The University of Central Florida defines Global Learning (GL) courses as those that offer students a chance to explore symbiotic, international systems and their impacts on humanity from multiple points of view. Through global learning (GL) courses, students should:
- Become informed, open-minded, and responsible people who are attentive to diversity across the spectrum of differences,
- Seek to understand how their actions affect both local and global communities, and
- Address the world’s most pressing and enduring issues collaboratively and equitably.
GL courses at UCF will prepare students to consider issues from multiple perspectives, to contribute to discussions ethically and collaboratively, and to find solutions to issues faced by international organizations and the people impacted by their activities.
There are several academic activities that are central components of a GL course:
- Intercultural competencies-whereby students learn to think and act appropriately, and to communicate and work with people from different cultural backgrounds.
- High-impact practices (HIPs)-in which students participate in educational experiences that demand considerable time and effort, facilitate learning outside of the classroom, and require meaningful interactions with faculty and other students.
- Metacognition-in which students develop self-awareness and the ability to reflect and learn from their experiences.
The basic criteria for designating a Global Learning (GL) course at UCF is that through the course students will accomplish the following:
- Complete structured assignments that allow students to articulate their consideration and understanding of interdependent systems,
- Adapt and apply intercultural, discipline-specific skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies to solve difficult problems or explore complex issues,
- Connect core knowledge and skills of the course to real-world professional and civic contexts,
- Participate in meaningful interactions that include diverse experiences and/or perspectives,
- Articulate knowledge, skills, and qualifications to diverse audiences both within and beyond the university,
- Engage in structured reflections that connect course experiences to the development of global citizenship.
Because study abroad opportunities are already high-impact practices, study abroad courses are not eligible for the GL designation.
Amy Zeh High Impact Practice Student Showcase
This showcase is for projects connected with HIP-designated courses only.
Held during the fall and spring semesters, the Amy Zeh HIP Student Showcase celebrates students who have completed projects as a part of their HIP-designated courses. Students can participate in person or online. More information about applying and submitting can be found on the Amy Zeh HIP Student Showcase page.
Questions
For questions or submissions, please email oel@ucf.edu