Virtual reality experiences with students in China to boost intercultural communication, molecular biology research in Europe, participation in UNESCO’s global network of “learning cities” – these are among the opportunities students will find in new courses being developed by faculty with support from 2018 Internationalizing the Cornell Curriculum (ICC) grants.

Nine projects, many multidisciplinary, are receiving ICC grants totaling approximately $155,000 this year, the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs announced.

“The grants support faculty in the development of rigorous, innovative approaches in teaching, learning and research,” said Wendy W. Wolford, vice provost for international affairs. “The results strengthen the integration of international content within the curriculum and directly benefit our students.”

This marks the fourth year of the program, which is funded through the Global Cornell initiative. To date, 57 awards have been made.

“The ICC grants enhance cross-cultural competence and increase the numbers of Cornell students with first-hand international experiences and exposure to global issues and diverse international perspectives,” said David R. Lee, provost’s fellow for internationalization.

2018 grants:

• Migration in the Américas: An interdisciplinary course sequence focusing on Mexican and Guatemalan migration to upstate New York. Principal investigator: Debra Castillo, the Emerson Hinchliff Chair of Hispanic Studies and professor of comparative literature (Arts and Sciences/Latina/o Studies and Comparative Literature). Co-PIs: Maria Cook, professor of international comparative labor (ILR School); Mary Jo Dudley, senior extension associate and director of Cornell Farmworkers Program (Agriculture and Life Sciences/Development Sociology)
• Design for Adaptation – Drawing on Case Studies from Latin America, Europe and Asia: Two courses using a digital database of adaptable housing designed for areas of rapid modernization and intensive urban migration. PI: Lily Chi, associate professor (Architecture, Art, and Planning/Architecture).
• Assessing Garden-Based Community Programs: A course and case study with Plenty Belize to analyze its school gardens projects. PI: Marcia Eames-Sheavly, senior lecturer and senior extension associate (Agriculture and Life Sciences/Horticulture and Integrative Plant Science). Co-PI: Marvin P. Pritts, professor of horticulture (Agriculture and Life Sciences/Integrative Plant Science).
• Global and Public Health Research, Engagement and Language Learning in Dominican Republic: A credit-bearing summer course in the Global Health Program focusing on leadership development and critical reflection. PI: Jeanne Moseley, senior lecturer and director of the Global Health Program (Agriculture and Life Sciences and Human Ecology/Nutritional Sciences).
• Global Networks of Learning Localities for Sustainable Development Goals: Two courses through which Cornell students will participate with U.S. municipalities in UNESCO’s global network of “learning cities.” PI: Annalisa Raymer, lecturer and director of the Community Learning and Service Partnership (Agriculture and Life Sciences/Development Sociology). Co-PI: Marvin P. Pritts, professor of horticulture (Agriculture and Life Sciences/Integrative Plant Science).
• European Molecular Biology Research Experience: Cornell biology students can continue their research development in a top European institution during summer-break or post-graduate experiences. PI: Jeremy Thompson, research associate and lecturer (Agriculture and Life Sciences/Integrative Plant Science).
• Pre-Professional Education in Global Development: A pilot 4+1 experiential learning program to condense the 2-year overseas work experience required of applicants to the MPS program in international development. PI: Terry Tucker, senior lecturer and director of undergraduate studies in International Agriculture and Rural Development (Agriculture and Life Sciences/International Programs). Co-PI: James P. Lassoie, international professor of conservation (Agriculture and Life Sciences/Natural Resources).
• Deepening International Engagement in the Global Cinema Course Sequence: Learning modules – focusing on Asia and the Mediterranean – for foundational courses in the new interdisciplinary major in Performing and Media Arts. PI: Amy Villarejo, professor (Arts and Sciences/Performing and Media Arts). Co-PIs: Sabine Haenni, associate professor (Arts and Sciences/Performing and Media Arts; American Studies); Samantha Sheppard, assistant professor, Mary Armstrong Meduski ’80, (Arts and Sciences/Performing and Media Arts).
• Immersive Learning of Intercultural Communication Competence through Films and Virtual Reality: A new course, Crossing Cultures through Films, and the pilot of a virtual reality component for four existing courses to allow Cornell students to interact with students in China in a VR environment. PI: Y. Connie Yuan, associate professor (Agriculture and Life Sciences/Communication). Co-PI: Andrea Stevenson Won, assistant professor (Agriculture and Life Sciences/Communication).

Faculty who receive ICC grants are encouraged to participate in development opportunities that include seminars and short workshops offered in collaboration with the Center for Teaching Innovation, Office of Engagement Initiatives, Language Resource Center and others.

ICC grants are administered by the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs, with support from the Internationalization Council.