Month: April 2019

 

Social Justice

Social Justice has a unique relationship with globalization.  John Rawls developed a “Theory of Justice” in 1971 to help understand the connection between the two.  Rawls mentions the importance of equal rights and liberty to all to allow citizens to decide their positions within society.  Although Rawls and many other theories have hypothesized social justice and its connection to globalization, one thing became certain; it is hard to measure and define.  Some believe that globalization has a negative influence on social justice.  A common argument is that poor people are left behind and become disadvantaged in the natural course of globalization.  Other’s like Paul Krugman argues that globalization is not the reason for social injustice and the weight should be focused on tax cuts.  However, case study shows countries who experience rapid globalization enjoy social justice.

Theories in Higher Education

Theories can be a very essential part in understanding and developing higher education on a universal scale.  However, it is important to understand the context in which the theories were created and used.  This week we focused on one such theory describing how western thought has become superior of eastern thought and overrunning educational systems in eastern nations.  Along that theory in particular it was important to understand where the theory was deprived from.  I was able to learn that most of the biggest influencing theories towards higher education across the globe where all derived from the west and were directing at that population.  Therefore, Eastern nations need cultural modification because those theories may not hold up in their area of the world.  Theories are a key component of developing higher education on a universal scale but must be cautiously examined when understanding how to implement them in different areas of the world.

Internationalization in Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East

This week was also interesting to learn about the historically ignored and misrepresented regions of the world in a higher education context.  Again, these countries have been overlooked by the pressure to globalize and develop neoliberalism.  These countries have all had to resist the urge of develop western pedagogy and universal values.  The problem in these countries with universalism is accredited to cultural relativism.  There is a need to shift the Western model in these countries to one that does a better job representing the indigenous and local culture that will allow students to find a deeper connection in their education and learning.

Internationalization

Internationalization has occurred in many areas of higher education.  One of those areas is the progression of curriculum of universities.  Curriculum started with just simply foreign language classes but has shifted towards more content dealing with intercultural and global matters.  I learned this week that the term itself originated in the 1980’s as a tool to promote international studies and the way in which universities approach international education.  It can also be interpreted differently throughout the different areas of the globe.  Ultimately it is a way to promote academic mobility for students and bring higher education opportunities to different areas of the globe.  One of the most unique readings I learned about from this week’s readings was how the term has changed from the 1960’s where it was primarily used as a way to describe international scholarships.  Now it has shifted more towards cross-border education.  It is also evident that it is a combined effort among different nations to cooperate in a manner that can promote and increase the process of internationalization, which is to increase the diversity of cultures that exist in the classrooms throughout different countries.

Globalization

 

Higher education is on the rise on a global scale.  The growth of the higher education across the scale can be attributed to the success of graduates versus those without a degree.  There is a demand for skilled labors everywhere.  Globalization in higher education is critical in order to keep up with the faced paced global economy.  Competition for productivity in the market drives the need for higher education across the globe.  Technology is a major force behind globalization.  Increasing transportation and communication has helped the efforts of globalization.  One term I found particularly helpful in understanding Globalization was “the practice of growing social interaction and connectivity among people around the world, creating economic, social, cultural, political, environmental, scientific and technological interdependence” (Levin, 2001; Marginson, 2007).

One thing is for sure, globalization has led more research and development at higher educational institutions.

Study Abroad

Alongside the growing number of higher education is the number of studying outside their countries.  Studying abroad has become a major driving force behind universities and colleges in their fierce competition to become more globalized and increasing its international student population make-up.  Studying abroad promotes the universities goal of increasing their international commitment of becoming more globalized.  It offers students the unique opportunity to experience different styles of education across the globe and interact with different cultures.  Studying abroad promotes internationalization by promoting academic mobility across different countries.  Studying abroad opens the door for a vast range of career opportunities for undergraduate students.

References

Chapter 2, J. (2012). Concepts, rationales, and interpretive frameworks in internationalization of higher education. In D. Deardorff,  H. de Wit, J.D. Heyl, & T. Adams (Eds), SAGE handbook of international higher education.(pp. 27-42). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.

Yelland, R. (2011). Globalization of higher education (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. The OECD Observer, 287. – This report explores globalization of higher education from an economic/market perspective

Pages 3-22, Mitchell, D. E. & Nielsen, S. Y. (2012) Internationalization and globalization in higher education. In H. Cuadra-Montiel (Ed.), Globalization – Education and management agendas (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (pp. 3-22). – This book chapter explores the impact of globalization to higher education in the U.S., borrowing from two studies conducted by the authors.