Abstract :: U.S. D of E Title VI Grant: Caribbean Basin Studies / IPE

Strengthening the International Studies Curriculum In Caribbean Basin Studies and International Political Economy

Download this document: Microsoft Word | PDF

The purpose of this two-year project is to strengthen and improve instruction in International Studies and the study of foreign languages at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) through curriculum development and faculty enrichment. It has six objectives: first, to expand the curriculum by adding 15 new courses and revising 7 others; second, to provide the framework for this curriculum development and foster internationalization on campus by holding twelve 5-hour faculty workshops; third, to contribute to faculty development and build bridges across the disciplines through the workshops, faculty travel abroad, and the presence on campus of four distinguished scholars; fourth, to introduce a pilot Languages Across The Curriculum program in Spanish; fifth, to create a website which will disseminate the results of the project to a wider audience; and, sixth, to incorporate rigorous outside evaluation procedures to document the program's success.

This project is the essential next step to fulfill the interdisciplinary promise of the International Studies major which was inaugurated in September 2001. It responds to local, regional and national needs. Interest in International Studies at TCNJ is substantial; in a successful first year of operation, more than thirty students chose the major. Moreover, International Studies courses enrolled approximately 8,622 during the 2001-2002 school year.

The proposed project builds on this local interest and strengthens the interdisciplinary nature of the International Studies curriculum. Its foci, Caribbean Basin Studies and International Political Economy, concern two of the major's concentrations: Latin American Studies and International Economics and Trade. They are also key aspects of the current African-American Studies minor and the proposed major in that field.

We use a broad definition of the Caribbean Basin that includes states and territories within the Caribbean, as well as bordering coastal areas such as those found in Venezuela, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico. We view this as an integrative, innovative approach to Caribbean Studies that permits comparative work across traditional delimitations such as language or "island" status. Understood as a broad region, the Caribbean forms a microcosm for examining major issues which concern much of the globe. Today, for example, Caribbean countries are struggling to meet the challenges of economic integration, ecological degradation, globalization, drug traffic, internal rebellion, and migration. All of these problems impact the security of the United States and are of concern to many other countries. Therefore, knowledge about this region will be transferable to other areas of the world.

Similarly, the timeliness of studying International Political Economy is clear. As the world shrinks, and the distinction between politics and economics becomes more blurred, it is imperative that students incorporate economic issues into their understanding of international politics and society. The issues at the core of International Political Economy draw on at least three disciplines: Political Science, Economics and International Business and, therefore, require an interdisciplinary approach. As overseas trade becomes increasingly important to New Jersey's economy, graduates of the state's colleges must understand transnational economic issues, broadly conceived to include environmental concerns. These are no longer second-order problems but impact directly on the health and well-being of the state and the nation.

This project will build bridges across disciplines as a result of the curriculum development and faculty enrichment which are at its heart. It is not immodest to characterize the outcome as a major elevation of TCNJ's emphasis on international studies through a substantial commitment on the part of the college combined with the stimulus of federal funds. The faculty and administration of The College of New Jersey are committed to the International Studies major as an aspect of their continuing efforts to expand cross-cultural opportunities for students. This project will influence the entire campus by infusing the college's intellectual life with a deeper appreciation of international concerns. Federal funds are essential to the fulfillment of these goals.


		TCNJ :: International Studies :: Grant
International Studies Resources Multimedia U.S. Department of Education Title VI Grant: Caribbean Basin Studies / International Political Economy Abstract Participants Schedule Guest Scholars Languages Across Curriculum Travel Study Course Contact Information Site Map	Strengthening the International Studies Curriculum In Caribbean Basin Studies and International Political Economy Download this document: Microsoft Word \| PDF The purpose of this two-year project is to strengthen and improve instruction in International Studies and the study of foreign languages at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) through curriculum development and faculty enrichment. It has six objectives: first, to expand the curriculum by adding 15 new courses and revising 7 others; second, to provide the framework for this curriculum development and foster internationalization on campus by holding twelve 5-hour faculty workshops; third, to contribute to faculty development and build bridges across the disciplines through the workshops, faculty travel abroad, and the presence on campus of four distinguished scholars; fourth, to introduce a pilot Languages Across The Curriculum program in Spanish; fifth, to create a website which will disseminate the results of the project to a wider audience; and, sixth, to incorporate rigorous outside evaluation procedures to document the program's success. This project is the essential next step to fulfill the interdisciplinary promise of the International Studies major which was inaugurated in September 2001. It responds to local, regional and national needs. Interest in International Studies at TCNJ is substantial; in a successful first year of operation, more than thirty students chose the major. Moreover, International Studies courses enrolled approximately 8,622 during the 2001-2002 school year. The proposed project builds on this local interest and strengthens the interdisciplinary nature of the International Studies curriculum. Its foci, Caribbean Basin Studies and International Political Economy, concern two of the major's concentrations: Latin American Studies and International Economics and Trade. They are also key aspects of the current African-American Studies minor and the proposed major in that field. We use a broad definition of the Caribbean Basin that includes states and territories within the Caribbean, as well as bordering coastal areas such as those found in Venezuela, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico. We view this as an integrative, innovative approach to Caribbean Studies that permits comparative work across traditional delimitations such as language or "island" status. Understood as a broad region, the Caribbean forms a microcosm for examining major issues which concern much of the globe. Today, for example, Caribbean countries are struggling to meet the challenges of economic integration, ecological degradation, globalization, drug traffic, internal rebellion, and migration. All of these problems impact the security of the United States and are of concern to many other countries. Therefore, knowledge about this region will be transferable to other areas of the world. Similarly, the timeliness of studying International Political Economy is clear. As the world shrinks, and the distinction between politics and economics becomes more blurred, it is imperative that students incorporate economic issues into their understanding of international politics and society. The issues at the core of International Political Economy draw on at least three disciplines: Political Science, Economics and International Business and, therefore, require an interdisciplinary approach. As overseas trade becomes increasingly important to New Jersey's economy, graduates of the state's colleges must understand transnational economic issues, broadly conceived to include environmental concerns. These are no longer second-order problems but impact directly on the health and well-being of the state and the nation. This project will build bridges across disciplines as a result of the curriculum development and faculty enrichment which are at its heart. It is not immodest to characterize the outcome as a major elevation of TCNJ's emphasis on international studies through a substantial commitment on the part of the college combined with the stimulus of federal funds. The faculty and administration of The College of New Jersey are committed to the International Studies major as an aspect of their continuing efforts to expand cross-cultural opportunities for students. This project will influence the entire campus by infusing the college's intellectual life with a deeper appreciation of international concerns. Federal funds are essential to the fulfillment of these goals.