Global Learning QEP: Faculty lead the way

Under a curriculum framework draft developed by FIU faculty and approved by the Faculty Senate, students will take at least one global learning foundational course in the core and at least one upper-division course focused on global dynamics in their major as part of the university’s Global Learning Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).

By Hilary Landorf, director of the Office of Global Learning Initiatives and
Stephanie Doscher, associate director of the Office of Global Learning Initiatives

On Tuesday, February 17, the Faculty Senate voted to support the curriculum framework draft for FIU’s Global Learning Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The framework outlines a global learning course sequence for all FIU undergraduates: students will take at least one global learning foundational course in the core and at least one upper division course focused on global dynamics in their major.

The reins of QEP leadership properly rest in the hands of the faculty. Faculty members have led the way in the development of the curriculum framework and will continue to do so at every stage of the evolution of the QEP. QEP landmarks thus far include the following:

• Fall 2007: A faculty proposal for internationalizing FIU’s curriculum is chosen as the theme for the QEP;
• Spring 2008: 18 faculty members, seven of whom serve on the Faculty Senate, join with eight administrators and students to form the QEP Development Team, charged with researching and composing the initial blueprint for the QEP;
• Summer 2008: The first Internationalization Faculty Learning Community forms to explore interdisciplinary approaches for implementing the QEP and to create replicable models of teachingglobal knowledge, skills and attitudes;
• Fall 2008: An associate professor from the College of Education, Hilary Landorf, is chosen as director of the Office of Global Learning Initiatives, charged with the responsibility of coordinating faculty-led QEP initiatives;
• Spring 2009: Faculty pilot four new global learning-infused courses in the core; faculty attend the American Council on Education (ACE) conference on Internationalizing Higher Education Curriculum.

For more information on the Global Learning QEP, or to find out how you can become more involved, contact Andrew Gomez, program assistant, Office of Global Learning Initiatives, GL 470, by phone (305-348-4145) or e-mail (agomez@fiu.edu).