Grant turns GCSU global

After months of intense planning and preparation, GCSU was recently rewarded a $60,000 grant by the Board of Regents to support efforts of internationalizing the majors. Modeling Georgia Tech’s International Plan, various majors will adapt an optional international track, giving students further access to study abroad and international living communities.
    The grant was urged by GCSU president Dorothy Leland expressing the need for an international perspective at GCSU in an increasingly global society.
    “This grant will enable Georgia College to expand its efforts to bring a global perspective to the majors that it offers,” Leland said. “Through this initiative, we will expand efforts already underway to weave global perspectives into the curriculum at (GCSU).”
    Leland, along with a few other colleagues, had written the grant proposal, addressing the need for diversity in core curriculum.
    Upon receiving the grant, four major departments including History, Geography and Philosophy, Economics and Finance, Business and Finance and Nursing have jump started the internationalizing process. Each department is planning an international degree track that will give students the option to study a course abroad that directly deals with the major.
    Dr. Stephen Auerbach, assistant professor of the History, Geography and Philosophy department, explains that the target goal of the program for students is “a leg up in competing in the global world.” Instructing courses such as World Civilization I and French Revolution, Auerbach is often forced to teach from a multicultural perspective, offering courses in France, India and China.
    GCSU, originally applying for a $50,000 grant was pleasantly surprised at receiving more than expected. As the grant quickly turned to $60,000 both students and faculty were optimistic of its promised effects.
    “I’ve had classes that spoke about standards in other countries, but students wouldn’t actually retain it,” senior business major Neil Orand said. “You kinda need that hands-on experience.”
    GCSU staff and faculty aspire to maintain a path for multicultural teaching and learning that is both ambitious and realistic.
    For the upcoming months, eight new departments will expect to undergo similar effects. The final results of the grant are expected to surface by the end of this year.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 25 2008. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry