poland. In museums, we contextualized modern-day Poland. Outside of museums and classrooms we spoke with Poles in casual settings and were able to discuss their perspectives on international issues. Such a learning environment is comparable to an interactive textbook, if said textbook also exhibited human characteristics and had the ability to ask questions in return." - Allie Marculitis '17
Study Away, Teach Away (SATA)
Study Away, Teach Away (SATA) refers to semester-long off-campus study programs designed and directed by tenured members of the Connecticut College faculty, in affiliation with a partner institution.
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SATA offers students a unique opportunity to study abroad with our own faculty in locations relevant to the director's teaching and research interests. Since the mid-1990s when the program was first piloted, SATA programs have been offered in over 15 countries around the world, with recent programs in Ireland, Vietnam, South Africa, Peru, Italy, Cuba/Mexico, and South Korea. Faculty interested in directing a SATA program should contact the Office of Global Initiatives to learn more about the proposal process and pre-departure training.
Featured Program
SATA South Africa, Spring 2017
Chemistry Professor Marc Zimmer led a SATA program at Stellenbosch University (SU), Stellenbosch, South Africa. This was the fifth time he has directed a SATA program in South Africa.
Ongoing Assessment of Study Away Programs
Working with the Office of Institutional Research, the Office of Global Initiatives is committed to developing robust assessment practices to ensure the continual improvement of the programs we offer.
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To this end, returning students complete a comprehensive study away re-entry survey, the results of which are utilized in updating our program offerings. In addition, we have implemented new reporting mechanisms for faculty in order to collect accurate data and better evaluate SATA and TRIPs program outcomes.
Study Away Advising Seminar
Supported by a generous grant from the Endeavor Foundation, the Study Away Seminar brings together faculty from different academic departments for the purpose of improving academic advising structures around study away and advancing curricular integration of education abroad experiences.
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Participants investigate current practices at the College with an eye toward bringing a more equity-minded framework to our programs; meet with consultants in the field of international education; and read current literature on the subject.