Global+Studies+Conference+at+Providence+Day+School,+Oct+2009

I attended the Global Studies Conference hosted by Providence Day School. The conference not only highlighted the efforts that Providence Day has made to create their global studies program, but also introduced a variety of ideas for enhancing global studies in the curriculu. From courses dedicated to Global Studies and expanded world langague programs, to a Global Studies Speakers series, to student and faculty travel overseas, to using technology like Skype to interact with people all over the world, Providence Day and the many other schools in attendance are employing a variety of creative ways to make their curricula more global. In some cases at Providence Day, the effort took little more than a bit of open-mindedness and creativity. For example, they offer a slate of electives in English and Social Science that are "global electives" (i.e. African Literature, Southeast Asian Studies). But they have added some other electives as well--International Games in PE and Global Theater in Fine Arts are two examples. In some cases, individual teachers have simply thought broadly to make their courses more global--the Chior classes focuses on non-Western music in the second semester, for example. There were many great ideas and resources that were shared, and I will post some links to some of them here shortly.

JAK